First, I would like to apologize. I went back to reread the story to get back in the feel of it and found all sorts of typos. I try to do better than that. My only excuse is that RL has been busier than expected and I was juggling 3 stories. I do try very hard to proof read and correct errors before I post. So if those errors made reading difficult for you, I am tryly sorry and feeling a bit chagrined.
One reviewer asked if this was based on the movie "Love in the Afternoon" that starred Gary Cooper and Audrey Hepburn. I admit it is where the inspiration began but of course, this one has some twists that weren't in that movie. For one thing, while I adore Hugh Bonneville, he isn't Charles Boyer. And Anthony Strallan will never be as smooth as Cooper's character was in that movie, lol. So while inspiration began with the movie, it is different.
Happy reading!
Rosamund was thorny for the next few days, leaving everyone wondering why, except Edith. It was clear to her as they rode home from the dance that Rosamund was angry and frustrated. She blustered against that woman and about Anthony's disappearance. Edith was grateful that Rosamund never seemed to connect her own absence with his. After listening to her that night, Edith planned to keep away until her aunt calmed down. Consequently, she made trips into Ripon the first day and York the second. She found an excuse to visit their cousin Isobel on the third. And on the fourth, she walked to the village soon after breakfast with plans to entertain herself in the few shops there. for as long as possible.
As she walked down the road between the post and the small village library she glanced down the hospital road and she saw Anthony's familiar Mercedes parked in front of Dr. Clarkson's clinic. She hesitated before continuing on toward the library but decided that there was no plausible explanation for her presence outside the clinic and started to move off. Motion caught her attention around the car though, so she stopped again.
Anthony had exited the clinic and was about to step into his car when he stopped as well. Looking up and turning his head slightly, his eyes settled on her and his head tilted, and then he sighed. Trouble was, with the distance between them she couldn't tell if it was a good sigh or a frustrated one. Best to assume he doesn't want to see me, she thought. But then he turned slightly and she saw the bandage near his eye. She felt the frown that creased her forehead as she wondered what had happened. He gave a minute shrug and walked toward her.
"Hallo," he said brightly.
"Yes, hello," she replied. "I was just on my way to the library but then I saw you and... your um..." she said as she pointed toward his bandage.
His hand went to the bandage. "Right. War wound, you know.." His smile was awkward and uncomfortable.
"What?"
"I erm... well, I told Miss Morrison that I thought it was time for her to leave and she erm... wasn't pleased." His eyes twinkled as he finished.
"What did she do? A slap would not need a bandage."
"Oh but it did... does. She was wearing a ring, you see. The bevel on the stone caught me on the cheek and left a slice across to my eye. Amelia insisted I bring it to Clarkson."
"Apparently rightly so..."
"Yes. Needed two stitches as it turned out. Rather awkward at that part of my face. It pulls when I change expressions."
"And Miss Morrison?"
"On the train back to London, thank god." He stood there looking down into her face, his eyes smiling, simply gazing at her. And it made her feel all wobbly. "There's a nice tea room just past the library. Would you care to join me?"
His smile widened, as did his eyes and then there was a slight grimace. "Thank you, but no. Your father would not approve and as I won't be here but a few more days, it wouldn't be fair to leave you in his bad books because of me."
"You could stay longer..."
His smile faded. "No, that would be... well, inadvisable. Besides, I find I get restless if I'm in one place too long. Another few days and it will be time."
"It's a pity then. Having you back in residence has given a bit of excitement to the village."
His lips quirked. "Yes, I'm sure is has. Now if you'll excuse me, I should return to Locksley and break the news to Amelia that I'll live."
"Of course. But I do hope I'll see you again before you leave."
"As do I," he said softly as he turned to walk away.
Edith floated home on the wings of his soft words. Having his quiet confession to prop her up made facing Rosalind more bearable, assuming her aunt would comment on her absences the past few days. As luck would have it, the test came quickly.
Everyone was in the library, it seemed. Papa was working at his desk and Mama, seated in one her favorite chairs near Papa, was reading through a file. Mary was concentrating on her phone screen, obviously texting with someone, probably Matthew. Rosamund had her laptop open and seemed engrossed in whatever was happening on her screen. Sybil was missing but that was most likely due to her schoolwork. And Edith was content to leave them to their tasks. She picked up a book she'd left earlier in the week and settled into the chair that matched her mother's, relishing the sunlight streaming in from the windows behind her.
After a few minutes Mary put her phone down and looked across at Edith. "So where were you off to this morning? You seemed rather in a hurry to leave."
Startled somewhat by the abrupt interruption of the silence, Edith felt unsure when she looked up at her sister. "What?"
"You disappeared this morning, just as you have for the last few days..." Mary said, her voice dripping with disdain, an emotion Edith returned. "Oh, I just went down to the village for awhile. Stopped in at a few of the shops..."
"Why?" Mary asked in the same snarky tone.
"I... " Mary always seemed to fluster Edith and that in itself frustrated her. "It is an unusually lovely day and I just thought it would be nice to walk down to the village and enjoy being out."
Rosamund closed her laptop. "It is a lovely day," she said as she looked past Edith to the outdoors. "I think I should like to take a drive."
Papa tossed his pen down on his desk. "Not to Locksley, I hope."
Mama looked up from her file and looked from her husband to Rosamund, then back to Robert. Her eyes cut back to Rosamund quickly when the other woman replied, "Oh Robert, don't be so dramatic. I simply said I would like to take a drive. I hadn't really thought on a destination. But since you mention it, perhaps I will stop in at Locksley. " She stood and carrying her laptop with her, marched from the room.
Mary turned to look at Edith. "Well?"
"What?" Edith answered with a question.
"Aren't you going with her? Usually she has you tag along."
"No, I wasn't invited to tag along... And I just came home so I wouldn't be inclined to go out again."
"Thank goodness for that," Robert said with a huff. Mama smiled at Edith's response but she was looking at her quizzically.
Quietly everyone returned to their tasks and the next hour passed quietly.
Edith was in her room when Rosamund returned later in the afternoon. She came to Edith's room, once again frustrated. "That damned sister of his..." she blustered.
"She wouldn't admit you?" Edith asked.
"More than that. She told me Anthony did not want to see me... or anyone for that matter. Seems he'd been to see Dr. Clarkson this morning and isn't feeling well. I tried to express my concern for his health and she..." Rosamund took a deep breath. "That woman told me that his health is not my business. She was very rude about it too!"
"Perhaps you should..."
"I am not giving up on Anthony!" Rosamund declared before she stormed from the room, leaving Edith smiling inside at the knowledge that she most likely would have been admitted. The thought flickered through her mind that she should probably arrange that sooner rather than later.
