Hello everyone! I have certainly missed you folks and I've provided an explanation for my absence below. My apologies but, unfortunately, I have broken my promise that Edith and Anthony would meet in the next update. I hope you can forgive me and please know I have every intention of updating this story during Andith fest 2018.
After leaving Jimmy, Anthony walked to a nearby diner where he spent the next hour dithering back and forth about whether to invade Edith's privacy once more. He tried to convince himself he'd only be doing so to determine that the young woman was traveling alone and not with Gregson but that wasn't true and the baronet knew it. Gregson had been declared dead and according to Jimmy, it was a picture of Anthony, not the newspaper editor, by Edith's bed. Besides, the young woman was passing herself off as Mrs. Strallan, not Mrs. Gregson. No, all the signs clearly indicated that she'd arrived in Boston alone and had every of remaining so. Invading her privacy now would only serve to satisfy his own selfish needs, primarily, the overwhelming urge to understand the reason Edith would suddenly leave home and a thriving business traveling to a city where she knew no one, using an assumed name. His!
The older gentleman's thoughts began to wander. Perhaps he'd have an opportunity to make amends for his previous mistakes with Edith, perhaps they might take up again...Anthony shook his head. He was making a great deal of assumptions, not the least of which was that Edith would even talk to him. And the likelihood that she might still care for him, well, for the unassuming baronet who doubted that any woman could possibly find him attractive or interesting, the idea seemed utterly preposterous inspite of the evidence which proved otherwise. Glancing at his pocketwatch, Anthony saw it was nearing one-thirty and paying his tab, he headed towards the back entrance of the hotel to wait for Jimmy. Upon arriving though, the baronet found the young lad already there deeply immersed in conversation with a young woman about Edith's age. Approaching them warily, Anthony was surprised to find her smiling in his direction.
"Mr. Strallan, I'd like you to meet Anna Smith, head of housekeeping here at the Hotel Somerset."
"Good afternoon sir," she greeted him, "it's so nice to finally meet you. You're wife speaks very highly of you." The young housekeeper gazed intently at the older gentleman for a few moments before breaking into a mischievious grin, "and it was certainly no exaggeration when she said your eyes were the most amazing shade of blue."
Anthony blushed at the compliment. "The pleasure's all mine." he stammered.
"You haven't any time to dwaddle," she declared, quickly handing the room key to Jimmy. "According to Mrs. Strallan, she'll only be out for a few hours." Glancing towards Anthony, she suddenly frowned, "I thought you were planning a surprise?"
I'm afraid it will have to wait," Anthony muttered, "I hadn't time to prepare yet."
"You needn't worry with surprises," came the blonde's cheeky reply, "I'm sure you'll do quite nicely!"
Upon entering Edith's room, Anthony's thoughts ran rampant. Perhaps he should just forget the whole ordeal and return to Yorkshire immediately. No, now that Jimmy and Anna were involved there'd be no way to keep his presence in Boston or her room from the young woman. The tall blonde sighed heavily. He'd given his word to both Rosamund and Martha Levinson. To turn back now would only serve to confirm to everyone, especially himself, that he was indeed a coward.
Wandering over to the small desk by the window, Anthony's eyes narrowed as he took in a calendar. A quick glance showed that Edith had been to the same doctor at least four times since arriving in Boston. Suddenly the older gentleman doubled over as though someone had punched him in the gut, what if Edith were ill? What, God forbid, if she were dying?
Anthony hadn't been quite sure what his next step would be once he'd been to Edith's room. The baronet had assumed he'd slip out and quietly approach her at some point in the near future. Well, that certainly was no longer an option, he thought grimly. The sooner he could talk to his Sweet One, the better. A look of determination crossed tall blonde's face. There's no time like the present he decided as he sat down to await Edith's return.
A/N: Real life has been hectic these past months with nearly everyone in my family, from my husband to my mother, having serious health issues, including my brother, who is battling cancer. I will try to update more frequently but I won't make any promises.
Please know I have missed the people who make up our wonderful community and I want to send a special shout out to Baron Munchausen, Lady Spottedhorse, Lady Tarlea and everyone who has taken time to check in with me and offered support. You have no idea how much I appreciate each of you!