I'm back, at least for a moment. We really must keep the Andith train rolling... Happy Reading. Do drop a line or two at the end if you enjoy it.
Anthony awoke early the next morning, full of anticipation and excitement, causing him to have a slight case of flutters in his stomach. Those flutters increased when he met Edith downstairs in the salon. She too seemed excited, if her broad smile and flushed cheeks were any indication. Understanding the need for food before beginning their journey, they sat together at a table near the rear passage, eating and smiling. Little was said between them, little needed to be said. Their smiles said everything.
After finishing their meal, Edith returned to her room to be certain her bags were sent down. Anthony went back to his to claim his one bag, took a last look around the room thinking how important his time here had been how happy in most instances, and then he turned, leaving it behind as he walked back down to meet Edith.
Branson brought the car around to the front and waited as Edith's and Anthony's bags were loaded. Lady Grantham appeared at Edith's side, a soft smile on her lips. "I'm sorry the others aren't here to see you off. Sybil is with a patient but sends her love."
"And Papa and Mary?" Edith asked sadly.
Cora frowned on a moment before smiling again. "Well, you know… Papa will come around eventually."
Edith nodded as she looked down at her feet. Anthony was on the verge of calling the whole business off when Cora leaned closer and spoke softly into Edith's ear, "Just remember what I said earlier." Edith answered her mother's smile and the despondency of a moment ago was gone. And when she glanced up at him and blushed slightly, his worry disappeared.
Turning to Anthony, Cora looked straight into his eyes. "I'm trusting you to take care of my Edith. I know you will because I know the kind of man you are. Be good to her…." And then taking both their hands, she smiled at one and then the other. "Be good to one another."
"Of course," Anthony replied. "I promise that I will do everything within my power to ensure Edith's happiness." Cora smiled once more as she stepped back to allow the couple to leave.
Once all the bags and the two travelers were loaded in the car, Branson drove them to meet the 9:00 train going north. Sitting in the back with Edith, Anthony leaned closer. "Your mother said something in your ear?"
She blushed again, this time more colorfully. "Yes, she erm… well"
"Women's talk?" He knew it must be for her to blush so.
"Yes, and… well, she said that with the right man, the man I love, it can be…." Her pause sent another round of flutters through him. "She said it can be terrific fun," she finally managed as she blushed profusely.
"Ah…" Anthony replied as he settled back in his seat, blushing a bit himself. "Well, I…. yes, I do hope that… well, yes. Terrific fun." He hoped he would be able to live up to the mark. Terrific fun indeed…
Much to Anthony's relief, the station was reasonably quiet. There were a few people waiting for the southbound train on another platform, but theirs was empty save for them and another couple who appeared lost in their own thoughts. Finally, the call to board came and Anthony was able to settle next to Edith in their car. The doors were closed, a whistle sounded, and the train began to roll away from Downton.
Edith snaked her hand over and claimed his left one, their fingers interlocking. "Finally, we are alone," she sighed.
Anthony chuckled at her. "Apparently not soon enough."
"Can I help it if I want you all to myself? Hours in our compartment, alone, with nothing to do except be together. It's heaven."
"Yes my darling, it is. But just so we both understand, there will be some hand holding and some conversation, but …."
"What?" She looked at him, her eyes dancing in amusement.
"Well, perhaps a kiss or two but…."
"Only one or two?"
"Yes, because more might lead to…"
"But we're to be married. Surely, a little preview wouldn't be amiss?"
"My dearest, a little preview would most certainly be amiss. When we see your father again, I want to be able to look him in the eye. And any previews would most certainly lead to something which would make that impossible." He hoped his manner had been firm enough to convince her as his insides quivered with the impulse to explore what a preview might entail. He was determined, however, that Edith would come to him on their wedding night as a maiden.
Holding her hand, he smiled at her. "Please my darling girl, do not tempt me beyond my ability to resist."
Giving his hand a squeeze, she returned his smile. "Alright. I'll be patient. It'll make our wedding night so much more… exciting."
Exciting. Anthony wondered how she would find him exciting. But as she gazed up at him, his worry melted. Perhaps she will… I shall certainly give it my best.
They rode from Downton to Ripon and then northward to Newcastle, mostly quiet, each in their own thoughts but still holding hands. For Anthony, her hand was a lifeline. So of course, his thoughts took him down the trail of dependence. Was he dependent on her as others had suggested? His reasoning side acknowledged that there might truth in that. His heart knew it to be so; quite simply, he needed her just as he needed to breathe. Edith was the center of his very small world. Oh, he could continue without her, his body persevering and carrying on but his existence would be an empty one. In one sense, it felt so pathetic. But she seemed happy with him. Yes, perhaps he could repay her for his dependence by ensuring her happiness. Yes, he could do that; it would be his pleasure… and his honor. Besides, wouldn't he be even more pathetic if he were to turn her away out of some self-centered sense of honor? To do so would hurt them both needlessly.
And so, Anthony's mind turned to happier thoughts, like how things would be when they returned to Locksley with her as the lady of the house. What changes would she make, he wondered? And what about a nursery? That thought led him down a different trail of thoughts. What would that side of their marriage be like? His mind tickled over that for a moment before an even more immediate thought tripped into his thinking, their wedding night. With luck, it might be as soon as the next night. He didn't think it would be as soon as the coming night. Surely a little time would be required before the ceremony? Anthony smiled to himself. Either way, he would be quite happy.
"What are you thinking?" Edith's quietly amused voice interrupted his thoughts.
Glancing over at her delighted face, all he could do was smile more. "I was just wondering how soon the ceremony can be arranged," he told her. That earned him a lingering peck on the cheek and her snuggling against his side, both treats that he knew he would always savor. "Apparently not soon enough if that sly grin is anything to judge by," she said softly.
"I must confess, I am looking forward to our wedding night."
She sighed longingly. "As am I."
"Only a few hours, my dear. And we'll have it settled, either this afternoon or tomorrow and then…"
"Then we begin our life together and I get to call you my husband. I think I will walk all around the village saying that… my husband likes this or my husband prefers that or yes, this is my husband…."
Anthony cleared his throat to cover the chuckle that threatened. "So I am to be a trophy then? You'll show me about like some stag whose head is mounted on the wall."
"Oh, you'll be mounted right and proper when I'm finished with you, Anthony Strallan," she retorted brightly.
Anthony wasn't sure if she meant the double entendre or not, but he certainly liked the way he felt as a result of her remark. And that, of course, took his mind down a rather ungentlemanly trail as the train continued to roll along the tracks through northern England.
