They were awakened the next morning by a squeal. Anthony shot straight up in the bed shocked by the sudden interruption of his very pleasant dreams. Edith was stirring as well, although a little more languidly. Along her side of the bed stood little Robbie, who was giggling with mirth. "Good morning, Robbie," Edith greeted their three and a half year old son. Anthony had collected himself and relaxed back against the pillows, watching his son intently, a bemused smile on his face.
Robbie's eyes were bright and mischievous and expression was every bit like a cat that had swallowed the proverbial canary. Carefully he leaned over to his mother to tell her his secret. "Papa's not wearing any clothes," he told her secretly.
Feigning surprise, Edith gasped. "He's not?"
"No…" Robbie confided quietly. "Is he in trouble? Should I tell Nanny?"
Anthony, overhearing the boy, was suddenly confounded. "No, no my boy…let's not tell Nanny," he replied, flustered. Last thing he needed was the old bat shooting disapproving looks his way. He already felt she thought him a dirty old man, an opinion he heartily agreed with every time he took his wife to bed. But still…he didn't need her confirmation.
Edith smiled at her husband who was looking abashedly at his son. "Quite right, Robbie. Nanny is in charge of you children but I think you must leave any punishments for Papa to me."
Anthony flashed his wife a look of relief and gratitude and then began to flush as he realized what she meant his punishment to be. God, she would be his death, he reflected, but what a glorious death it would be. He'd been worried from the beginning that he might not be able to keep up with her and there were times when the inevitable signs of his age made their appearance, but generally she seemed quite happy with him. It was a state of affairs that he endeavored to maintain…delightedly so. He knew most in their circle would think the frequency of their marital activities abhorrent, but Edith didn't. And whatever Edith wanted, she would get as long as he was in any way able. And if he were being entirely honest with himself, he was quite proud that first, she still wanted him in that way and secondly, that he at his age was still capable of satisfying such a lovely young woman. It did wonders for his self esteem, not to mention his health in general.
Edith slipped from the bed, careful not to expose her husband to any further scrutiny from their precocious son, and slipped into her robe. "Now let's get you back to the nursery, young man, before Nanny realizes you are missing or it won't be only your Papa that is in trouble." Gently she propelled him to the door and scooted him out.
As Anthony lay quietly in the bed waiting for her return, he pondered the last few years of his life. He'd returned form the War feeling like his life was done. Oh, he'd have the estate to run and the tenants to look after but there was nothing left for him really. His belief that Edith thought him a boring old fool had been cold company through the war years. Returning to the county knowing that she was so close and yet not a possibility had been difficult. As he'd driven past Downton the first time upon his return, his heart had clinched and panic had set in, just as it had the day of the Garden Party, the day the War was declared. You old fool, he'd thought to himself, if she didn't want you then she surely wouldn't want you now. Besides, he mused, she was probably married by now to some dashing young man that she had met during the War. As he contemplated the events since, a warm sense of amazement settled over him as tears settled in his eyes. He'd been wrong, so wrong about all of it.
His heart leapt as she slid back through their door, quietly closing it behind her, a smile lighting her face. "He's all settled. Nanny will never know," she said conspiratorially.
"Good," Anthony replied, a smile lighting his features as well. "I'm afraid that if he were to be chastised by the biddy, then he would spill the beans and I'd be the object of her ire." He shuddered playfully at the suggestion. Laughing quietly, Edith slipped back under the covers and snuggled next to her husband. "Oh my dear," he shivered, "you are quite cold…quite a shock to my old bones," he teased.
"Old bones my eye," Edith rejoined, her cold fingers running along his chest just to watch him shiver again. "Last night these old bones seemed pretty lively to me." She emphasized her point by nuzzling his neck and rubbing her now slightly warmer hand over his manhood, sending another tremor of a different sort through him.
"My god woman, I really do think you mean to put me in my grave," he whispered as he turned to kiss her.
"Mmmm," she cooed. 'But what a delicious way to go, don't you think?" She gave him a little squeeze for emphasis. "Besides Dr. Clarkson says you are quite healthy, especially for a man of your advanced years," she giggled.
"That'll be enough of that talk," he muttered as he rolled to her, flipping her on her back and descending over her for more proper kissing and such.
That Sir Anthony and Lady Edith hadn't rung their bells by late morning was of little concern downstairs. The staff was used to the notion that that the master and mistress were late sleepers, if that was what one might call it. Most of the staff had been with Sir Anthony for many years and were simply pleased to see him so happy.
They did descend in time for luncheon and were discussing afternoon plans when the door flew open and little Cora ran in, terror in her eyes. "Mama, Papa, come quick."
"My dear, what ever is the matter," Edith asked calmly. Anthony was already rising from his chair, unable to deny his offspring any requests.
"It's Charles…he fell down and he's crying and Nanny won't listen. I think he hurted himself bad."
Anthony was out of the room before Edith could even move away from the table. By the time she arrived in the nursery doorway, Anthony was sitting in a chair in the corner of the room holding the baby and soothing him. The sight of him, so concerned and patient with Charles' whimpers and cries made her pause. He really was a very gentle loving man and most unusual father, she reflected briefly before entering the room.
Anthony glanced up at her, his kind tender eyes reflecting his worry over the boy and also his relief at seeing her. "And here's your Mama," he cooed to the baby, who peeked up to her and then burrowed further into his father's chest. His bright blue eyes apologetic, Anthony looked from the boy to his wife and then back down at the boy.
Resigned that right now it was Anthony that Charles wanted, Edith turned to the nanny. "What happened?" she asked..
Nanny Ellsworth jutted out her chin and puffed up in a regal stance, giving Edith her very best haughty stare. "The boy was bouncing in his crib. I told him to stop but of course, he didn't listen. He toppled out onto the floor. I'm sure he'll be quite alright in a few minutes."
Edith looked in the direction of the crib and saw Robbie hunkered in the corner beside it. "Robbie, is that what happened?" Edith asked warily, knowing Robbie's penchant for making mischief.
Robbie stepped forward, his blue eyes shinning nervously as he glanced from his mother to Nanny. Nodding his head up and down, he then looked at his shoes, suddenly finding something intriguing about them. Edith knew instantly that something was amiss. "Robbie?"
Tears rolled out of the boy's eyes as he looked back up at his mother. "I tried to help him but…but he got all squiggily. He was flopping around and Nanny yelled at me to get away."
"Squiggily? What do you mean by that?" Anthony wanted to know from his chair.
Robbie dropped to the floor and began to squirm and shake. Then popping back up, he looked at his father. "Like that."
Both Edith and Anthony had seen enough wounded soldiers have seizures that they immediately recognized what Robbie was showing them. "Oh my god," he exclaimed as he rose, still holding their baby as he turned to the nanny. "And you weren't going to report this?"
Edith moved quickly to Anthony, lifting Charles from his grasp. "I'll take care of him. You call Dr. Clarkson," she said firmly. At the same time, Nanny began to try to explain. "Well, it isn't as if it was the first time. Babies just do that sometimes," she tried to tell Edith. Edith watched as Anthony clinched his one good fist, anger rising like bile in him, flushing his face. "Go call," she told Anthony.
She watched him rush from the room before turning to the other children. "Go find Ruth and tell her I said you two are to stay with her in the library until I get there." The twins knew something terrible was happening and sensed this was not a time to argue or disobey. They scurried in search of the head maid.
Only after they left the room did she turn her attention to Nanny Ellsworth. "You will pack your bags and be out of this house before nightfall. You'll be given the wages that are owed you and not a penny more. And you will have no references from us."
"But…" Nanny opened her mouth to argue but was cut off by Anthony who appeared in the doorway. "You would be wise to do as Lady Edith has instructed," he said in a low voice, his anger barely contained.
Nanny glanced from one to the other and then lowered her eyes in acquiescence. "Yes, alright then…" she said in a huff before leaving the room.
Anthony moved to Edith, who was still holding Charles, who was still whimpering.
"Clarkson is on his way. He said not to let Charles go to sleep."
"Yes, alright. I…I'm so angry I could just…" Edith began. Anthony's hand on her shoulder served to calm her. "Yes, I know my dear," he soothed. "I understand completely." Then stepping closer, he embraced both mother and son in his left arm and held them close as if they might disappear if he let them go.
Many thanks to those who have reviewed, followed, and such. You make me all smiley. I'm really getting nervous about the Christmas Special. Robert Bathurst dropped that little teaser months ago about them shooting the special and he spoke as if he were a part of it. But I'm not seeing anything in the spoilers that mention Anthony. So I'm biting my nails and hoping. But even if JF doesn't get it right, we know these two belong together, lol!