Okay, as an American that isn't living along one of the major passenger train lines (passenger service here is limited except in certain regions) I know little to nothing about riding trains. And as little as I know about it, I know even less about the British rail system except what I've seen on tv or read. So my facts about train stations and how that all works in London is probably all wrong. Please excuse it and grant me a little license. I could either spend my time on thoroughly researching the workings of the rail system in Britain or write and I chose to write. I do hope you enjoy it.

Also, this is a bit rushed. Time is not my friend these days. So any typos or other mistakes you come across are due to my haste to get this posted before free time is up. I usually try to do better, I really do.


Anthony settled next to Edith at the back of the car, away from most of the other passengers. She had the window seat and watched her father standing on the platform looking forlorn. She gave him a small wave and a smile, which he returned. Then tipping his hat, he nodded and turned to walk away. It was then that it really began to sink in; this was really happening!

She turned to look at Anthony, who was watching her nervously. "Are you certain this is what you want?" he asked sincerely.

"I do, I really do," she replied.

A smile wavered as he looked at her uneasily, despair dripping from his eyes. Edith wondered what he was thinking that made him look so worried. "And you? Are you certain this is what you want?" she asked him.

He glanced down, the question clearly surprising him. "I shouldn't; it isn't fair to you," he replied softly. "But honestly, I've never wanted anything more." Looking at her directly, fear clouding his eyes. "I just dread the day when you realize that you've made a mistake."

"Well you can stop dreading then because it isn't going to happen. But even if it were going to happen, why waste the time we have together with all that worry? My intention, Anthony Strallan, is to enjoy every moment I have with you to the fullest." She paused and let mischief structure her face. "If either of us has to worry, I would think it would be me. You've been with many women, after all. I'm bound to be a disappointment."

Shock overtook his features. "Disappointment? Those women… they were… meaningless really, a shield of sorts but certainly not women I had any deep feelings for. They came, they went, and if I was in the mood they remained for awhile in between. My feelings for you, dearest, are so much more. You've reawakened my heart, given life back to me, and filled me with hope when I had no hope. Oh dearest darling, you could never disappoint."

"Not… not even … well, intimately?" she asked shyly.

Anthony chuckled. "I think it is likely to be more the other way around. "

Edith smiled more surely at him. "I can't wait to find out." She watched as a pale blush crept up Anthony's neck into his cheeks. "Really, my sweet, I fear you expect too much."

"I don't know what I expect exactly, other than being closer to you and I think that will be lovely."

His anxious expression faded and morphed into gentle warmth. His whispered, " as do I," contained a little more heat that he intended.

They made plans for their arrival in London. "We'll get a hotel room for you," he told Edith.

"But why can't I just stay with you?"

"Because we are going to do this properly, my love. I do not want my reputation to tarnish you. I know it will but I'd rather not give the gossip anymore to feed on. No, we'll do things properly. We'll also make an appointment at the Registry to schedule our wedding as quickly as possible, unless you want a church wedding?"

"No, if I'd felt a church wedding was necessary then we'd have it at Downton. I just want our life together to begin as quickly as possible, before some other woman snatches you away."

"Edith, as I've tried to explain, that will never happen."

She leaned into him as she spoke softly, "I sincerely hope not." He wrapped his arm around her to hold her close, her head at his shoulder. "I'd be a fool…" he mumbled. And then their conversation returned to their plans.

As the train arrived at the edge of London, Anthony's attention turned toward their immediate plans. "Your aunt will get off at Victoria Station, I suspect. And she'll be watching for me."

Edith couldn't help the mirth that she felt at her imagination's creation of that event. "Likely, yes. It is closest to her home. I don't know why she keeps that monstrosity. "

"It's quite attractive, actually; and worth a fortune, no doubt. But that's not my concern. I have no wish to cross paths with her just now."

"Oh," she said, forcing back a smile.

"We'll remain and get off at the next stop. From there we can find our way to a hotel that is near my place in Kensington. "

"Keningston? I thought Strallan House was in Belgravia?"

"It is. But I sold it years ago. My sister and her family are happily settled in Oxford and as I had no one to inherit, I thought it best to unload it while the market was favorable. The upkeep was ridiculous and as I spent very little time there, I decided to sell. Some of the proceeds were used to purchase a flat in Kensington. Must less expense involved and it is smaller, more manageable. And the rest of the funds are tucked away for maintenance at Locksley."

They felt the train begin to slow down and within a few moments they were stopped at Victoria Station. Peering out the window, Edith saw Aunt Rosamund walking towards their car. "Anthony, she's coming this way," Edith squeaked.

Anthony's eyes flashed nervously toward the platform and then suddenly he was covering Edith, his lips finding hers. Much to Edith's surprise and delight, he remained locked in the kiss for several moments.

Out on the platform, Rosamund Painswick was walking along the platform trying to get a glimpse of Anthony Strallan, hoping to catch him as he left the train. What she saw stopped her in the middle of the platform. There in the very last window of the car was Anthony's head attached to some woman. Rosamund couldn't make out who the woman was, only getting a small view of her shoulder and neck because Anthony had her wrapped in a rather passionate embrace. With a frustrated huff, Rosamund stormed into the station, away from the horrible scene. But as she stepped out onto the pavement and saw her car waiting for her, she realized there was something familiar about the shoulder of that woman. Climbing into her car, she tried to think what it might be and her only answer was that the fabric of the jacket the woman was wearing seemed familiar. Shaking it out of her mind, she turned her thoughts toward home.

Anthony finally risked a glance outside the window and satisfied that Rosamund was no longer there, released Edith from the embrace. "Sorry, but I thought it best she not see you and it was the only way I could think of…" he said apologetically. Edith smiled brightly at him. "Oh, alright. I quite enjoyed it, as a matter of fact."

His blue eyes sparkled and he looked much like the cat that had swallowed the canary as he absorbed her comment. Edith hoped to see much more of that expression in the days to come. But for now, they had more immediate concerns. But she did make a point of taking Anthony's arm as the stepped off the train. And the smile on her face only grew larger.