Canon AU – After You've Gone
Queeny wanted 1920s, Anthony sees Edith drunk at a club/bar/hotel
"Those poor Americans," Edith giggled, taking another long sip of whatever concoction Michael Gregson handed her. That was how most of the night had gone, as soon as she reached the bottom of a glass another was handed to her. Champagne mostly, one gin, and now a cocktail of some sort. The most she ever had before was a glass of wine at dinner or a small port for after. The most she ever felt was light headed. But all of the champagne she had been plied with made her feel like she was floating. The band was loud and she could feel the vibrations through the floor. It was a bit of a struggle to focus on anything for more than a few minutes, but she certainly couldn't protest when Michael dragged her to the dance floor.
As it turned out, Edith had quite the ability when it came to the Charleston. Her escort struggled to keep up as did some of the more seasoned flappers on the floor. Thanks to the demon liquor, Edith had ceased to care about how brazenly she may be moving, how much leg might be showing or the fact that a tall blonde figure had been slowly circling the dance floor since she had taken her place there.
She was unaware that he watched her moves. That he was taking a moment to appreciate the golden dress, layered with fringe and beads, a frock that revealed more of her body than he had ever had the privilege to see. It damn near made him angry to know that every man in the room could see her pale, stocking free legs and her slender arms… or the delicious hollow at the base of her throat which he had spent years thinking about during the war. That same hollow he brushed the fingers of his good hand against while they were saying goodbye the night before their failed wedding.
No, Edith remained oblivious to all of these things. Lost in a haze of cigarette smoke and red tinted lights. She was aware of Michael's hands on her as the song began to slow. He tried to lead her away but she refused to budge.
"No, no I want to keep dancing." She pleaded, moving closer to wrap her arms around his neck.
"I can't be seen cozying up to a young woman like you, Edith."
"But you'll be all right being seen leaving with me?" She question, alcohol made her sharp.
"I'd like this dance, if I may." His voice was like a slap of sobriety against her addled mind. Edith looked beyond her editor to see her former betrothed gazing at her.
"Anthony." Her tone conveyed disbelief more than anything else.
"We were just about to…"
"No, run along, Michael. Don't want you to risk any undo attention by keeping me from dancing with another man."
The band had moved onto a much slower tune. The lights were lower as Edith reached one arm up to his shoulder, her fingers brushing the back of his neck. It took all of his strength not to move against the caress. His good arm went around her waist, keeping a respectful distance.
"That's not how they dance here, Anthony." She admonished, moving a step closer so their bodies were flushed, her free hand moving around to pull his arm tighter around her.
The jazzman began to sing along to the melancholy tune:
Now listen, honey, while I say
How could you tell me that you gone away?
Don't you say that we must part
Why you want to break my achin' heart?
You know I loved you true for many years
Loved you night and day
How can you leave me?
Can't you see my tears?
And listen at me while I say:
"What are you doing here, Anthony?"
"A few friends wanted to stop in after dinner."
"You've taken to London life and Jazz clubs?"
"I'm not the only one it seems."
"Yes, well, I was left with few options after being jilted. I'm sure you heard, was quite the… quite the scandal." She stumbled on the words and it was then he realized that she was rather drunk. "I was starting to wonder if I'd ever see you again."
"I had tried so very hard to stay out of your path. Thought it was the least I could do after…"
"After abandoning me on our wedding day."
After you've gone
Left me crying
After you've gone
Ain't no denyin'
You feel blue
You gonna feel sad
You'll miss the best lovin' you ever had
"I thought I was doing what was best."
"For whom? It wasn't best for me. Has it worked out well for you?"
"No, it bloody well hasn't." He paused, looking towards the bar where Gregson was watching them with a great deal of interest. "What are you doing with him, Edith?"
"Michael? He's my editor and he wants to take me on as his lover." She said in a rather nonchalant tone, her head tipping back slightly to look at the chandelier above them. The old dining room had been refurbished as a nightclub, but they left the grand fixture to hang over the dancers. "I used to be terrified of those things when I was little. Always convinced one was going to fall and crush me. Wish I knew there were worse things than being crushed by a chandelier."
And there'll come a time
Don't you forget it
There'll come a time
When you'll regret it
Someday when you grow lonely
Your heart'll break like mine
You're gonna want me only
After you've gone
After you've gone away
"Edith, he's married."
"I know. I said he wants me to be his lover, not his wife."
"He doesn't love you."
"I don't love him. I love you, but you don't want me."
After you've gone
After we break up
After you've gone
You sure gonna wake up
You gonna find that
You were blind
To let somebody come around and change your mind
"I want you too much," He whispered. "I let it blind me from realizing that I was turning you into a caretaker."
"Maybe. Maybe I want to take care of you. Maybe I want nothing more in this world than to assume the roll of Lady Strallan. To share your life and your love and your bed. I so badly want to give you everything I have, Anthony." He could feel her fingers tightening around the collar of his jacket.
After the years we've been together
Through joy and tears
All kind of weather
"He looks a bit like you. I figured that would make it all a bit easier." She confessed without a second thought.
"Edith, you can't do this." He argued as they moved to the furthest corner of the dance floor. Gregson still following them as they swayed over the space.
Someday, blue and down-hearted
You wanna be with me
Right back where you started
After you've gone
After you've gone away
"You've already made one decision for me, Anthony. You aren't going to do it again." She replied as the music dropped and shifted back to a faster pace.
"The hell I'm not, Edith." With that he leaned down and kissed her. It was a kiss like she had never known. She was certain there would be a bruise on her hip from where he was grasping her. His mouth was hot and hard against hers. Both of her arms moved to encircle his neck. He pulled her up slightly, lifting her feet from the floor.
Gregson stared on in disbelief. He couldn't do anything about it. He was known as a married man, there was no way he could interfere with Edith and the man who had stolen her away. He could only watch as the blonde man returned her to the floor then took her hand and dragged her towards the door.
Edith found herself pushed against the cold, wet brick of the building's exterior. Anthony managed some strength in his right arm, both hands rested on her hips as his body pressed against hers. The rain poured down on them but neither cared.
"I let you go so you could have a better life, Edith. Not to become a mistress."
"You pushed me away because you let my family get to you. Why couldn't you have just believed in me, Anthony?" They were soaked and she had to raise her voice to be heard, but they didn't dash for cover.
"Because I was a coward, I was afraid of what I was doing to you."
"And now?" She felt him push her back again.
"If you're set on a lover, take me."
"I wanted to be everything to you, Anthony."
"You are. Always have been, Edith. We'll marry tomorrow if you want."
"I want that. I want that so badly. But tonight I want you to take me to your bed." She tightened her arms around him, keeping him close.
"Anything. Anything, Edith. I can't be without you any longer."
"Take me home." He just nodded, kissing her once more before taking her hand. Fingers entwined they walked to his townhouse in the rain. Neither caring about getting wet because they had each other again and that was all that mattered.
After You've Gone is a song from 1918 that has been done over and over again over the years. My two favorite versions are Kirstin Dunst ukulele cover from The Cat's Meow soundtrack and Hugh Laurie's cover from the Let Them Talk album, the latter of which is the version I had in mind for this.