Thanks for all the wonderful reviews for the last chapter. You all are the best! I borrowed one or two of Lady Edith's lines from the series.
The days following Christmas were filled with activity and passed far too quickly for Anthony and his guests. Between playing soldiers, overseeing sledding adventures, being the guest of honor at tea parties, and reading stories at bedtime, the children kept their newly acquired uncle on his toes. And, each afternoon, Edith and Anthony, along with three rambunctious youngsters merrily piled into the Rolls, setting off over the roads of the snow covered Yorkshire countryside, bringing along on their little excursions a basket packed with freshly baked gingerbread biscuits and a thermos of cocoa. Despite having a full social schedule, the baronet and Bertie somehow managed to quietly complete the transfer of Locksley to Edith without her knowledge, as well as meeting secretly with Tom and Stewart to discuss the future of the estate.
Now, on New Year's eve, after having spent the day at Downton, Edith, Bertie, Marigold, and her two cousins had returned to ring in the New Year with Anthony. Sybbie and George had eagerly chosen to return to Locksley, where they would be permitted to celebrate with the grownups, over the prospect of being tucked away in their beds back at the Abbey. Unfortunately, after what had been a long and eventful day, all three were completely knackered, and now lay on the rug near the roaring fire, fast asleep.
"There's really no need to stay up Anthony, perhaps Bertie and I should just collect the children and call it a night" Edith suggested, noting that as the week had progressed, the older gentleman, though he would never admit to it, seemed to have grown a bit worn and weary.
"I'm fine really" the older gentleman replied, "I took a nap while you were out. Besides, once the clock strikes midnight, you, Bertie, and I shall have, in addition to the new year, an even bigger occasion to celebrate."
"Oh really, and what might that be" the young woman inquired.
"There's to be a changing of the guard, so to speak" the tall blond grinned crookedly.
"That sounds intriguing. Would either of you would care to elaborate?"
"Now, now, my dear" her husband chided, "we mustn't spoil the surprise. You haven't long to wait" he glanced towards the clock on the mantle, "less than half an hour."
"Fine!" Agitated, Edith, who'd never really been known for her patience, began pacing in front of the hearth.
Twenty minutes later, the clock chimed and Anthony raised his glass, "to Edith, the most marvelous woman I've ever known" he toasted.
"To Edith" Bertie added, "my beautiful, intelligent, wonderful wife."
Looking at each other, the men sang out in unison, "To Edith, the...
"For heaven's sake, enough already" the strawberry blonde interrupted, clearly not amused, "will someone please tell me what all the hoopla is about?"
"That's precisely what we're trying to do, my darling." Bertie chuckled.
Clinking their glasses together, the baronet and Marquis began again "To Edith" the young woman rolled her eyes in exasperation, "the new owner of Locksley!"
"What are you saying?" a dazed Edith exclaimed, glancing between the baronet and her husband. "I don't understand what you're saying!"
Setting his drink aside, Anthony pulled a white envelope from his inside suit pocket, handing it to the Marchioness.
"This is the title to Locksley" he informed her, "as of midnight, ownership has transferred to you and the estate is now in your possession."
"But... but the sale of the estate was to establish an... an educational fund. Has much as I might wish... It... it would be... selfish of me to accept" she stammered, scanning the document.
"Not to worry" her husband spoke up, "the educational fund has been established and the proceeds deposited into the account."
Seeing her confusion, Anthony explained, "your husband was gracious enough to purchase the estate in order that it might remain in the hands of someone who, if I may be so bold as to make such an assumption, loves it as much as I."
"I don't believe it" Edith gasped, throwing her arms around her husband. "I... I'm speechless!" Overcome with emotion, the young woman turned to the baronet, "It's true, I've loved Locksley ever since you first invited me to tea. I was always so happy here" she whispered, tears spilling softly onto her cheeks, "much more so than I had ever been at Downton."
"I hope it shall bring you many more years of happiness" the baronet murmured, his eyes glistening brightly, "you and your family" he added, nodding gratefully towards the Marquis.
"I have a little announcement of my own" Bertie seemed particularly pleased with his proclamation. "There's also a clause that stipulates should Marigold or any future descendants decide to sell the property, those proceeds are to be distributed to the Locksley Foundation educational fund as well. You should be proud, Sir Anthony. Thanks to you, less fortunate children shall be provided an education for many years to come."
"I've... I've... no idea...what... what to say" the older gentleman stammered. "Thank you. Thank you ever so much."
"You needn't thank me. I consider myself fortunate to be part of such a worthy cause."
A lingering silence fell over the room, and eventually the younger man stood, clasping his hands together, before speaking, "Seeing as our train will be leaving day after tomorrow, I thought I would give the two of you a bit of time to yourselves, to say a proper farewell. So if you'll excuse me, I'll see the children to bed. Goodnight, my dear" he said, coming to place a kiss to his wife's cheek. "Good night, Sir Anthony."
Once Bertie had gathered the children and left, Edith and Anthony sat quietly staring at each other. Clearly, the idea of being left unchaperoned, caught the couple off guard and left them feeling uncomfortable.
"Oh, for goodness sake" Edith rose, turning off several lights and dimming the others.
"What... what... whaaat are you doing" Anthony stuttered, his voice rising and cracking in alarm as he sprung up from the sofa. "This... this is... entirely improper" he panicked, glancing around the room which was now illuminated by only the soft glow of the fire and the low light of a few lamps.
Edith had to stifle a giggle, "Come now, Anthony, it's not as though, I intend to compromise your honor" she grinned, coming to stand beside him. "It's just occurred to me that in all the time we've known each other" she said, taking a seat on the sofa, "we've never actually celebrated the arrival of a new year together."
She patted the cushion beside her but when it appeared as though the baronet might actually bolt, the strawberry blonde looking directly in his eyes, tugged at his arm and firmly ordered him to sit.
"This isn't so terrible now, is it?" Edith laughed lightly, linking her arm through his. "Often, while we were courting, I imagined how we would spend the holidays. One of my favorite scenarios was sitting cuddled up in front of the fire. Could we do that? Would you mind?"
"I'm not sure it's a good idea to be alone with..." the baronet responded hesitantly.
"Please Anthony, one last intimate memory involving just the two of us. We have so few."
"Alright" the tall blond conceded, "just for a moment though."
Anthony lifted his arm, and Edith snuggled into his side, wrapping her arms around his middle and inhaling the comforting scent of sandalwood soap and the faint smell of aftershave. Pulling the young woman close and breathing in the distinctive fragrance of her lilac perfume, the older gentleman relaxed, absentmindedly placing a kiss to the top of her strawberry waves. Savoring the warmth of their closeness, Edith began fiddling with his tie, working to undo the knot.
"Edith" the baronet muttered hoarsely, grasping her hand and stilling her motions, "you mustn't do that."
"I promise to behave" Edith sighed. "Just once though... I... I'd like to... to be close to you without your being so... properly attired. I'm not asking for much, I only wish to loosen your tie and undo a few buttons. You wouldn't deny me such a small request, would you?"
Yielding to the young woman's pleas, Anthony, once again, raised his arm, allowing the redhead to burrow into his side. Now, with Edith having undone his tie and collar, the two sat quietly staring into the flames.
"You know" Edith eventually broke the silence, "I used to imagine us with a house full of little ones having, as Mama refers to it, the most terrific fun in making them."
"I can't believe you ever had... impure thoughts... about me."
"Anthony, I've been having impure thoughts about you since 1914" the redhead teased.
Finding herself captivated by the intimate setting and mesmerized at being in such close proximity to the man who'd been the object of many a youthful fantasy, Edith began lightly tracing the scruff of his cheek, continuing along his jawline, completely losing herself to the feel of the baronet's warm skin beneath her fingertips.
"Perhaps, it's time I escorted you to your room" the older gentleman abruptly extracted himself from the young woman's embrace and stood, "before this situation gets any further out of hand."
Edith's face fell, "I've gone and ruined things, haven't I? Driven you away."
Tilting her face towards him, the tall blond sighed, "No, my sweet, it's not you, it's me."
"I'm afraid I don't understand."
"I am, after all my darling girl, only human" Anthony confessed, "flesh and blood and, where you're concerned, especially subject to temptation."
"Oh." Edith numbly replied before her eyes widened as she suddenly realized what Anthony meant, "Oh!"
"And, I'd prefer not to be meeting my maker having recently broken one of the ten commandments" the baronet muttered, placing his hand lightly at the small of Edith's back and guiding her across the room.
Upon reaching the library door, the young woman suddenly turned, "Happy New Year, Anthony" she said, placing a kiss to the corner of his mouth.
Anthony's lips curled slightly upward to form a small smile whose faint bit of happiness was almost entirely overshadowed by regret, "Happy New Year, sweet one."
Well, my dear readers, one, perhaps, two chapters to go.