Martha's appearance seemed to be well received. She's not quite done with Anthony yet. While it is a somewhat heartbreaking journey our Anthony is on, I do hope you are able to find a little humor in this chapter. Let me know what you think. As always, your comments are like chocolate.

Two days later there was a note in his box at the front desk. As he opened it, he sighed. Martha Levinson had invited him to dinner. All he could think was why? She'd had her say that day in the park and as far as he was concerned there was nothing more to said between them. Mrs. Williams, the woman who had travelled to New York caring for Emma, was still in his employ for another week so he couldn't use the child as an excuse to decline. It became a question in his mind of whether he could find a way to decline gracefully or if he should just buck up and simply go to her dinner. As he thought more he decided he might go. After all, she might have more news of Edith. No sooner than the thought stumbled through his mind, Anthony closed his eyes and chastised himself. He shouldn't be thinking of her; he hadn't the right. But surely a little news wouldn't hurt? He carefully worded his response and had the concierge send the reply to Mrs. Levinson.

Upon arriving that evening at the Levinson home, more of a mansion really, Anthony was chagrinned to discover there were other guests. Mr. and Mrs. Elmer Chittum and Mr. and Mrs. Floyd Mason were apparently long time friends with the Levinson family. As Martha Levinson made the introductions he had the feeling the others knew of his story with Edith. Mrs. Chittum in particular gave him a peculiar look as if she recognized him, even though Anthony was quite certain they had never met.

So, Mr. Strallan…oh, I'm sorry it is Lord Anthony, isn't it?" Mrs. Mason said.

"Um…Sir Anthony actually," he replied, wishing once again he'd forgone the title. Americans just didn't seem to grasp the nuances of English aristocracy and privately he'd always thought the titles a bit pompous anyway. "But please, since I am invading your territory and titles aren't used here, let's just ignore mine," he said smoothly, plastering his customary polite smile on his response.

Mrs. Mason smiled warmly and Mrs. Chittum actually giggled. The men seemed impressed with his manner as well. Mrs. Levinson watched him with cat like eyes, he noticed. It was if she were studying him as prey.

The before dinner drinks were relaxed enough that Anthony let down his guard. The men asked him about his journey and were quite eager to hear about his adventures at the aero hangers in Kansas. Dinner was very pleasant he thought. He'd been placed between Mrs. Levinson and Mrs. Chittum, which made for some lively and awkwardly interesting conversation. It seemed Mrs. Chittum was fascinated with all things English. Finally things were winding down when Mrs. Levinson turned to him. "So Sir Anthony, when exactly do you plan to do right by my granddaughter?"

Anthony sputtered the wine he had just drunk. "Excuse me?"

"Edith? When do you plan to marry her?"

"I…you know what happened. Surely you don't think…why, even if I were to return for her, you can't possibly believe she would…Besides, I'm far too old for her." He felt five sets of eyes on him, all with predatory intentions. "Besides, this is hardly a conversation for this setting…" he muttered nervously.

Ignoring his discomfort, Martha Levinson plowed on. "I do believe she would…and beyond that, Edith might be younger in age but she has always been an old soul. The two of you were a good match, I thought. And now I believe both of you are miserable. There is only one solution as I see it."

"Now Martha, don't upset the man," Mrs. Chittum exclaimed. "If he doesn't want your Edith, he doesn't want her." Then turning to him the older woman smiled. "But I'm sure you'd love my Betsy."

Feeling more heated by the second, Anthony stared at the woman in shock. "I…it isn't….No, thank you but I'm quite sure your Betsy would not be happy with me. And now if you'll excuse me," he said as he pushed back from the table. Turning to Mrs. Levinson he bowed politely. "Mrs. Levinson, I thank you for inviting me this evening but I believe it is time for me to retreat…um retire. Thank you again." He turned and calmly walked out of the room. Once the door was closed behind him, he hurried to find his coat, slipped it on and tried to disappear through the front door.

As Martha Levinson watched him leave, she was already in motion. She simply couldn't let him get away without having another word. "Sir Anthony," she called out just as he was about to step out of the front door. He paused and looked back surprising her with the tears sliding out of his eyes. "I am sorry for upsetting you like that. It's just that Edith fought with her father in support of you when I was there. I saw how much she cares for you. When he asked you to stay away, it left her heartbroken. She confided in me how much she cherished time spent with you." Martha paused and looked at him pointedly. "She deserves happiness and so do you. Now if you walked away because you truly don't care for her, well…alright then. But if you feel as strongly for her as I believe you do then don't waste anymore time. Being noble and honorable is a fine thing, but it can also be very lonely. And it will all be for naught, because our Edith will still be quite unhappy." Unable to speak, he nodded and walked out of the door.

Anthony didn't let himself think until he was safely in his hotel room. Why did she do that to me, he wondered as he loosened his tie. Surely she knew it would be embarrassing….and that other woman, Mrs. Chittum….why would I want her Betsy? Why did she think that? Once he had divested himself of his tie and jacket, Anthony sat in a comfortable chair by the window and sighed. Looking out into the darkness he finally let his mind wander to the woman who so many miles across the ocean was still in possession of his heart.

Mrs. William ambled out of Emma's room and saw him in the chair. "Oh Mr. Strallan, I didn't realize you were back. Emma's asleep so everything should be quiet until morning."

"Thank you, Mrs. Williams. I do appreciate you watching her tonight."

"If it is alright with you, I thought I might go downstairs and see what sort of snack the restaurant might still be serving, perhaps some of their cheesecake.."

"Yes, of course. Since Emma's all settled in, I think that's all that's required tonight. I'll be here should she need anything."

Mrs. Williams smiled at him. "I gotta say, Mr. Strallan, you're about the nicest man I ever met in my life."

Anthony's smile was wane. "Thank you," he said quietly, Edith's face at the church flashing into his mind. He certainly hadn't been very nice that day.

That night Anthony woke, screaming, his terrors back in full force. He was frantic as he threw the covers off and searched for a light switch. The door flew open and Emma scurried in, "Anotee?"

He turned on the lamp and blinked as he looked across at Emma. The child's frightened countenance pierced him much like a bayonet, startling him out of his nightmare. Taking a deep breath to calm himself, he looked back at her. "I'm….I'm alright," he said, trying to sound as normal as he could.

"You had a bad dream?" she asked fearfully.

"Yes, my darling little one…just a bad dream," he breathed out softly. "I'm alright now."

She studied him intently, her small face scrunched in thought. "I'm staying with you… I'll chase away the bad dreams," she declared.

Surprised by the ferocity of her declaration, Anthony gaped at the child for a moment before responding. "I really am alright now, little one. But if it will make you more comfortable, then by all means, climb up."

Emma climbed into the bed and sat watching him. "You go to sleep and I'll watch for if the bad dreams come back," she said solemnly.

Anthony smiled at her, wondering when she had become the parent and he the child. "I think it will be enough that you are here," he said earnestly. "Climb under the covers and go back to sleep. And if I dream again, you'll be here to calm me."

That seemed to satisfy Emma. No sooner than Anthony had turned out the light, then she was asleep. Anthony lay there listening to her breathe amused and also somewhat embarrassed by her protectiveness. Once he was certain she was deep asleep, he climbed out of the bed and put on his dressing gown. He meandered into the sitting room that separated their rooms and was drawn to the windows. Looking out over the bright lights of the city, he found himself wondering where Edith was and what she was doing. If he hadn't bolted from the church that day that seemed so long ago now, she could be here with him….or he could be with her wherever she was. And it could be their child asleep in his bed, along side its mother. And instead of this great emptiness that was his constant companion, despite the pleasure Emma brought him, his life and his soul would be full.

Other voices were speaking inside of him as well; ones reminding him of how young and vivacious Edith was and how she would soon tire of him; ones that doubted his ability to keep her happy. The lights of the city began to blur as he let those voices whisper to him and with a sigh he sat in a nearby chair, letting the despair wash over him. "Oh my darling Edith," he sighed as he wiped away a tear that had escaped. "Please be happy, my darling one." It was in the chair that Mrs. Williams found him the next morning when she came to check on Emma.