As usual I don't own Downton Abbey. This most of this chapter is from Edith's point of view. I hope you like it.

Please rate and review.

Chapter 10 When Edith Met Peter

Matthew's POV

I'd asked Peter Applewhite down for the weekend after John and Madeline had gone back to Hull. Peter was the reluctant heir to an estate in Staffordshire and a smaller one in South Wales. Peter was quieter than John and Madeline for that I was eternally grateful. He like many men had been lucky to get through the war unscathed but his injuries weren't physical they were mental. I'd met Peter at boarding school when I was 11. We'd been in the same room and instantly got on. When I met Peter off the train I saw that he was dangerously thin and malnourished. He suit was falling off him. Later he could have been described as one of the victims of the Holocaust. I hoped that Mrs Patmore's cooking might induce him to eat more and get his appetite back. He like John and Madeline was staying at the 'Big House'. He was painfully shy as I drove back under the close scrutiny of Hawkins. We stopped to change drivers near the stables to keep up the pretence. I saw Mary and Edith come out to greet us. Every time I saw Mary my heart raced. I helped Peter out of the car.

"Mary, Edith this is my friend Peter Applewhite. Peter this is my fiancée Lady Mary and her sister and my cousin Lady Edith." I said. I noticed Peter and Edith's expressions as I walked towards her and Mary. I could instantly tell that they liked each other.

Edith's POV

When the car pulled up and Matthew got out I noticed this auburn haired man that was sat in the back. He was mid-height around 5ft 5 inches but was extremely thin. His clothes hung off him like a clothes hanger. He was a walking skeleton. I hadn't seen anything like it but he had a kind face. His eyes were a light grey with a hint of light blue. He smiled at me and I smiled back. He was beautiful. Matthew as usual accompanied Mary into the house leaving me to accompany Mr Applewhite. I decided to be forward and show him to his room. With all these guests coming and going Mrs Hughes had decided to give them the rooms they would be staying in during the wedding. He kept silent until we reached his room in the bachelor's corridor.

"Thank you Lady Edith." He said then went inside. His voice was as pure as water.

I next saw Mr Applewhite at dinner. He was quiet and reserved eating very little. Granny tried to get him to talk but it was one word answers. Granny was intimidating but even so Peter shouldn't be scared of her. I sat next to him when the men joined the women

"I know Granny can be intimidating. Don't let her get to you." I said quietly.

"I won't." He said quietly

I wished I could be like Sybil and be worth something and not pay endless calls. I wanted to be wanted not just for my position but for myself like I had been during the war. Then I had a purpose now where was none but I had a glimmer of hope. I remembered Mr Applewhite's eyes. I could see inside that he was hurting. I hoped I could be a comfort to him like I had been to the soldiers during the war.

He sat with his head down. I hoped to get him into some conversation but whatever I tried didn't work so I tried another method. I found a piece of paper and a pen. I wrote 'Are you feeling well Mr Applewhite?" I passed him the note and the pen. He wrote back 'Yes I am well. I am not used to this much company. I feel strange in these situations' I wrote back to him 'I am sorry. You feel very disheartened. Please talk to me.'

'I can't I am sorry Lady Edith. This is very forward but you are very beautiful Lady Edith' I felt warm as I read the note. 'Thank You Mr Applewhite' I wrote back. He smiled slightly at me.

"What are you doing Edith?" Mary asked me.

"Nothing Mary. Have you any plans for tomorrow? I thought we could all go into Ripon. What do you think Mr Applewhite?"

"That would be nice." He said quietly. I wondered what was the matter with him but deep down I knew it was the War. He had mental scars. I could see them clear as day but I knew with injuries like his not to press him about his experiences which I wouldn't. I was far more dignified for that and I knew my place.

"Then it is settled. Edith you will drive me, Matthew and Peter in to Ripon. I need to see the dressmaker, you can show Peter around and Matthew can go into work for a few hours." Mary decided

"Why do you need to go to the dressmaker?" Matthew asked

"None of your business dear." She replied. She kissed him. I was jealous of them. They were open about their affections with each other and I wondered if I could ever be like that with someone.

"Edith I remembered you asked me about working with a psychiatrist. I've talked to Dr Robertson and he's agreed to take you on." Cousin Isobel told me. I'd asked if I could do some voluntary work with Dr Robertson and try and help those soldiers with mental scars. Now I could help people. Now I had my purpose.

"Edith what have you done now?" Granny asked me

"I have volunteered to work in a psychiatrist's office. I want to help people. This is the best way I know how."

"Edith first driving and now this. You're getting like your sister and not the one sat in this room. The one in Ireland pregnant by a revolutionary." Granny said forcefully

"I admire Edith." Mary said in my defence. Since she'd asked me to be a bridesmaid we'd got closer. For the better I hoped.

"You do?" Granny questioned

"I do. Edith is doing something she loves. She excelled herself during the war with the patients especially those with scars on their lives both physically and mentally. The clinic couldn't hope for a better volunteer. If I had the time I would volunteer but I wouldn't do it in a psychiatrist's office but a lawyer's office. There is one in Ripon I believe. They need help as well."

"Do I have to be worried Mary? You volunteering in a lawyer's office. There are many lawyers in Ripon all are good ones I fear." Matthew asked. I knew Mary was flirting with him. It was something they both relished.

"Of course not I was thinking about Harvill, Carter and Crawley. They seem reputable and I hear they have a very big case there at the moment and I would be happy to help." Mary said jokingly. On his return from the war Matthew's law firm had made him a full partner much to the delight of Papa and the rest of the family.

"Thank You my dear. I think that what Edith is doing is commendable. When Sir Herbert Strutt came here during the war he was all but shouting from the roof about you and after when I toured with him. He didn't see anyone better caring for the soldiers. Peter you should talk to Edith she's a very good listener."

"Yes Matthew. If you will excuse me. I will retire I am very tired." Mr Applewhite said as he got up to leave. On that Matthew left as did Granny and we all went up to bed. That night I dreamt of Peter Applewhite.

The next day I drove Mary, Matthew and Mr Applewhite into Ripon. Mr Applewhite sat in the front. Mary looked at me sheepishly. I could tell she was up to something but then nothing surprised me about my sister anymore. She got out at the dressmakers and then Matthew got out at his law firm. I parked the car and I showed Mr Applewhite around the town. As we looked around the church Mr Applewhite slipped his hand into mine. It was very forward but it felt right to me. He looked at me deep into my eyes.

"Beautiful. You are beautiful Lady Edith."

"No one has ever called me beautiful before Mr Applewhite. Thank You. You are very handsome."

"Thank you. Matthew told me about you and he was right in his estimation of you. You are a wonderful person Lady Edith. I have only known you less than a day and I can tell that. You must have men falling at your feet." I smiled. He was opening up to me. He was a really sweet man. I instantly liked him.

"Matthew is a good judge of character. Can we drop the formalities? Will you call me Edith? Lady Edith makes me sound like a spinster. In a few weeks I will be the only Crawley sister not married. In answer to your question no I do not have men falling at my feet. They fell at Mary and Sybil's never mine."

Of course we can drop the formalities. I am Peter. You can't say things about yourself that aren't true. People must have loved you but don't have the chance to say it. This is forward of me but will you write to me? I know I am coming back for the wedding but I would like you to write to me."

"Of course I will. We should go and meet Mary and Matthew." I said. He led me out of the church. We still held hands. Mary and Matthew were already back at the car when we returned. They got in the back and we headed back to Downton. I knew that Peter had an early start in the morning so there was a less formal dinner. Granny didn't come up or Cousin Isobel but Matthew did. He spent most of his time at the house now. When Peter was in company he kept quiet. He was the opposite of what he was like with me but I understood why. I went up to my room and wrote him the first of many letters.

When he left I gave him the letter. As he drove away I felt a sense of loss. It was strange I barely knew him and yet I missed him. I tried to concentrate on my new work which I loved but every time I saw someone he reminded me of Peter. He and I exchanged letters twice a week and of course he was coming for the wedding. For that I was grateful but the biggest task was yet to come. Grandmamma was on her way.

Next Up The American Invasion Martha is on her way.