Hope everyone is enjoying ANDITH FEST. Today I hope to read and review a few of the lovely contributions for which I've received notifications. In addition, I hope to update again tomorrow or soon after. As always, thanks to the lovely SHOWTUNESDREAM for getting this event up and going!

Anthony glanced at the clock on the wall, thank goodness he had at least an hour before Edith would return. His stomach began to churn as the baronet considered his former fiancee's reaction to his unexpected, uninvited, and certainly unwanted presence in her hotel room. Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned quickly came to mind. The tall blonde cringed inwardly, sure he was soon to face the wrath of one strawberry blonde in particular.

Suddenly, the older gentleman was startled by three sharp raps at the door, the signal he and Jimmy had agreed upon should Edith return earlier than expected. Anthony quickly crossed the room and opening the door ever so slightly was relieved to see only the young bellhop.

"Your wife's back sir. Anna has her cornered in the lobby and I came straight up but you need to leave now if you want to avoid her."

"No," the baronet wavered, "No, I...I've decided..to wait for her."

"Really," Jimmy grinned, "can I wait with you?"

"No!" Anthony barked. Softening his tone, he continued, "I mean, this meeting's a surprise. We haven't seen each other for a while so I think it should be private, just the two of us. Wouldn't you agree?"

"I suppose so." came the rather unhappy reply.

"Good lad. Now, I have a favor to ask of you," Anthony handed the young fellow a few bills. "I need you to deliver a message to Mrs... to my...wife" the baronet stammered.

Approaching the lobby, Jimmy found Edith still occupied with the head housemaid. "I'll take those," he said, stooping down to pick up her bags.

"Thank you," the young woman smiled.

Turning back to the young blonde, she found herself interrupted by the usually mild mannered bellhop. "Perhaps Mrs. Strallan, you could continue your conversation with Anna later," he fidgeted, trying to contain his excitement, "l'm kind of in a hurry."

Caught off guard by his unexpected request, the strawberry blonde simply nodded and fell in step beside the boy. Edith watched as Jimmy nearly skipped towards her quarters. She couldn't help but laugh at the lad's eagerness, "What's your hurry son?"

The young man grinned mischievously, "do you like surprises?"

"I suppose so," she replied, arching an eyebrow in confusion, "why do you ask?"

The two came to a stop in front of Edith's room, Jimmy's enthusiasm bubbling over, "Because Mrs. Strallan," he nearly shouted, "you had a visitor while you were out

"I did?" the strawberry blonde asked hesitantly,

"Actually, he's waiting in your room."

"What! He! Who?" Edith exclaimed, fear creeping into her voice.

The young woman began to panic. What if it was her father? No, he wouldn't have made the trip himself, at least not on her account, he'd have hired someone, perhaps if she were Mary...who was she kidding, most likely her family hadn't even noticed her absence. And supposing they had, Edith very much doubted they were concerned.

"Don't worry," Jimmy's voice broke her train of thought, "he said you'd understand when I gave you the message."

"Message," Edith sqeaked, trying unsuccessfully to remain calm as she pushed the door slightly ajar, "what message!"

The youngster's brow furrowed in concentration as he tried to recall Anthony's precise words, "something about a poet in need of an empire."

Edith froze, momentarily overcome by images of a drive taken one glorious spring afternoon when she'd first began to fall for a certain blonde, blue-eyed baronet and his kind unassuming manner. She shook her head. It couldn't be. Regaining her composure, the strawberry blonde turned to face Jimmy, "What did you say?"

"He said," came the familiar tones of a voice that for many years now had occupied Edith's thoughts during the day and her dreams at night, "a poet in need of an empire."

As the door swung suddenly open, the strawberry blonde, gasping in disbelief, looked up into the azure blue eyes of Anthony Strallan.