So much happened in such a short time that Edith could hardly keep track of which day of the week it was. It started with Mrs. Dunfy giving her notice. Anthony claimed her age had finally caught up with her, but Edith knew he was softening the truth—that the young Lady Strallan had driven away one of his most senior staff members. Edith apologized profusely, but Anthony wouldn't hear it. He offered Mrs. Dunfy a cottage on the estate and her weekly pay as long as she lived. He called it her retirement though Edith had a sinking suspicion it was a sort of penance for the way his new wife changed things. Still, Edith was glad to find Mrs. Bass was more than willing to leave London and take post.
"I've been doing this work for thirty years," Edwards muttered to Mrs. Watson as they watched a somewhat tearful reunion between the robust new cook and Lady Strallan, "And never have I seen a Lady fall to pieces over a cook." Luckily, the rest of the staff was all too happy to adjust under a new Mistress and Edith slowly started to take part in the running of the house.
No sooner had they settled Mrs. Bass then Edith got word that Anna had given birth to a healthy boy, named John for his father but called Jack. Edith was overjoyed for her dear friend, and went with Mary to visit as soon as was appropriate.
And then the letter came from Sybil that simply said, "Start softening Papa now. The Bransons arrive the second week of October."
"Does that mean she's having another baby already?" Edith had asked rhetorically. Anthony, who of course had no way of knowing, simply shrugged. A quick call on the Crawleys answered all questions.
"She's being particularly coy, which is annoying Granny to no end, but it seems they are indeed expecting. And relatively soon I imagine, given the short notice," Mary explained as she and Edith took a stroll. Poor Mary did not hide her jealousy well, Edith noticed.
Harvest time was upon the Strallans, and Locksley was booming with activity and demands. Anthony spent long days running between tenants and town. His almost spiritual connection with the land paired with his excellent knowledge of business and trade made Anthony the ideal landowner. Though Edith missed him, she was tickled to see how much he delighted in the work.
Edith, keeping busy as well, spent the next weeks helping prepare for Tom and Sybil's arrival. And when she wasn't at Downton or accompanying Anthony on his endeavors, she was at the Bates' cottage, visiting with Anna and Baby Jack.
The Bates boy was chubby and sweet and looked just like his father, which enchanted Anna to no end. Edith would sit in the tiny kitchen with Anna, doing sewing or baking or holding the baby. On those afternoons, she couldn't help but feel grounded and incredibly blessed, as though everything in the world was just as it should be.
"It's no wonder," Anthony mused as he climbed into bed with his wife one night, "that by the time we meet for dinner it feels like days since we've seen each other. I miss you, you know, and we're never apart for more than a matter of hours. Isn't that ridiculous?"
"No, I feel quite the same way," Edith sighed, wriggling against Anthony under the sheets with a little shiver. The nights were definitely getting colder; there was no doubting it now. Anthony's hand slid over Edith's side, coming to a rest somewhere between hip and bottom as they pulled against each other. "What is ridiculous is how tired I've been. It's been so busy I can't seem to catch up."
"You smell like cinnamon and cloves," he muttered as he kissed the top of her hair. Her small hands pressed against his bare chest and the weight of her against him was all the comfort he wanted after a long day of farmers and tedious drives and figures.
"I made gingerbread at Anna's today. The spices were fresh and when you grind them, well the smell tends to linger. Does it bother you?"
"On the contrary," he said, pulling her closer. She could hear the smile in his voice, through her eyes were closed. She could also hear his breathing and his heartbeat, feel the warmth radiating from him as she molded herself against the length of his body. His thumb was drawing tiny circles on her hip as he cupped her bottom possessively. She loved when he held her like that, appreciatively and protectively, like she was his.
Edith groaned suddenly, a sound Anthony immediately recognized as one of frustration. "Whatever is the matter with you?" he asked playfully.
"Oh, I can barely keep my eyes open but you feel so wonderful that I just can't make up my mind," she complained, sincerely annoyed at the dilemma. Her hips were shifting in that way Anthony couldn't resist.
"Mm, I believe I know exactly how you mean, my dearest darling."
That seem to be all the influence Edith required to make a decision. She pretended to be perturbed as she pushed herself off from his chest and disappeared to the foot of their oversized bed. She pulled his pajamas down from his feet, swiftly and efficiently—Anthony would expect nothing less from his enterprising Edith. When she reappeared from under the covers, hair slightly mussed from her excursion, he laughed at her verve.
"Hello Wife," he greeted, genuinely glad to see her.
"Hello Husband." Her smile was so tender and mild, Anthony was just about undone with love for her. "Are you going to kiss me now, or will I have to beg?"
"I was just thinking."
"Of?"
"You. You're beautiful." Edith had never believed this of herself, but when Anthony said it—his luminous blue eyes boring into her, his voice quiet and staid—she had no choice but to believe it.
And oh, how she repaid him then, for making her feel beautiful.
And suddenly it was October. The great oaks lining the road to Locksley Manor were turning the most magnificent shades of gold and amber and red. The summer storms had dissipated and all of Yorkshire was enjoying that brief reprieve of cold but sunny days before November's deluge began. Edith loved everything about autumn, from the apples and gourds to the crisp mornings to the promise of winter nearly within reach. And this autumn, curling up to Anthony each night, kissing him hello and goodbye and in between, well it was the best one she could ever remember.
"I love you," she said suddenly as Samson maneuvered their car down the long drive towards the Abbey. It was the morning of Sybil's much anticipated arrival, and Edith and Anthony were there promptly at ten, as promised.
Anthony, who had been watching the leaves blow along the ditch, deliberately did not look at his wife. "Do you?" he said coolly, "Well that's nice, dear."
Edith smiled despite herself, but gave his arm a good pinch until he folded with a laugh. "I love you, Lady Edith Strallan. Ever so."
They arrived in the great hall just in time to see Matthew storming from the library, hands in fists and brow deeply knotted. "Good morning, Matthew," Edith said tentatively.
"Is it?" he snapped. Immediately regretting his rudeness, Matthew dropped his head and sighed. "I'm sorry. I just seem to reliving the same conversations over and over and it's not getting us anywhere." He seemed to calm himself, walking back to kiss Edith on the cheek and, she was glad to notice, give Anthony a friendly pat on the shoulder.
"Papa will come around, Matthew. He just doesn't like being told what to do."
"Is that where Mary gets it?" he joked. Then, as though something dawned on him he turned to Anthony. "Would you look over something for me? Perhaps help clarify it for Robert and myself?"
Anthony gestured lightly with his good hand, "If you think it would help, of course. I don't wish to interfere."
"Interfere? You're the only one Robert will listen to anymore."
Matthew, apparently bolstered, led the way back to the library where Robert was presumably roaring like an angry bear over yet another estate dispute.
Anthony had Robert's experience and understood his sentimental hold on the estate, but he also had Matthew's astute head for business and willingness to change. What could easily have landed him in a no-win tug-of-war between the two gentlemen Crawleys ended up being hugely beneficial to all parties. Matthew and Robert both trusted Anthony's opinion and candor, Anthony was happy to analyze a good puzzle. Edith was glad to see an avenue that led to her father finding her husband as invaluable as she did.
"I think I'll go find a cup and a seat," Edith said. Before they separated Anthony took Edith's chin in his hand and gave her a chaste kiss. When she opened her eyes he was frowning at her.
"You're looking rather pale. Promise me you'll start getting more rest, hmm?"
"Promise," she whispered with a half-smile.
Edith was asleep on the drawing room sofa when the rest of the women came down.
"Sir Anthony keeping you up too late at night?" Mary asked boldly as she took a seat by Edith. She said it just loudly enough that Granny might hear and disapprove.
"Mary, we're all relieved to see you and Edith are such good friends these days, but please might you keep your secret confidences secret? For all our sakes?" Lady Violet chirped. She looked reproachful, but Edith caught the little wink Granny shot her, as though she were secretly pleased Edith was enjoying her married life. The notion that Granny might have worried about that made Edith blush profusely.
"Actually, I've just been run ragged with all that's been happening in the last weeks. I can't believe we're well into October already," Edith said, clearing the embarrassed tension.
"I agree," Isobel offered.
"Yes, and it's high time I have all my girls under one roof again," Cora said, ringing for Carson to bring in tea.
"Sorry to disappoint, Mama, but Anthony and I will not be moving to Downton," Edith snipped, feeling slightly overlooked again.
"Of course, my darling, but you'll be here to visit enough, won't you? That's all I want. And to watch my grandchildren grow up, of course."
"I can't blame you," said Isobel. "There's a special thrill at becoming a grandmother, isn't there?"
Edith could practically hear Mary's muscles tighten, and the hand that rested by Edith's on the cushion clenched into a white fist. Edith slid hers over it deftly, a small offering of reassurance. Isobel's hints had been growing increasingly blatant and Mary was particularly sensitive to them these days.
"And what time are my sister and brother-in-law due to arrive?" Edith asked before the talk of babies could continue.
"Any time. They were due on the late morning train, and Belford was sent to fetch them," Mary answered, casting a quick, grateful glance to Edith.
"And where, may I ask, are your husbands?" Violet inquired impatiently. Then before anyone could respond she said, "Arguing over land and beast, I suppose."
"Not exactly, Mama," Robert corrected as he entered, followed closely by a much more pleasant looking Matthew and dear, dutiful Anthony. Edith's breath still caught whenever he walked into a room, which she took as a very good thing.
The gentlemen had barely sat down when Carson announced the car coming down the drive. Mary and Edith insisted it was unnecessary to call the staff to a formal receiving line and Robert quite agreed. Instead, the Crawleys and the Strallans all waited eagerly in the cold as the motor rumbled towards them.
Tom was the first to step out, offering an awkward and shy smile before turning to take Madeline. Much to Cora's delight, he set the one-year-old down and let her toddle to her grandparents on her own two feet. "Oh, I can't believe how big she is!" Cora cried, reaching for the dark-haired little thing, an absolute image of her mother.
"Careful, Mama, I may just take it personally," Sybil joked. Her belly preceded her achy, swollen frame as she emerged from the motor, reaching for Tom's hand. "My ankles are swollen, by back is stiff, and I feel as large as an elephant."
Fully in view, the entire party was shocked to see Sybil was at least eight months pregnant, if not further along. The sisters rushed to her, arms extended.
Medically-minded Isobel frowned. "What on earth are you doing travelling in your condition? You should be resting with your feet elevated and drinking plenty of warm goat's milk."
"I tried to convince her, Cousin Isobel, but she wouldn't hear it," Tom said quietly.
"It's the curse of being a Crawley, I'm afraid, Tom. We never do what we're told, especially if it's in our best interest," Granny quipped. Gesturing to the door she said, "Well, might we all go in before we catch our death in this cold?"
"So good to be home," Sybil sighed to no one but her sisters.
It was a short visit, Sybil and Tom needing rest and time to settle. But Edith was pleased to hear that Anthony enjoyed Tom very much, despite his politics. She was also pleased to return to Locksley, to the place she felt most at home. When she and Anthony retired for the evening it was earlier than usual, but Edith could barely keep her eyes open.
"Why don't we sleep in tomorrow, hmm? I can put off my morning and we'll sleep late and then have a nice leisurely brunch. Take a bit of a rest. What do you think?"
"Lovely," Edith sighed, pulling his injured arm around her shoulder as they curled together against the thick down pillows. Though Edith suspected it would take a great deal more than a lie-in to cure what she had, she'd wait to say anything until after her visit with Dr. Clarkson next week. "Good night, my wonderful Anthony."
"Good night, my sweet," Anthony whispered, kissing her shoulder, utterly unaware of the blissful things on his wife's mind, "and pleasant dreams."
This chapter is more of an interlude before the next big turn of events. :) Hope you don't mind! And thank you, of course, for continuing to read. I can't tell you how much I'm enjoying writing this instead of my Master's thesis... I can't wait to get the next chapter up!