So sorry for the delay in updating. I hope you think it worth the wait.
While the days were warm, the chill of Fall fell over their evenings in September. Edith and Anthony were settled in for the evening by the fire in the library, each reading when a heavy knock sounded at the door. Looking up, they heard Stewart's voice and Edith frowned as she thought she recognized the voice of her brother-in-law, Tom Branson. "Whatever is Tom doing here at this time of night?"
Anthony glanced from his wife to the door as it opened, Stewart announcing Mr. Branson. Tom rushed into the room. "I'm sorry to come so late but…Robert thought I should. We thought of calling but he thought it better that I tell you in person."
"Tell us what, Tom?" Anthony asked, as he stood next to Edith's chair.
"In the village today…I saw him. I don't think he saw me but it was him; I'm certain it was," Tom exhaled heavily.
"Him? Who?" Anthony asked as a cold chill ran through him.
"Michael Gregson. He was just going into the pub. I gave it a few minutes and then I went in after him but he wasn't downstairs. So I inquired and he is staying at the pub; he's been here two days now."
"Michael?" Edith gasped, obviously shocked.
"Yes. I'm sorry Edith, but it seems he's been asking all around the village, asking after you." Tom replied.
Anthony rested his hand on Edith's shoulder gently and her hand lifted to meet his. "So he probably knows that Edith and I are married," Anthony said matter-of-factly.
"I would think so," Tom responded. "It's no secret." Tom paused, surveying the other two. "Robert was upset, angry even. Cora was trying to clam him down when I left to come tell you. Robert says it means trouble. He's threatening to go after Gregson in the morning."
"Oh no," cried Edith. "He mustn't do that. Michael can be very… dangerous."
Anthony squeezed her shoulder. "Robert won't face Gregson alone, sweet one. I think it is important that that man understand he is not to come near you."
"I can go with him in the morning," Tom offered.
Anthony shook his head. "No, it is not your place, Tom. But I, that is we…appreciate your willingness. No, I will accompany Robert. As her husband and her father, we are the ones to face him. Please tell Robert and Cora that I will bring Edith and the children to Downton early in the morning. If you would remain close to the house while Robert and I are in the village that might be good…just in case we miss him."
"Right," agreed Tom. "I'll be sure to have a couple of the brawnier groundskeepers around as well…just in case."
"Thank you, Tom. Now that it's all settled, would you care for a drink?"
Tom looked from Anthony to Edith, who was trembling. "No, thank you. I'll um…I'll just go home then, leave the two of you to talk. If you should need anything though…"
"Of course," replied Anthony. "And thank you for coming out tonight. It is news that was better delivered in person. And now that we know, there won't be any surprises."
Stewart showed Tom out and locked the door. He returned to the library. "Will there be anything else?" he asked.
Anthony looked at his loyal man and nodded. "Yes Stewart. If you would redouble your efforts in locking up tonight?"
"Yes, of course Sir." He turned to leave but Anthony called behind him. "And Stewart, would you keep your service revolver nearby, please…in case of any unwelcome visitors."
Stewart turned around to look at his employer, a frown clear in his features. His eyes glanced from Anthony to Edith and seeing how pale and frightened she looked, he worried. "Of course, Sir. It'll be beside me."
"Thank you Stewart," Anthony said softly.
Once Stewart left the room, Edith crumbled. Crying, she looked at Anthony. "Why is he here? What can he hope to gain from coming back?"
"I don't know, my sweet. Robert and I will get to the bottom of it tomorrow. All we can do tonight is to try to sleep and try not to worry."
"Yes, of course," she said thoughtfully. "Do you think it would be better if I see him tomorrow. After all, he has come here looking for me, it seems."
"No! I don't want that…that scoundrel anywhere near you, do you understand? You are not to go to him. I forbid it!"
Edith blinked at Anthony, stunned. "Anthony, you've never forbidden me anything."
"I forbid this. I don't know why he is here, looking for you after all this time but he will not be allowed to see you. I'll not risk you suffering another encounter with him. As you said, he is dangerous. He had little regard for your health when you were carrying his child. I'll not let him attempt to destroy this baby too."
Edith's eyes were wide as she stared at the man who stood before her now. This wasn't her Anthony. This man was angry and aggressive, furious with Michael. And for the first time since she had known him, she saw that Anthony could be dangerous as well.
Anthony immediately regretted his outburst. "Oh Edith, I'm sorry, so sorry. I didn't mean to sound so… "
"Angry? Dictatorial," she supplied.
"Well…yes," he sighed. "I …It's just …"
"You are my husband," she supplied again.
"Right. And after I found you in the hospital, knowing what that…that….what he is capable of, I just can't let him near you. Surely you understand?"
Edith studied her husband, who was looked at her beseechingly. Looking into his eyes, looking beyond his anger, she saw his fear. Her emotions conflicted as she realized this. Yes, he was angry. But more so he was frightened, not for himself but for her and possibly even for Abigail. "I do Anthony; I understand. You must also understand that I am frightened for you as well, for you and my father... and for what he might do if he realizes Abigail is his child."
"She is not!" Anthony bellowed. Then sinking into his chair, he deflated. "She is not his," Anthony mumbled. "I'm sorry," he breathed. Another wave of fury swept through him as he thought of their sweet little darling girl asleep upstairs. "How can this be happening…after all this time? We have been so happy."
Edith was next to him quickly, settling on the arms of his chair beside him, catching his hand between both of hers. "Yes, my darling; we have been happy. And Michael will not take that away from us."
Anthony looked into her dark eyes and forced a weak smile. "He is younger than I…more attractive, more…interesting."
Edith leaned toward him, her lips brushing his cheek before she settled against him. "He might be younger, but you are the most handsome, darling, and interesting man I've ever known. He means nothing to me and you are everything to me, Anthony. Please don't let that over active mind of yours think that I might ever feel otherwise."
Anthony wrapped his arm around her and held her, taking in the sensation of her warmth, her scent, and the weight of her against him. Closing his eyes, he pushed down all of his misgivings and cherished this moment. "I do love you, Edith; so very much." She answered him by tightening her grip on him and sighing, following with a soft moan. After a few minutes, she straightened up. "And now my dear husband, I think we should retire. It seems you need a reminder as to whom I belong and I would be remiss if I didn't demonstrate it…emphatically."
Anthony was feeling so many things, fear for Edith and Abigail…and for himself, truth be told. But he was also feeling a different fear, one born of his inability to believe he truly deserved this very beautiful temptress that was now working her seduction on him. And he was feeling anger that Gregson should rear his head again, come looking for Edith, and then not leave when he heard that she was now married. The man was audacious, in the very least, perhaps even mad. How could this be happening, Anthony wondered as Edith began to undress him after dismissing Stewart. Moffett was not summoned either, Anthony realized. What was his darling seductress up to now?
She had stripped him down to his underclothes before he'd even realized. Then she all but pushed him down onto the bed and straddled his lap, still fully clothed. He looked up into her dark eyes, her lids now heavy with desire and marveled at his present circumstance. Michael Gregson would wait until morning. Obviously Edith had other things on her mind and who was he to argue with her intentions.
She guided his hand to the buttons on her blouse and helped him to unfasten them one by one. When his body began to respond as she must have known it would, the little vixen wiggled herself over his response, her growing belly heavy with his child rubbing against him. Suddenly it was all too much for him and he dropped his hand to wrap his arm around her and pull her closer to him. Hugging her fiercely, he kissed her neck and then sighed. "Oh my dearest darling, my most dearest one…"
Edith's hands went to his head, her fingers in his hair as she bent to kiss his face, along his jaw, and then to his mouth. After a long, very heated kiss, she straightened up to finish the business with her buttons, leaving Anthony to watch in admiration. He knew he was being extremely ungentlemanly as he watched and when he felt his mouth begin to salivate, he decided he must glance away. But Edith was having none of it and one of her hands corrected his line of sight. With them so close all he could do was watch as she uncovered the top half of herself, displaying her most wondrous attributes, still full and rounded after the birth and feeding of Abigail. "Touch me, Anthony," she whispered as she lifted his arm to where his hand hovered over her.
Edith had been correct earlier when she said he had never forbidden her anything. He was so grateful for a last chance with her, for this life they had made, he would deny her almost nothing so when she commanded that he touch her, he complied. The arousal that overtook him as she trembled beneath his caresses was indescribable and all he could do was close his eyes and rejoice in the sensation. Oh god, Edith…" he whimpered as he felt her undulate as if a wave had overtaken her body. She slid off his lap and divested herself of her remaining clothes, her skin flushed, and her breathing erratic. "You too," she demanded.
Anthony managed to get out of his remaining garments with little trouble as he hungrily watched her finish her task. No sooner than he had flung his last remaining garment to the floor than she was over him, on him, and he was in her. His little minx was determined to ride him, she obviously wanted control on this occasion and he willing complied. Logically he had two very good reasons why; it was easier this way considering his bad arm and the best one was that he could watch her over him, her breasts bouncing and later rubbing against him as she moved over him. While those were valid reasons for the arrangement, the reality was Anthony felt so rubbery, so absolutely liquid under her control that he didn't think he was capable of doing it any other way. He knew he didn't have the voice to suggest another option.
She rode him vigorously, bringing herself to a very long conclusion. But Anthony fought to hold on, containing himself as he watched her fly over the precipice. It was a glorious view. Panting heavily and her skin flushed, Edith set about to bring him to his own end but he continued to fight it, watching her build to another explosion instead. This time she let out a small moan as she convulsed, squeezing him so tightly he was lost. His body was no longer his as he pumped into her and felt her responding motions. "Oh god," he bellowed as release overtook him, "Edith…"
The heated frenzy of their twin explosions were a blur, Anthony uncertain when one paroxysm ended and another began and what was her and what was him. When he was done, his body stilled even as hers continued to move over him in a most satisfying dance. She was still going, he realized, one climax after another moving through her. Reaching down into her now soaked depths, he used his fingers to do what his usual tool was not capable of and stimulated her through not one but two more shattering conclusions until finally she collapsed on him, her body still quivering with the aftershocks.
Anthony's own breathing was still a bit labored and his mind was racing. He had never experienced such a thing! While their love making had much better than he'd ever dared hoped for, it had never been like this. He'd never dreamed that he, boring old Anthony Strallan, could excite a woman…any woman… in such a manner. And that it was his Edith who was shuddering at his touch, losing herself time after time, was extraordinary. No sooner than that thought flittered through his mind, his self esteem now giddy with the knowledge, she sighed and began to caress his chest. And she was still on top of him, her legs entangled with his, her womanhood touching his manhood, the evidence of their activities slowly trickling down onto him. She kissed him, first as little nibbles on his chest and then as more vigorous bites to his neck. And then her lips were on his, her moans vibrating through the connection. Miracles of miracles, he felt himself responding to her, arousal growing as his manhood twitched. She giggled, not a childish giggle but a sensuous womanly sort of laugh.
The heat grew slowly this time as they took their time. But the conclusion was no less thrilling or explosive. And when she was done with him, Anthony felt like his bones had turned to jelly. She slid off him and cuddled into his side but he was so spent he couldn't even wrap her in his arm. She nuzzled him a little but he was so drained he couldn't even moan a response and soon fell into a very satisfied, splendid slumber.
