The muse continues.

Edith woke from a deep sleep to the sound of hushed giggling coming from outside her room. 'Someone is enjoying themselves this morning'. In a semi-conscious state, Edith tried her best to focus on the sound and work out what was going on in the corridor. Just then the sound of movement and keys approaching halted the frivolity going on outside.

"What on earth are you girls doing up here? Is this a public holiday that no one informed me about?".

Edith strained her hearing and pulled the coverlet over her face to stifle the giggling of her own.

"Lady Strallan has not yet rung, and I see no reason why you should both be up here. Downstairs with you now, there is work to be done".

Deciding that she had probably had enough sleep, and that it was most definitely time to wake up. Edith tucked both hands beneath her head under the pillow, arched her back and stretched her entire body. As she relaxed back into the extremely large, overstuffed mattress she heard a rustle. Turning her head to the side and finally opening her eyes she noted a folded piece of paper resting on Anthony's side of the bed, 'Where on earth is he?'

My darling Edie,

My heart is full of love, hope, and joy this morning, knowing that I have you. With you, life is perfect.

To me, you are the perfect example of beauty and grace. You are everything that is good in this world, and I will never stop loving you.

I woke up with a terrible feeling this morning that I had dreamt it all. That I would open my eyes, and everything would disappear. Perhaps you are a dream my beloved, for you are far too beautiful to be lying beside me. Alas I have decided that I care not if this is a dream, I only care that I never wake up. You are my dream, my heart, and my world.

Please forgive me my love, for I must leave you now. And even now as I write these words, I wish I could stay with you for just a moment longer. But if I do not go now, I am afraid Jenkins will sulk for the remainder of the day and trust me when I say this. Nothing in life is worth that.

I shall be back in a few hours. Perhaps you will still be sleeping and in the same state of déshabillé when I return. What a jolly thought.

Always yours

Anthony.

Smiling down at her letter, and reading it a couple times more, she then folded it again and placed it on the small table beside her bed. Lifting half her body up and resting her weight on her bent elbows beneath her, she surveyed the room. She thought that it was a beautiful room, large in size, the light was fantastic for this time of day. But she thought the décor could probably do with updating. But that could wait.

Edith decided that since she never actually managed to leave the room yesterday it was probably best to put in appearance today. Thinking about it now, perhaps that is what the maids were giggling about this morning. She continued to smile to herself and stepped out of bed. The king-sized bed stood at least 4ft from the ground, and Edith had to climb down more or less. A thought suddenly struck her that everything in this room was exceedingly large. The bed, the windows, even the fireplace was large in size. Her thoughts then jumped to something or rather someone who was rather in size too. And this time a snigger broke free through her grin. After locating her robe and slippers and making her way across the bedroom, she also noticed that she was somewhat tender in places and sore in others. Another reason for her mirth to continue.

Anthony had recently made a show of the house to her and explained that he had had every ensuite modernised all the latest fitments and fixtures. So, it did not come as a surprise to her as she nibbled her way into the bathroom, that the man who thinks of everything, really had thought of everything. For standing on top of a small table near the very large bathtub were all manner of 'lotions and potions', as Anthony liked to call them. She picked them up one by one to inspect them all and began to run her bath pouring in some lavender salts and oils.

After a much-needed glorious soak in the bath, Edith realised she had only two options. To get out of the bath because the water had just started to go cold or top the bath up with more hot water. Fortunately for her, her stomach made the decision for her, as she realised, she was quite hungry. With a long sigh and tiny groan, she climbed out of the bath and started to dry herself down. Reaching for the bell cord she gave it a little tug, signalling to the kitchen that she would now like her morning tea. How she wished she could send a quick little note downstairs to request some food.

Toast. Yes, toast is what she wanted. Really warm toast. Perhaps with some marmalade on. Definitely marmalade. Not usually known to have a sweet tooth, quite recently she could not get enough of anything sweet. Especially marmalade. She blamed Anthony entirely for his penchant for all manner of sweet things. This habit has obviously worn off on her.

Not 10 minutes later there was a small knock at the door. Initially Edith had not heard the noise as she was buried their shared wardrobe. However, she definitely heard the knock the second time. She was trying her best to locate her trunks which were not where they were meant to be. So far, she had found her nightwear, books, and some of her other underthing's. But nothing that would be respectable to leave the bedroom in. Edith stopped what she was doing briefly and caught her reflection in the long mirror. Deciding that it probably was not a good idea to answer the door in only her brassiere and knickers, she reached for her satin robe and loosely fastening it; and then bid the person to enter.

Edith heard the door open and close behind her and the sound of a maid bringing a tray into the room. But she was still far too distracted with trying to find her clothing. 'Surely my things were sent over, hadn't mama asked Mrs Hughes to arrange everything. They must have been sent and perhaps moved to another room? But my some of my things are here, so where on earth did they put my other clothes'. Edith's attention was fully devoted to the task at hand and completely forgot that there was a maid waiting for her in the bedroom. Most likely waiting to see if there was anything else she needed. Not wanting to hold her up for a moment longer, with a mild huff she walked out of the wardrobe. Distracted by a loose thread on her robe, she had just begun to enquire about the whereabouts of her other trunks. Only to find a familiar pair of mischievous blue eyes hungrily looking her up and down.

Standing in the middle of the room with a tray in his hand and a grin plastered across his face was Anthony. He was sporting his trademark tweed suit, sans the jacket. Edith was doing some eye roving herself as she noticed that he was not wearing his tie and the top two buttons of his shirt were open. Very devilish indeed.

Smiling at the scene, Edith was about to ask what he had been doing, when Anthony began to explain that he had been meeting with his land agent to discuss plans for the next harvest. Anthony was hoping they would be well on their honeymoon soon, so wanted to tie in as many loose ends as possible. He had just arrived back when he intercepted Sarah the house maid, bringing up the tray. Anthony took the liberty of adding another cup so they could take tea together.

Smiling at her husband Edith continued to gently bustle around the room and get ready for the day, but when remembering her state of dress, thought that perhaps she could do some teasing whilst she felt like it. So, walking over to her vanity and sitting down in the most ladylike way possible, she reached up and began to pin her hair into place. Women of Edith's stock would most definitely have a lady's maid to attend to them. However, Edith had made it perfectly clear that she was more than capable of looking after herself. Nevertheless, Anthony did instruct Mrs Walters to advertise for new staff, specifically a maid that had some lady's maid training that could fill in that role when required.

She knew that Anthony was watching her, yet he still said nothing. How she loved him. The ease of them together was so thrilling and genuinely refreshing. Anthony also enjoyed the simplicity of it all, not having to make idle conversation just to fill the silence. Just being near each other was enough for them. How lucky they felt in that moment. Catching Anthony's eye in the mirror, Edith noted that he seemed quite hesitant about something. When the last pin was secured, Edith rose from her chair and walked over to where Anthony had settled on the edge of their bed. Tapping his leg, silently asking him to shift slightly so she could stand between his knees. She found that she liked them like this, she was able to stand flush against him and because he was sitting down, she was standing just a little bit over him as well. It was incredibly intimate.

"Penny for them", Edith asked whilst running her hands over his shoulders, over his neck and into the back of his hair.

"Oh, my thoughts are worth millions more than a mere penny"

"Is that right?"

Raising a playful eyebrow, he moved his hand behind her knee and slid his hand up the back of her thigh and to the curve of her bottom. "Indeed, my sweet one, because my every thought is of you".

Halting the small circular motions, she was making with her hands over his shoulders, and looking at him as a schoolteacher would rebuke a naughty child. "Tell me Anthony, do you write these lines down somewhere. And if you, don't you should perhaps consider it. With lines like that you could write some pretty heady salacious romance novels".

Before Edith could press him further about the subject, he pulled her even closer to him and started to trail kisses along her collarbone and up the side of her neck. All hope for continuing this conversation was lost, especially when his lips finally found hers.

Later on, that morning Edith began to quiz Anthony mercilessly over their honeymoon using any means necessary to get her answer. At first Anthony denied everything and put up a strong front against her grilling. But after several of her attempts he was starting to waver. Thank goodness Germany did not have Edith, if she had come to him when he was captured and toyed with him like this, he could honestly not say he would have been able to keep his oath for King and country. A dark shadow fell across his face, and Edith noticed his mood dramatically shift. Doubting herself and thinking that perhaps she had pushed him too far, she began to withdraw from his lap. But just as she made to move, he gently gripped onto the waist, and resting his forehead against hers whispered "Please do not ever leave me". The need to prove herself to him - that she would indeed never go anywhere, and also to question where this change of attitude had come from was interrupted when Jenkins entered the library. Remembering that she was still sat astride Anthony's lap, she almost fell to floor trying to quickly move away, had it not been Anthony strong hand still holding her hip she would have. Anthony had not moved since making his plea to Edith. He sat frozen for several moments, before realising that Edith was trying to get his attention. Making no attempt to explain his behaviour and acting as if nothing at all had happened, his attention was drawn to Jenkins who began to explain that Lady Grantham had arrived and wondered if she could take tea with Lady Strallan.

Not quite used to hearing her new title Edith bite her lower lip to stop herself from grinning and thanked Jenkins. Anthony suggested that Jenkins show Lady Grantham into the sitting room.

"Very good sir", slowly backing out of the room Jenkins held Anthony's stare just a little bit longer than what Edith considered 'usual'. Closing the door behind him Jenkins inhaled deeply and sent a silent prayer that his master would find the courage to tell his bride the demons that were taking over his mind.

After Jenkins exit Edith leaned her head forward and raised her eyes to try and gain Anthony's attention. When he finally turned to look at her, she raised her eyebrows slightly, wordlessly asking him to explain, anything. Looking down momentarily and pushing his chair under his writing desk, he started to walk over to where she stood. She was wringing her hands together again, a subtle habit he knew she did whenever she was nervous or anxious. Wanting to comfort her, he slowly lifted his hand to caress her cheek. It did not work. Edith began to withdraw into herself yet again and looking down made to turn away from him. But just before she did, he quickly manoeuvred his hand and hooked his finger under her chin and raised her face to look at him. 'Oh, those eyes'. Wanting to explain so much but knowing that at this moment they really did not have the time. Anthony leaned forward and caught her lips with his own, starting off quite gently, but with the need to show her how deeply he loved her the kiss grew and grew until they were both were gasping for air. After some moments and a promise to explain later Edith was satisfied, for now. Realising that her mother had been waiting for some time now, she hastened to the door and enquired if Anthony would be joining her.

"If I were to hazard a guess, I believe your Mama would not be able to divulge the true reason for her visit should I be there".

Seeing confusion across her face, he smiled and said, "She has most likely come to enquire after you and to make sure I have been treating you well".

Realisation dawning on her she lowered her eyes and smirked, "Ahh, now I understand. But how much detail should I allude to do you think?"

Putting a little more sway in her step as she continued to exit the room, Edith hesitated and turned towards the grand piano. Mystified by the woman's actions all Anthony could do was watch. Edith began to run her hands over the closed mahogany lid of the instrument. Knowing that she had her husband's entire attention she eased both her hands on top of the lid. Shifting her body weight somewhat on top of the piano and lifting her feet merely a few inches from the floor in the process. With a subtle nod to herself and feeling quite gratified and pleased with the results, Edith then turned and hastened towards the door.

"Edie just what exactly are you doing?".

Without stopping she called out as she reached for the door handle, "Research darling".

Initially very confused "research?".

Before disappearing entirely Edith turned in the doorway, with all her weight shifted to one hip. "Indeed Anthony, research".

You see for Edith the point of the exercise was to determine first the stability of the instrument and second to assess the durability to see how much the instrument could endure.

Returning to his ledger and painstakingly inputting new figures into the margins, his mind started to wander. Thinking that enough time has gone by for Cora to be content with the knowledge that Edith was perfectly fine, he decided to close his books and make his way to join them. However, he was still feeling slightly perplexed concerning Edith's comments regarding the piano. As he moved from his desk and approached the root of his confusion he began his inspection. Initially looking for signs of damage, perhaps it was fault, something to do with the mechanism perhaps? Placing his hands on top, where Edith's had been not long before, he pressed down slightly, and the understanding hit him hard. With a very deep chuckle and a broad smirk he left the room and joined the ladies. 'Indeed, this woman is going to kill me'.

Pulling back the coverlet and sheets, Anthony stopped abruptly and shouted through to the bathroom, "Your mother asked you what?!"

Tittering to herself as she walked back into the bedroom, "my mother asked me if I was content with my evening". The word evening was spoken suggestively with raised eyebrows for effect.

"That is how she chose to word that question?" he laughed.

Holding her hands up "I swear Anthony that is how she asked me".

Leaning back against the headboard he laughed again, but then doubt crept in and he sat a bit straighter, "What did you say?"

Gazing at her husband under thick eyelashes and allowing a few seconds to gaze seductively at him "Well I toned it down a little, obviously".

He snorted, "naturally".

"Could you imagine if I had told her the truth" lifting her left leg to rest on the edge of the bed, she began to roll her stockings down. "Oh Mama, it was delicious. First, he ripped my dress off – thank goodness I won't be needing it again. Then he threw me on the bed and worshipped my entire body." With her left stocking removed she lifted her right leg and continued the process. "He attended to my every need and when I thought he was finished he started again. We made love not once, not twice but three times. And that was before I took my hair pins out. And when we finally were spent, I could hardly stand and had to hold onto the furniture to keep myself from falling over as I gingerly walked to the bathroom".

She managed to make the entire speech without breaking a smile, but when she finally finished her tirade and from her dressing table looked over to Anthony's face. They both dissolved into fits of uncontrollable laughter.

Finished with her evening routine complete and making her way to their bed, Edith was just rubbing in the last of her face cream into her hands, when Anthony took hold of the covers and pulled them down so she could get in.

Arranging herself comfortably against the pillows she turn her face towards Anthony, breathed in audibly and smiled, "Exactly. So, what I actually said was that I was most content with my evening. Mama smiled into her tea, we discussed the weather for 10 minutes, until you joined us".

Wrapping his arm around her, Edith snuggled into his side. "Jolly good", placing a kiss on her forehead.

"So, what for tomorrow?"

"Well, I have an early meeting with Mr Proctor to discuss the new cattle. And then I thought we might go for a drive".

"I like the sound of the drive, but how long will you be?"

"I am not sure my dearest darling". Thinking for a moment he continued "you could always come with me if you like?"

Edith ruffled her nose and feigned to sleep. But Anthony new better.

"Oh no you minx, you are not getting off that easily". He shifted his body to half cover hers, tickling her waist whilst unceremoniously attacking her neck with his mouth.

After Mrs Walters had briefed the staff with information with regards to duties for the following day. Jenkins was about to dismiss the houehold for the evening when all of a sudden, they could hear the faint sound of laughter coming from the master suite. The footman smirked, the maids hid behind their hands giggling, Jenkins looked bemused, but Mrs Walters smiled a very happy smile, knowing that Sir Anthony was finally happy.

"Darling. Darling. Good morning my love. We really must be getting up now if we are to make the 07.30 walk through with young Proctor".

"Do not make me kill you at this hour in the morning Anthony, it is not civilised".

"I thought you liked early mornings?".

"That was before I had a husband that like to keep me awake all night."

Realising that his wife had somehow buried herself further into the mattress, he started to suspect that Edith was about to renege on her promise to go out with him that morning.

"I am going to take you out for a walk whether you are sleeping or not"

"That's what you think".

I do hope you enjoyed this one, I certainly enjoyed writing it :)