Thank you all so much for all the lovely reviews over the last chapters. I apologize for not responding to each of you individually, but I believe you'd prefer updates over PMs. Anyway, you folks are the best! xx

Pulling the Rolls to a stop in front of the Abbey, Anthony cut the engine, reaching to intertwine his fingers with Edith's, "I have to ask once more, my sweet, are you sure want to do this tonight? We can afford to wait a day or two if you don't feel..."

Giving his hand a firm squeeze, she calmly replied, "I'm prepared to brave it if you are."

With years of experience under his belt, Carson, ever the picture of professionalism, showed no reaction to the unexpected visit of Sir Anthony but when the butler's gaze fell on Lady Edith, even he could not prevent the slight rise of his bushy brows as he took in her appearance. He led them down the hall to where the family had gathered in the drawing room and opening the door, he announced, "Sir Anthony Strallan" and the couple entered arm in arm.

Robert rose to greet his guest, "Sir Anthony, were we expecting you?"

"No, but I would like..."

"Good lord, Edith," Mary interrupted, calling everyone's attention to the strawberry blonde, "you look as though you've been rolling around in the stables."

Edith felt the older gentleman tense at her sister's remarks, "Ignore her," she whispered, "this is our moment, you mustn't let her ruin it." She turned to the brunette, "I went for a walk and ended up at Sir Anthony's."

"Why on earth would you go for a walk?" Lady Grantham looked confused. "I thought you were ill."

"More like lovesick," Sybil giggled, causing Anthony to blush and Edith to glare in her direction.

"For heaven sakes, Edith," the dowager clearly was not happy, "what type of nonsense have you gotten yourself into this time?"

Trying hard not to let his frustration bleed into his voice, the baronet began again, "As I was saying, I've asked Lady Edith to marry me and she has accepted. Our intention is to marry as soon as I secure a special license." He focused his gaze on Robert and Cora, "to have your blessing would mean a great deal to the both of us."

Lady Violet tapped her cane drawing everyone's attention, "Well, I, for one, certainly can't condone this match..."

"Seeing that Edith is my daughter, Mama, I don't think you have much say in the matter." He turned to the baronet, "Sir Anthony, might I speak with you in the library?" Edith rose as well, "Alone." The strawberry blonde looked imploringly towards the baronet, who held up his hand, giving her a reassuring nod before following after her father.

Closing the library door, Robert busied himself for a moment pouring two snifters of brandy. Taking a sip from one glass, he offered the other to Anthony, "So you and Edith would like to marry, immediately. Are you certain it's a good idea, to do so? I mean with the war and all."

Taking a deep breath, the tall blond drew himself up to his full height, standing tall and gallant, "There are only three things of which I'm certain Lord Grantham, one, is that I love your daughter, utterly and completely. Two, she loves me. And, three, for the first time in my life, I am in love."

The earl gave Anthony a hard glance, "And, Maude? You weren't in love with Maude?"

"Maude was a means to fulfill my obligation to the Strallan name, surely you, of all people understand the pressure of one's duty to family. But, with Edith, it's different. Perhaps, there'll be an heir, perhaps, not," the older gentleman shrugged, "either way, it matters not to me as long as Edith is happy and well cared for."

"I see," Robert took another sip of brandy. "And, if I refuse to give you my blessing?"

Anthony's expression hardened, "then I promise you Lord Grantham," came his steely reply, " I will, by any means necessary, find a way to marry Edith."

"So, you would defy my wishes?"

"I admit that I would prefer not to, but," Anthony lost what little patience he'd struggled to maintain, "my god Robert, did you see the girl? She pretended to be ill in order to go trudging about two estates, trekking through the woods and across streams, getting herself covered with mud and ruining her dress in the process. And, for what reason? To show up on my doorstep. On my doorstep," he reiterated proudly, tapping himself on the chest, "declaring that she wants to be my wife as soon as possible. Edith is an intelligent, spirited, loving young woman and in her, I've been offered a very precious gift. I ask you, would you refuse such a gift because I won't. So, in to answer your question, yes, I would defy your wishes."

"You forgot to mention beautiful."

The baronet snapped, "I wouldn't have thought I needed to," he bellowed. "Any fool can see how beautiful Edith is. You'd have to be blind not to!" he spat out sarcastically. His right hand came up to his temple, performing slow, circular motions in an effort to calm himself, "forgive me, Lord Grantham, for my abominable behavior."

Well, old chap, I must say, you've exceeded all my expectations, the earl thought to himself as he studied the baronet thoughtfully, now to see well how our darling girl does. He stepped into the hall, "Carson," he called loudly, "would you please ask Lady Edith to join us."

"Yes, m'lord."

Anthony made to leave as the strawberry blonde approached, but Robert stopped him, "no, I'd like for you to stay. You have as much right as I to hear what she has to say."

"The two of you may find this a bit impertinent, but I must ask, is there a reason you need to marry so quickly?" Mortified, Edith blushed furiously, "Papa, how could you think such a thing?"

"Lord Grantham, I give you my word as a gentleman," the baronet intervened, "nothing untoward has occurred between your daughter and I."

"Alright then, Edith, why are you in such a hurry to marry Sir Anthony? Help me understand your reasons for rushing into this marriage."

The strawberry blonde stood and began pacing back and forth, "I really don't know how to explain it." She turned to her father, "When we're together, I feel... I feel," she paused, "I feel like my life was this giant puzzle and love, a huge piece that was missing, and for such a long time, I kept trying to force pieces to fit into that empty space, first Patrick, then Matthew, but Anthony came along and suddenly it all fell into place so effortlessly. And, now, whenever we're apart, it's as though I'm out on the ocean being tossed to and fro without a life line, just drifting along without any sense of belonging or direction. Does that make any sense, Papa? There's also the fact that, even when we're surrounded by other people, he makes me feel as if I'm the only person in the room who matters. And, when he enters the room," Edith sighed dreamily, "my palms get sweaty, my heart starts racing, and my knees go weak. Not to mention when he kisses me," Lord Grantham's eyebrows shot up at that bit of information and he cast a surprised look towards the tall blond, "I don't even know how to begin to describe the feelings that evokes..."

"That's quite enough," her father muttered, feeling a tad bit embarrassed, "I needn't hear anymore on that subject." He studied his daughter intently, as if truly seeing her for the first time, "You're not concerned you may have to care for Anthony in his old age?"

"It's my understanding that the phrase, in sickness and in health, is an integral part of every couple's marriage vows. Besides," she gave him a knowing glance, "I'm pretty sure that if I do have to care for him, Anthony won't consider it as ghastly a prospect as some might." Robert dropped his head unable to bear the hurt reflected in his daughter's eyes, "If I deny you my blessing," he mumbled in shame "what then?"

The strawberry blonde lifted her chin defiantly, "If I have to tie together bed sheets and scale down the Abbey walls in the middle of the night, Papa, I will marry this man!" The two men studied the young woman before them, Anthony's expression a mixture of baffled delight and pride, her father's one of admiration. Their gaze drifting from Edith to each other, both men gave a delighted laugh as though sharing an inside joke. The object of their attention was not amused, "I mean it Papa!" Robert reached for his daughter's hand, "Yes, I believe you would, my darling girl, I believe you would."

Crossing the room, he rang the bell, his butler appearing as if on cue, "Carson, my good man, please bring two bottles of our finest from the cellar," he ordered, "we have an engagement to celebrate!" Edith ran to her father, throwing her arms around him, "Oh, Papa!" she cried, kissing his cheek. "Congratulations, dear girl." Anthony stepped forward, bowing his head slightly, "Thank you, Lord Grantham." The Crawley patriarch extended his hand, "seeing that you're soon to be my son-in-law, I think we can dispense with formalities, please, call me Robert." He clapped the taller gentleman on the shoulder, "welcome to the family, Anthony!"

Robert entered the drawing room ahead of his daughter and future son-in-law. "Well," his mother remarked as her son rejoined the others, "I'm glad to see you've dealt with this nonsense so quickly and sent Strallan on his way." The earl rolled his eyes, "Actually, I've done quite the opposite. I gave them my blessing and welcomed Anthony to the family, as will you, Mama."

"Are you quite certain, my dear?" Cora sounded surprised but pleased. Her husband nodded towards the couple as they entered the room, "Look at them," he replied softly, "if ever I saw a perfect match, one based on mutual love and adoration, it's those two." Robert glanced towards Mary and Sybil, and when he spoke, his voice was laced with disappointment and regret at knowing that he and Cora's marriage had not started on the same terms with which Edith and Anthony would begin their new life together, "May all our daughters be so fortunate."