Thank you all for sticking with me and continuing to read and review. Your words brighten my days!

Many have asked about Hubby dear; he is home from the hospital and we are hoping this was the last stay. Treatments are over and he is getting some strength back. It has been a difficult road but he seems to be handling it all. Prognosis is good. Doctors say they think that he is not only in remission but that they think he has beaten this thing. Of course, only time will tell.

So maybe I can spend more time actually typing and this can go a little quicker. I do appreciate all of your kind words and good thoughts throught it all. Hopefully this little bit longer chapter will seem like a good reward for your patience.

Finally the day arrived when Dr. Clarkson was willing to release Edith to go home. Anthony was quite excited but also very nervous as he had Carl bring the car as close as he could and Anthony and Mildred walked Edith out of the building. Her steps were slow and somewhat painful, he could easily tell. Too much time in the bed, he thought. But things needed to heal. Clarkson had warned him several times about too much too soon.

A nurse was scheduled to arrive at Locksley that afternoon but it was up to Anthony and his staff to look after her until then. Consequently, once she was settled into their bedroom, he settled into a chair next to her bed. He had no intention of leaving her alone for some time. If he wasn't present then the nurse would be and if neither was available, then the maid would sit with her. He had promised his sweet one that nothing bad would happen to her again and he was determined to see that promise through.

Anthony contented himself with merely watching her for the first hour or so after she was settled. The trip home had tired her and she fell asleep almost as soon as she lay down. His legs crossed and his left hand resting over his knee, he studied her face with intense interest, a bit of a smirk in his features. She wasn't beautiful in the sense that perhaps her sisters were, he knew. Where they were dark…dark hair, dark eyes, and Mary certainly somewhat of a dark disposition at times, Edith was light and bright, her hair an enticing mix of golds and reds and her eyes a lighter shade of brown, almost golden at times. In his eyes, she was most beautiful, most lovely, and always would be.

He'd heard so much about how sweet and wonderful Lady Sybil was but Anthony hardly knew her, his attention more on Edith on the few occasions he'd met the younger sister. But as far as he was concerned, Edith was the sweetest of the three sisters. The way she looked at him, the expression in her eyes, and her attentiveness had ensnared him on their first ride in the car together all those years ago. And now…well now, his heart was hers. So as he watched her sleep, he watched in awe and gratitude. She was home where she belonged and would be alright; they would be alright.

Edith awoke lazily and after a moment chanced a look around the room, recognizing it as soon as he eyes were open. It was her new room, hers and Anthony's. As the fog of sleep lifted she became aware of his presence, so gentle and patient as he sat in the chair, waiting for her. "Hello," she chimed brightly.

Anthony smiled down at her, his eyes grazing over her tenderly. "Hello my dear. Feeling better?"

"Yes, much; and even more so since you are here with me. Why don't you come lie down beside me? I've missed having you close."

Mildly shocked by her request, Anthony took a moment to compose his response. "But you are….convalescing.

"All the more reason to have you near me," she smiled warmly.

Anthony eyed the space next to her on the bed. "I'm not certain it is just a good idea," he answered hesitantly.

"Oh," she replied, her disappointment evident.

Watching her face fall, Anthony felt his stomach lurch. Disappointing her was the last thing he wanted to do. But to lie next to her, have her so near and not be able to…. It wasn't that Anthony expected anything of a physical nature, not with her so soon out of the hospital. But with her stitches, he couldn't even hold her like he wanted. It would be torture. But seeing her face fall and watching as she seemed to shrink into herself at his hesitance, he decided he could manage his feelings. Carefully he stretched out next to her and rolled to his side so that he could look at her. "Better, my sweet?"

"Much," she said, her face lighting again. "I've missed having you so close." Lying on her back, the only place she could manage to reach on his body without too much awkwardness was his thigh. And so her hand settled there and her fingers began to play dangerously close to even more sensitive areas. Anthony tensed at her touch, feeling quite awkward and unnerved. How was he to withstand the onslaught of emotions her wandering fingers brought?

As gently as possible he reached for her hand and covered it with his own, stopping her fingers from their activity. She scooted closer to him, lining herself along his frame while remaining on her back. Her subtle change of position put her hand in an even more precarious position and Anthony gulped for air. "Edith, my darling…I'm sure you don't mean to…"

"Oh yes, I do," she replied before he even finished. "I've missed you so very much."

Lifting himself up on his elbow so he could better see her face, he looked at her, appalled. "Edith, you can't seriously be suggesting…"

"No, not….that." She blushed, realizing they had been thinking two differnet things.

"Good, because it isn't going to happen; not until Dr. Clarkson says you are fit. That afternoon…at the hospital….in Clarkson's office…. I probably did more damage…hurt you. Not to mention our wedding night….I'm not…we're not going to risk any more damage," he said firmly.

Edith stared at his panic stricken eyes and for the first time realized how absolutely terrified he'd been. And even more, she realized that he was feeling guilty. "You didn't hurt me…the damage was done," she said comfortingly. "And I enjoyed it…all of it so much. You'll never convince me that there was anything wrong in our activities. Our wedding night was all I ever hoped for and more and that day at the hospital…" she blushed as she remembered his hunger for her. "That was delicious," she concluded. "No, you will not convince me that hurt me in any way."

Anthony was stupefied. How could she deny the obvious so easily? Still, she had been rather complimentary and he felt heat climbing his neck into his face as a result. "Well….thank you, my darling," he stuttered. "I…I'll admit that I was worried…have always worried that I wouldn't be able to …live up to your expectations. But still, I insist…nothing of that sort until Clarkson says you are well."

"Yes dear," she said far too simply to convince Anthony that she meant it.

"So then…we are agreed."

"Agreed," she said with a mischievous turn to her lips. Anthony blinked as he watched her smile. What the devil was she up to now, he wondered.

But Edith behaved, no more wandering fingers or hints that she might like more affection than Anthony was already bestowing upon her. She behaved so demurely in fact that after a couple of days, Anthony found he missed her antics. Chiding himself for letting his thoughts wander to what he would like to be showing his wife, he struggled to keep thoughts of her recovery uppermost in his mind.

On the third day however, Edith was out of patience. She wanted to touch her husband, feel his warmth in more specific ways. She knew she wasn't ready for any intense activities but she thought a little hugging and petting would not be too much to ask. So when he came that afternoon to sit up in the bed next to her and read to her, as had become their custom, she began another assault.

Anthony was half way into the chapter, thinking his wife was listening intently, when he felt her fingers upon him again. Oh, it began innocently enough, just her fingers on his leg. But then they began to move and by the end of the chapter, they were delicately teasing the inside of his thigh. Trying to ignore what she was doing to him, he turned the page to begin the next chapter. But no sooner than he'd opened his mouth to begin, a finger grazed across his family jewels, startling him so much that he yelped and scurried from the bed. "Edith!" he admonished abruptly.

She looked startled and somewhat taken aback but as her gaze drifted down, she began to giggle. Her taunting fingers had worked Anthony into a semi- erect state and her last tease had him now fully at attention. Anthony didn't need her eyes or her giggles to know the state he was in. Glaring at her with frustration, he tossed the book onto the bed. "Perhaps you should continue without me," he said petulantly and then made a hasty retreat, his demeanor speaking loudly of his annoyance.

Edith's face fell as she watched him disappear through the door. What had she done that was so terrible? She thought he would like that she wanted to fulfill his needs. But instead, he seemed angry with her. She thought through it several times, confused and distraught until finally tiredness and tears lulled her to sleep.

Anthony made a retreat to the bedroom he was occupying, where he paced the floor. Why had he reacted so strongly? He knew she didn't intend to take things any further. Stopping next to the window and looking out at the green lawn below, he sighed. He knew why…

It wasn't Edith he was actually upset with; it was himself. He let himself be aroused by her and had he let it continue…well, the possible results worried him. He knew she wasn't ready for amorous activities but if he had allowed her to continue, he feared he would not be able to stop himself. She was so irresistible now that she had introduced him to the delights her body had to offer. Anthony wasn't a love struck boy or a horny young man any longer. He knew that his passions were not half of what they once had been; there was no denying the changes that came with time. But in her hands…oh, the things she made him feel. She was like an addiction and they had only been together such a short time; still he couldn't resist the pull of her. And when she…did what she did, it had unraveled him. Why couldn't he have better control? He chided himself once again. His lack of restraint disturbed him and made him fearful.

That evening, Edith's nurse decided she was in need of a bath. Her tub was drawn and the nurse helped Edith to the bathroom. Once inside the small room, Edith began to disrobe and for the first time since the surgery saw her reflection in the mirror. Oh my, she thought as she studied her scar. It looked gruesome.

As she soaked in the warm half filled tub, her mind began to create doubt. No wonder Anthony didn't want her attentions, a little voice whispered inside her head. He must've seen the scar, seen the damage and it was too much. He had married a young woman with flawless skin and now…now she looked horrid. Of course he wouldn't want her now.

The nurse was alarmed when Edith began to sob as she sat in the tub. Hurrying to her patient, Nurse helped her stand and quickly dried her. Then helping Edith dress, Nurse supported her as they walked back to the bed. Edith climbed in, still in despair, and thanked the woman for her help. "I think it rather tired me though. I'll have a nap before dinner," she told the woman. So Nurse drew the curtains, darkening the room, and left her patient to sleep.

When Anthony appeared that evening as her tray was being brought, Edith complained of tiredness and said she would rather sleep than eat. Anthony tried to cajole her into eating a little something but when she refused, he sighed. "Well, alright then. I'll have my dinner downstairs. Have a nice rest, my dear, and I will see you in the morning." He left without even his usual kiss to her forehead, feeling somewhat down cast and lonely.

The next morning, they ate breakfast together in her room, as they had done since she came home. Anthony tried to make conversation but Edith was quiet and seemed distracted. It hurt him to see her so withdrawn, despondent even but he wa loss. Finally he decided just to address the issue straight on. "Edith, I know I upset you yesterday when I left so suddenly. I'm sorry, it's just….well, you surprised me so. I thought we had agreed to keep things…well, platonic until you are well. And…"

She interrupted him. "We did and it is I who should be sorry. I did not keep to the bargain. Of course it surprised you and I know you'd rather not…well, at any rate, I won't bother you like that again." There was finality in her tone that sent chills through Anthony as he listened and as disturbing as her words were to him, her face was even more so. She looked hurt and discouraged.

"Well, alright then," he replied because he had no idea how else to respond. "Shall I read to you again this afternoon?" he asked hopefully.

"No, that's quite alright. I've taken you away from your duties enough. I am capable of reading the book."

Anthony felt his heart sinking. "Well, as you wish," he said feeling quite let down. "I do have a few matters to conclude but had thought to get them out of the way this morning."

"Yes, well… I'll see you for luncheon then?"

"Of course, my dear," he answered as he got up to leave. He went to kiss her forehead but she seemed to cringe as he did. He left her room with his stomach twisting in a knot and his heart heavy. As he made his way downstairs a thought occurred to him. Acting on it, he called Downton and spoke with Cora. Perhaps she can help with this if Edith will talk to her, he thought as he put the receiver back in its cradle.

His insides still knotted, Anthony decided that he would be required out on the properties when it was time for the mid day meal. He simply didn't have the internal strength to face her in her present mood. He didn't know what to say to her, how to put the light back in her eyes. So he stayed away.