Thank you all for your kind comments and reviews. I'm trying to make this story a bit of fun rather than the angstfest that my tales usually become! But only you can be the judge of whether I have achieved this.
About the English legal system I only know what I have learned from WollstonecraftHomeGirl's brilliant The Judge's Portrait and the odd BBC correspondent standing on The Strand in the rain, so I am quite sure that it doesn't work as I have described it here. But I'm not going to let that stand in the way of a good story!
...
Contrary to Anthony's expectations, Stewart did not resign despite the previously unaccustomed and continuing unexpected chaos in his master's life. For this Anthony was extremely grateful. In fact, the loyal butler had looked unaccountably cheered by Lady Edith's reappearance and the announcement that she would be staying at Strallan House while they fought for Paddington's freedom together.
"Are you all right, Stewart? I don't want to put even more strain on you than I have already this last week or so?"
"Not at all, Sir. I'm just very pleased to see Lady Edith. I know what a determined young lady she can be, and Paddington's case will be all the stronger for having her."
Although he knew this to be true, Anthony also knew that Stewart was discreetly not saying what he was thinking. He regarded his man with the suspicion that Stewart was expecting a reunion as he went about preparing two extra rooms, humming happily to himself. The poor devil thinks that we may be soon engaged once again. If only he knew how impossible that is...and how much I wish it were possible!
...
Celia Chetwood was, if anything, more stooped than her brother, even though she was considerably shorter. She had the same strikingly blue eyes, fair hair and quiet, gentle demeanour. But her eyes never stopped observing those around her with a lightning quick-wittedness. Edith thought she looked like a majestic African antelope who, despite her size, was trying to be an English Field Mouse.
Dinner was awkward. Celia watched her brother trying not to stare longingly at his former fiancée, who was sat on one side of him, with Celia the other side and Anthony at head of table. She also saw Edith's discomfort, and rightly concluded that it was caused by the estrangement with Anthony after the failed wedding, not because she hated him. Indeed, as Celia took note of stolen glances and embarrassed gaps in their conversation she knew that her brother and his should-be bride were still very much in love with one another, though the wounds caused at Downton Church were still so very raw. Kindly, she kept the topic of discussion firmly focussed on the young bear depending on Anthony, and the court case due to take place in the morning.
"Do we know anything about Paddington's parents? Does he have any family?" Celia asked.
"Only his Aunt Lucy" Anthony said sadly.
"Shouldn't someone tell her what's going on?"
"I think Paddington doesn't want to worry her" answered Edith. "He's just too thoughtful for his own good."
"Like some other people I could mention" muttered Celia casting a meaningful look in Anthony's direction. Anthony gave her a pained look back, and recognising his cue Stewart politely cleared his throat.
"Will you be requiring coffee or liqueurs Sir?"
"Not for me, thank you Stewart. I think I should turn in. Must be on good form tomorrow for Paddington's sake, you know."
"Me too" agreed Edith.
Anthony, Celia, and Edith went up the main stairs to the first floor, where Anthony bid them both 'goodnight' and disappeared into his dressing room. For propriety's sake the two ladies had rooms on the second floor. At the top of the stairs Celia suddenly asked "How do you think he's coping?"
"I...er...you mean…Paddington?"
"No, I mean my ridiculously honourable and selfless brother. How do you think he's coping with giving you up?"
"I'd say he was doing a lot better than me" Edith said something of her hurt returning.
Celia looked at her closely, and then murmured almost to herself "So, perhaps you don't know him as well as I assumed you must. But then, that's so like him...the more he loves someone the less he allows them to know how much he's hurting."
Edith looked so confused, hurt, and guilty that Celia felt obliged to clarify.
"Anthony has always had a tendency to sacrifice himself upon the altar of other people's happiness, or rather what he thinks would make other people happy. Over the years I've found the trick is to get him to believe that the thing you actually want him to do is the greatest sacrifice anyone could ask of him. That way everyone's happy. I do believe he thinks that he has to act like Lancelot or he is nothing. It's probably all our Father's fault. He was the same. Good night Lady Edith."
Edith was left gawping at Celia's words as the lady herself turned abruptly and closed her bedroom door behind her.
…
Edith contemplates the moonlight cutting through the darkness. She cannot sleep.
I can't believe I'm here. This is not how I expected my first night in Strallan House would be spent, alone in a guest bedroom. There again, I didn't expect to become part of Anthony's household, however temporarily, when I left Downton this time yesterday. Celia said...well, she said a lot of things! If Anthony was hurting somehow before the wedding and hid it from me, that would explain a lot. But what was he hiding? We spoke about his arm and the age difference; we discussedthem until the cows came home, for heaven's sake! Was there more that I didn't know? Or had that become an issue for him again? And if it had, why had it? Both Stewart and Paddington said that he'd broken his heart leaving me, and I did believe that he truly loved me before he fled the wedding, though afterwards I was convinced he simply didn't want me. How I wish I could talk to you properly, Anthony! I miss you. I miss my best friend. I miss the man I love. Because I do love you Anthony, so very, very much.
…
Anthony cannot sleep. All his nerves are focussed on one floor up.
I can't believe she's here. She should be my wife...she should be here with me. Oh, for god's sake, man, stop torturing yourself! She's better off without you. But...what she said to Paddington...if that is true...then I am not freeing her for a better life but condemning her to a life without love. If she'd been foolish enough to marry me, she would have had that soon enough when she found herself a young widow. There again the War made far too many young widows who never expected to be. Who knows what the future may bring? Carpe diem! Look what's happened to Paddington! Poor Paddington. If we manage to get him out of this hole, I'm going to make damn sure he's well taken care of. Edith has been a godsend for Paddington, an angel. She is...my angel too, who gave me back my life. Dear god, I love her. I love her. I love her.
…
Andy, the Court official wasn't at all sure about this. First, there was Bert, the Council man. Now he'd known Bert for the best part of fifteen years. Tough as old boots he was. Nothing he hadn't seen. And yet here he was, tears in his eyes, wringing his hands like some maiden aunt seeing a favourite nephew off to boarding school for the first time.
"Have you got your 'at, Paddington? In your suitcase is it? And your brush? Remember: be smart, that makes a good impression on them judges it does. You can always come back to see us when you're a free bear!"
Andy gave him a bit of an unsure, old-fashioned look.
Another thing that spooked Andy was the dogs. They were all watching. Most of them in concentrated silence, but a few were whimpering, as though they were crying too.
Finally, there was the bear himself. He was calm, polite, compliant, and, well, noble.
But orders was orders. He took out a bit of paper and read.
"Mr Bear, I is 'ereby instructed to escort you to the Court of Appeal to 'ear your case before the Lords Justice. Please show me your 'ands...er, paws."
Paddington obeyed, and Andy clipped the pawcuffs on him.
"Is that really necessary, Andy? 'E's a good bear, 'e is!"
"Sorry, Bert, sorry Mr Bear, but that's protocol."
"That's quite all right, sir. You're only doing your duty, I understand" said Paddington.
Andy led his furry charge out to the Black Maria parked outside. Behind him, Bert was shouting "Good luck, Paddington!" over the now almost deafening wave of supportive barking.
Paddington sat quietly during the short journey to The Strand. He thought of Uncle Pastuzo and how brave he had been. He thought of Aunt Lucy and how proud she was of him. He thought of Sir Anthony and his sad kindness. Paddington wanted to live up to their expectations of him.
The vehicle stopped, Andy opened the back doors and waved Paddington out.
It was because Paddington was standing in the police van that he could clearly see the road outside the Court, and Sir Anthony and Lady Edith on the other side. Lady Edith caught sight of the small bear in pawcuffs and could not believe the indignity being heaped on him. She exclaimed her surprised disgust and stepped out into the road to berate the official.
"He's not a circus animal, you know!"
She was so involved that she didn't see the lorry speeding along the road towards her.
Anthony cried out, but even he was not quick enough to reach Edith in time.
Paddington didn't even think. He tore the pawcuffs off as if they were made of paper and ran to the road, bear-style on all fours, as fast as he could, leaping at Edith, crashing into her and forcing her back to the pavement just as the lorry screeched to a stop behind them. Bear and lady flew through the air colliding with Anthony, causing all three of them to fall in a heap. Anthony was the first to recover from the shock.
"My darling! Are you hurt? Oh heavens, my sweet one!"
Anthony held her in his good arm where he had caught her as she fell, beside himself with worry and panic. Paddington stood up, a little dazed, asking whether everyone was all right. The lorry driver got out of his vehicle, white-faced and shaken, and Andy rushed over closely followed by Matthew, who had been standing outside of the Court in his wig and gown waiting for everyone to arrive and who had witnessed it all.
Paddington and Anthony helped Edith to her feet, and she tried to get everyone to stop fussing but she was visibly shaken. She leaned down and gave Paddington a big hug to thank him, making the bear's face turn a deep red underneath his fur, and his nose to become pink.
"Paddington! That was astounding! Did you know that the pawcuffs were no match for your strength?" asked Matthew.
"Well, er, yes, I did" Paddington replied sheepishly.
"Well, why, in 'eaven's name, did you let me put 'em on yer!?" exclaimed Andy.
"Because everyone seemed so frightened of me. It seemed like the best thing to do to reassure everyone."
"Oh, Paddington!" said Edith sympathetically.
Matthew turned to Andy and the driver.
"Would you both be prepared to give evidence of what you've just seen under oath?"
"That'll take time, that will. I've got deliveries to do."
"Would it help if I summonsed you?"
The driver smiled. "Anything official I can give to my gaffer would make all the difference!"
So that's what Matthew did.