"It's rather exciting, we haven't had a party like this in the grounds since last autumn. It was quite pleasant weather for that time of year oddly enough. I'm looking forward to sitting under the marquee again," Cora exhaled as some of the family were gathered in the sitting room that evening.
"They always make those splendid lemon cocktails which look a little permissive to ask for on a normal afternoon," Robert mused, his expression stirring with the prospect.
"By the way Mamma, Anthony is coming tomorrow." Mary remembered.
"You mean Anthony Strallen?"
"Yes. He telephoned," Mary lied.
"No doubt Edith invited him of course." Cora reasoned.
"I don't know how I feel about it. This will pester things, Edith was just beginning to leave him alone," said Robert.
"Was she?" Mary shirred the idea disbelievingly.
"Anyhow, it makes for an interesting evening," he said sombrely and got up to go upstairs, leaving his glass on the mantlepiece.
...
Sunday morning came with an eagerness. Lady Mary was up and dressed already by the time Matthew awoke. "Thank you, Anna."
"Darling, don't go down just yet. I've hardly seen you all weekend. Stay with me today," he urged from where he lay as Anna shut the door behind her.
Mary came over to the bed and bent down to put a quick kiss on his forehead. "That'll have to suffice for now... I've things to do." She added, pulling her hands out of his hair.
"What things?" He moaned as she rushed out of the room.
...
The servants milled about the grounds on Mrs Hughes's beck and call.
"Thomas, don't let the poor boy lift that by himself," she gestured to Barrow who bent down to help a hallboy with every sign of indignance. "And for crying out loud those are not the chairs we use," she cried at a maid. "Don't let Mr Carson have to tell you where they are, ask Anna. Where is Anna?"
In only two hours the marquees were up and Mrs Patmore was practically churning out the cucumber and salmon sandwiches with scones. Tea and drinks floated about on the trays of footmen as the guests started to arrive.
"Edith, Darling this is Cousin Rose's friend Lady Cassia from Newcastle who we met in London in the spring. You remember?" Cora invited Edith over.
"I do, you were wearing the most extraordinary mantle dress, I never thought such a shade of green could be so flattering."
"I thank you, you looked quite bedazzling yourself. I could recommend you my designer, she's from..."
Edith nodded politely while searching the grounds with bored eyes. Then she saw him. Letting her mother converse further with Lady Cassia, Edith took to the other side of the marquee and found him again.
"Anthony!" She kissed him hastily on the cheek without invitation. "How come you've decided to show?"
"Good afternoon Edith, my close friend Lady Irene Elspeth thought it would be a lovely idea on such a fine day." Anthony announced jovial inside, as he introduced a middle-aged woman with honey blonde hair streaked with white and a pair of brilliant eyes. She was wearing a sage flapper dress which gave her body a surprising amount of credit for a woman of her age.
Edith just stared, wide-eyed and hurt, unable to reply. She burst into a sob and ran to the other side of the party, glaring at the two of them from where she sat next to Aunt Rosamund.
"Capital, that seems to have done it." Sir Anthony exhaled with a chuff.
"But will she give up?"
"I should bloody well hope so, Margaret. She's getting that letter too. Oh look here comes Lady Mary."
"I'm going to get a drink." She left just as Mary had almost reached them.
"Well done Anthony, I should congratulate you. Where did you find such an accomplice?"
"She's my librarian, Margaret." He whispered.
"I see. Well, you must demonstrate that she is more than acquaintance if you'd really like some peace."
"Right."
