Robert could contain his ire no longer. "You were our guests at my cousin's house in Scotland. You used that privilege to worm your way into lives and to take advantage of my daughter."

"Don't be ridiculous," Michael smirked. "Edith didn't need coaxing. She knew I'm married but she still circled. She wanted me and I was happy to oblige."

Robert charged toward Michael but Matthew stopped him. "Robert," he said as he grabbed his father-in-law's arm. Robert stopped and looked at Matthew angrily but then shrugged. "Right," he replied. Neither man saw Anthony step closer to Michael.

"She wanted you?" Anthony asked calmly.

"Yes, she did. She'd been playing coy but that night…well, her signals were quite clear," Michael sneered.

Anthony took a deep breath. "I heard her screams, Michael. The minute I walked into the house, that's all I heard…Edith screaming."

"She's a wild one, I'll give her that," Michael laughed.

His laughter set Robert off again. "You bastard," he yelled as he lunged again. This time it was Anthony who stopped him. "Please," he said, let me handle Michael. Please," Anthony implored. Robert looked at Anthony, saw the determination in his eyes and relaxed, only marginally.

Just then the door opened and Elizabeth Gregson entered. "What are you shouting about? Michael, is everything alright?"

"Yes, Lizzie," Michael insisted. "Just a dispute but it will be settled in a moment."

"Mrs. Gregson, might I trouble you for a moment?" Matthew asked when he realized she wasn't moving to leave.

"What?" she asked turning to face him.

"In the entry? I would like to ask you some questions about your décor. My wife and I are redecorating…" then turning to the others Matthew asked, "You gentlemen don't mind if I steal away, do you?"

"Yes darling, please show Mr. Crawley what you've done with the drawing room. I believe he and Lady Mary would be most interested," Michael suggested.

Once they had left the room and the door was closed again, Anthony turned to his cousin. "You are afraid of what she might hear, aren't you Michael?"

"I don't want her exposed to this ….conversation, your innuendo."

"Not innuendo," Anthony replied. "I know what I saw. And I know what Edith told me. And I also know the damage that was done."

"Ah…so your Lady Edith suffered some injuries in our little exchange? Funny, she seemed healthy enough when I saw you two in that village. She seemed to be making the same advances to you."

Robert's hands were twitching and Anthony sensed his impatience. But Anthony wanted the trap snapped shut with a confession so scooted closer to Robert to still him. "Making advances? I'm not quite certain that's the way I would describe her behavior. If anything, she was quite angry with me for a good portion of the journey."

"Angry?" Michael laughed. "You call that angry?"

"Yes, well…after we were to be married and I left her standing at the altar, she was quite hurt and angry. She wasted little time telling me how she felt."

Then Michael laughed even more. "You're the one that jilted her? Oh, how ironic. But thank you cousin, because your actions made her ripe for my enjoyment. She's quite the little tease…"

"Enjoyment? You were assaulting her when I stopped you and you tried to attack her again at the pub," Anthony accused.

"No, you've got it all wrong. She simply likes it rough. She begs for it," Michael paused, "or have you not yet sampled the goods?"

Robert growled and took a step forward but again Anthony blocked him. "She is my wife, Michael…in every way. I have not forced myself on her nor would I ever. She came to me willingly."

"What? You? You're an old man…and crippled at that," Michael sneered.

"Apparently not too old…" Anthony said quietly. "She's…quite exquisite. I was a fool to walk away from her before. But you see, I had the impression that she might not be ready for the physical side of marriage… And well, after Maud, I wanted someone more…interesting."

There was something in Michael's expression that looked disturbed, even unhinged. "You…you've had her?"

Anthony knew he was getting to Michael. "She is my wife…" he hinted.

"But… that's impossible. She's very loose with her charms until things heat up and then she freezes up," Michael returned.

"Not with me," Anthony replied suggestively. "She's quite… pleasing…compliant and very warm. With me, her screams are of ecstasy, unlike the ones when you attacked her. She's very sensual, not at all like Maud was." Voices inside his head were screaming at him for betraying both of his wives in such a manner and Anthony felt Robert's eyes on him, aghast. But the man stood still. "Yes, quite… enticing ….to say the least," he added, watching Michael's face contort.

Something snapped in the younger man at Anthony's last declaration. "No!" Michael bellowed and then he lunged for Anthony. "Nooooooo," he screamed again.

Anthony was ready for him and quickly stepped aside, letting Michael careen past him, falling to the floor. Getting up, Michael looked around wildly and grabbed the fireplace poker before turning to charge at Anthony again. Anthony met his assault, his good arm grabbing at Michael's arms and pushing him aside. Falling to the floor, Michael rolled and then swept Anthony's legs with the poker, knocking him to the floor as well. He pounced, knocking Anthony back down as he tried to get up. Robert tried to pry Michael off Anthony and Michael turned, swinging the poker and knocking Robert to the floor, dizzy from a blow to his head.

Then turning back to Anthony, Michael swung again. Anthony blocked his blow and shoved him aside as the two struggled to control the poker. Finally Anthony snatched it away and as Michael tried to pull him back to the floor, Anthony swung, hitting him across his arms. Quickly Anthony was on his feet, winded and aching from the blows Michael had delivered. Thinking Michael was finished, he tried to end it. "You're no longer a member of my family Michael. You'll be on your own. And so help me if you come near Edith again, I will kill you."

Anthony tossed the poker to the floor and turned to see about Robert. Michael crawled to the poker and grabbed it again. Then standing he lunged one last time at Anthony, who turned just in time to react. Grabbing hold of the tool, he fended off the force of the blow and the two men fell again to the floor. Both struggled and grappled for control of the tool. Robert tried to stand but fell back, still dazed.

The cousins rolled on the floor, Michael trying to use one hand to punch Anthony whenever he saw an opportunity. Anthony rolled them again so that he was on top and then Michael repeated the action with the end of the poker between them. As Michael struggled for control of the poker, Anthony saw his demented expression and realized Michael would never leave them alone, filling him with desperation. The two men continued to fight over the tool with Michael achieving a slight advantage. Using the opportunity he let go with one hand to strike Anthony in the face again. As he swung, Anthony moved his head, managing to miss the brunt of his force, rage filling him at the younger man's continued efforts. Edith's face flashed through Anthony's mind and glancing back at her attacker, Anthony grew even more desperate. Suddenly, Anthony managed to free the poker from Michael's hands but couldn't move it away and as the younger man was rolled on his back again, the hook found a home.

Robert froze when he saw both men suddenly still. Shaking his head, he crawled to them, trying to see how badly Anthony was hurt. Michael turned his head to look at him and opened his mouth to speak but no sound came out. Robert watched in horror as blood poured from between the chests of the two men. Then slowly, Anthony began to rise.

Robert looked from Michael to him and then back. Realization began to grow that it was Michael who had been wounded. "Anthony?" Robert asked.

"I'm…I'm alright," Anthony gasped. "But Michael needs a doctor, I believe."

"Right…"

A doctor was called, as were the police. The doctor didn't stay long. By the time he arrived, Michael Gregson was dead. After their wounds had been examined, Matthew stood with first Anthony and then Robert as they gave statements to the police. Oddly, Elizabeth gave credence to Anthony's claim that Michael had attacked his wife. "He fixated on other women," she said flatly as she watched her husband being taken from the room. "And he had a violent streak."

Finally, after hours of questioning and inquiries, the police determined that Anthony had acted in self defense and Michael Gregson's death had actually been accidental since Anthony had not intended to bury the hook in his chest. "I don't know that the coroner will even call an inquest," the inspector said. "But if he does, you'll be required to testify."

"Yes, of course," Matthew answered for both men. "But in the meantime they are free to leave?"

"Yes, of course," the inspector replied. Then after a word of condolence to Elizabeth, he left.

Elizabeth walked up to Anthony, anger clearly written in her features. "He did that…to your lady?"

"Yes Lizzie, I'm afraid he did."

"Will she be alright?"

"In time…" Anthony answered. "Will you?"

"Yes, I will. He… his behavior was… well, I'm free of it now," she said sadly. "I'll be alright."

"If you need anything…"

"Thank you, but no. I hope you understand but after you leave here, I hope I never see you…any of you again." Then regally, she turned and left the room.

Matthew helped Robert, who was still unsteady and the three men left as well. Once Anthony and Robert were settled back at Rosamund's, Matthew went to find Tom, who was still at The Sketch offices. Rosamund called Downton to explain that the men had been detained and would not return until the next day. That night, Matthew and Tom decided to remain in London one more day to be sure the story of Michael Gregson's death did not involve Lady Edith Strallan. The next morning, Anthony and Robert boarded a train to return home.

Thank you to all who have reviewed and followed. Your interest keeps me going;)

I do hope you didn't find Anthony too violent in this chapter. I tried to keep to his character and still capture his anger...well, rage actually, I suppose. Poor Robert, got the worst of Michael's, I'm afraid. But I'll warn you, Anthony's conscience is going to give him grief. We'll just have to see how he and Edith handle it all.

Drop me a line and let me know what you think...