Chapter Two
After a terrible night's sleep Edith is awake before Dawn she stands at her window watching the sunrise, the fields coming alive in the vivid morning sun, she should have been waking next to him, in his embrace, intesad she stands cold and alone at Downton, shes going to visit him and he will listen to her. She is fed up with everyone thinking they know what's best for her, its time she stands up and gets what she wants.
Anna comes to see if she wants her breakfast in her room and is shocked to see her mistress up and ready to be dressed, after dressing she skips down the stairs not like a woman who only yesterday was jilted at the altar, no she slips down the stairs as a woman with hope and determination.
"Good Morning Papa, Cousin Matthew" she says brightly as she enters breakfast room looing as two sets of shocked eyes stare back at her
"I thought you would be having breakfast in your room today dear" her papa says unsure
"Why I am not married like Mary and Sybil"
Papa coughs " no you're not but under the circumstances"
Edith cuts him off "papa what happened yesterday was a terrible case of cold feet on Sir Strallans part I have written to him asking to speak to him, in my eyes the wedding has just been postponed"
"Edith please don't pursue this Sir Anthony was pretty adamant that this is what he wanted"
"NO" Edith voice raises, she takes a deep breath before carrying on more calmly " no papa I will pursue this as I know he loves me and I love him, and if he would just stop listening to everyone else and listen to me for a change if you ALL would listen to me you would see I don't care about his age, his arm, I care about him"
Edith rises "excuse me I think I will go for a walk while it's still early" and leaves the room quickly leaving as she came in with two sets of shocked eyes watching her.
Carson stops her before she has chance to leave " a letter for you Lady Edith"
Edith takes the letter looking at the writing she quickly thanks Carson and strides to the library were she knows she will have some peace
She opens the letter and reads
I love thee to the level of everyday's
Most quiet need, by sun and candlelight.
I love thee freely, as men strive for Right;
I love thee purely, as they turn from Praise.
My dearest Edith
You will find love and I wish you happiness, give up on this foolish old cripple
Yours forever and never
Anthony
So beautifully sad her heart breaks and tears make tracks down her cheecks, she has to go to him convince him, that he is not foolish, old or a cripple she just hopes he will see her.