Thanks for continuing to read. You'll recognize Lord Grantham's lines from series one. Long live Andith!

"Anthony, what's going on" Edith asked as the tall blond led her away.

"I'll explain once we're out of earshot of the other guests" he replied quietly and Edith, though a bit concerned by his serious tone, said nothing else until the older gentleman, after walking a bit further, glanced around to ensure they were alone before guiding her towards a small cluster of trees.

"Please, Anthony, talk to me. I'm starting to worry!"

Edith" the baronet sighed, "there was a second reason I felt we should keep our engagement secret, one I had hoped would not come to fruition, at least not so soon."

The strawberry blonde grew more anxious by the moment, "Anthony, you're beginning to frighten me. Are... are you trying to call our engagement off?"

For the moment, the tall blond chose to ignore the young woman's concerns, "As you are aware, I've made several trips to the continent in the past months."

"Yes" Edith was completely befuddled as to where the conversation was leading, "to Austria and Germany."

"Well then, perhaps, you've pieced together that I've been making such trips for the past few years."

"I had gathered as much" the redhead said thoughtfully, "you have such wonderful anecdotes about the Kaiser such as Lady Strallan saying he loved uniforms and medals but never really connected them with fighting."

"Indeed, but even before Maude's death, I was making frequent visits at the request of Mansfield Cumming."

"Mansfield Cumming!" Edith gasped. "The head of the Foreign Section of the Secret Service Bureau!"

The older gentleman shrugged, "I assume you're familiar with the Triple Entente as well."

"Why would you assume that?" Edith asked warily.

Anthony's mouth quirked into a smile of sorts, "Because you, Edith Crawley, are an intelligent young woman with a keen interest in British history who also happens to be very well informed about current events and world issues."

"Most men would be rather put off by that fact" the strawberry blonde worried her bottom lip, "but you're not," timidly, the strawberry blonde glanced up into older gentleman's eyes, "are you?"

Anthony sensed her uncertainty, "Not at all, it's one of the many things I love about you" he reassured her, reaching out and gently stroking his thumb along that same lip, an action that left the young woman feeling flustered and suddenly shy.

"Well... to... to answer your question" she stuttered, "I.. I know that it was originally the Dual Entente, an... an 1892 agreement... between Russia and France in reaction to the 1879 alliance formed between Germany and Austria-Hungary. By 1907, due to her rise as an economic and military power, Germany was considered to be the greatest potential threat to the British empire, resulting in Britain aligning herself with France and Russia to form the Triple Entente. That's the reason Germany's presence in Belgium is of such concern, not only are Belgium's ports located near the British coast but passage through the country is paramount to the German plans for an invasion of France."

"Exactly, and German control of France would pose a tremendous threat to Britain. Unfortunately, Kaiser Wilhelm has disregarded Prime Minister's Asquith's ultimatum to withdraw from Belgium and now the British government feels an obligation to honor the promise to which she is bound under the 1839 Treaty of London to defend the neutrality of Belgium in the event of an invasion." Taking a deep breath, the tall blond waited, allowing the implications of his words to sink in.

"Are you saying what I think you're saying? Will there really be a war?"

The baronet's expression was grave, "I've already received confirmation and an official announcement is expected at any time. Which brings us back to my other reason for wanting to keep our engagement a secret. I can't go into any details but my activity abroad has been in service to King and country."

Anthony paused once more, the silence lingering between them until Edith could stand it no more. "Whatever it is that you're so reluctant to tell me" she huffed impatiently, "I wish you'd stop beating about the bush and just be done with it."

"I'm fairly certain that for the length of the war, I'll be expected to continue to continue my service in some capacity. I may simply be called to London or I may be required to return the continent."

"But, if there is a war, surely it won't last long. Everyone seems to think it would be over by Christmas. You don't agree?"

The tall blond shook his head slowly, "No, based on my sources, I'm afraid this war may drag out for a year or two, perhaps even longer. I certainly hope I'm wrong but..." the older gentleman's voice trailed off and Edith could see from the expression in his eyes that he seemed to be fighting some sort of inner battle.

"But what?" the young woman prompted.

"If I'm sent abroad, there's a real possibility that I will be gone for some length of time." Turning his back on his companion, the baronet looked off into the distance, "under such circumstances it would be unfair to ask you to wait for me. No one else is aware of our betrothal, so you only need say that you do not wish to spend an indeterminate amount of time awaiting to see whether or not I'll return and... and" his voice faltered as he fought back his fears, "I...I will understand."

At first, Edith was furious, ready to lash out but then, seeing the faint tremble of his shoulders, she realized this was just her dear, sweet, noble Anthony being the Anthony she had grown to love. Stepping to him, she wrapped her arms around him from behind, "I'll wait for you" she whispered, "be it months, days, or years."

"Oh god, Edith" he shuddered in relief, "I know it's selfish of me but I hoped you would." He turned, his large warm hands, firm yet gentle as he gripped her elbows, "Earlier, at the folly I mentioned that once our engagement was public, I could apply for a special license and we needn't wait to marry. So, I was hoping you could better accept my absence, knowing that when I returned, we could be married immediately." His blue eyes bore into her chestnut orbs pleading for her approval.

"I want you to go, Anthony, do whatever it is you need to do, but understand this, upon your return, we will be married as soon as you can arrange it. I will not wait any longer. Now, kiss me."

The baronet willingly obeyed, lowering his mouth to hers and basking in the feel of her lips against his. He kissed her softly, slowly, allowing himself the luxury of enjoying her sweet taste for several moments before pulling back, "Edith" he murmured, resting his chin atop her strawberry waves, "about the ring..."

"Anthony, we've already decided it would be best if you to return it to Locksley for safekeeping. I can't wear it openly and I certainly don't want to risk losing such a valuable family heirloom!"

"I know" he sighed, "but it seems wrong for you not to have some sort of token as an expression of our love and commitment. Perhaps I have something" he muttered, rummaging through his pockets. "Damn" he cursed, clearly frustrated at finding nothing he considered suitable. He grew quiet, desperate to leave her with some symbol of his love for her. "Here, take this!" he suddenly exclaimed, scrambling to remove his signet ring and pressing it into her hand.

"But.. but that ring is very important to you. You said yourself, that it's never left your finger since the day you put it on."

"As much as it means to me, Edith, you mean a great deal more and that is why I want you to keep it. So you will know, that heart, soul, and body, I am yours, and yours alone. I love you Edith and if you love me the way I believe you do, I beg of you, please, take it. A reminder, if or when we're apart, of how very much I love you."

Having escorted Edith back to her family, Anthony bidding farewell to Lord and Lady Grantham took his leave. Halfway across the lawn, he heard Lord Grantham's voice ring out, "Ladies and gentlemen, I very much regret to announce that we are at war with Germany."

The baronet turned, his eyes finding his sweet one and seeing the love that shone in her brown orbs, he realized what a fool he had been at having allowed someone to come between them. He tried to smile but found he couldn't, so, he simply nodded before turning and walking away as fast as his long legs could carry him. Before he did something really foolish and, extremely selfish, such as running to Edith and begging her to marry him immediately. Anthony stopped, and for a moment, he considered doing exactly that before shaking the thought from his head and continuing on. No, he would allow her this time to think over their situation and then, whatever she decided... "Stop it, old codger" he muttered to himself, pulling the key to the Rolls from his trouser pocket, "there's no need to torture yourself just yet."

Anyone can see that I'm, obviously, not a history expert but if any of the minute amount of information used in this chapter needs correction, PLEASE, don't hesitate to let me know.