Thank you so much for all the lovely reviews for the last chapter! They truly made my day! Andith folks are the best! xx

"Anthony," Edith gently shook the sleeping baronet's shoulder trying to rouse him from his slumber. When the older gentleman failed to respond, she tried again, this time a bit more forcefully, "Anthony, wake up!"

Startled, the tall blond sat up with a jolt, "What? What's wrong?" he stared dumbly at the strawberry blonde and her grandmother. "Where am I?" he asked, glancing around in confusion at his surroundings. Clearly, having woken up on the floor, had left the poor fellow a bit dazed.

"Nothing's wrong," Martha Levinson replied, her tone calm and reassuring, "but let's get you back inside the room. I'm sure the hotel frowns on guests sleeping in the hallway."

Edith, extended her hand towards him, a peace offering as much as it was an offer of assistance. I'm sorry, she mouthed, forcing herself to meet the baronet's glance. Hesitating ever so briefly, the baronet, giving the young woman a slight smile and nod of acceptance, grasped her tiny hand in his and hauled himself upright.

Back in the room, Martha took command, "I think we've had enough excitement for one day. I've taken a room at the end of the hall, so now I'd suggest, we all get a good night's sleep then meet back here tomorrow to sort everything out."

Anthony, who at this point merely wanted someplace to lay his weary bones, nodded his consent.

"Alright," Edith agreed, starting towards her bedroom, "give me just a few minutes to gather my things and I'll be..."

"And, just where do you think you're going young lady," her grandmother interrupted.

"Well, with you, of course."

"Oh, I don't think so, my dear girl," Martha laughed, "I love you but I'm not sharing a room, much less a bed, with you."

"But. I... I can't stay here."

"There's no reason for you to leave, Edith," Anthony shuffled wearily towards the door, "I'll see if there are any other rooms available. If not, I can always try the other hotels. If need be, perhaps, someone will be kind enough to allow me to occupy a chair in their lobby for the night."

"Hold it right there, Sir Anthony!" Mrs. Levinson ordered. Shocked by the woman's demanding tone, Edith's eyes widened in surprise and Anthony stopped dead in his tracks. In an effort to control her rising frustration at the younger couple, the older woman took a deep breath, releasing it slowly before continuing, "Edith, you've registered at this hotel under the name Strallan therefore, giving the impression that you and Sir Anthony are married. Jimmy even referred to you as Mr. and Mrs. Strallan when he showed me to your room. For pete's sake, this is America, not merrie olde England where the lady of the house sleeps in the east wing and the master in the west," she huffed. "Besides, this suite has two bedrooms, Sir Anthony is a true gentleman, and the man is completely exhausted!"

"The English aren't that stuffy," Edith retorted, feeling a bit indignant at such a remark. "At least, not for the past twenty years or so, we haven't been," she muttered under her breath.

Martha rolled her eyes, "the point I'm trying to make young lady, is that you started this little charade, Sir Anthony has contributed to it, and now, for the time being, it would be best for all concerned, if the two of you continued with it." Having a sudden flash of brilliance, she paused, chuckling inwardly at the devious little thought that occurred to her. "That is, unless you want to be the subject of gossip which will spread through Boston like a wildfire once tongues start wagging about the fact that a married couple such as yourselves occupy separate hotel rooms." She shook her head, "And, I can only imagine the tales that would ensue if Sir Anthony were to be seen sleeping in the hotel lobby. Why, it would be positively scandalous!"

There, that ought to put the fear of god into them, she thought smugly, seeing how, at least in her experience, there was nothing the English aristocracy seemed to dread more than the threat of a possible scandal.

The couple shared a knowing glance, realizing that any hint of a scandal could lead to someone digging even deeper into their personal lives in hopes of finding more dirt. And, as both well knew, someone delving into Edith Crawley's past was definitely the last thing the strawberry blonde needed at the moment. Unconsciously, Edith chewed her bottom lip, her fingers twitching anxiously has any other apprehensions were overridden by the fear that someone would discover she was unmarried and pregnant. Unaware she'd stumbled upon the metaphorical thorn in her granddaughter's side, Martha was more than pleased to see that the likelihood of becoming a public spectacle had apparently caused Edith and Anthony to sit up and take notice. She made to gather her belongings, pretending not to notice how Anthony, picking up on Edith's sense of uneasiness, circled the room, coming to a stop behind the young woman, his demeanor protective but not overbearing. Though the baronet maintained a polite distance, Martha wasn't blind, she saw that his manner clearly conveyed to her middle granddaughter the message, you are not alone, I'm here should you need me. She pretended not to notice how Edith was drawn to him, stepping back as though trying to engulf herself in tall blond's comforting presence. She pretended not to notice how, in what appeared to be a joining of forces, they simultaneously reached for one another's hand, fingers interlocking has Anthony bent his head to whisper in the strawberry blonde's ear and Edith responded with a faint squeeze of her hand. After witnessing their earlier heated exchange, Martha raised an eyebrow at such an unlikely turn of events, wondering what on earth could possibly have caused such a drastic change in the couple's interactions.

Suddenly feeling as if she were an intruder, Martha cleared her throat, "I should be going. I'll see you tomorrow at breakfast."

"Perhaps at luncheon would be better," the pair suggested in unison. "After everything that's happened today, I could certainly use the extra sleep," Edith supplied, although Martha suspected that wasn't the true reason for the delay.

Bidding the couple goodnight, Martha made her way down the hall. Once inside the room, she poured herself a nightcap, and taking a seat by the window, she stared out into the night, quietly mulling over the events of the entire day. Of one thing she was certain, there was something else going on with her granddaughter, something far more important than Edith's need to escape from her family or Anthony's having come to America in search of the young woman. And, whatever it was, the baronet was privy to and it made him feel extremely protective of Edith. Well, she thought, as she polished off her drink, tomorrow, we shall see how well that English reserve stands up to a feisty American who can be like a dog with a bone when she sets her mind to it.

I won't make any promises but hopefully we'll get to see Martha in action later this week ;)