Chapter 13
A/N: More very adult material here for which I make no apologies since Edith is now a respectable married woman. Cue for prudish parents to snap on the sad little parental controls. Stable door after horse has bolted tactics in my opinion for how many fourteen years old haven't already got the baby and Chlamydia to prove it in this day and age.
Sir Anthony and Lady Strallan did not emerge from their room for three days as they were totally absorbed in making up for lost time and realising their love for each other.
Edith lay in the crook of her husband's good arm.
"Despite what happened last week it would be nice if we've made a baby," she whispered, "because this time I know that the father is a noble decent man,"
"What will be will be, Lady Strallan," he nuzzled the hollow of her neck making her shiver.
"I know," she whispered looking into his eyes, "I love you Sir Anthony Strallan; I always have and I always will because you really are the only man for me."
"I love you too, Lady Strallan," he placed her hand over his heart.
"Have you noticed that when we make love it's like our two heartbeats become one?"
"I know my darling and I really am deliriously happy,"
"So am I," she whispered.
OO
If it had not been for the fact that they would be together; the act of showering, dressing and leaving the room where their love had finally become real would have been a heart-wrenching experience.
"Uh oh," Edith froze as they descended to the hotel lobby and saw a press photographer. Anthony had settled the bill when he had booked the room.
"We have nothing to hide," Anthony whispered, his warm breath caressing her ear.
"You're right of course," she said as she took his arm and they walked purposefully across the lobby.
"Lady Strallan?" the photographer said.
Edith stood beside her husband and rested her hand on his sling before slipping it inside and holding his injured hand.
"You may take our photograph," she stated, "and please print that Sir Anthony & Lady Strallan are about to depart on their honeymoon blissfully happy. As a respectably married woman Lady Strallan, formerly Lady Edith Crawley, intends to fully cast aside her sordid past as a fallen woman and the least favourite surviving daughter of the house of Grantham in readiness to resume her new role as Lady Strallan, mistress of Locksley,"
"Edith," Anthony protested.
"It's only the truth my darling," she replied.
They walked out of the hotel.
OO
They returned to Edith's flat so she could pack some belongings. Frazer would bring Anthony's belongings from his club. They met at the station with Isobel and boarded a train north. Anthony had telephoned to Locksley and told them to prepare for a new mistress; even suggesting flowers; along with rose petals and candles in the master bedroom. Anthony's butler could barely contain his joy at hearing his master's news.
OO
They were now headed north; Frazer and Isobel were elsewhere on the train.
"I need to face my family as a respectable married woman," she said, "then immerse myself in my new role as mistress of Locksley. Once we have dealt with my family- and I must confess the thought of facing my father and grandmother causes my gut to tighten in something akin to dread – we will go on honeymoon. I told that pressman that we were headed off to throw them off the scent for a bit and once Gregson's trial kicks off they will have other things to think about,"
"I really am so proud of you, my darling Lady Strallan," he whispered.
"I have confidence in that I don't have to face them alone," she rested her head on his shoulder.
"I will walk into the lion's den with you my love," he said taking hold of her hand.
"Can we just have one night at Locksley before we face them?" she whispered.
"Whatever you want my darling," he murmured, "Whatever Lady Strallan wants she shall have; her every wish is my duty to obey,"
"I like the sound of that," she pressed her lips into a seductive pout, "will you consider my wish to be continually ravished your duty to fulfil?"
"A duty to which I intend to devote my full attention,"
Her hand caressed his inner thigh; gently rubbing him and his breath caught in his throat.
OO
They were met at the station by Anthony's chauffeur. They went to Downton village to drop off Isobel before making tracks back to Locksley as the red gold hues of sunset began to colour the summer skies.
OO
When they arrived at Locksley Frazer went in with their bags and Anthony lifted his wife bodily with his strong left arm and stepped across the threshold.
The house had been decorated with vases of sweet smelling flowers. The staff was assembled to welcome their new mistress.
"I hope that you will find everything to your liking, Lady Strallan," the butler said, "if it isn't then please do not hesitate to let us know,"
"Thank you," Edith's brown eyes filled with tears; the staff at Downton did not care whether anything met with her preferences or not but Edith knew that Anthony's staff had seen him through many a dark day and were just grateful to have a new mistress who clearly loved their master and intended to make him happy.
"You have done a sterling first rate job as always," Anthony smiled, "but please feel free to take the remainder of the evening off. Lady Strallan and I have already dined and I wish to have my lovely wife to myself to enable me to help her to settle into her new home,"
OO
Left alone at last she nestled close to him on the sofa in the library.
"Have I worn you out with my insatiable desire for your gorgeous body?" she purred.
"You make me feel twenty years younger my darling," he kissed her, "I won't deny I ache in every part of my body that can feel but it is far more pleasant than the ache I got from being without you."
"I ache too Anthony darling," she kissed his neck, "but only," a kiss, "for your expert," she nuzzled the hollow of his neck for he had removed his cravat once they were finally left alone, "caress,"
"Then perhaps I should do my duty and satisfy my beautiful wife?"
"Please do," she purred; her voice hoarse.
He loved seeing her happy and content with his ring on her finger.
OO
He pulled her to her feet and kissed her, pinning to her with his body with his strong left arm.
"Come to bed with me Lady Strallan," he murmured, "I need you so badly I ache to possess you,"
Edith was touched by the rode petals and candles in the bedroom.
"I do believe you are a secret romantic, my brave strong heroic baronet," she whispered huskily.
"Only the best for my beautiful beloved Lady Strallan," he murmured back.
She carefully removed his sling and undressed him as well as herself. Her mouth went to kiss the hollow of his neck which sent shivers through him.
"Oh god, let me take you," he murmured seeing the pearl of moisture about to drip from her sex, "I know how you want me,"
She lay on the bed enjoying the way his mouth pleasured her breasts before making short work of her inner thighs which were slippery with her desire. His tongue parted her lust engorged labia and hooked her clitoris free. He sucked gently and moments later had her trembling violently from a series of climaxes.
"Oh god Anthony," she moaned loudly.
"If you intend this to be my lifelong punishment then I intend to take it like a man," he said.
"Oh you're all the man I need, darling Anthony," she panted as she writhed beneath him.
He took her then; unable to hold back any longer and they made love with a fervent desire. Moments later they were slicked in sweat as they reached a mutual and highly satisfying climax.
"Welcome home Lady Strallan," Anthony whispered moments later after he had recovered his breath and taken her into the soft embrace of his good arm.
She was inhaling his masculine post-coital aroma and gently licking his salty skin.
"I am home," she whispered as his fingertips caressed her spine.
They fell asleep; their bodies entwined.
OO
"You will just have to deal with it Mama," Robert said as Violet indicated the photo of Edith & Anthony and the comment she had issued at the Savoy the previous morning, "whether you like it or not he has delivered us from scandal by marrying her, albeit against our wishes, but she is adult enough to make her own mistakes,"
Carson had been speechless when they had sought admittance.
Robert, Cora, Violet, Mary and Tom were in the library when Carson entered and cleared his throat loudly.
"What is it Carson?" Robert snapped.
"Sir Anthony and Lady Strallan are here, my lord,"