AU Canon (Post war, Pre Successful Wedding) – Surviving Dinner
"Why the rush to marry?" Lady Violet asked as the salad plates were cleared from the table. Only two courses in and the inquisition was already beginning.
"Because we've waited long enough." Edith answered quickly, reaching for her glass of water. Anthony's posture suddenly went rigid, glancing down he noticed an empty shoe near the leg of her chair. Her toes curled around his ankle, slipping beneath his pant leg.
"You've been courting for a few weeks." Robert interjected.
"Actually, if you'll recall, I had planned on proposing shortly before the war broke out." Anthony shot an apologetic glance to his side where Edith sat. She just smiled in understanding, moving her foot a little higher.
"And you decided against it?" Violet questioned, she was not intent to let the matter drop. It seemed that with each question Edith's foot moved a little more against Anthony, as her hand would rest on his if polite table etiquette allowed.
"Must we really discuss the past?" Cora interrupted, much to a tense Mary's relief. "They're getting married now and we should all be very pleased."
"Thank you, mama." Edith smiled.
"I think it's a fair question. If he decided against marrying her once, what's to keep him from doing so again?"
"Lady Grantham…" Anthony began. But before he could get any more words out he felt her foot moving further up his leg, brushing against his calf. "You needn't worry about that. I was… misinformed the first time and allowed the looming war convince me that it was best that Edith not be tied down to me should the worse occur. As I highly doubt there will be another war on the horizon for some time…"
"You feel comfortable tying yourself to her now?" It was a cheap blow, even Robert flinched at the line of questioning.
"Yes." Edith answered sharply. "It's what we both want, granny, so please let it be. I don't know why everyone has suddenly taken an interest in my happiness. None of you ever seemed to care before."
The words escaped her before she could stop them. She felt all eyes shift towards her, but Edith refused to look up. Anthony felt her foot leave his leg, returning to shoe before she could leave the table with a muttered "excuse me."
Edith made her way to library, opening the first window she could reach. Leaning forward she forced air into her lungs, holding onto the ledge.
"Edie?" Came Anthony's voice from behind her.
"Just a moment… just a moment…" She heaved, taking another breath before closing the window and leaning against one of the bookcases. "You know that I don't care what they think, right? I love you, Anthony, that's all that matters, you know that right?"
"I know, Edith. I love you too." He reassured her, pulling her into a hug as best he could with his right arm in its sling.
"Everything all right?" Cora asked from the doorway.
"Fine, mama." Edith answered, pulling back slightly from Anthony's embrace.
"Good. I'll have Carson bring two plates in here, dinner might be more enjoyable alone. I trust you'll keep your feet to yourself?" She arched an eyebrow, looking at her daughter.
"Lady…" Anthony began but Cora simply raised her hand and smiled.
"It's all right, no one else noticed. You aren't the only one to face the scrutiny of the Dowager Countess. Try doing it as an American."
With that, Cora left the two alone. Plates were brought in shortly after with a much kinder smile than Edith had ever received from the man. If she had to wager a guess, her mother must have given the dining room a thorough talking to. Edith didn't care about anything as they finished eating, she slipped off her shoes and moved closer to Anthony on the sofa. With her legs gingerly crossed one foot moved back towards him.
"Certainly found a way to make dinner parties interesting."
"I'm going to receive a ridiculous amount of slip shoes from you, aren't I?" Anthony laughed.
"Yes. A pair for every outing."
"I look forward to them." She smiled brightly, taking his good hand and pressing a kiss to his knuckles. "I look forward to you."