Thanks for all your lovely comments! I love writing about our lovely couple but knowing other people are enjoying what I've written makes it so much more fun!

Earlier...

It was well known that Anthony Strallan was not a man given to acting on impulse. In fact, the only time he, himself, could remember being remotely impulsive was ten years earlier when he'd shown up unexpectedly at Lord and Lady Grantham's asking Edith to a concert in York. The young woman had enthusiastically agreed and the result had been a marvelous evening spent in each other's company. Such impulsiveness had worked in his favor then, perhaps the plans he had in mind for this afternoon would meet with similiar success. At the moment, all the older gentleman could do was hope.

Locating Jimmy, he set things in motion, giving the young bellhop a brief but concise set of instructions with an order to meet him outside Edith's room in an hour. Eagerly, the lad set about carrying out the baronet's requests while the tall blonde hailed a cab to the hotel at which he'd been staying to gather his belongings and settle his bill.

Now...

Clearly, Edith had opened the door expecting Jimmy, the baronet realized as he stood sheepishly in the hall trying to gauge the young lady's reaction. In the ensuing silence, the tall blond glanced anxiously at his watch. It had been over an hour. Where was that boy? The lad's presence was crucial if this haphazard ploy of convincing Edith to speak with him had any chance of succeeding.

Meanwhile, his former fiancee's heart sank. Her attention was focused solely on Anthony's suitcases, her worst fears seemingly confirmed. Any chance of a possible reconciliation between the pair had been ruined by her earlier outburst. He was leaving. She would never again see the tall, handsome, gentle-natured baronet whom she'd loved for nearly a decade. Fighting back tears, Edith closed her eyes, desperately seeking any excuse that might prolong the older gentleman's stay if only for a few moments. Please, don't go came to mind but in the absence of the fiery passion the strawberry blonde had displayed during their heated confrontation, Edith hadn't the courage to express her true wishes.

The couple, startled by the sound of dishes rattling furiously, jumped in surprise, has Jimmy barreled around the corner maneuvering, with reckless abandon, the room service cart carrying the items Anthony had requested.

"Sorry I'm late sir but there was a bit of an unexpected wait. Let me get this inside and I'll be back for your bags. Excuse me, Mrs. Strallan" he said, hurriedly pushing past a surprised Edith.

"Anth...Anthony" the young woman stammered, "what...what's...all this?"

"Afternoon tea" the older gentleman replied, setting down his bags and surprising the redhead with a kiss to her cheek. "Surely, you don't intend to leave your husband standing in the cold so to speak" He nodded towards the room, "After you my dear." Placing his hand at the small of her back, Anthony guided a bewildered Edith back inside.

"I'm sure you'll enjoy your stay with us much more than at that other hotel" Jimmy returned placing the baronet's bags inside the room's lone closet.

"He won't... he can't... stay..." Edith spluttered, a bit put out with Anthony's insinuation, that they'd be sharing the suite.

Jimmy shot a puzzled look in her direction.

"What my wife is trying to say is we'll be leaving once we've found a permanent residence here in the city" Anthony explained, tipping the lad.

"Ahh, of course" Jimmy nodded as he made to leave, "let me know if you need anything else."

"Of all the sneaky underhanded tricks" Edith hissed the once the bellhop had gone, "using Jimmy to gain entrance to my room. You knew my hands would be tied and I'd have to go along with your little ruse. I had no idea you were so devious."

"You're a fine one to talk" Anthony snapped, "registering at the hotel using my name. Care to explain that because I'm not going anywhere until you do! But please, take your time, there's no need to rush. We can share this room for as long as you'd like."

"Oh, really? Where's that sense of propriety you hold in such high esteem?"

"Not only are you pregnant and unmarried, you're already posing as my wife. It would seem a little late to be concerned with propriety. Besides, I deserve, no, I demand an explanation."

Edith stared wide-eyed at the baronet. This was not the Anthony Strallan who had wilted under her family's derision and left her at the altar. No, this Anthony was stronger, more confident, more forceful than the man she remembered from their failed wedding or even during their first courtship before the war. And, oddly enough, it seemed to make him all the more attractive to the young woman.

Glancing over at the strawberry blonde, Anthony, took a deep breath, "Edith, I apologize. It's not my intention to start another argument. I want, I need to know, to understand why you chose the name Strallan and not Gregson."

Dropping her head, Edith studied the floor intently attempting to think of a plausible excuse for passing herself off as Mrs. Strallan. She couldn't, wouldn't tell the baronet that she loved him. Not while carrying another man's child. To do so would be...wrong.

"I knew it would be easier to avoid detection should my family search for me" the young woman lied.

"Dammit, why can't you just tell me the truth. Please!"

"That is the truth I swear."

"No, it isn't", the tall blond accused. "I''ve seen the library in your flat."

"I've no idea what you mean" the young woman began to panic.

"And" he continued, reaching into his coat pocket and tossing an envelope onto the table, "I found this letter amongst the pages of the book of poems I gifted you. For heaven's sake, why can't you..."

"What? Why can't I admit I love you? Fine, I never stopped loving you, Anthony. I've been pretending this child is yours, ours. That's why I've assumed your name."

"Then allow me to right my wrongs. To make up in some small way for the hurt I've caused. Marry me Edith and we'll raise... "

"I can't marry you, Anthony" the young woman interrupted, "I wish it were that simple. I love you but I'm sorry, I can't marry someone I don't trust. You've abandoned me twice" she paused, placing a hand over her stomach, "I cannot allow my child to become attached to someone has a history of running away when things get tough. You've hurt me and I forgive you but you will not have the opportunity to hurt my child."