Chapter 5

A few more of the shooting party had arrived on the scene by this time. Clarkson enlisted the help of two of the men in getting Matthew onto a makeshift stretcher.

"I'm going with him." Mary said.

"Yes, you go Mary." Robert said, "Cousin Isobel may need your emotional support, but don't think for one minute I will let certain matters drop."

"I know, Papa." Mary sighed.

"I may need your help too, Lady Sybil." Clarkson said.

"Of course, Dr Clarkson." Sybil said. She kissed Tom. "You go back with Papa and Edith, I'll join you as soon as I know what's happening."

The party left.

"Do you think Matthew will be alright?" Edith whispered to Anthony. She was shivering now, having used both her coat and shawl to try and prevent Matthew from bleeding to death. Anthony badly wanted to give her his own coat, but his valet was not there to help him undress and he was too proud to ask anyone for help. But Tom sensed.

"I can help you, Sir Anthony." He said, "If you tell me how."

Edith smiled and folded her arms across herself to keep out the cold. She was pale and Robert was really quite worried about her. She was covered with blood, but he drew some comfort in knowing it was not hers.

Anthony instructed Tom in how to remove his sling and to ease his coat off his injured arm. Tom wrapped the coat around Edith, who smiled gratefully at them both.

"Do you think Matthew will be able to move his arm?" Tom asked.

Anthony shrugged. "I would not like to speculate, let's just say it has brought back some less than pleasant memories for me."

Edith put her arm around Anthony, shocked by the growing intensity of her feelings for him. Her head was spinning, it had been one hell of a day and there was a lot to take in. Edith did not envy Mary, having to tell their father the truth about Mr Pamuk. She was sorry that he and Matthew had had to find out at all, much less in the way that they had.

"Good grief!" Cora explained as Edith, Robert, Tom and Anthony walked into the library. Violet turned pale at the sight of her granddaughter covered with Matthew's blood.

"What on earth!" Violet exclaimed, "You weren't meant to be shooting one another you know."

"Matthew has been shot." Robert replied, as he instructed Carson to pour string drinks for himself, Anthony, Edith and Tom.

"I don't like spirits." Edith murmured.

"It will help you." Anthony said,

"Carson, please will you ask Anna to run a hot bath for Lady Edith?" Robert asked.

"Of course, My Lord." Carson departed.

Anna came to fetch Edith and the intense gaze that passed between her and Anthony as she left the room left Cora in no doubt as to one thing. Her second, often overlooked daughter, loved this gentle man.

OO

"What on earth happened, my Lady?" Anna gasped as she helped Edith undress and get into the hot water. "I know it's probably none of my business."

"I'll tell you, but you must keep it to yourself." Edith said, shivering.

Anna listened, wide-eyed, as Edith told her everything.

"You mean Lady Mary was only going to marry Sir Richard so that the Pamuk thing stayed quiet?"

"It looks that way," Edith said, "She certainly doesn't love him."

"What a horrible position to be in!" Anna exclaimed.

"I know." Edith said, "Unfortunately, this means that soon the papers are going to be filled with yours and Mr Bates' story too. It's been kept out, but Sir Richard will have no qualms about keeping quiet now."

"We will face it, My Lady." Anna said, "Anyway, from what I have heard, bad publicity is better than none at all. It might even provoke someone who, up until this time, does not realise that they know something, to come forward."

"I really hope it does work that way, Anna." Edith said, "You know that none of us believe he is guilty."

Edith was feeling warmer now and she washed herself thoroughly.

"Anna, will you put out the jade green dress? I want to look nice for Sir Anthony. I was just so proud of him today. In fact I've made up my mind. I love him and I won't let him walk away a second time."

"He's worth ten of Sir Richard Carlisle, my lady." Anna said.

OO

Cora, Violet and Tom listened as Robert filled them in on the events of the shoot.

Anthony gave them an account too.

"It sounds like you distinguished yourself rather well, Sir Anthony." Violet said.

"I did only what any gentleman would have done, Lady Grantham." Anthony protested.

"Rubbish, you were a hero." Tom said, "Don't you agree, Lord Grantham?"

"Yes, I'm rather inclined to agree with you, Tom." Robert said.

"Well, I may need help to give a lady my coat," Anthony said, "And I may not be able to shake your hand in the traditional way, but I can handle a revolver. Of course being a good bit taller and older than Carlisle helped as well."

"Cora, is it true about Mr Pamuk, dying in Mary's bed?" Robert asked.

"Yes, I'm afraid it is Robert. But nothing can be done to change that now." Cora said. She turned to Anthony.

"I really am so sorry, Sir Anthony. If you feel like I used you."

"If you had not, Lady Grantham, then I would never have met Lady Edith. I carried her photo throughout the war, and whenever I felt like it was all hopeless, then I would look at it and somehow she gave me the strength of spirit to fight through another day. Especially after I got this," he indicated his arm, which was now back in its sling.

There was a silence for a moment and Anthony was aware that Matthew must now be facing the same uncertainties.

"If Matthew faces the same then I hope you will permit me to help him. I am in a better position than most to help him come to terms with such an injury."

"Of course you must," Violet said, "Most of us will never have a clue as to what those men who risked life and limb for our King and country must face on a daily basis."

"What are your intentions towards Edith?" Robert asked.

Anthony swallowed, knowing he must make a good job of this because it may be the only chance he would ever get.