Chapter9 Baiting the hook
Edith saw Anthony in secret for the next couple of weeks as they knew things would not work if they went public. Anthony wore his sling in public so that anyone seeing him would assume he was still wounded but most of the time she just went to Locksley and lay in his arms; happier than she thought two people had a right to be. Edith heard nothing from Kelly which both relieved and worried her although she was secure enough in her love for Anthony to know that things would work out.
The wedding loomed; Rosamund arrived from London and she and Edith took tea regularly at Locksley
Rosamund was busy sucking up to Violet that Kelly really was the best thing to ever happen to Edith. Edith's love for Strallan enabled her to convincingly act that she was genuinely in love with Kelly and when they were together with Rosamund they laughed at how gullible the others were.
At their last clandestine meeting on the eve of the wedding; Anthony drew Rosamund aside while Edith was in the bathroom.
"There is going to be a real wedding tomorrow, Rosamund," he said. They had long ago dispensed with titles in private. "But keep it to yourself because it is to be a huge much deserved surprise for Edith," he reached inside his jacket and took out a piece of folded paper which he opened and showed to her.
Rosamund felt tears pricking her eyes, "Oh Anthony, that is so romantic."
"I have broken her heart more than once and I have kept her, kept us, waiting for much too long; I felt it was the right thing to do."
"If that doesn't prove to Violet, Robert and Cora that you love her then nothing will."
Anthony put the paper back inside his jacket as they heard Edith's footsteps; she entered the room.
"I've been thinking," she said as she sat back down. Anthony picked up her hand and she smiled at him, "It's traditional for a father to ask his daughter if she is sure she wants to go through with it. Well I am not planning on marrying Kelly as we all know but suppose I fill him in; give him a kind of idea that he will realise Kelly is not the man he would want me to marry. I will tell him what happened that night; how can he blame me when I was unconscious when it happened. I will make sure he understands above all else that I would be dead had Anthony not found me sooner," she kissed him gently on the lips."
"That sounds very sensible, Edith my lovely," Edith felt a shiver run down her back as she always did whenever he called her that."
Edith and Rosamund drove back to Downton; Rosamund delighted with her secret knowledge that she knew would finally bring her niece the happiness she more than deserved.
Anthony watched them drive away; he was slightly apprehensive about the following day but he knew that she would finally be his.
"I love you, Lady Edith," he thought, "and tomorrow night I will make you Lady Strallan in every possible way come hell or high water. "
"You look lovely, my lady," Anna said, "Sir James is a lucky man,"
"He will be extra lucky to be spending what should be his wedding night in a police cell." Edith thought. "Thank you, Anna," she said.
"I don't know why Lady Edith is marrying Sir James Kelly," Miss O'Brien said,"It'll all end in more tears."
"Why's that Miss O'Brien?" Daisy asked, "She loves him don't she?"
O'Brien laughed, "You have led a very sheltered life if you think that, our Daisy; it's Sir Anthony Strallan she wants and no mistake." "Although god alone knows why, "she added under her breath sotto voce.
"You look beautiful, Edith," Robert said, "Are you ready?"
"Yes Papa," her excitement at seeing Anthony again was serving well in projecting enthusiasm for her planned non wedding to Kelly.
Lord Grantham helped his daughter into the car and got in beside her.
"You don't have to go through with it you know."
"I'm not going to marry him, Papa," Robert's jaw dropped as Edith continued,
"I have found out that Sir James Kelly is definitely not the kind of man you would want your daughter to marry; please just trust me, Papa," she swallowed, "I have to tell you something, and I need you to listen to me like you have never listened to me before, can you manage that?"
"Yes, what is it?"
"Well James and I did not go to York that weekend and let me tell you I wish to god I had."
"Has he hurt you because if he has then by god he will pay!"
"I went to his house on the Friday; we had a nice dinner and all that then he wanted me to look at his books and he offered me some wine. I drank it and passed out because he put something in it. When I came to he was fastening his trousers; that's the only way I know what happened. That and the fact it hurt like hell. He threatened to expose the Kamal Pamouk scandal and about Bates being on trial for murder; just like Sir Richard Carlisle threatened to do after Mary threw him over for Matthew. He said that Carlisle didn't do it because he loved Mary but he had no such qualms. He said no man would want me because of what he had done but I was not in control so it was not my fault. He threw me out in the sleet storm and told me to make my own way home. I took away something I found the previous visit, which I will show you later, but it will prove he is not the kind of man you should want for me,"
"I see," Robert said at a loss as to what to say; his daughter had been raped by her fiancé while subdued by a drug.
"I was too ashamed to come home and as I knew you thought I was in York I decided I needed breathing space. I didn't know what to do so I went to Locksley and passed out yards from the door. The house was in darkness. The next morning Sir Anthony's butler found me and called Sir Anthony although he couldn't help because of his arm. They called Dr Clarkson who said I would have been dead if I had been outside maybe five minutes more. He looked after me; with the help of his housekeeper and then we went to see Aunt Rosamund. Sir James is Sir Richard Carlisle's nephew and when you find out what James is then you will be glad I am going to call it off. Only Aunt Rosamund and Sir Anthony know what had happened to me at James' that night."
Robert put his arm around Edith who had just realised she had almost made the mistake of saying Sir Anthony had carried her inside. That had been true but her father did not yet know about Anthony's arm; best not to give him too many shocks at once.
Edith looked at her father.
"I have no right to judge you Edith and please understand I know it was not your fault."
"I'm telling you because he is likely to make lewd comments to that effect when I call it off."
Robert took his daughter up the aisle; he noticed Strallan sitting between Violet and Rosamund. Strallan was taken aback when Robert smiled at him,
Kelly was waiting and Robert felt bile rise into his throat; how dare the man rape his daughter?
"Dearly beloved." Travis began. Edith swallowed for the time had come. She knew that Rosamund had the white feather card with her and also various documents relating to Kelly's failure to serve his King and country,
"I'm sorry," Edith said, "I just can't go ahead with this; you see I don't and can't ever love you."
Everyone except Robert seemed to be shocked. Kelly moved closer.
"On your head be it." he said coldly.
Robert stood.
"Are you alright Edith?"
"Yes," Edith was visibly shaking and Anthony wanted to go to her and take her in his arms but it was not yet his turn; besides he had to appear to be still wounded.
"My uncle, Sir Richard Carlisle, threatened to expose certain issues related to the noble house of Grantham," the sarcasm in his tone was evident, "When he was thrown over by Lady Mary Crawley. He did not go on with it but let me tell you I have no such qualms; tomorrow this house will be dragged through the mire. I warned Lady Edith; as a fallen woman, that not going ahead would cost her but she appears not to care; so be it."
"A fallen woman," Cora and Mary looked stricken but Robert gave them a look that said not to comment; he would explain when he could. Mary meanwhile was shocked; she had thought she recognised something in Kelly that she knew but had never quite been able to explain it and now she understood. His hard eyes were like those of her former fiancé, Sir Richard Carlisle.
"My poor sister," she thought. "I had hoped she had found what she was looking for in Kelly but I think she loves only Strallan and if I can help her I will."
"My granddaughter is no more a fallen woman than you are an army deserter, Sir James." Violet said. Edith smiled; dear old granny had given her the perfect lead into exposure without knowing it.
"Strange you should say that mother," Rosamund passed Anthony and came up to the front of the church holding something in her hand. "While men were dying for king and country this man had a unique collection of the dreaded white feather; what's more," she took out an official looking letter, "Kelly's conscription papers were, er mislaid and he never reported for training or duty," she glanced at her brother, "you cannot want Edith to marry such a man, if man is an appropriate term for one who lets others die needlessly."
Kelly scowled; his number was up here but they would be very sorry.
Robert, Earl of Grantham, squared up to Kelly.
"How dare you court my daughter! You are a vile despicable morally reprehensible coward and I order you to go now and never come near us again; we will weather the storm as we always do."
A tall man dressed in a sombre navy suit came forward and placed his hand on Kelly's shoulder.
"I am Inspector John Carey of the North Riding CID and this," he indicated a shorter dark haired man dressed in grey, "is my colleague DS Barry Casella," he cleared his throat," James Kelly I am arresting you for failure to comply with a conscription order, for gross financial irregularities and for use of narcotic substance in order to gain sexual advantage. You do not have to say anything unless you wish to do so but anything you do say will be taken down in writing and may be given in evidence."
Carey snapped handcuffs on Kelly's wrist, "Come with me now."
"I never expected drama." Daisy whispered to Mrs Patmore.
"Well the Crawley family are never lacking in it." Mrs Patmore whispered back only to be silenced by a glare from Mrs Hughes.
Carey led Kelly out; as he left he gave both Robert and Anthony a withering glance.
Edith let out a breath and gazed at Anthony who smiled at her.
"Well I think we need to regroup and discuss certain matters," Travis said, "The vestry is at your disposal Lord Grantham."
"Thank you Travis," he turned to his family, "mother, Cora, Mary, Edith, Rosamund and Anthony, please join me."
"What's to happen now Mr Carson?" O'Brien whispered.
"We must wait, Miss O'Brien, for we have not been formally dismissed," Carson said
They assembled in the vestry and Edith stood close to Anthony whose warm smile made her tremble.
."I'm sorry, Mary," Edith said, "I hoped you would not find out that way."
"Since you first brought Kelly home I have been trying to place who he reminded me of," Mary shivered, "You're well rid of him, as am I of Richard."
"I don't think he will carry through on it," Edith said.
"He'll be too busy trying to talk himself out of serious criminal charges." Mary said, "Is it true what he said?"
"He drugged and raped me. I wasn't aware it was happening but when I came round it hurt pretty bad but things seem to be better now."
"I'm glad," Mary looked towards Strallan who was talking to Rosamund, "you love him don't you?" she whispered.
Edith nodded, "Yes and I always have."
Robert patiently explained to Cora and Violet what Kelly had done to Edith; Cora was shocked, "How dare he do that to our daughter!"
"He will have to account for it now, Cora," Robert whispered.
Edith moved back to Anthony's side.
"It's a bit warm in here," he breathed.
"Yes it is isn't it?" Robert said.
"There are not usually so many people in here, Lord Grantham," Travis said apologetically.
Strallan turned to Robert, "It's time I came clean about a few things Robert," he said.
"I'm listening."
"For now you have only to look," Strallan deftly removed his arm from the sling and everyone gasped.
"A few days after Lady Edith's engagement party I was operated on to remove the bullet that put my arm out. It came out intact and released the nerve endings that had been paralysed and prevented me having movement. I finally feel whole again and let me just say I was able to carry Edith inside when we found her."
"Sir Anthony saved Edith's life, Lord Grantham, "Dr Clarkson said, "If she had been outside maybe five or ten minutes more then, put quite simply she would have frozen to death."
"My dear fellow," Robert turned to Strallan, "I owe you an unfathomable debt of gratitude."
"I did what any decent man would have done." Strallan said.
"Steady he will be asking for her hand next," Violet said.
"What would be wrong with that mother? He has saved Edith's life and I have been a fool not to realise that he loves my daughter; perhaps I was afraid to realise."
"I can't do anything about my age, Robert," Strallan said, "nor can I do anything about the fact that I love Edith to such an extent that my life is empty without her. If I had married her that day then she would not have had to go through what she did and I will regret that decision forever."
"You couldn't know what he would do," Cora said.
He knelt at Edith's feet and took her right hand with his own, "Will you marry me Lady Edith Crawley?"
"Yes oh a thousand times yes," she said throwing her arms around him.
"Can you marry them today Travis?" Cora asked.
"That's not possible Lady Grantham."
Strallan took a piece of paper from his pocket; it was the one he had shown Rosamund the previous day.
"Perhaps this will help, Reverend Travis?"
Travis inspected the paper, "this seems to be in order Sir Anthony," he said.
"What is it?" Cora asked.
"It's special license issued by the Archdiocese of York, Lady Grantham. It states the intention of Sir Anthony Strallan of Locksley house to marry Lady Edith Crawley of Downton Abbey on this day in the year of our Lord nineteen hundred and twenty."
Edith threw her arms around Anthony, "Thank you my darling." she breathed.
"You may do so with my blessing, Anthony." Robert said, shaking his hand.
Mary was wiping tears from her eyes; she had made things difficult for Edith over the years but could see that it was time for Edith to take centre stage as she married the man she truly loved and who loved her.
"Don't crow Rosamund, "Violet quipped, "You may have been right on this occasion but still, there is no need to shout it from the rooftops."
"Well you can't say he will need a nursemaid now, Mother."
"He may not but if I get too much more excitement then I shall; at my age one must limit the excitement one allows oneself."
Cora hugged Edith.
"Be happy my darling daughter," she said blinking tears from her eyes.
The servants stood up as the crowd emerged from the vestry. Strallan had bought the ring which he handed to Robert.
"I wonder what will happen now, "Daisy said.
Robert stood up; Travis had resumed his position.
