Edith and William sitting in a tree, K-I-S-S-I-N-G...

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They wanted to meet William at the gates to the circus. After she had driven there herself, she parked the car in the back, helped Grace out and carried her around to the front.

William waited in front with a basket.

"Lady Edith, it's a pleasure to see you again. And Lady Grace, it's very nice to meet you."

Grace looked at him with big, round eyes, smiled and hid her face back in her mother's coat.

"What do we say to the nice gentleman?" Edith gently nudged her daughter.

"Hello." Grace said.

"Very well honey."

Edith and William greeted each other again and walked inside. It was all very glamorous, similar to the opera. Butlers directed them to their seats and drinks were served. The only difference was that instead of wine and cocktails, lemonade and beer was being served.

"This is different, I love it. My brother-in-law Tom Branson let me try his beer once and I liked it, but could never actually drink one at Downton."

"Beer at a house like Downton? I would have loved to see the head-butlers face!" William said and laughed.

"Yes, Mr. Carson wasn't very pleased, but nobody in the house is able to live up to his standards, so it came as no surprise."

"So you and Mr. Branson are close?" William asked, while helping Grace into her seat.

"Tom is a very fine and honest man; I get along with him better than with most of the family, especially my sister. We get each other in a way, because we are both a little bit the outcasts of the family." Edith said.

"Your sister, that would be the famous Lady Mary I assume?"

"That would be her. I think we are just too different to get along and we both have done things to each other in the past, which we, or at least I, regret."

"Have you ever tried to mend the fences?" he asked tentatively.

"I tried once, after our little sister, Tom's wife, died, but she refused. And even though she refused, we have never been closer than in that moment, sharing our grief."

"And isn't that what family is all about in the end? Sticking up for each other when times are hard? Nobody has to be best friends with their siblings."

"I think you are right. You are a wise man, William, Duke of Greystone."

"Oh, I just get inspired around beautiful, intelligent woman." He said and Edith was thanking the heavens for the dimmed lights, because she blushed instantly. And as if on cue the show was starting, the circus director welcomed them and introduced the first act.

There were a lot of aws and ohs during the performance, all three of them were transfixed by what was happening in front of their eyes. But nevertheless Edith was very aware of William and it appeared he was the same with her. Sometimes she was looking at him and once or twice she caught him staring at her.

They only had time for a quick cup of tea after the show. Edith had to leave, because Grace's bedtime was fast approaching. She was already starting to jawn non-stop.

"We had a wonderful night William, thank you so much." William had accompanied them to their car and opened the door for them. "And she drives herself!" he commented as Edith got into the driver's seat after securing Grace in her seat. "I think I am in love. I mean…" he tried to find the right words.

She smiled at him. "I know what you mean. I learned driving during the war to help out around the estate and not feel so useless."

"That sounds like you. Though seriously, I had a great time and I like you a lot and I hope we can repeat this as often as possible."

"Me too." She answered and closed the door. He looked through the window at her. Then he leaned over and gave her a kiss on the cheek. "But you have to be prepared for the backlash of suiting a single mother." She teased, knowing already, that he didn't care about his image as much as most people in his position would. He grinned, knowing full well what she was doing.

"You are one in a million Lady Edith Crawley, one in a million."

"I can say the same about you, Duke. I have never met a person like you before. You have all the manners a British aristocrat needs, the charm of a Romeo, the spirit of a missionary and the impulses of a 10 year old boy." She said and he quickly rushed forward again and this time pressed a kiss to her lips, after which Grace squealed and clapped her hands together.

"Kissy!" she said and leaned over to collect a kiss from her mother as well, who obeyed, but was still slightly dazed by his actions.

He blushed a little. "I might be impulsive, but your daughter seems to agree with me. You are impossible not to kiss."

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To be continued...