A/N: Hello everyone. Hope your all well, sorry I haven't posted sooner just had such a busy week. Hope you like this chapter, let me know what you think. Thanks for reading.

The cold seemed to wrap its self round her as she walked faster in the dark, only being able to make out the shapes of the trees dancing in the midnight wind. Her feet crunching on the gravel told her she was going the right way. She almost felt dizzy with the prospect of choosing something her self. All her life people had told her how to act, what to say, what to wear and she hated it so much but now she had a choice. Such a large choice and now it was presented she wasn't sure she wanted to make it. What ever she decided it would be what she decided. No one to blame but her. She sighed the days events resting heavily on her as she reached the gates of Downton. She wasn't sure what time it was but she didn't care as she looked up and down the road, the faint lights from the village making it easier to see, she knew he would come. It was then that she heard it over the sound of the wind and the birds. It was the faint chime of the church bells. Midnight. Resting her heavy suitcase on the gravel she took a moment to clear her head. Her thoughts had been racing since she had met Edward that morning. Hearing a car she turned to the right to see it coming up the bumpy road, coming to a stop where she stood. Edward jumped out leaving the headlights on so he could see clearer in the dark. Joining her at the passenger side of car it was then that he saw the look in her eyes. It was one of sadness. He didn't understand. She had brought her suitcase. She was coming, wasn't she? He spoke, unsure of how loud his voice would be, breaking the pristine silence.

"What's the matter? You want to come, don't you?"

"Of course I do. It's just..."

"What?"

"I want to be with you. I want happiness but I don't know if I want it at the expense of everyone else's."

Her doubts had finally boiled over and to her it was a relief to admit them. He sighed shaking his head slightly. This is why he loved her, he knew that. She couldn't do anything for her, she had to be thinking of others. It made him slightly angry that after all her family had put her through she was still willing to put them first. He held on to her arms lightly making her look at him. Then he could tell what she was really feeling, then she wouldn't be able to look away.

"Edith after everything you still want to stay? It's not your duty to do so. You have to choose now whether to live your life for you or whether your going to live a false, degrading life for your family."

"You can go to London get a divorce and then come back and ask for my father's permission. They love me Edward."

"I love you too Edith. Does that not count for anything at all?"

She looked at him as he turned away. He had said it. Someone had finally said it and weren't ashamed to admit they loved her. It wasn't because it was expected or that it was out of duty. He turned to her again feeling his heart beating out of his chest. He had wanted to be with her but more than anything he wanted her to be happy, for her to be treated right. He spoke again but quieter. Although they were at least a mile away from the house he didn't want to wake anyone near by.

"Just because they love you it doesn't mean that they can take away the choice of marrying me and say it's right."

He didn't want to force her into anything. He wasn't like that but he needed her to see he wanted to protect her just as much as her family did. He turned opening the car door before turning to her and offering his hand to help her into the car. She looked at his hand before turning her head to look back at the house. She could just about make out the top of the towers against the full moon. Turning back she didn't look at Edward. She couldn't, she just looked at his hand wondering if it would be the right thing to do. If it had ever been the right thing to do. Falling in love with him.

The light was just starting to break over the Yorkshire hills as Robert strolled through the grounds. The cold lingered in the air like the fog that still clung to the countryside. He hadn't slept all night and had decided on an early morning walk to clear his head. Even if it was foggy he needed something to take his mind off it. No matter how hard he tried it always came back to her. Edith. She was still his little girl no matter how old she got. He was trying to protect her and the family. He wanted someone proper though, he thought, Edward hadn't taken the bribe he had offered him and that had spoken volumes. He clasped his hands behind his back sighing heavily he would defiantly speak to her when he got back inside. Hearing footsteps he turned and through the light fog he saw his wife. She tried hard not to look overly worried but he could tell she was concerned about him. In the end he had slept in his dressing room to avoid keeping her awake all night. He offered his arm to her. No longer a gentleman's habit but an act of love and she took it gladly as they strolled side by side. Neither having to say a word. He noted that she was dressed and he realised O'Brien would have been called upon earlier meaning she would be even more bitter come dinner time. He dismissed the thought, there were more important things to worry about. Her eyes scanned the gardens, it was then that she came across a familiar spot. She spoke quietly almost whispering into her husbands ear.

"Darling do you remember when we took the girls for a picnic when they were little?"

All Robert could do was nod. She smiled seeing his features lift a little. Family, although always coming second to the estate, meant everything to him and she knew it would always bring a smile to his face. She took a moment to think her next sentence through. She knew the subject they were dodging and hadn't wanted to bring it up but knew it would only get worse if she didn't get him to talk about it. He could be his own worse enemy. Last night was an example of it. She spoke louder as they strolled past an old oak tree.

"Do you think Edith will be alright?"

"Don't worry dear. We did the right thing. She will understand in time."

He said almost distracted patting her hand that was looped through his arm. He had repeated that sentence all night and now he had said it it sounded wrong and he wasn't sure why. He could always talk to Edward. Couldn't he? They strolled for an hour more. Each enjoying the countryside, the silence. Giving them time to think and let their thoughts wonder. When they returned to the house the fog had almost lifted completely and coming to the end of the path Robert spotted Carson at the front door. Had he been gone so long he had missed breakfast? Cora broke her attachment to her husband and watched slightly worried as he strode towards Carson.

"Is something the matter Carson?"

"It's Lady Edith Milord."

"Edith? Is she unwell?"

"I'm afraid she's gone Milord."

Robert stopped in his tracks. His world feeling like it was spinning. Feeling like someone had just punched him in the stomach he took a moment unable to say anything at all. She had gone. Was she coming back? Was it possible she was just out? No of course not. She was gone. They had driven her out of their home. Her home. He felt too unwell to even consider feeling angry. All he could do was turn away from Carson and towards his wife who met his uneasy gaze. Edith would not understand in time because she would not be there to understand. He turned again to look up at the house. It was then that he saw Mary at her bedroom window. He just shook his head and walked into the house clenching his fists. He would have to call the police and straight away before they had a chance to do anything stupid.

He clasped his brandy tightly in his hand straining his eyes to look out of the drawing room window and on to the lawn. The fog had given way to a blistering hot day and the sun seemed to light up every corner of the garden. Sighing he turned away putting his drink on the table next to the sofa. Edith always did prefer a rainy day. It gave her an excuse to sit in the library. He threw a longing glance at the connecting door. What he would give now to go in there and find her curled up by the fire like she always did.

"Clearly Edward has talked her into something silly."

Robert said sitting down feeling tired. He would not believe Edith would do something like she had without encouragement. The family was all gathered minus his mother. Which he was feeling rather pleased about it if he could put off talking to her for a little longer then everything would be all right. Sybil clutched tightly on to her tea cup saucer and glanced round the room. No one saying much, the room was in a miserable mood though she wasn't sure that was all down to Edith disappearing in the middle of the night. She hadn't ever thought her middle sister would be the one to run away. Not in a million years. Mary had been acting very strange but she just put it down to the fact that she had told her aunt about Edith meeting Edward. Everyone let Roberts words settle the silence making it's self at home until there was loud talking the other side of the door. A moment later Violet entered. She quickly took in the room and spoke a shrill tone to her voice.

"I must ask why did I have to hear about this from Lady Wilton?"

"Mama..."

"I will not have it Robert. It is simply unacceptable. I must be aware of these things. So we, I can do some damage control."

Noticing no one had invited her to sit down she crossed the room and placed her self between her daughter and Sybil on the sofa. She poured her self some tea never taking her eye of her son. If it was to believed then she was sure she was going to need something more than tea. She turned herself away from her daughter and towards Sybil as Robert spoke again rubbing his tired eyes.

"I was just saying Edward has clearly turned her."

"Robert dear an idea, like a ghost, must be spoken to a little before it will explain itself."

"Quoting Charles Dickens what ever next mama?"

"Illegitimate grandchildren I shall imagine."

Robert promptly started choking on his brandy. Getting a reassuring pat on the arm from his wife who had started to go a paler colour the more her mother in law spoke. Her head was spinning. What if she had let Robert see Edith the night before? Would it have changed anything? She looked up hearing Violet speak again and seeing Mary look away. She was clearly upset but she was sure it was just over the way her father had been acting.

"But they can't have eloped. He's married isn't he? Robert?"

"His divorce will be through soon enough."

Violet turned to Rosamund who had just answered her question. To save her brother from having a complete break down. Violet spoke glaring at her daughter who didn't meet her eye. Rosamund knew it was bad enough being in trouble with her brother but being in trouble with her mother was a different matter entirely and she could almost feel her self shake as her mother spoke.

"Yes well I think we've heard quite enough from you Rosamund. Honestly...What on earth is that?"

She asked letting her words die away as the faint sound of the telephone could be heard coming from the hall. Robert almost let a smile flicker across his face. Cora wondered if he was just pleased of having an excuse to leave the room, it was the first time he had smiled all morning. She closed her eyes for a moment praying the telephone call was for her. Carson appeared at the door a few seconds later.

"Telephone call for you Milord."

"I don't want to talk to anyone right now. Thank you Carson."

Cora couldn't help but roll her eyes. Her husband was so stubborn and guarded sometimes and she couldn't help but wonder if it was all an act to let people think he wasn't as damaged as he really was. She signalled to Carson to stay in the room before turning back to her husband a stern look on her face. She knew it was not her place and Violet would tell her off but sometimes Robert needed direction.

"Robert it could be the police or even Edith. Carson did they say who they were?"

"No they did not Milady. They simply said it was urgent."

Carson said giving a polite nod towards the Countess. She turned back to her husband who groaned slightly before getting up and following Carson out of the room. Word had surely reached London by now, he thought, if mama had already been informed. He didn't want to have to deal with anyone at that moment. Not until he knew what he was dealing with. Violet glanced round the room surprised no one was in more shock.

"My poor dears first Edith goes missing, you have to have the police in your house and now you have a telephone. What ever next?"

"Honestly Violet."

Cora said muttering to her self as she put her tea cup down with a clatter. Sybil coughed lightly feeling the moment growing ever more tense and awkward. She wanted to join her father in the hall but knew it would be rude to leave at that moment. Violet shot a dark look at Cora. She realised she was having one of her "American" moments and spoke loudly trying to educate her on the seriousness of the situation unaware that she was just sounding patronising.

"Cora, I don't think you understand. We have no hope if Rosamund can't save this family from social depravity. Believe me we have more hope of getting Isobel to use the right fork at dinner. Why don't we get the maids to have tea with us, get this whole embarrassing charade over as soon as possible?"

Robert reached the phone in the hall glad of accepting it his mother was very on form and he was growing tired of it. He noted Carson had placed a chair by the telephone and he took it waiting until Carson had shut the doors to the saloon until he picked up the phone his hands itching with anticipation. Maybe Edith had realised her mistake and was coming home. Maybe she wasn't with Edward at all. He took a breath closing his eyes for a moment hoping the phone call would set everything right.

"Lord Grantham."

"Good morning Lord Grantham. It's Lady Ackworth. May Ackworth."

"Can I help you?"

"No but I think I can help you. I know where you daughter is."