Anthony stayed true to his word and for the next few weeks, he appeared almost daily to spend an hour or so with Edith. Sometimes they remained indoors discussing a new book and sometimes they walked around the grounds. Edith shared stories of her childhood and asked Anthony about his. But never once in all of their conversations did he share his feelings about her. In fact, he was so adept in hiding his feelings that Edith began to wonder if his words to her that day on the bench had been a dream.

Slowly the seasons changed and winter turned into to spring which turned into summer. All eyes were on Mary as they waited for her delivery day and in mid August she presented Matthew with an heir. Edward Reginald Robert Crawley, future Earl of Grantham, made a dramatic entry into the world in the middle of the night, much to the approval of everyone.

But for Edith the next few days were difficult as memories of her own Robbie flooded back. Only time spent with Anthony seemed to relieve her pain. It was on one of the last days of summer that Anthony showed up full of excitement. "I thought we might take a ride," he said eagerly. Confused by his excitement and secretly a little glad that he might get her away from Downton for a few hours, she agreed.

Edith's eyes widened as they stepped out the door. "You've bought a new car," she exclaimed.

"Yes. I ordered it months ago and it just arrived yesterday. It has some extra gadgets on it that make it possible for me to maneuver the thing on my own. I'm feeling quite independent today. Where shall I take you?" He opened the passenger door for her to climb in.

"Could we…I'd like you to…" she hesitated, unsure of why she wanted to go where her mind was taking her.

Frowning slightly, Anthony was worried. Was this to much to expect from her? "Wherever you wish, my dear," he said with alarm.

She turned her soft brown eyes on him, eyes that he really had never been able to refuse. "I'd like to see Locksley again," she said quietly.

Anthony smiled self consciously. "Are you certain?"

"Yes, quite certain."

Anthony closed the door, confused but pleased. As he climbed in behind the wheel, he offered, "then we shall go to Locksley, although I am quite uncertain why you should want to see it again. Nothing much has changed…quite boring still."

Edith reached across and placed her hand on his arm. "No, never boring. I've always thought it was a very nice reflection of you. A bit too masculine perhaps and a tad Spartan. But quite stalwart and genial as well...very much like you."

Anthony smiled but felt quite befuddled. Deciding there was no possible appropriate response, given his promise to keep his feelings to himself, he started the engine and pulled away from the house.

Once they arrived at Locksley, Anthony had tea sent into the library. He and Edith shared small talk over the tea and scones but then a lull settled over them as they finished. Looking around the room, Edith smiled. "Whenever I've thought of you the past three years, I've thought of this room."

"Yes, well… I do spend much of my time here," he acknowledged.

"Perhaps you would show me the rest of the house again? I only saw the upstairs that one time, when we…, well…before."

Again, feeling quite bemused, Anthony couldn't quite fathom her mood. "Yes, well… if you wish." He stood and offered her his arm. They poked around the downstairs awhile and then at the foot of the steps, he hesitated. "Are you certain you wish to see the upper floor? I'm afraid it is quite dreary."

"Yes, I'm quite sure." She stepped up ahead of him and then led the way, leaving Anthony to follow, his eyes following her and his mind entertaining all sorts of inappropriate notions as they ascended.

He showed her various rooms, most bedrooms, although there was a nursery near the master suite. It was dusty and ill used, an air of despair hanging over it. "You should have this cleaned out," she suggested. "Freshen it up a bit."

Even more befuddled, Anthony simply nodded. "It is rather musty," he agreed.

Finally, they were outside his bedroom door. Anthony moved to pass it, thinking she might misunderstand if he were to open that door. But Edith stopped. Reaching for the door handle, she opened it. "This is your room, is it not?"

Thoroughly confused and mystified, Anthony stuttered. "Ye…yes, it..it is."

Edith walked into the room and stood in the center, looking around the room. It was decidedly his, she determined. "This room could use some freshening as well," she said as she looked at the rug which was showing spots that were going threadbare.

"Yes, I suppose. I haven't done anything with it in years…since I first married Maud, actually. Well, other than taking reminders of her out when she first died. I couldn't bear having so many reminders…"

"Yes, I can understand that. But I see you did keep a picture of her on your bureau."

Anthony glanced over at the picture that had been taken on their honeymoon. "Yes, well…I did remove it for a bit. But then, well…eventually I brought it back."

Edith continued to glance around until her eyes settled on a small frame on a table next to his bed. She stepped to it and picked the frame up to look into a picture of herself. "You…you've kept this here all this time."

The room had suddenly become very warm for him…warm and uncomfortable. "Yes. I…well, I'm afraid I've been rather sentimental, talking to you at night, you see…especially in that time where I did not see you. Lately, since we see each other so much more, I usually just say good night." He felt so awkward and embarrassed.

Placing the picture back on the table carefully, Edith turned and looked across the room at him with tears shimmering in her eyes. "You really do love me, don't you?"

His heart swelling with hope in his chest, Anthony stepped closer. "I do. But I don't want to pressure you. You need time."

Edith's eyes swept over the bed and then back to Anthony. "I really think this room should be first. Green would be a nice color for the walls, don't you think? Perhaps some blues and maybe a touch of purple and yellow? No flowers or very feminine colors though. But this is entirely too masculine."

Completely stunned, Anthony's mind froze. "But why shouldn't it be masculine? I do hope you don't consider me as anything less?"

Edith crossed to him. Putting her hand on his chest, she smiled up at him and then chuckled lightly. "Oh no, nothing less than masculine…handsomely so… excitingly so. But this room is really too dark for me to be content here. And I think one's boudoir ought to reflect the owners, don't you?"

Staring into her sparkling warm eyes, Anthony wasn't at all sure he understood her meaning. "You want to redo the room to suit…you?"

"Yes, I do. But I want it too keep your influence as well. After all, we will be spending a great deal of time here, don't you think?"

Anthony blinked. And then he swallowed. And then he gasped. "Do you…are you saying… I…don't understand…"

"It will soon be a year, Anthony, since I was widowed. Do you suppose that two months will give you time to get this room in order?"

Not daring to believe what his ears were telling him she said he could only gawk at her. "I…I think th…that should…" He exhaled and then tried again. "Are you saying…?"

Edith took his hand between her hands. Then looking straight into his very muddled blue eyes, she smiled. "Anthony Strallan, in two month's time I shall be officially out of mourning. It would please me…no, it would give me great joy if you would marry me then."

Elation flooded through him as her words sank in. "Oh my darling, my dearest sweet darling, nothing would make this foolish old man happier than to claim you as my bride."

"So it is settled then," she said softly. "We'll spruce up this room and then we will start on the nursery."

"The nursery?" he asked uncertainly.

"Yes, my darling. Because I intend to give you many children…many, many children."

"But I'm too old for that, don't you think?"

"Oh my foolish dear, with as much time as we will be spending that bed," she said as she motioned to his bed, "I think it will be inevitable."

Tremors ran through his entire being at her suggestion. Never had she been so audacious with her innuendo and never had he ever felt quite so quickened by her intent. In a suddenly husky voice, he spoke. "I think perhaps we should return to the library."

With a slight huff, Edith chastised him. "We've just agreed to be married in two months and all you can think is to go to the library?"

Taking her elbow and steering her towards the door, he explained. "My dear, if I were to do what I want to do in this room, well… I'm afraid the temptation would be too great and you would be compromised. No, I think the library is much safer."

Not willing to let it drop Edith asked, "And exactly what is it you wish to do?"

Blushing furiously, Anthony hurried her into the hall. "My dear, you were married. I am quite certain you know exactly what I wish to do. Now quit tempting me to forget that I am a gentleman and let us go back to the library.'

"Alright then," she replied with a blush of her own. "But don't think you'll be any safer there," she said rather saucily.

As Anthony followed her back down the stairs, he wondered what he had ever done to deserve the happiness that surged through him now.

They agreed to tell her family when he took her back to Downton and Anthony spent the entire drive back in dread. What if it were a repeat of the last time? But Edith assured him that the family would be accepting and even if they weren't, she was of age and a widow at that. She would follow her heart and that led her to him. So Anthony began to relax slightly but mentally was prepared to do battle if need be.

To his surprise and delight, Edith's prediction had been correct. Robert shook his hand enthusiastically and Cora hugged Edith and took his hand warmly. Mary and Matthew were all smiles. Even Carson, who happened to be in the room just as they shared their news, seemed a bit less frosty. So the date was set for early January so that Edith would past her mourning and their event, small as it might be, would not be lost in the holidays.

More to come this weeked, I promise. Things are getting a little crazy at work and have been in RL for sometime, but I am enjoying writing this. Apparently, you are enjoying reading it too.