A big thank you to Baron Munchausen for taking the time to look over this.
Edith slowly opened her eyes. She turned expecting to see Michael lying next to her; then she realised that the cot was missing and she did not recognise the room she was in.
Then it all came flooding back, the death of her husband and child and also Sir Anthony.
She took a deep breath and swallowed the lump in her throat. Just as she was going to try to get out of bed so she could find her clothes, the door to her room opened and in walked an old woman followed by the village doctor.
Seeing that Edith was awake the woman rushed over to her and tucked her back into bed.
"Now, now, dear don't try to get up just yet. You're still too weak. Let the doctor take a look at you and I will bring up some soup." Then she rushed out of the room before Edith could utter a word of protest.
As the doctor began to examine her she asked him where she was.
"You're at the old manor house, the home of Sir Anthony. He was the one who found you.
He did not know where you were staying so he brought you back here, I must say Lady Edith you gave us all quite a scare but the good news is that you should make a full recovery as long as you follow my orders about resting."
Then the doctor paused for a second before continuing. "Also did you know you are pregnant?"
Edith just looked at the doctor in shock. "No I did not" she whispered.
The realisation that she had nearly killed her unborn child overwhelmed her and she burst into tears.
Not knowing the full story the doctor tried to comfort her. "The child should be fine as long as you get plenty of rest and keep warm."
The old woman walked into the room. Seeing the state Edith was in she put the tray down and went over to Edith and took her hand.
"Now, now, what's all this about? I see Doctor Sims' bedside manner has still not improved. Let's get some hot soup inside you and I bet you'll be feeling better in no time."
The doctor just rolled his eyes at the remark "I will see myself out and I'll be back tomorrow to check on you."
Remembering where she was Edith began to protest. "I really must be going I could not put Sir Anthony to any more trouble."
Hearing this the old woman just laughed. "Trust me, you will not be putting him to any trouble staying in a spare room. Besides I'm the one who does most of the work round here and you are most certainly not in my way. Now, you can forget any ideas about getting out of bed for the next few days and be a good girl and eat this" she said placing the tray on Edith's lap then showing the doctor out of the room.
Edith did not really feel like eating but knowing she was with child, she forced herself to eat.
As she ate, her thoughts turned to the future. Michael had left her well provided for. As well as some shares and money in the bank, she now owned a house in London and a small cottage beside the sea, both of which her family would turn their noses up at but she found them both homely and would not swap either of them for the biggest house in Mayfair.
She also had invested some of the money she earned from writing children's books and detective novels.
It's strange she thought to herself a few days ago I felt I did not have a future but now I have something worth living for.
She put the soup to one side and put her hand on her stomach as she absent-mindedly rubbed her stomach. Her thoughts turned to Michael; not for one moment did she regret meeting that man. He gave her hope for the future when all she saw for herself was a lonely life being the spinster aunt at Downton relying on the charity of her family for a place to sleep while all the time either receiving looks of pity or disappointment.
He gave her the confidence to find a job, and a new place to live and build a new life.
She could not help but let a sob escape her, as she thought about her unborn child never knowing his or her father and all the things that they would never do together and for the brother her child would never know.
She wondered if this child would have big brown eyes and a smile that could light up a room. Hearing Edward laugh soon became her favourite sound in the whole world and she tried to make him laugh as much as possible much to the amusement of the small staff they kept.
Despite the doctor's words, she was afraid that her actions would cause her to lose the child or the child would be born healthy but get sick and die like her boy Edward.
Mrs Smith walked back into the room and found Edith curled up on the bed sobbing her heart out.
She went over and put her arm round her. "Now, now, I know you've been through a lot but this isn't going to do you or the baby any good."
Edith looked up at her in shock. "How did you know I was pregnant?"
Looking a bit guilty Mrs Smith replied "I overheard the doctor when I was coming up the stairs but don't worry I will not tell anyone. I'm too busy looking after that daddy longs legs downstairs".
Edith tried and failed to repress a smile at the remark.
She could never imagine a servant talking about their employer in that way to someone of her class.
"Now, I see you have not finished your soup: we can't have you going hungry." Then Mrs Smith placed the tray back on Edith's lap and gave her a look that said she would not take any arguments on the matter of her finishing her soup.
Edith felt like a girl again, back in the nursery with the nanny watching her making sure she ate her vegetables before she was allowed pudding.
As soon as the last drop of soup was gone Mrs Smith whisked the tray off her lap and tucked Edith into bed. Edith found that she had no energy to protest. Instead she found herself drifting off to sleep.
I will try and end the next chapter with Edith awake.