Edith slowly opened her eyes only to find Evelyn Napier staring down at her with a small smile on his face.

"Hi," she said shyly.

"Hi." Evelyn's smile grew. "How are you feeling?"

"My head is pounding painfully, but, other than that, I am quite content. How long have you been awake?"

"Quite awhile. I have been watching you sleep for the last forty minutes or so."

Edith's eyebrows rose. "Oh? That can't possibly have been that interesting."

"But it was," Evelyn declared adamantly. "I have never seen you so relaxed. It's quite different from that brave front you put on every day."

Edith ducked her head and blushed prettily. "I am sure last night's fiasco wasn't something you see very often either."

"No, it's not." Evelyn's index finger lifted Edith's chin so that her eyes stared directly into his. "But even so, whenever you need me, Edith, I'll be there for you. And it wasn't a fiasco. I know the English tradition of hiding your emotions beneath a stone mask has been instilled in you since infancy, but you never have to hide them with me."

When Edith didn't say anything for a few moments, Evelyn asked, "Do I make myself clear?"

Edith nodded. "Yes. Very clear."

"Good," said Evelyn. For a while the two lay in comfortable silence as Edith tried to wish away her headache in vain and Evelyn ruminated over his thoughts. Finally, Evelyn decided to fill Edith in on what had him so pensive.

"While you were asleep, I came to a decision," he began. When Edith looked to him in askance, he continued, "I want to marry you." Edith sat up in shock, but before she could say anything, Evelyn held up his hand to stop her. "Not immediately. I want to court you first. Properly. Because you deserve it Edith. You really do. You deserve to be treated like the beautiful woman you are." Evelyn palmed Edith's cheek and swiped his thumb across the tracks of tears that had been left behind from yesterday's events. Fresh tears began to pool in Edith's eyes. "Please," Evelyn begged, "let me show you how much I love you and care for you as you truly deserve. Will you give me this chance Edith?" Edith blinked and a single drop glided down her face. Slowly, Edith nodded.

Evelyn's smile turned into a full grin of happiness. "Fantastic. Now I don't want to see any more tears from you because for the rest of my days I intend to make sure that you never have cause for sadness. Now get ready for today while I speak with Mrs. Hughes about the surprise I have planned for us today."

With butterflies of happiness fluttering in his chest, Evelyn kissed Edith on the forehead, rung the bell for the maid and swiftly got out of bed and went out the door, leaving Edith to attempt to process everything that had happened in the last hour.

A cup of coffee and an hour and a half later, Edith walked down the stairs to find Evelyn waiting for her with a picnic basked on his arm.

"Good morning, Lady Edith." Evelyn greeted her formally in an attempt to restore normality, both for the two of them and for any staff that may be lingering around. He winked at her to make her understand that as soon as they were alone, there would be no need for them to remain so dignified.

"Good morning, Mister Napier," Edith smiled at him. "Is that basket a part of your plans for today?" she asked as she reached him.

Evelyn offered her his arm before answering. "Yes, I thought we might go for drive and find a pretty spot some place where we can luncheon."

"That sounds absolutely lovely." The two walked outside, but the car wasn't in sight. "Where's the motor?"

"Well, that's the thing,"Evelyn started sheepishly, "the driver is in London with the family. I would drive myself, but I have no experience with your cars. I was wondering if you would take the wheel."

Edith stared at him. She hadn't been driving since her failure of wedding. First, it reminded her too much of Sir Anthony. Then, after Matthew's accident, she didn't drive out of respect for her sister and her parents. She considered the idea for a long moment before she nodded. It was time to get back into the driver's seat, both literally and metaphorically.

"Alright. Allow me a few minutes to run downstairs and grab the car."

Evelyn was happy that Edith accepted his plan. They had talked of her driving when he was last at Downton. He knew how much she had loved driving and her reasons for not doing so. He knew that if he was going to help her heal, then returning to doing the things she loved for her own sake was a part of that.

Evelyn lay on his side facing Edith as she sipped from her glass of wine. Mrs. Patmore had packed the pair all sorts of picnic food: bread, cheese, a selection of cold cuts, potato salad, cut up watermelon, deviled eggs, and an apple tart for dessert. They had found a beautiful spot near a stream, just off the road to Ripon and were currently sitting beneath an apple tree.

"How did it feel to be driving again?" asked Evelyn as he bit into an egg.

"Nice," Edith smiled.

"You sound surprised?" observed Evelyn.

"I am. It's been so long since I have done anything like that. I feared I would forget everything."

"Well, lucky for us, you didn't. In fact, I thought you drove quite well."

Edith blushed at his praise. "Oh? Well thank you."

She regarded Evelyn as they ate; closely observing all of his mannerisms. She watched his lips form words, his hands create gestures, and they way his chest sucked in and protruded out as he breathed. In all of his actions, she looked for confirmation of his professed love. The interactions, for lack of a better word, that she had with men had caused her to become wary of any attention she received from the opposite sex. The only problem, she thought, was that she was entirely too comfortable with Evelyn.

Edith noticed he had a bit of the cream from the deviled egg on his face. "Evelyn, you have a little…," she gestured to his face. Evelyn attempted to wipe it off, but completely missed the area that Edith had been gesturing to, making her laugh. She leaned forward to wipe it off herself. Just as her hand cupped his cheek, their eyes met. Edith's thumb swiped across the cream on his face while his eyes stared into the depths of hers. Just as she was pulling her hand away, his long fingers encircled her wrist and he brought her palm back to his face. He kissed the bottom of her hand before entwining his fingers with hers.

The two of them stared at their mixed fingers, her dainty paw in his large, strong one. Finally, he broke the silence that had settled up on them. "You know, Edith, I also sent a present for you with that last letter I sent to you."

"You did?"

"Yes, I had hoped it might cheer you up."

"Oh no! I don't believe I remember where the letters I received in that last month are! I was just so distraught." Edith felt badly for not ever opening her mail. "I hope you didn't send anything terribly expensive."

"No. I didn't. Please don't stress about it. I just bought you a book. I was able to acquire another copy."

"Oh good. I'd hate to think your gift went to waste."

"I have it here for you." He reached into the picnic basket and pulled out a copy of Edith Wharton's The Age of Innocence. "I saw it while passing the bookstore on my way home from work one day and I remembered that we had spoke about it."

"Oh, Evelyn! That is terribly sweet of you."

"You're welcome."

The next couple of hours were spent chatting and eating. For a while, Evelyn read the first chapter of the book to Edith. The picnic came to a close when all the food was gone and Evelyn was tired of reading.

"Evelyn, I wondered if we might go into Ripon before returning to Downton," proposed Edith.

"Of course. I don't see why not. Are you looking for something in particular?"

"Yes. I thought I might pick up a gift for Mrs. Hughes. She really went above and beyond last night."

"I agree. You are very lucky to have her as your housekeeper."

"I am not sure what we would do without her."

The picnic was packed up and as the couple walked back to the automobile, her hand somehow managed to slip into his.