Articles
Disclaimer: Downton Abbey would be a very different show, believe me, If I were the one in charge. Downton Abbey belongs to Julian Fellowes.
Pairing/ Character(s): Michael Gregson, Edith Crawley.
Lunch
"I was wondering if you'd be interested in getting lunch with me." Mr. Gregson asked warmly, "Perhaps share a few more of your ideas or some stories about yourself. I know a charming little place not far from here." Edith found herself looking at the handsome man, slightly taken aback.
Eating in restaurants was not something Granny would do, or even Mama. Both preferred dinner at home or at the home of a peer after formal introductions and invitations. Papa ate, on occasion, at his club, and Rosemond enjoyed life music but neither was the same as eating lunch in a restaurant.
If Mr. Gregson had invited Mary she would have taken the offer as irrefutable proof she was irresistible and important to all men and that clearly she had the man utterly charmed. Sybil might find the gesture romantic or, conversely, launching into her more radical opinions and utterly ignore everything else.
"I'd like that." Edith said after a pause. Mr. Gregson had wanted to discuss her writing. He was interested in her work – in being her editor. This lunch was not a date or beneath her status. It was a business meeting. It was lunch with her editor.
This lunch was the first step in her journey to become Edith – the Modern Woman.