I am very sorry for taking so long to update. But as our dear Baron said, B****Y Covid! It feels as if we are all on a roller coaster ride with all the ups and downs and shuts and opens and if we make one wrong move it will be game over. It all makes me want to crawl into the TV screen and live in Downton Village, with all the modern conveniences,of course.
But then sometimes Downton residents have a tough time too, I suppose. Which leads to...
That evening, as Anthony walked with Edith on his arm to a nearby restaurant, he was feeling quite gleeful. Their afternoon had been very relaxing and invigorating all at the same time. His initial fears that one glance at his pitiful body, scars and the effects of the war, along with the normal aging process, might send his darling packing had abated with each intimate encounter. In fact much to his surprise, she seemed to delight in seeing him in his natural state. While he still couldn't quite fathom her desire for him, he relished every bit of it and found her attention to be quite the morale booster. Glancing down at his bride, Anthony felt the smile on his face growing wider.
They arrived at their destination and Anthony told the maître de that he and his wife would like to seated closer to a wall. It was a trick Dr. Clarkson had shared with him in the days leading to their departure from Downton. "You won't have so many people surrounding you," he'd told Anthony. "Might feel a bit more comfortable." The maître de's eyes widened. "Are you certain?" It was unusual for a table near a wall to be requested, in his experience. But then as his attention shifted to the gentleman's young wife, he thought he understood. Consequently, he led them to a quiet table nearer to the back but hidden slightly by a small partition and large plant that shielded the table from a hall to the back offices. The gentleman did not want the eyes of the young soldiers at the tables nearer the front to settle on the young wife, he surmised.
Anthony was pleased with the table and the more private feel of it because of his worry about being in such a large room with so many people. Edith shared with him that she was pleased because it gave them more privacy and she wouldn't have to behave herself quite so much. As she leaned over to whisper her revelation to him, her hand slid over his thigh and Anthony felt a flush run up his torso into his face. "My god, but you are such a little vixen," he whispered back as he covered her hand with his own to stop her wandering. Her face twinkled with mischief as she gazed at him. "Where you are concerned, perhaps yes." But she withdrew her hand and settled into a more proper position in her chair. Anthony wasn't sure if he was relieved or disappointed.
Dinner was delicious and they were enjoying dessert and coffee when Anthony noticed a handful of young soldiers approaching. Their uniform insignia showed that none were above the rank of Corporal. He was surprised that they were even in a restaurant such as this and even more, that would approach an officer. The three pips on his uniform should have kept them away. Glancing across at Edith, he saw that she was equally surprised.
"Pardon me Sir, Miss," one of the Corporals said as they stopped at the table. Looking up at the young man, Anthony guessed he couldn't be much more than twenty-one or two years old. The others looked even younger.
"Corporal?" Anthony said, letting his surprise show.
"Beg pardon, Sir, but we was… were wondering if … well, me and the lads are going to a dance over at the hall tonight. It's for the men stationed in the area. And we was… were hoping that perhaps, maybe… your daughter might join us?" Anthony had known it would come sometime; Edith being mistaken for his daughter. But he still wasn't prepared for it. He took a moment to look the young men over to give himself time to gather himself before responding. Finally, he spoke. "That's quite generous of you but quite impossible. You see, I don't have a daughter." He could feel Edith's amusement but dared not look at her.
The young man shifted his weight a little. "Oh, well… sorry. But still maybe the young lady… your niece… might like to join us."
Anthony's patience was waning rapidly. But before he could respond, Edith chimed in. "I'd have ask my husband," she said, toying with the young upstart.
"You're married?" The young man's surprise would have been amusing except Anthony was appalled at his forward behavior.
"Yes, I am," Edith said happily.
The corporal was obviously perplexed. "But…" One of his friends nudged him and he started to turn to leave but then turned back to Edith. "Well, maybe you could call and ask him?"
Anthony had just about all he could stand but Edith reached over and touched his forearm. "No need to call anyone," she replied. Then with a perfectly straight face, she looked up at Anthony. "What do you think, Darling? Do we want to attend their dance?"
The Corporal groaned. "You're married to him?"
At that point, Anthony lost his patience and stood, throwing his napkin on the table. "Now see here…"
"Yes, I am," he heard Edith's calm voice. "Very happily."
"But….?" The young man was truly bewildered. "Why?" He swallowed and then looked at Anthony before looking back at Edith. "He's so… so …. old! Must be he's rich, huh? You one of them women that goes for the gold. Best come with us and we can show you some fun. Can't think you get much fun otherwise"
Edith laughed. But Anthony was beyond his limits. "You little upstart! How dare you? You approach the table of an officer and intrude on our privacy and go on to insult me and my wife! I want the name of your superior."
The other soldiers were backing away but the corporal stood his ground. "It ain't a insult 'less it ain't true."
Edith laughed again. "Anthony darling, let them go. He doesn't understand what we have and with that attitude, it is likely he never will. You and I know what we have and his opinion simply doesn't matter."
But Anthony was angry. "I said I want the name of your superior, you little prat!" he said as he straightened to his full height.
"Blimey Robbie, gone and got us some real trouble, you have," one of the others said as he poked at the corporal. "He's a major and… look, he's been wounded too. And look at them medals an' ribbons. He ain't some Jack Bone been sittin' cushy. You gone an pissed on some hero." The corporal, who was a good six inches shorter than Anthony, blinked as he stared at the awards on display on his chest. It was obvious when he realized just what he had done."
Anthony glanced at the Corporal's chest and saw only a service ribbon. There was nothing to say he had been in theatre. The little berk hadn't left Britain at all. "I'm waiting, Private."
"I'm a corporal, Sir," the twit responded a bit arrogantly.
"You were a corporal," Anthony replied. Then glancing at the soldier who had spoken up, he asked "Your superior's name?"
"Uh, Lieutenant Jeffers, Sir. And our Company Commander is Captain Hauptman. Lieutenant-Colonel Anderson is our Battalion CO. We're at Redford, Sir."
Anthony stared at the soldier's division badge. "Your division was at the Somme."
"Yes Sir. But not us. We… we joined later. I finished training a fortnight ago."
"Hmmmm…" Anthony was only half listening. There was something about that badge…. And how did he know that they were at The Somme? It was a more of the puzzle that was his mind, he supposed. "Right. And his name?" Anthony indicated the corporal.
"Johnson, Sir," the Corporal responded. "Andrew Johnson."
"Yes, well…. Johnson, your superiors will be hearing about this incident."
"Yes Sir, and I apologize for… well, everything." The young man was doing everything he could to try to regain some dignity, but he was failing miserably. Anthony gave him one last glare and returned to his chair. "Just go away," he said tiredly.
He watched as the group of young men left and turned to his very quiet wife. "I'm sorry," she said. "I shouldn't have," she sighed, "encouraged him."
And just like that, his anger was gone. "You did nothing wrong, my sweet. Corporal Johnson was far over the line from the beginning. And I was amused, at first. But…."
"I know, his comments stirred up feelings you've had all along. But honestly Anthony, can you imagine me enjoying the company of those men?"
"Not at all, my dear. Not at all."
They finished their dessert and walked back to the hotel. But Anthony's glee from earlier had disappeared. Instead, he was left disappointment and doubt.
Oh, and if you wouldn't mind leaving a word or two. I think my writing muse needs a boost.
