Evelyn and Edith walked into Downton laughing, their hands still clutched in each other's. Edith felt happier than she had in a long time. Although she wasn't even close to back to normal, today, she considered, was a good day. Evelyn handed the picnic basket to Jimmy, along with his coat and hat while Edith held onto the gift she had bought in Ripon for Mrs. Hughes.
"Excuse me, m'lady."
"Yes, James?" asked Edith.
"Lady Rosamund Painswick is waiting for you in the library." That stopped Edith short. Of course she loved her aunt and was grateful for all she did, but so far the day had been like a dream and Rosamund being there would only serve to bring her back to earth.
She waited for James to leave before grabbing Evelyn's arm and pulling him close to her. "I just wanted to say thank you, for everything."
"It truly was more for my benefit than yours, my dear," said Evelyn, smiling.
"Oh?" asked Edith, her delicate eyebrow raising up in curiosity.
"Yes, it gave me the opportunity to have you all to myself."
Edith blushed. "I suspect we'll dress for dinner. If you'll excuse me."
Evelyn headed upstairs as Edith braced herself to face her aunt. She found Rosamund sitting on the read couch with a cup of tea in one hand and a magazine resting on her lap. She looked up at Edith when she heard the door open.
"There you are darling." She put the teacup and the magazine on the setting before standing up to greet Edith. Rosamund's lips delicately graced Edith's cheeks in welcome. "I came as soon as I heard what happened. Come sit and tell me everything. Would you like a cup of tea?"
"No thank you." Edith's mood fell as she recounted the argument she had with her parents. She couldn't believe that three days had already passed since then. After everything that had happened in the last twenty four hours between she and Evelyn, it felt it had been three years. Her interactions with Evelyn always left her with a feeling of completeness, as if they had been so close for decades rather than just eight months.
"So am I disinherited?" Asked Edith, drily.
"Of course you aren't!" Rosamund emphatically declared. "Mamma would never allow it and nor would I. Your mother is very worried for you, my dear."
"Really?" asked Edith, honestly surprised. But then, she supposed, it would be her mother who would be worried. She was, after all, still very American despite her living in England for so many years. "Well, I suppose it doesn't look very proper."
"My dear, don't be purposely obtuse. Your mother loves and so does your father. They worry that they have lost you, for good."
"Perhaps it would be best if I did cut all ties," sighed Edith.
"How can you possibly suggest such a thing?" exclaimed Rosamund.
"Don't pretend like that wouldn't be the best solution for everyone. I am tired of my parents' love only lasting as long as I do what they want. Furthermore, it would probably be best to cut ties before my sins reach the public."
"What do you mean?"
"Someone must have told mama and papa. How else could they know? I know it wasn't you nor Evelyn and I doubt grandmama would. It's only a matter of time before all society finds out. At least they can claim plausible deniability of my relationship with Michael and say that they disowned me as soon as they found out."
Rosamund's face fell. She couldn't believe how badly Cora and Robert had let Edith down. It was no wonder why Edith had fallen into Michael Gregson's arms so easily.
"I wish I could make you understand that you are loved and appreciated in this family, Edith. I know you don't believe me, but you are. They will stand by you."
"But only after everything I have given up?" demanded Edith. She didn't understand how Rosamund could be so sure, now that everything was over with, and not before.
"Edith, I'll kindly remind you that I did think you should have told your parents before we decided to go to Switzerland," Rosamund said sharply, but not unkindly. "You are the one who didn't think it would be a good idea."
"And I was right!" exclaimed Edith. "The argument I had with them a few days ago just proves it." She breathed deeply in order to reign her emotions under control as Rosamund took a sip of her now lukewarm tea. "Anyway, how did Mary take it? I am sure she had a lot to say."
Rosamund rolled her eyes at Edith. "I don't believe she knows. I think your parents thought it best not to say anything to the others, including Mary. Not when the situation is so delicate."
"Well thank mercy for small favors," said Edith. She was relieved that in the case she did decide to, and was welcome to, return to London, she wouldn't have to put up with Mary's judgmental smugness.
"Not tell me, how are you feeling, my dear?" asked Rosamund.
"Honestly?" asked Edith. At Rosamund's nod, she continued, "Overwhelmed. I am tired and angry and so very sad. I miss Peter terribly. I have never felt pain before like I do now. In a way, I have lost everything. I feel like I have no purpose any longer. But on the other hand..." Edith trailed off. She wasn't certain that she wanted to tell Rosamund just how close she was with Evelyn and what their plans were, but she supposed it was inevitable.
"On the other hand...?" Rosamund prompted gently. She knew that Evelyn Napier had come to her nieces rescue and she had seen their interactions both in the last week and during her and Edith's long and tiring sabbatical. Evelyn inspired Edith to have the confidence she needed, nothing like what Gregson had inspired. Gregson had evoked rebelliousness and recklessness in Edith, while Evelyn made her seem more...mature, somehow. It was as if Gregson had been the young adult phase that Edith had never really experienced because she was too focused on trying to gain Robert and Cora's love. Finally, with Evelyn, Edith seemed like she was truly a woman who was wanted and clearly adored.
"Evelyn asked me to marry him," declared Edith. Rosamund gasped. "And he knows everything," Edith continued before her aunt could ask. "I haven't exactly agreed yet. I did agree to give him a chance, though. I don't know. He just understands me in a way that I thought only Anthony had but unlike Anthony, he's willing to go after what he wants. Almost like Michael. Strangely, I suppose he has all of the best qualities that I liked in Anthony and Michael."
"And if Michael does come back?"
"Aunt Rosamund, I have accepted that Michael won't be returning. It's been far too long since anyone has had any word of him. I admit, I did...do love him. But I am still so very angry with him. I don't know if I am quite ready to move on, but I do know that if I don't try...I can't live like this."
Rosamund breathed a sigh of relief. Edith was much smarter than most people gave her credit for. She had always known this about her niece, but still she had feared that this year had been too much for her, that it had broken her. "I can't tell you how glad I am to hear you speak like that. You are much stronger than everyone gives you credit for, even yourself, my dear." Rosamund grabbed Edith's hand and squeezed.
Edith smiled softly at her aunt.