Edith walked into Brancaster's dining room for breakfast to joining her father, Bertie and a few other guests
"Good morning Lady Edith." Bertie brightly said as Edith took a seat between him and her father
"Good morning, I expect you're anxious to get us all out of your hair today."
"Not at all, I enjoy having people visit especially if they can provide good company and interesting conversation so it's been very nice having you and your family here Lady Edith."
"The shooting was extraordinary yesterday, you have quite a place here." Robert chimed in as Bertie smiled his thanks
"Well you're all more than welcome to come back, if you ever want to do some fishing we have a decent stream only a short ride away."
"Is that right? How fortunate for you, there is some shooting at Downton but it's nothing like you have here."
"Careful Papa or Ber- Lord Hexam will think we live in squalor." Edith teased her father as Bertie tried to hold in a laugh
"I doubt that very much, Lady Edith has told me a bit about it and it sounds lovely Lord Grantham."
"You'll have to come and see for yourself, it would be an honor for you to come and visit us, wouldn't it Edith?" Robert said as he smiled at Edith
"Yes, of course and the least we can do to pay back you and your mother's hospitality."
"That's very kind, I think we would both like that very much."
"It's settled then, I'll go speak to Cora…" Robert said as he finished his breakfast and got up from the table "…Excuse me, I'll see you both soon."
"You'll have to excuse my father he can get a bit excited about certain things, and I hope you won't feel obligated to pay us a visit I know how busy you are here." Edith explained hoping that Robert hadn't made it too awkward for Bertie
"Not at all, I like your father very much and I think I'd enjoy visiting Downton very much as well, that is unless you'd rather I wouldn't."
"Oh, no of course not, that's not what I meant we would love for you to visit, I just don't want you to feel obligated to." Edith explained as she felt a slight blush creep up her cheeks from embarrassment
"It would be a pleasure, honestly." Bertie said earnestly and Edith thought she felt a flutter in her stomach that she hadn't felt for a long time
"I suppose you're all anxious to get back to the children?" Bertie continued as the mention of her daughter and niece and nephew made Edith smile
"Yes of course, we all had a lovely time here but we do miss them when we're away."
"I'm guessing you're a very involved parent?"
"We do have two Nannies that are very in command, but yes I try to spend as much time with Marigold as I can, and all three of them are thick as thieves so once you have one the other two are soon to follow." Edith answered with an obvious beaming pride
"I suppose your trips to London for work can be a welcomed break from time to time."
Edith's expression dropped a bit and she tried to recover with a nervous smile
"Um…well, yes from time to time. It's necessary of course but I try not to go too often."
Bertie picked up on her change in demeanor, instead of the friendly and open atmosphere that existed almost instantly between them Edith looked downcast and uncomfortable and Bertie quickly chastised himself for making her feel that way and tried to quickly think of something else to say but Edith did the work for him
"Do you go to London often?"
"Only when it's important, I'm much more at home in the country." Bertie replied hoping whatever damage he'd done wasn't permanent
"I think the country suits you very well. If you'll excuse me I have to go organize my things, you'll be around to see us off?" Edith said as she rose from her chair
"Yes, yes of course. I'll see you soon."
AN: Just a short one but the next few will be longer!