The grounds of Locksley appeared to glow in the light of dusk. The large white tent was lit softly with candles and hanging lanterns, tall tables that could fit three or four people standing were positioned throughout while larger tables for eating had been set up on the back patio near the buffet. A number of bars were positioned strategically throughout, as well as waiters in full costume making the rounds with trays full of champagne filled coupes. It felt like they had fallen into the pages of a Fitzgerald novel. Even a live jazz band had begun to play, filling the air with sounds of the long forgotten decade.
"Incredible, Allison," Edith mused, taking in their surroundings.
"I did do rather splendidly, didn't I?"
"You're hardly surprised any more," Anthony laughed, pressing a kiss to his sister's temple. She seemed to bask in her brother's praise before shaking it off.
"There are guests to greet. Anthony, I expect you to do your duty this evening."
"Charm elderly widows, yes, I know."
"It's for a good cause and Edith can serve as a buffer."
"Very well."
"You kids have fun," Allison beamed before hurrying off to personally say hello to every person that had arrived.
"This is a common role for you?" Edith asked with a grin once they were alone.
"I'm afraid so. I seem to have a way with women of a certain age."
"The way I hear it you have a way with women of any age."
"Vicious lies, I assure you."
Wordlessly he plucked two coupes from a passing tray and held one out for Edith to take.
"Trying to ply me with champagne again?"
"I suspect we'll both need it," he managed before they were interrupted by an older woman dressed in a woefully oversized flapper dress.
"Anthony, my darling young man, where have you been hiding?" she demanded, leaving a large smear of red lipstick on his cheek.
"Business in London has been keeping me quite occupied. Lady Bloom, have you met Lady Edith Crawley?"
"Many moons ago, why? Is she here this evening?" It was probably difficult for the woman to see through the glasses that had the thickness of old soda bottles.
"Uh— yes—" Anthony gestured awkwardly.
"Pleasure to see you again, Lady Bloom," Edith offered with a smile. The older woman slowly looked the red head up and down, her expression a combination of confusion and surprise.
"You're little Edith Crawley? Last time I saw you you were a gawky little thing lurking around your father's library."
"Surely it hasn't been that long?" Anthony questioned.
"Last year I believe. Well, you've blossomed rather beautifully. I take it you'll be monopolizing Sir Anthony's attentions this evening?"
"Well—"
"Of course. A wise choice on both of your parts. Everyone reaches that certain age. Personally I took husbands at both of your ages," she laughed, draining her glass of champagne before looking around for another. Blindly she plucked Anthony's from his hand and began to drink, "Thank you, young man. Edith these waiters are so terribly attentive this year. I wonder if Allison would let me take one home with me."
"She—"
"Well, I will leave you young people to it. Perhaps I'll see if I might find husband number 7 this evening. Lucky number 7."
With another red kiss to Anthony's cheek the Lady Bloom was gone in a cloud of Chanel perfume and wayward feathers. Edith could barely contain her laughter, doubling over and spilling a bit of her own drink as giddiness coursed through her body.
"Sweet woman, but her vision seems to diminish further each year," Anthony groaned.
"Come here, my darling. You'll be called into question, covered with lipstick that doesn't belong to your evening companion."
"Evening companion? You make it sound like I've hired you for the night."
"What would you prefer?" She smiled, pulling his handkerchief from his pocket and trying to move some of the red stains from his face.
"Lucky 7?" He countered, causing both of them to devolve into peals of laughter again.
"Edith? What on earth are you doing to, Sir Anthony?"
The sound of her father's voice quickly put a damper on the frivolity of the moment. She turned to find not just her parents but also Mary and Richard standing behind her, waiting for an answer.
"The Widow Bloom," Anthony explained simply. Richard and Robert both nodded knowingly, looking around the area to see if she was still lurking about.
"I didn't know you would be attending this evening, Edith," Cora marveled, taking in her daughter's appearance and the way Sir Anthony reached out for her daughter's hand. "Or that you and Sir Anthony were so closely acquainted…"
"Really, Cora?" Richard interrupted, "Anthony and Edith go back quite a ways. To the Wheat Fields, if I'm not mistaken?"
"I heard about the misfortune, Richard. Rotten luck," Anthony nodded sympathetically.
"I'm rather surprised you didn't catch it as quickly as young Edith did. Eyes not what they once were?"
"Working perfectly well, if you'll excuse me," with a quick nod Anthony pulled Edith away from the small group. They managed three steps away before the cloud of perfume hit Edith, she began to look back but Anthony stopped her with a grin. "No dear, never look back."
In her life, Edith had never had such a painless interaction with her family. Mary hadn't said a word; she was struck silent at the sight of her little sister in such a gown. The eldest daughter had selected something far less appropriate. It would seem that she didn't realize there was supposed to be some sort of slip worn beneath the dark tulle material, which was intricately embroidered with sequins in the pattern of scales. In the right light it was easy to see that Mary wore nothing at all beneath her dress, much to her husband's embarrassment.
"That was a dirty trick, Strallan," Richard boomed, trying to remove lipstick from his face.
"Perhaps you should have your hearing checked? You didn't hear her coming?" Anthony suggested with a smirk.
"Hilarious. I— I don't suppose Allie is—"
The mirth left Anthony's expression.
"Is that a wise idea?"
"It would be rude not to say hello to the host."
"I can pass your regards along."
"Anthony-"
"Your wife is here, practically sans a dress, I really do not think it a wise idea."
"I suppose you're right. Would you just tell her- tell her what a marvelous party she put together. I'll be in the study enjoying some of your Scotch."
Anthony simply nodded.
"Edith, dear. You look stunning yet again," Richard smiled at his sister-in-law who was silently watched the conversation play out in front of her.
"Thank you," she nodded sadly. It seemed a shame that Mary should have Richard when it was clear that he and Allison clearly still wanted each other on some level.
The night flitted by in glasses of champagne and dances; Edith was coaxed into doing her part for Allison's charity, dancing with the occasional widower. She had managed to fly under her family's radar for nearly two hours before she found herself cornered by mother and sister.
"Anthony Strallan, of all people, Edith?" Mary demanded.
"Yes, of all people, Mary."
"Leave her be, I'm just glad she's dating someone."
"She is standing right here and thank you, mother," Edith managed in a clipped tone, looking eagerly for rescue.
"My darling girl, there you are!" came Allison's voice from behind. "Tony has been looking for you, rightly so. I wouldn't let you out of my sight looking so stunning either. Don't you agree?"
"Oh— well of course," Cora managed to smile.
"It's a rather busy gown if you ask me," Mary shrugged, sipping from her glass and looking around the lawn.
"We didn't," Allison smiled sweetly, "and I might point out that traditionally there's supposed to be a second layer under that dress of yours."
"I'm not especially concerned with the traditions, Richard seemed perfectly pleased with my selection."
"Clearly, where has he gotten off to?"
"He's right—" Mary began, looking around for where her husband had disappeared.
Edith and Cora remained quiet, trying to stay out of the line of passive aggressive fire.
"Perhaps he's beaming with pride elsewhere. If you'll excuse me," Allison smiled tightly before disappearing into the crowd to greet other guests.
"I'll be off as well," Edith murmured quickly, following the blonde.
"He's in the library," Allison whispered.
"He's in Anthony's study," the redhead replied simply, giving her a knowing look before wading through the crowd once more.