"Well, something is amiss, I can tell right now," the Dowager Countess said, pursing her lips and looking at Cora and Robert pointedly. When they ignored her, she let out an irked "humph" and looked away, quite impatient.
Edith listened from the door to the parlor, smiling to herself. A few days ago the prospect of telling Granny of her engagement offered an opportunity to really give the woman a piece of her mind. Edith had felt so betrayed by her that day in the church, and in a way she was still smarting over it. She thought there would be a certain satisfaction to be had in staring the stubborn woman in the eyes and declaring victory.
But now everything had changed. She no longer felt the need to prove herself to the world, and she didn't see the point. Anthony and she had everything in each other. If Granny failed to see or appreciate it, then so be it. Edith would no longer waste time shaking her fist at the world. And she was far too content now, after everything she'd been given the last several days, to be angry with anyone.
"Edith," Anthony said softly, not wishing to alert the rest of them to his presence. She hadn't heard him come in. "Am I late?"
"No, Gran is early. She has a sixth sense about these things and knew inherently she would be inconveniencing someone's plans if she 'dropped in.' Anyway, she hasn't been here long." Edith gave Anthony's arm a squeeze and smiled serenely at him.
"I was hoping to get you to myself for just a few moments. Is there time for that?"
"Of course. Let's just step in here," she said, leading him to the drawing room across the hall. Edith pulled him down onto the window seat, twining her fingers through his, but they had barely settled when he broke his hand free.
"I have something for you," he said, rummaging in his breast pocket before pulling out a small, velvet box. He presented it to Edith in the flat of his palm.
"Anthony, I think we're beyond these gestures," she tried, but he was feeling rather authoritative.
"Just hush, and take it, please," he said gently. "I got it all wrong the first time, and as you wisely told me the other night, we need a clean slate. New us, new ring, right?"
When Edith opened the box, she couldn't help but mutter a clichéd "Oh, my." It was an unusual ring; not at all the standard mass of gold and stone a Lady's engagement ring usually was. It was silver and terrifically feminine; a braided band with tiny diamonds between each knot, and a square center stone, modest but bright, surrounded by a neat frame of tiny yellow stones. It was inconspicuous but complex and utterly, utterly beautiful.
"Those little stones are a rare yellow diamond, and the band is hundreds of years old. I thought it suited better than that ghastly thing I gave you last time," he said softly, taking it from the box she still held and pushing it onto her left ring finger. He brought it up to his mouth and kissed it, as though he were sealing it in place.
"Anthony, I," she stuttered, trying to find the right words. "Thank you. It's truly lovely, it's perfect."
"It's you," he said simply. "Understated and elegant and absolutely remarkable."
"It's us," she qualified, kissing him softly.
"I thought it might help in the lion's den there," he laughed after a moment, tossing his head in the direction of the parlor. Edith smiled apologetically.
"I'm afraid it will take more than a ring help us in there. Granny won't like the scandal."
"Oh, Granny won't like being proved wrong. The scandal she'll recover from, no doubt."
Edith raised her eyebrows, surprised at him. "You're so calm. I thought for sure you'd be all nerves having to face her."
"I might have been before, when I agreed with her, but not now. Not now that I know for certain she was wrong. I don't think I truly believed until last night that I could make you happy."
"Sir Anthony Strallan, are you referring to certain recent events? Because I assure you, had I realized that was all you were worried about—" she said, blushing slightly despite herself as she remembered her rather boisterous and involuntary responses.
"No, no, heavens," he said with a laugh, patting her hand. "No, I only meant that you've allowed me to believe we are enough, that we're good for each other."
"Of course we are. I've said it all along."
"Well, I finally understand it. I still find it quite unfathomable, I admit, that I've won someone as splendid as you, but I don't question it either."
"You silly, sentimental man," she muttered, kissing his cheek.
"Edith," Cora said, breezing into the room. "Oh, Anthony, I didn't realize you'd come. So sorry to intrude, but Granny is waiting and I don't believe she'll be put off any longer."
"Come Daniel, to the den we go," Edith sighed, pulling Anthony to his feet and following Cora out of the room.
"Hello, Gran. I'm so glad to see you," Edith greeted as she entered the parlor. She still had Anthony's hand, both of them relaxed and calm. The Countess' back was to the door and she didn't bother turning as they came in.
"Edith, I'm told you have some news, and judging by the lack of information I'm guessing you've decided to turn your column into a one-woman vaudeville act or something." But as Edith and Anthony came round her chair, Lady Violet's eyes went wide and her lips snapped shut.
"Granny, everything's been sorted and we'd like you to know that Anthony and I are getting married by the register a week from today at eleven in the morning," Edith said stiffly. Lady Violet looked from Edith to Robert and back again, and then finally turned her great, grey eyes on Anthony.
She gave him a once over as he waited, firmly and boldly, before she spoke. "I seem to be experiencing a sort of deja vu and I can't say I'm enjoying it."
"I assure you, your Ladyship, this is not at all the same as it was before," Anthony said softly. Even when defending himself his manner was gentle and polite; something that did not go unnoticed by Edith. Looking at his future wife, Anthony said with conviction, "I am not the same man I was before."
"Well, that's a relief, I must say. And are you miraculously healed, or have you perhaps discovered the fountain of youth during your absence?" Lady Violet chirped, looking rather pleased with herself. "Granddaughter, nothing has changed at all."
"You're right, Gran," Edith said quietly. "I love him as much now as I did then, and that will never change. Anyway, we're getting married whether you approve or not, so if you wish to attend you may want to start acting mildly glad for us."
"Don't threaten me before I've had my tea, dear. It's in bad form," Lady Violet said dryly. Then, gesturing to the couch, she said, "Well sit down, before Strallan's height gives me a kink in my neck."
They sat, Edith rolling her eyes subtly to Anthony, who seemed impervious to the old and stubborn woman.
"Edith and Anthony are having a very simple ceremony, and then we'll have a wedding breakfast back here before they sail for the continent," Cora said, trying to lend her support.
"I see. And you approve, Robert?"
"Yes, Mother, I do. Vehemently."
"Well, Anthony, I hope you recognize what you've gotten yourself into."
"I do, Lady Violet, I couldn't be more pleased."
"Good. Marrying into this family is quite an undertaking, I assure you. And be warned, Strallan," she said gravely. "Of all the Crawley's, Edith is by far the most like me."
Edith beamed, recognizing the compliment and squeezing Anthony's hand. In the briefest exchange of glances everything that had passed between Edith and Lady Violet seemed forgiven.
Later, after Mary and Matthew joined and the party was busy in individual conversations, Lady Violet pulled Anthony aside for a moment. "I still don't understand it, Strallan, but I just watched my favorite granddaughter force a smile for the past year and I'm not going to push her down that road again."
Anthony looked somewhat dumbfounded, and unsure of whether he was being paid a compliment, an insult, or being offered a truce.
"Oh, don't look so alarmed. I have been known to change my mind on occasion. I'm not saying I was wrong about you, or about Edith's future. But I will say I'm glad she's happy. You'll have no more obstinacy from me."
"Thank you, Countess. I can't tell you what that means."
"I think for both our sakes it would be best for you to call me Lady Violet. You're family now, but Granny would be…" She trailed off as she looked up at his gray hair. With a roll of her eyes she hobbled off to join Mary and Edith on the couch.
Anthony laughed to himself at her expression. Very much like Edith, indeed. He'd seen that look a hundred times on the face he loved so immensely; face, he realized, which was watching him from across the room with a most angelic look. "Love you," he mouthed. And never had the words been more true.