"Good morning Michael" Edith cheerfully said as she entered Michael's office and saw him working away behind his desk
"Aah hello, nice to see you as always you're a bit early, he isn't here yet." Michael greeted her
"Who's that?" Edith asked as she took her seat across from him
"Lord Hexam, he told me he wanted to meet you here to thank you for the work you did. He didn't tell you?"
"No, not at all. How did this all come about?" Edith asked clearly confused
"He gave me a call a few days ago asking when you would be down because he wanted to properly thank you. I just assumed he would let you in on it as well, aren't your families cozy now? You told me him and his mother are invited to yours."
"Yes but in a month or so, you don't think this is a bit strange?" Edith posed to Michael still not fully believing Bertie was going to be meeting her soon
"Not really, you said he was nice so I guess he is just being nice."
Michael noticed that Edith seemed a bit flustered, a way he rarely if ever saw her behave and something popped into his mind, Edith was available and an attractive woman and this Lord Hexam was also available and Edith seemed to enjoy her time with him, common sense could easily tell you what was likely to happen.
A teasing smile came across Michael's face as he leaned across his desk to say
"Would you rather not see him? You can duck into the closet and I'll make you're excuses."
"No, no. That's not it, I'd certainly like- I wouldn't mind-" Edith was interrupted by a light knock on Michael's door.
Getting up to answer it Michael quickly whispered
"Well you're stuck in it now."
Edith turned in her seat to see Michael opening the door to Bertie looking a bit unsure and holding his hat in his hand
"Lord Hexam, pleasure to meet you. I'm Michael Gregson and you remember Lady Edith of course."
"Nice to meet you as well, and yes hello Edith I trust you're doing well."
Edith stood and caught the slightly surprised look on Michael's face as Bertie called her by her first name and tried to ignore it
"I am thank you, and I hope you and your mother are well?"
"Yes we are. Thank you."
Michael noticed the charged and slightly awkward atmosphere and tried to alleviate some of it
"So, Lord Hexam you're happy with what our Edith came up with?" Michael asked as he directed Bertie to take a seat next to Edith
"Yes of course, it was extremely kind and very well written. Couldn't have done a better job." Bertie excitedly said
"You were a great help Bertie, you made it quite easy." Edith replied as Michael was feeling like a bit of third wheel and thought it best that he quickly excuse himself
"That's wonderful to hear from both of you, I'm glad you both seemed to enjoy the experience…"Michael quickly shot a knowing look to Edith before he continued "…I'm so sorry but if you could excuse me for a moment I have to run these down to our copywriters, it's urgent but I'll be back in a moment." Michael said over his shoulder as he grabbed a stack of papers and left the room
Edith and Bertie both nervously looked at each other as Edith was the first to speak
"Bertie I have to be honest it's a bit of a surprise to see you here."
"I know I should have told you, it's a tad dishonest of me. I do hope it's at least a welcomed surprise."
"It is, of course it is. But I thought you rarely came down to London?" Edith asked feeling a bit confused about the shy way Bertie was behaving
"Like I told you before I only come here if it's important, and well I should probably just get to it…" Bertie turned in his chair to face Edith more directly as she gave him her full attention "…I was wondering if you'd let me take you out to dinner, as a thank you for the job you did, tonight if you're free."
"Oh, are you sure? It's not necessary, I'm sure you'll have something better to do." Edith tried to work her way out of it after being a bit shocked by the invitation
"I think it's necessary, and truthfully, if you'll allow me to say I'd rather spend the evening with you than anyone else." Bertie told her honestly
It took Edith a moment to speak but she finally said
"I see, if you feel that strongly about it then yes, I'd be happy to go to dinner with you, I know a place right around the corner from here, it's called Rules. Meet there at six for a drink before?"
Bertie had a hard time covering the smile that spread over his face as they were interrupted by Michael entering his office "Sorry about that. Edith I hope you were able to entertain our guest."
"I'm a poor substitute for you Michael but Bertie hasn't died from boredom yet." Edith teased right back to an amused Michael
"I'm sure you both have work to do, but I did want to stop by and give my thanks." Bertie said to Michael as he stood to shake his hand
"Not at all, our pleasure actually it turned out we sold more papers than we expected with your feature. So thank you Lord Hexam."
"Anytime, thank you again Mr. Gregson. Edith I'll see you at six." Bertie happily said as Michael watched him walk out the door and turned to Edith
"I'll see you at six? Plans?"
'We're just going to dinner, don't get worked up. He just wants to thank me for writing the article." Edith explained
"Are you sure that's all? He didn't invite me to dinner."
"I know what you're thinking Michael and you're being silly…it's not like that."
"Oh, I think it is, I've been reading your writing for a long time and what you wrote about him or rather the way you wrote about him I can tell that you like him or at least admire him, and why shouldn't you? He seems like a solid sort." Michael explained to a slightly embarrassed Edith
"I do like him, he's a very nice man but to think he's going to start courting me is absurd."
"And why would it be?" Michael quickly challenged
"Because he's very eligible and I'm a…widow with a child for God's sake."
Michael softened then and took a seat next to Edith
"Edith, it's not as if you're covered in black crepe waiting for someone to visit you in an empty house. You have your whole life in front of you, and the truth is you're an attractive woman who is intelligent, independent, caring, and loyal any man would be lucky to have you. Even if he is a rich Marquess." Michael finished with a quick squeeze to her hand as she gave him a watery smile
"Thank you, you can be very sweet when you want to. I just don't know, it feels strange imagining myself in that position after everything." Edith admitted
"You mean everything with Anthony? I didn't know him very well but I think he would want you to be happy, I know if I passed on I'd want Lizzie to find someone who cared for her."
"I know, but it's only been three years. It doesn't seem very long ago, it feels almost…disloyal to even think about someone else." Edith tried to explain
"Edith, it's just dinner. Go out and have a good time, you seem to enjoy his company don't think about it too much."
"You're right, I'm reading too much into it he's just being kind."
"I wouldn't say that but whatever gets you out there."
"I'm lucky to have you Michael, you've always been very good to me." Edith said as she gave Michael a pat on the arm and a sincere smile
"I feel the same way, now go out and have a good time tonight and if he tries anything untoward let me know and if I have to go all the way up to Northumberland to give him a punch in the nose I will."