I am feeling so much support with this one. Thank all who continue to read and comment! There are several Andith stories still floating around and every time I see a new post to one of those I get all excited and inspired to make time to continue this one. Sail on!

The following afternoon, Rosmund returned from another of her excursions to Locksley. "He... he told me that I should not go back," she said as she burst into the drawing room where Cora and Edith were seated.

"What? Who told you?" Cora asked in a small gasp.

"Sir Anthony, of course. He said he and Robert had talked and both agreed that he was not the right man for me. Oh, just wait until I get my hands on my brother!"

Edith was amused by her aunt's fury, but felt guilty as well. She knew Anthony would not turn her away, even if Papa told him he should. He wouldn't, would he? She frowned with that thought. Anthony was very unsure of the appropriateness of their relationship and a word from Papa might just chase him away. Good thing no one knew about them, yet.

Meanwhile Rosamund was still ranting. "I am furious with Robert! What I do and who I see is none of his business."

"I'm sure he thought he was looking out for you, trying to do what is best for you," Cora said calmly.

"Well he isn't. But it doesn't matter. The staff was packing, so I'm sure Anthony is leaving soon. I'll wager he stops in London on his way to the continent. I'll catch up to him there." It was easy to see in Rosamund's expression that she was already busy planning her next move.

But her comments gave Edith an idea. "Speaking of London, Mama; I'll need to go there in a few days. I've a meeting with that editor, Michael Gregson. He wants to go over a new idea he's had for a series of articles and he'd like me to write them. "

"Oh … well, I suppose, if you must. When will you leave?"

"I'll call him in the morning to arrange an appointment." Glancing nervously at Rosamund, who was still deep in thought, Edith spoke more softly. "I think I'll stay at a hotel this time though. I…" she glanced again, "I think it'll be better if I don't…"

Cora was following her thoughts perfectly. "I think you are right. Just please let us know where you are?"

"Of course, Mama."

Robert walked into the room a moment later. "How is everyone this afternoon?" He was obviously in a jovial mood.

"Well, since you asked, brother; I'm rather put out with you," Rosamund said before anyone else could get anything in.

"Oh?" Edith thought her father's consternation gave him a very strange, but funny look. "Why?"

"Because you spoke to Anthony Strallan about me and now he's told me not to go back to Locksley."

"Rosamund," Robert sighed. "I only want what is best for you."

"And you think I am incapable of deciding that for myself. Well, I have news for you, brother; I will see whomever I want, whenever I want and you will not stop me."

"Oh really, Rosamund. Don't you think you've …"

"Don't even say it, Robert! You're being boorish and…"

Edith leaned over toward her mother while Rosamund continued with Robert. "I'm going to my room." Cora smiled at her with an expression that told Edith that her mother wanted to escape too. As she slid from the room, Edith heard Rosamund continuing. "And I'm returning to London and perhaps I'll…" Edith closed the door softly behind her and then hurried to her room.

She found her phone on her bedside table and texted Anthony. Rosamund is very angry with Papa about his visit to you.

It was a few minutes later when he responded. He suggested I stay away from her. I agreed.

You're too agreeable. I hope you never agree to stay away from me! She replied.

Are you sure this is a good idea? If your father is so upset about the idea of his sister seeing me, what will he think when he finds out that we've been seeing one another?

I don't care what he thinks. I care what I think and what you think. And I care about how we feel. I care for you very much and I believe you feel the same about me.

How could I not;? You are so lovely and charming and delightful. But I am not sure I am the best choice for you.

I AM sure. And if you keep saying nice things like that about me, I might just come right over and demonstrate my certainty.

Then I will refrain because as much I believe them true, the thought of another visit from your father so soon is daunting.

When do you leave?

Afternoon train tomorrow.

I shall miss you terribly.

As I shall miss you. I'll come back early summer. We'll talk then.

If you insist. But we can still text?

If you insist, he mimicked her.

I won't say good-bye.

Au revoir then...

Jusqu'à ce que je te revoie, she typed.

Edith was sitting in a lounge chair in the great hall later in the day when Thomas walked by. He disappeared through the door to the library but returned a few minutes later. As he approached Edith he slowed his pace. She looked up at him and he stopped. "You should see him tonight," Thomas said softly.

"What?"

"He is very upset about leaving, I'm told." Edith paused and reflected on how unsure Anthony was about things and decided Thomas was right. "If anyone asks, I've decided to go into York and will be late coming home."

"Of course," Thomas replied with a small smile. In the next moment he disappeared through the door under the stairs.

Edith moved quickly. In her room, she changed into a dress that she hoped Anthony would find pleasing… or better, enticing. She threw a few items in her handbag and then left. She drove to Locksley as swiftly as the little coupe and road conditions would allow. And within minutes was being shown into the library at Locksley.

"Edith," Anthony exclaimed as he looked up and saw her. "What are you doing here?"

"I needed to see you before you leave. I just couldn't let you go without…" she left the word dangling hoping for the response she got.

Anthony was across the room in an instant. "What is wrong? What's happened?"

"Nothing's happened. I just… I miss you already, so much," she said as she allowed a few tears to escape.

Her tears did the trick and Anthony enveloped her in his arms. "Oh my dearest, it won't be for long, just a few months."

"But I don't think I can stand it. I want you now Anthony." She let a few more tears trickle down her face knowing the effect they were having on him.

"But we agreed."

The poor man looked truly confounded, she thought. Well perhaps a little more encouragement…

Edith leaned away just enough to capture the first button of his shirt. As she began to work it loose, she heard a small gasp from him. "What are you doing?"

She looked up at him coyly. "A little going away present so you won't forget me," she said with a shy smile.

He gulped and took a step back, his hand gently covering hers to stop the proceedings. "No," he said abruptly. "This isn't … I can't let you… No, this can't happen. And… and if you think I could forget you then…. Then you don't understand me at all."

"But…" Her tears felt very real now.

"Absolutely not," he said resolutely. If the occasion arises that I should speak to your father about you, I must do so with a clear conscious; at least as clear as it can be. I still think I am all wrong for you."

"But you aren't," she said sulkily. "And I know I am very right for you," she added more cheerfully.

He gazed at her with shining eyes, bright blue pools of deep emotion, consternation mixed with adoration and love. "Of course you are but we must do what is right for you."

"Then you'll take me away with you and we'll be married immediately."

He closed his eyes and sighed heavily. "No. I won't do that."

Edith bit her lip as she realized that he would be stubborn about this. Looking at him dejectedly, she surrendered. "Alright then. Where are you going?"

"London first. I have some business with the bank and my solicitor. And then probably France or perhaps Italy. I'll travel until it is time to return this summer."

"And you'll continue with… your women?"

His eyes widened, his expression taking on complete shock. "Women? No. Do you really think … after… after these past weeks, meeting you again and… and all we've shared and perhaps will share in the future, do you really believe I could… be with anyone else?"

"It helps, hearing you say that helps me face the coming months."

"But you will still see other men?"

"That's what you want me to do, isn't it? I'd really rather not, but if I must to satisfy you then I will. Assuming I am asked, of course." Not that it is likely to happen…

"Yes, it is what I want you to do. I want you to be certain before we let our feelings go any further."

"I love you, Anthony; seeing other men will not change that."

The blue in his eyes glistened as she spoke. A smile quirked at the corner of his mouth before it finally bloomed fully onto his face. ""I am a very lucky man," he whispered reverently.

"And I am a lucky woman. You make me feel cherished, as no one has ever made me feel before." Edith sighed and looked toward the door. "I should go then…"

"One favor?" Anthony asked.

"Yes?"

"A kiss?"

"Oh yes…" And she kissed him with everything she had in her, putting all of her feelings for him into it and not letting up until light headedness was making her feel faint. Then without another word, she left him standing in the middle of the room, stunned.

The following morning Edith woke with the idea of going to the train station, just to see Anthony one more time before he left. At breakfast, she discovered that Rosamund and her father were barely speaking. Sybil chattered enough for all of them though, so the meal was pleasant enough,at least until Rosamund announced she would be leaving on the afternoon train. Edith nearly dropped her fork. That was the same train Anthony planned on taking to London.

Robert eyed his middle daughter curiously. His expression deepened when Rosamund said she would need a lift and Edith offered to drive her to the station. Edith knew she looked flustered and while no one else seemed to notice, her father was unusually aware of her this morning. He told her he would like to speak with her in the library after she finished in the dining room. Both of her sisters looked at her, obviously wondering what trouble she had caused now, Sybil's expression worried and Mary's a knowing smirk.

By the time Edith joined her father in the library, her nerves were in full bloom. Had he guessed or had someone informed him of her activities with Anthony? They hadn't done anything wrong, not really; but she had been told to avoid him and if Papa knew…

Robert looked at his daughter, took in her nervous state, and for once thought before he spoke. "What is troubling you, my girl?"

"Nothing, Papa."

"Obviously something is. It began when Rosamund spoke of leaving this afternoon. Your entire demeanor changed. "

"It… it's just, I heard that Sir Anthony is leaving on that train today. And I thought…" Speaking was difficult and containing her emotions was even more so.

"You're afraid she will throw herself at him on the train?" Robert tried to keep his tone calm.

"I… no. I mean, even if she does, he won't catch her. "

"And you know this how?" His eyes narrowed as he scrutinized Edith's face for clues.

"He told me."

"What? When was this? I thought you were told not to go near him." Although he was still trying to remain calm, it wasn't working very well.

"Yes Papa, you told me that. But… I… saw him again. A few times, actually."

"What?"

"I went to the dance in the village and he was there."

"Yes, I heard he had another of his conquests on his arm that night."

"He did but he sent her away the next day."

"And you know this because you continued to see him?"

"Yes." She stood before her father, knowing she should feel contrition and shame but not feeling any of it. She was nervous about the explosion that she knew would come, but she refused to feel bad about seeing Anthony or what she felt for him.

"But why? After I told you not to?"

"I… I felt drawn to him. And really, at first, it was happenstance. But then I planned to meet him."

"You planned… Edith! You deliberately went behind my back and disobeyed me?"

"Yes. And you might as well know now that I love him and if he'll have me, I plan to marry him."

"But he is leaving."

"I tried to… to get him to… " she paused as she felt her face blushing wildly. "He… he said I should think about it, see other men before… before he would discuss any future for us. So he is leaving and when he comes back, I will tell him what I already know."

"And that is?"

"That I love him and there will never be anyone else for me."

"I see," Robert said softly, studying the determination in his daughter's face. After a moment of consideration, he spoke. "Perkins will drive your aunt to the station today. And Strallan is right; you should see other men and think very hard about a future with him. It may seem pleasant and exciting now but he is far too old for you, Edith. I'm sure by the time he returns you will have realized this."

"No Papa, I won't. Oh, I'll see any man who asks me out but that is because I promised Anthony, not because you tell me to. And when he comes back, I will be able to assure him of my feelings."

Robert frowned but said nothing in response. With a nod, he dismissed her and Edith fled to her room. Let Perkins take Rosamund, she decided. It wouldn't matter. She would go to the station on her own and she would see Anthony, if only to say good bye one more time before he left. And then, she would travel to London in the next few days and find him and convince him.