Since the last two chapter's dealt heavily with Anthony, I thought we should have a quick check in with Lady Edith to see how she's faring. Disclaimer, I own nothing DA related. Although I will admit there was some inspiration from Fisher's lyrics Too Late.
There were a few things Edith Crawley hadn't anticipated when planning her escape to America. One was just how forward Americans would be. Although in hindsight, Edith thought, she probably shouldn't have been surprised, considering how outgoing and outspoken her grandmother was. For some reason, the girl had always assumed Martha's behavior to be the exception rather than the norm. Unfortunately, registering as Mrs. Strallan had proven how very mistaken she'd been. The hotel staff immediately began inquiring as to when her husband might join her. Jimmy, the bellhop, having seen Anthony's photograph on her nightstand, had asked if that were Mr. Strallan and she'd blushingly nodded yes. The young lad's inquisitive nature resulted in the young woman having to quickly formulate a plausible explanation as to the whereabouts of her spouse. For now, she could easily pretend her husband was traveling on business and was uncertain as to when he'd be able to join his wife. Still, in order to avoid any future embarrassment, the overwhelming interest in her personal life deemed the acquisition of a private residence an absolute necessity before it became apparent she was pregnant. If Edith were too far along without her husband having made an appearance, gossip would ensue.
She laughed bitterly, if Anthony only knew the web of deceit she was building around his good name, he'd be mortified. Well, thankfully, the poor man would never know and thank goodness, she'd never have to face him again.
The second aspect Edith hadn't taken into consideration was how quickly she'd need to transfer her assets to a different banking institution before Martha Levinson discovered the young woman hadn't sailed to New York. But, most importantly, the strawberry blonde hadn't realized just how frightening arriving in a new country, alone and pregnant, would be.
Well, it was too late to turn back now even if she'd wanted to and Edith most definitely did not want to. Going back home would mean giving up her baby. Being sent away somewhere on the continent until she gave birth and some agency had placed her child with a family. No, this was her child and although the Earl's daughter would never outwardly be able to claim the little one, he or she would never doubt the place they held in Edith's heart.
She brushed away the tears that threatened to fall. It wasn't as though she'd left anything of importance behind in Yorkshire. Well, except for a piece of her heart she thought, picking up Anthony's photo. She sighed, knowing their chance at happiness had long since passed. Was now but a memory of seeds sewn in the wind, a long ago dream faded but, in Edith's case, one not quite forgotten. This road she now traveled, paved with pieces of her soul, had taken her across the ocean and no matter how desperately she longed to see the tall, handsome, blue eyed baronet, those bridges had most definitely been burned and neither could walk on water.
Edith's bottom lip began to temble. Eighteen months ago, madly in love and deliriously happy, she had reached for the stars only to find heartache. Now she was wandering, lost in her own world, and the only thing of which she was certain was, that in this life, she'd never be completely at peace, would never entirely be home. For peace and home, to Edith Crawley, were tied irrevocably to Anthony Strallan.
Not to far away, the gentleman who presently occupied Edith's thoughts was, as he shielded his weary blue eyes from the bright afternoon sunshine, scanning the skies above Boston as though searching for a beacon to guide him to his sweet one.