Edith sat on the piano bench and looked around the room. For as long as she could remember this had been her favorite room in the house. With the intricate carved moldings on the ceiling, doors and wainscoting, the white marble fireplace, and the overly large three layered crystal chandelier that hung from the center of the ceiling the room just as elegant and ornate as most of the other downstairs rooms within the Abbey. Yet somehow Edith thought there was an airiness and lightness here that most of the other rooms lacked. Maybe it was the light green wallpaper, the pale yellow ceiling and wainscoting and the thick white area rug under the pale pinkish brocade sofa and matching chairs that formed the seating area in front of the white marble fireplace and the lighter wood tables and stands scattered around the room that gave the impression of lightness and airiness. Or maybe it was sunlight that filtered through the two floor-to-ceiling windows allowing the room to be filled with sunlight most of the day.
She often found herself coming here to escape especially on those days that Mary was being insufferable which could be most any day. Mary had yet to figure out that Edith found refuge here although to be honest Edith doubted that Mary would seek her out. While she got along with Sybil, sometimes Edith just didn't want to listen to her younger sister's chattering or participate in one of her escapades. Instead, Edith would head for this room where she'd curl up in one of those comfortable lounge chairs in front of the fireplace and read for hours or she'd sit in a chair in front of one of those large windows and gaze out the window. Situated at the back of the house, the view out the window was of a fairly flat expanse of lawn dotted with patches of wildflowers and bordered by the woods in the distance. She often saw deer or rabbits munching on the flowers.
When she was younger she would often bring her dolls here to play with, sitting on the parquet floor in front of the windows or in the colder months on the carpeting in front of the fireplace. These days she was too old to play with dolls and so she came here to read or write or play the baby grand piano that took up one corner of the room. Edith considered playing the piano her one talent and it set her apart from her sisters. While all three of the Crawley girls were given piano lessons, just like all girls of their class, it was only Edith who looked forward to her lessons and eagerly practiced every day.
Drawn by the sounds of a beautiful melody being played on the piano, Cora walked down the corridor to the piano room. Not wanting to disturb the pianist, Cora slowly and quietly opened one of the double doors of the room. Standing in the partially opened doorway, she happily smiled as she watched her middle daughter playing the piano noting how graceful and content Edith looked, two attributes that Edith seldom showed.
Edith finished the song and sat staring at the sheet music.
"That was so lovely" Cora stated. It was obvious in the way Edith's shoulders slightly twitched at Cora's words that Edith had been unaware her mother was watching her.
"It's one of my favorite songs." Edith smiled as she turned to face her mother.
"You played it very well."
Edith's smiled grew wider. "Do you really think so?"
Cora nodded her head as she walked towards the piano bench. She sat down beside Edith and took her hand. "I wish I could play the piano as good as you do."
Edith basked in her mother's compliments.
"In fact" Cora began tentatively. "I've just had a thought. I'm hosting that women's luncheon next week." Edith nodded for her mother had talked about it last week at lunch.
"These things always seem so stiff and formal. I think some of the women are a bit intimated by their surroundings so what if instead of the women gathering in the library before luncheon we meet in here or" Cora stood up as she looked around the room "maybe we could move the piano to the Grand Salon."
Edith wasn't sure what her mother was getting at so she just sat there nodding her head.
"We could serve punch and some hors d'oeuvres-" Cora turned to Edith and smiled "while you play the piano."
It took a moment for Edith to realize what her mother had said. Stunned, Edith finally spoke up. "You want me to play the piano? For your luncheon meeting?"
xxxxxx
"Edith is doing what?" Violet set her tea cup on the table beside her chair so briskly a spot of tea fell on the table. Glaring at Cora she continued "really do you think that's wise?"
Edith, who only a moment ago was basking in her mother's praise, seemed to deflate as her grandmother spoke.
"You know how dull these things usually are" Cora retorted "and I thought it might lighten the mood." For once she wasn't going to back down in the face of her mother-in-law's criticisms.
"I'll agree the meetings are dull but I don't think a piano concert is-"
Cora audibly sighed. "It's not a concert. Edith will just quietly play the piano in the background while we wait for everyone to assemble."
"I think it sounds wonderful Mama" Sybil piped up. "Everyone loves good music." Turning towards her sister she added "and Edith does play beautifully."
Violet rolled her eyes at her eight year old granddaughter's remarks. "And I suppose you'd like to perform too. Maybe do a magic act?"
Sybil, who was too young to understand her grandmother's sarcasm, clapped her hands together as she stood up. "Oh Granny that would be wonderful but" she creased her brows "but I don't know any magic acts.
But always the optimist Sybil's face brightened "maybe I could learn-"
Chuckling Robert tussled the top of Sybil's head "I think your Granny was just joking."
Now it was Sybil's turn to look deflated. "But surely I could do something." Then looking at Violet "Granny you're always saying I need to be more lady like."
xxxxx
"Oh Edith will you stop it." Mary rolled her eyes and glared at her sister. She was so tired of hearing Edith going on and on about what dress she should wear.
"You're playing for a bunch of village women not London society. Anything you wear will be better than what they're wearing."
"But I want to look nice."
"As if-"
"You'll like nice in whatever you wear." Sybil didn't usually get tangled up in her sisters' constant battling but sometimes wise beyond her years Sybil knew how important this was to Edith. "I especially like you in green."
Taking hold of Edith's arm and leading her out of the room, Sybil continued "I'll help you pick out the dress."
xxxxxx
When the big day came Edith found herself a bundle of nerves. She had so looked forward to this, to finally have a chance to shine, to be out of her sisters' shadows, and now she was afraid of failing.
The room was empty when Edith took her seat on the piano bench. All of the sheet music for the songs she had selected sat beside her. Just play like you always do. Play like you're the only one in the room. Sybil's words of encouragement floated in her head.
xxxxxx
The room was quiet once again. All of the ladies had moved on to the dining room leaving just Edith sitting at the piano. She was no longer playing but rather sitting there staring off into space, feeling so happy. So many of the women had complimented her playing. One had asked Edith to play To a Wild Rose again as it was her favorite song and Edith had played it so well.
Edith was startled from her thoughts by hearing someone nearby squealing "oh shoot."
She quickly looked around the room but saw no one when out of the corner of her eye she saw movement at the window nearest the piano. Then watching in amazement, she saw her younger sister scramble through the opening.
"Sybil!" Edith cried as she quickly stood up as she watched Sybil brush her hands across the front of her dress.
Grinning at Edith Sybil said "I agree with that woman To a Wild Rose is quite beautiful.
"You heard?"
"Didn't you notice the window was open a bit?"
Edith shook her head. She hadn't noticed anything but the piano. "You were standing out there the whole time?"
Sybil bobbed her head up and down. "I looked for someplace in here to hide but" she shrugged her shoulders.
Sybil walked over to the table where the platters of hors d' oeuvres had been placed. "Not much left but surely it's better than whatever nanny is serving for our lunch" she said as she began placing all the remaining delectables on one platter.
Taking the platter and then sitting on the sofa Sybil looked at Edith and patted the sofa. "Well don't you want to celebrate?