"Ah," Anthony brushed his lips with his hand, surprised. It was clear he was not expecting that question, but he didn't dodge it.

"I, uh, I suppose one can say that." He gave a short, mirthless laugh. "Yes, I suppose one can say that."

Edith was quiet for a moment, then she set her palms down flat on her knees. "Well, that won't do," she said, matter-of-factly. "No, that just won't do."

Anthony looked perplexed. "But, my dearest girl, that's just the way it is," he said, with a resigned, philosophical gesture.

"Just because it's the way it is now, it doesn't mean it must go on like this forever." Her tone was now resolute and businesslike – the kind of tone, Anthony imagined, a modern woman who owned a magazine would use in a big, fast-paced London office.

"Well, I…" Anthony lifted his shoulder in a half-shrug, as if apologizing. "I mean - there's not much I can do about that, can I?"

Edith smiled, the kind of smile you would expect from someone who had just come to a decision and is going to stick to it. "Maybe you can't do much about it, but I can. As you might have heard," she continued, with just a hint of irony, "Their Majesties, the King and Queen, are soon to pay a visit to Downton."

Anthony smiled back. "There is no escaping the news – not even in my current hermit state."

"No, I'm sure there is no living creature within a hundred miles who hasn't heard all about it. Which, my dear friend, might prove to be just perfect for what I have in mind."

Anthony's brow furrowed. "I'm afraid I don't quite follow."

"You will in a moment. As you know, there is to be a military parade through the village. As you imagine, we – I mean Bertie and me, Papa, Mama, and the others - will have seats of honor on the dais with the Queen. But the rest of the family and just about every other titled person in Yorkshire – will be on the green right next to the dais."

"I'm afraid I still don't -"

"You will be there. I'll make sure there's a chair set up for you right next to the Mertons, so at least you'll be among friendly faces. Dear Isobel always liked you, you know."

At first, Anthony just looked confused. But, as the full extent of Edith's suggestion dawned on him, a horrified expression began creeping over his face. He started shaking his head no, eyes going wide. "No. No. Absolutely not." He raised his hand in front of his face as if to shield himself. "I... no. I categorically refuse. This is just not going to happen. I absolutely won't."

"You absolutely will," she retorted, with a smile and a determined nod. "And you will make an effort to be dressed appropriately: a dusty old morning coat three sizes too big won't do. Who is your tailor, again? Poole, isn't it? I'll ring him up. There's not much time, but I'm sure he will come up with something."

Anthony still looked comically terrified. "But, my dear Edith, this is simply not possible. I just cannot be there… in front of all of these people… You cannot possibly be asking me to…"

"You know what is simply not possible? That a decorated war hero, a well-known diplomat, not to mention a man who was chums with our King when he was nothing but a sub-lieutenant serving in the Royal Navy," she raised a hand when Anthony tried to interrupt "would not be there for the royal parade. That would be inappropriate at best and plain rude at worst – and I never knew you to be a rude man."

Anthony opened his mouth to protest, but he could not find a good enough objection to put forward. What Edith said, though completely terrifying, sounded oddly reasonable. "If you put it that way…" he said weakly.

"Very good," Edith's voice now had the kind of tone that patient adults sometimes have with stubborn, but fundamentally nice children.

"But," Anthony licked his lips once, twice. "I mean…"

Edith could understand his hesitation, and she tried to reassure him. "Of course," she leaned forward and placed a hand on his knee, "of course, after the parade ends you and I will just so happen to meet and have a pleasant, and very loud, conversation… in front of half of Yorkshire. I'm sure, even after all those years, people won't miss the opportunity to see how our reunion unfolds."

Anthony gave a tiny half smile, then turned serious again. "But won't it be terribly awkward for you?"

Edith laughed, and there was a hint of bitterness in her laugh. "How so? If you think about it, it is going to be easy as pie for me: I'm the offended party - the woman scorned, if you will. If I offer you the olive branch, I'll be Saint Lady Edith, who bestows the grace of her forgiveness upon you," she took Anthony's hand in hers. "You see, I have much to gain and almost nothing to lose in this. But I assure you, Anthony" she squeezed his hand "and I beg you to trust me on this – I will do anything I can to undo the damage I've done to your reputation, to your life... or, at least, some of it.
"Listen," she continued "I'll be at Downton for the next three weeks and as you can imagine there is going to be plenty of entertaining - I'm exhausted just thinking about it. An endless string of dinners and teas and dances, the likes of which Downton hasn't seen in years. There is absolutely no reason why you shouldn't be invited to a few of them - or all of them. You know, most of your old friends will be there – Lady Londonderry, and the Gervases... and poor Mrs. Callender-Becketts: you know how few friends she has left who had known her sons. You know they'll be thrilled to see you. "

"I imagine they'll be surprised, mainly," Anthony smiled.

Edith smiled back. "I'll give you that, they probably will be. But I am asking you to make an effort and come. I know it will not be easy for you, but I promise to stand by your side as often as propriety allows." She looked at him with a pleading smile. "Please, say you'll come to the parade, and then we'll see. You cannot stay holed up in this old house forever: it's unfair to you, and it's unfair to your friends. You've got so much to offer."

Anthony was still hesitant. "Won't Lord Hexham mind me being there?" he finally said.

Edith laughed and squeezed his hand again. "You know, that is the very least of my concerns. In fact, I believe you and my husband will get along famously."