Chapter 25
A/N: I forgot to mention but in this story I have imagined that Matthew did not have his car accident after seeing his son for the first time.
After Edith & Anthony had gone home, the family congregated in the library.
"I think that some of us at least ought to go to London," Mary said, "I know Edith & I have never been friends but I feel for her in this. She will find it difficult and as her family, shouldn't we provide moral support to her and Anthony?"
"Bravo!" Isobel said, "I was about to suggest the same thing."
"We can stay with Rosamund I imagine," Robert said, "I think she is back home now but you realise we probably won't be able to discuss the finer points of the case with either of them since they are witnesses."
"Well I am sure Murray could clarify things with regard to legality," Matthew said, "Civil law is different of course so I am not sure of my ground. At any rate I think they would be glad of moral support."
"I agree," Isobel said. She had not forgotten when she and Anthony had found Edith in the London hospital after Gregson's arrest but she knew that Edith did not want her family to know about the miscarriage or even that she had been pregnant at all.
Robert glanced at his watch.
"It's too late to sort anything out tonight because Rosamund doesn't keep late hours as a rule and Murray won't be in his office until Monday morning," he turned to Cora, "Will you be joining us?"
Cora shook her head.
"No, I will stay put here. We don't want to overwhelm them."
"I can manage things here if Matthew wants to go," Tom said.
"Well Edith has always seen Matthew as more of an ally," Mary said.
"I'll come," Matthew said.
"Well, it could be a busy couple of weeks so I suggest we all get some rest," Robert said, "I will telephone Rosamund tomorrow. Mary, get Anna to pack for you and I will inform Bates."
They all went their separate ways to bed.
OO
Edith had given her family the name and number of the hotel where she and Anthony would be staying for the duration of the trial. They were having after dinner coffee when one of the hotel staff came across to their table. It was the Sunday evening and Edith was beginning to feel queasy at the prospect of what was to come.
"I'm sorry to disturb you Lady Strallan but there is a Lady Mary Crawley on the telephone for you,"
"Thank you," Edith said. She glanced at Anthony who raised an eyebrow but said nothing.
Edith followed the hotel man to the telephone.
"Hello, Mary?"
"Edith," Mary said, "We, that is Matthew, myself, cousin Isobel and Papa thought you could use some moral support so we have come down to London. We're staying with Aunt Rosamund,"
"I don't know what to say; it's most unexpected," Edith stammered, "but thank you."
"We're not sure what we can and can't talk about with you but Papa will be telephoning Murray in the morning and we will be in court every day."
Edith was surprised to find tears pricking her eyes.
"I really am touched, Mary, after what I have done to blacken the family name in recent months."
Mary laughed. "Mr Pamuk and I did that first a long time ago but you're respectably married now. We're at Rosamund's if you and Anthony want to come around for drinks but if not we will see you in the morning,"
"I'll talk to him but don't wait up on the off chance. I know Aunt Rosamund doesn't stay up too late,"
"We'll see you soon," Mary said, "She cleared her throat, "Edith?"
"Yes?"
"I really think we ought to try and put our past differences behind us. Sybil would hate the fact that we still quarrelled. I really am happy that you finally got to marry the man you love and I really am sorry for everything I said about him in the past,"
"I'm sorry for what I have said in the past as well and I am sorry about the Turkish Ambassador thing too."
"The war changed us all, Edith," Mary said, "Anyone who claims otherwise is either dead or lying."
The line became crackly so they said goodnight.
OO
Anthony was surprised but pleased when Edith told him about her conversation with Mary.
"It sounds promising," he said, "I have always been sorry that you and Mary did not get along and it might help you get through the next couple of weeks if you can finally lay past hurts to rest."
"Sybil would have been pleased," Edith said, "Oh Anthony I do miss her."
He put his good hand on her shoulder. "I know my love. I can't begin to imagine how Tom must feel but at least he has the baby. I did not even have that when Maud died. When all this is over perhaps I might have a little man to man talk with him because I know how he feels."
"I'm sure that would help him a lot," Edith said, "I can't even imagine what it must be like to lose the person you love most in the world. I know I lost you for a time but not in that sense,"
Anthony finished his coffee and took her hand in his.
"How do you feel about spending the evening or, what is left of it, at your aunt's? It would be good to have company although obviously I would like to stay alone with you. After all they have made the effort to come down to show us moral support and it would be rather rude to snub that."
She kissed him on the cheek.
"Yes it would be rather nice."
They went to the hotel reception desk and Edith gave them Rosamund's address and asked them to order a taxi.
OO
"Come in," Rosamund said as they hovered in the doorway.
They walked in to the room and Rosamund gestured to them to sit.
"It's wonderful to see you," Rosamund gushed, "It's been too long,"
"No doubt you are aware of our situation," Edith said
"Yes I am, just because I have been away does not mean I haven't read the papers. I hope you are alright?"
"The experience in the prison was terrifying to say the least," Edith said, "But I am fortunate to have a very heroic husband."
"I always told Mama the two of you belonged together," Rosamund said.
"Well we are very content," Anthony said, holding Edith's hand, "and once this is over we will be having a long holiday."
"You both deserve it," Rosamund said, "Hopefully you will help put Mr Gregson at the end of a rope where it seems he belongs,"
"We really should not talk about this until I have checked things with Murray," Robert said.
"Quite right," Matthew said.
"Thank you so much for coming," Edith said, "You have no idea what it means to me."
"And to me," Anthony said.
"I may not say it nearly often enough, Edith, and I certainly haven't always shown it but I really do love you, Edith," Robert said, "You are my daughter and although I might not always have approved of your actions I am very proud of the young woman you have become as well as the fact that, despite my past interference, you have finally found happiness with a good decent and honourable man who, in my estimation, has proved himself more than worthy of you many times over,"
"Thank you Lord Grantham," Anthony was astounded.
Edith hugged her father who held her close.
"Thank you Papa, I love you too,"
They sat around talking for a while and the atmosphere was fairly relaxed.
"Well we should be making a move," Anthony said, "Edith and I need to return to our hotel and we all need some sleep as we have no idea what tomorrow will hold for any of us."
OO
Rosamund had gone to bed.
"That really meant a lot to them both Papa," Mary said,
"I meant every word," Robert said, "But Anthony is right; we don't know what the immediate future will bring so we ought to get some sleep,"
OO
Edith lay in bed beside her husband.
"That went rather well," she said, "I must admit I didn't think I would ever get full support from my family but what Papa said, well I found it hard not to cry."
"At least I know I am finally accepted," Anthony replied, "That makes me feel a lot better too because I always wanted his blessing."
They shared a deep tender kiss as Edith snuggled close to her husband and best friend.
"Let's get some rest," Anthony whispered as he trailed his fingers down her naked back.
They fell asleep, their bodies entwined, but somehow at that point in time Edith was not worried about what was to come. She would worry about things only when she needed to; she felt protected and safe with her husband beside her. As far as she was concerned Michael Gregson could not longer hurt her.