Wanted to get this posted before but RL seems to keep me hopping. We've got the Andith Holiday coming up with some lovely stories and other things being worked up as gifts. So, this will be in limbo for awhile until I get that story written. I must say, I received some very interesting prompts and must decide on a direction soon;-) Meantime, I hope you enjoy this latest installment.
Just as Anthony was about to speak, her phone chimed. "Oh god," she sighed as she looked at the screen.
"What? Who is it?"
"Aunt Rosamund," she groaned.
"Best to answer it," he said as he glared at it in her hand.
Taking a deep breath, she hit the button and put the phone to her ear. "Aunt Rosamund, how nice…."
Anthony rolled his eyes as he watched Edith listening to her aunt, who had obviously interrupted Edith's greeting. His look became more intense as he saw her take a deep swallow and color rising in her face. "You what?" Edith finally asked into the phone.
After another moment Edith began to shake her head negatively. "No, no, not at all…."
More Rosamund followed. Anthony could only watch perplexed.
Edith was focused on her aunt's words. I know our parting wasn't exactly pleasant," Rosamund said. "But I've had a call this morning and I think we should meet and talk." Edith thought the woman sounded almost frantic. "I've spoken with your father and he explained everything, you and Anthony and I…. I understand now. I can't see it for you but he says it is what you want, so I've decided to forgive you for moving on my man," she said. That was when Edith asked "You what?" She was incredulous that her aunt would be making such claims on Anthony. He was clearly not any one woman's man, yet. But Edith continued to listen.
"I don't want to intrude if I am not welcome but Celeste Fordyce called me this morning and … well, I think we should talk. I'm assuming you know what she and her friend Karen have cooked up. Honestly, I can't believe those two thought I would be interested in their little games. You don't believe that I would, could ever scheme against you in that way, do you?"
Edith was relieved to hear that her aunt wouldn't join forces with the two schemers and answered, "No, I never thought you would. And I don't know what they have cooked up, but I knew they had something in mind. We actually saw them last night, with their husbands."
"Come for luncheon and we can talk. Bring Anthony. I promise I'll behave and even be pleasant. Say about 1:00?"
"Yes, I think we can make that. And I'll bring him. He had a rather unpleasant encounter with the husbands, so he'll need to know what is happening. He'll need to be prepared."
Yes, alright then. I'll see you both later…"
Edith looked up into Anthony's questioning gaze as the phone went dead. "Aunt Rosamund says Celeste called her this morning. There's a plot afoot and Rosamund wants to talk about it, warn us, I think. She thinks you need to be there too."
Anthony frowned. "You're certain this isn't part of the plot? Your aunt isn't still after me, is she?"
"I don't believe she is. She says she doesn't see us together but that she Papa explained things to her and she understands better. I don't believe she'll be a problem and she might help us with the Celeste problem."
Anthony chuckled at that. "The Celeste problem… that's one way to put it. I'm very sorry about all of this, my love. You deserve so much better."
Edith smiled at him happily, her eyes shinning with warmth.
"What?" Anthony asked.
"You said 'my love."
"Yes, well…. You are, don't you know." His eyes were bright and as blue as the sky and somehow all warm and soft too.
"I'm beginning to understand that you love me, perhaps even as much as I love you. But it is still lovely to hear."
"More, darling."
"More?"
"Yes, I love you so much more." He leaned back. "But this isn't a contest. Suffice to say, we love one another very much and in a few days will embark on our life together, basking in our love."
"You are such a romantic," Edith giggled.
Anthony looked at her, bemused. "I thought women like that from a man, all flowery and romantic and… "
"Sappy." They both smiled as they exchanged extremely syrupy looks. Edith broke the silliness. "We do," she admitted softly.
Later, Edith felt like chuckling as Anthony sat in Rosamund Painswick's drawing room looking very wary. Rosamund's greeting had been warm to her and amiable for Anthony with none of her previous antics on display. But Anthony still looked like rabbit ready to flee at the first sign that Rosamund might pounce.
"Luncheon will be in just a few minutes," Rosamund explained. "But first, I wanted to chat without servants nearby. Celeste was very determined this morning when she phoned. She and Karen plan to upset your wedding plans, I'm afraid."
"But how?" Edith asked.
"They wanted me to throw an engagement party for you and invite all the women who are enamored with Anthony. I believe they hoped to either upset you, Edith, enough for you to call the whole thing off, or for one of the women to abscond with Anthony. In either case, they think that would end your relationship."
"But I wouldn't…. I couldn't do that to Edith," Anthony exclaimed.
"Of course not, Anthony," Rosamund replied. "But they don't know you, the real you, as we do. And I believe they see Edith as rather weaker than she is as well. But I'm certain they'll scare up someone to throw the party."
"I have no idea who it could be," Edith said softly as she tried to think of the possibilities.
"My guess is Cousin Susan," Rosamund said.
"Susan?" Edith was shocked.
"She might fall for it. Besides, she is still rather angry that the family has not turned our backs on Shrimpy after the divorce. She's quite angry with your father in particular."
"But to…. To do what Celeste is suggesting is so…."
"Very much a Susan thing to do," Rosamund finished.
"So, what are we to do?" Edith asked as she silently acknowledged the truth of Rosamund's assessment of Susan.
"I thought I might still throw a party. I'll invite the people in our circles, so it will include some of the women Anthony has…. Is friends with. But the whole point of the evening will be to demonstrate how happy the two of you are together. That should settle all this talk about you fleeing, Edith. And it will show that Anthony has made his choice and they should move on. All of London, well in our circles anyway, will be buzzing. But the two of you must make a convincing show of it. None of your shyness that evening, Anthony." Rosamund looked at him pointedly.
"But the ceremony is in just a few days' time," he said.
"Right. Thursday isn't it? How about the party for Tuesday evening then? I know it is a bit unusual to have it then rather than the weekend but I do need a little time to throw it together and Friday or Saturday is just too soon." Rosamund smiled at them both.
Edith looked at Anthony, who looked decidedly uncomfortable. "What do you think?"
Anthony's mouth twitched. "I'm not really comfortable with the idea of being on parade but if it will send the wolves away, then perhaps we should."
Edith wasn't certain either but Rosamund took his comment as acceptance. "Good then, we'll begin the planning over lunch. Rising from her chair, she led them to the dining room, where indeed they shared a lovely luncheon and planned for the engagement party.
