Out in the car, Bernes shivered, and for a second his exhale was visible in the form of a ghostly wisp. He began to grow worried, the car was parked around the entrance gate behind a big pine bush. Somehow, he wasn't sure if Lady Edith had wanted him to leave at this point - but something told him even so, it would feel like a mistake - regardless of who wanted it from him.

How did I end up here tonight? Bernes shook his head.

He was staying. He didn't know how long he'd have to wait, but it was the right thing to do. He slouched back in his seat and peered at the path with tired eyes.

...

Edith jumped up immediately (or what amount of time stood next to "immediately" for now she felt dizzy in the stomach, and her heart wanted to jump right out her mouth), kicking the curtains aside with frustration "Argh - oh for God sa- !" breathing heavily, she stopped.

A mixture of a gasp and a sob escaped her, and two intakes of breath followed by the two sitting so closely on the bed with a look of absolute terror struck into them. There sat Sir Anthony Strallen with Lady Irene Elspeth, the latter clutching onto the former, both of them flushed in the cheeks gripping hands tightly and shaking in disbelief. Two glasses of some kind of champagne sat on the bedside table, and, a little black box lying open and empty on the sheets.

They stared back madly and the woman who stood barefoot, heavily dishevelled with her hair pulled from random angles.

Edith closed her eyes, she didn't want to open them again and when she did, she decided to look past the little black box on the bed and at the two lovers so clearly interrupted, not daring to look at Lady Irene's hand, and squeezing the thought out of her mind as she swayed on the spot.

The silence was incredible, but Edith couldn't live with it any longer "...What - is SHE doing with you? WHAT IS SHE DOING HERE? W- w- how I- I- WHAT ARE Y-" she stammered in a mad procession of sobs.

"We could ask you the same thing!" The other woman cried, incredulous.

"EDITH?" Anthony stuttered.

"I - had to come this way because Jones - I'm here because I - "

"Don't listen to her Anthony! IT'S HER. She's clearly lost it, call for Jones! Call for the police!"

"I can't believe it's TRUE! The both of you - Anthony I need to talk to you! I need to -"

"Anthony! NOW?"

"Oh, leave it my love! Let's just hear her!" He was alarmed but he did know he was in no immediate peril. Lady Edith was not a murderer, she could slap perhaps, but it might be worthwhile hearing why she had climbed up his house and into his bedroom.

"Why should we? What's the matter with you Anthony?" Lady Irene shook Anthony tenderly as he stared past her at Edith, who was attempting composure through whimpers, glassy eyed.

"Well... Edith?"

"First... YOU. Get the devil away from him." She ordered the woman on the bed.

"I will not!"

"Really Margaret, maybe it's for the best at the moment."

"You don't expect me to take orders from a madwoman? WHO JUST INVADED YOUR-"

"Margaret?" Edith asked, her confusion apparent. "Why did you just call Irene, Margaret?"

"... It's my middle name! And - as if it's any business of yours, as if you shouldn't be driven to a police station right now, I -"

"Everybody please! Be silent for one second I beg you!" A silence did follow.

"Anthony, do you really..." Edith was crying silently as she spoke, she was surprised she had any tears left but for now they kept coming, and she was scared they wouldn't stop. "Do you really feel nothing for me anymore? And don't tell me you never did because I KNOW YOU DID!"

"I don't. Edith. I've told you this. AND - if you ask me again I'm afraid I'll go insane!"

"Look darling - I need to get out of this room! If you're sure she's not dangerous - I'm going downstairs." And that was when Edith saw the ring. The big diamond caught the light as Irene brushed her hand hastily passed Anthony's shoulder and went out the door.

"Oh - OH!" Edith swayed violently and crumpled up onto the floor, hysterical. "Well that says it all! YOU BLOODY WELL PROPOSED TO HER!"

"... I did. Do you believe me now?"

"Oh SH- SHUT UP!" Edith proceeded to wail for an entire minute, Anthony who was extremely uncomfortable, stood up, and began to turn for the door, wincing. "No you DON'T! You DON'T GO ANYWHERE YET!" Edith stood up and threw herself at the man, pulling him back, incensed, she attempted to kiss him and when that wasn't possible anymore she began to pound him with her fists. The old man wasn't injured as Edith was so weak by this point but he protested until Edith had none left.

"Good God - let go of me you mad woman!"

Edith fell, panting, to the floor and wept.

"Be GONE for heaven's sake! I'm calling for Jones! I really can't-"

She looked up from the floor. "No! Don't!" She got to her feet and flew out of the room before he could reach the door himself, head pounding, she made it down the stairs like a drunk woman and rushed passed Jones in the hall who stared.

"It would have been much easier if you'd just let me in through the door you great clod!" Edith threw this over her shoulder in a great blow of madness. She yanked open the front door and threw herself into the cool midnight air.

But then she could see, it was all too late.

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