Author's Note: It's been forever and this is really short but today this story hit me again and I'm already part way done with Cora's chapter which will be next and last.
Edith was the hard one to understand, she always had been. Growing up she would be so contrary, if her sisters liked something she hated it. If someone gave her advice she would do the opposite. New acquaintances would comment on how calm and good natured she seemed, Robert would nod but never really agree. It was only when she had grown past pettiness and found her own little place in the world did Robert understand her childhood attitudes. She had been the middle child, stuck between two strong personalities, she just wanted to be noticed, to be loved.
Long gone were the days that anybody helped Edith dress for dinner, but sitting at the dressing table in her old room, she missed it. She didn't miss it because she needed help but because she had also found visiting with someone before dinner helped her order her thoughts. She pinned the last bit of hair up on top of her head and stood to go, glancing around the room as she left, just to make sure she didn't forget anything. Turning into the hallway she was surprised to see a figure on the landing near the stairs. She was the only one who stayed in her old room when visiting, nobody would be on this side of the house, but then again she didn't live here anymore, she didn't know all the servants.
He spoke, "You look beautiful tonight."
Edith blinked confused tears from her eyes. It looked like her father and sounded like him as well. "Excuse me?"
The figure stepped nearer, there was no mistaking it now, Robert, Earl of Grantham, was standing in front of her. "Not just tonight, you have always been radiant."
In past Edith would have contradicted him, not trusting anybody's compliments to be true, but she had come to realize that although she may never be a striking as her sisters it didn't matter. So tonight she smiled. "Thank you."
Her father held out his arm and together they made their way down the stairs, neither one speaking, they didn't need to, it was comforting just to be together. Before they made it to the drawing room he gave a little bow and left her standing bewildered in the hallway.