The Crawley family filed back inside after seeing the Pelhams off, Mary and Tom were preparing to go the estate office, Robert went off to the library to catch up on correspondence and Cora caught Edith before she went to go upstairs
"Edith would you come into my study for a moment? I just need to ask your opinion on something."
Edith nodded her agreement and followed her mother
"So did you enjoy our guests this weekend?" Cora asked as she shut the door behind Edith
"Yes, it's always nice to have new conversation. Mrs. Pelham can have her moments but there are worse people in the world I suppose."
"Lord Hexam seemed to enjoy his time, he was quite occupied with you." Cora simply stated as she took a seat next to Edith on the settee
"Mama what did you really want to ask me about?" Edith suspiciously asked
"Well, it's just that he seems to like you a great deal and you don't exactly appear put off by him."
"I get enough teasing by Mary about this don't tell me you want in on it as well." Edith sharply told her
"No, no my dear it's not that at all…" Cora said as she shifted toward Edith and grabbed her hand "…it's just that this is the first time you've spent time with a man since Anthony passed and I wanted to make sure you're comfortable with it."
"Did you have a conversation like this with Mary when her men first came calling?" Edith defiantly asked
"Darling, you and your sister are very different people so no I did not. I know that you are more sensitive and have taken a bit more time mourning, and there is nothing wrong with that."
"I'm sorry Mama I didn't mean to snap. It's been confusing honestly, I like Bertie and spending time with him but when we aren't together I feel almost guilty."
'"Oh, Edith…" Cora sighed as she brought her in for a hug "…You know I'm going to tell you that you don't have to feel that way."
"I know, it's silly but I can't seem to help it."
"It's not silly, you were a very good wife to Anthony but I feel like I have to tell you he would hate thinking that he was holding you back from anything, and I think you know that too."
"I do. But I suppose I'm worried that I'll get too involved and he'll move on when he realizes he could have his pick of anyone." Edith admitted
"Lord Hexam doesn't strike me as a young man who is careless with his attentions, besides I think you're a catch, I know I'm your silly Mama but he'd be lucky to have you."
"Thank you, I know you're supposed to say that but thank you. Do you really think that about him?"
"I think he is a very nice young man who seems to be fascinated by you, and it looks like he makes you happy, and you know I only want to see you happy and taken care of."
Edith blushed at what her mother said and the accuracy of it
"He wants to meet me in London next week. I told him I would call him with an answer later tonight."
"You can't go through life being afraid of getting hurt, it's no way to live. I hope you'll end up going."
"You're right Mama and I'm trying."
"I know you are and even though you are a wonderful mother and grown woman you'll always be my baby." Cora said as she held Edith's cheek
"I hope so, and thank you for everything."
Bertie settled into his train carriage hoping the journey would go quickly, he felt a bit guilty about some things he left undone at Brancaster. Although Edith was a welcomed distraction she did tend to take his mind off certain things.
His mother settled across from him and as soon as the train began to lurch forward she wasted no time in speaking her mind
"You and Lady Edith seemed to be chummy this weekend, and here I thought she was done writing about you."
Bertie looked up from his paper to see her with a challenging look on her face
"She's an interesting woman, why wouldn't I want to get to know her?"
"I'm sure she seems very cosmopolitan to you but I hope you won't go leading her down the garden path, or let her lead you for that matter."
"That's not my intention at all, and it certainly isn't hers." Bertie shortly said hoping his mother would drop the subject
"I suppose a friendship with her does have it's advantages, she could introduce you to someone worth your time, raise your profile a bit."
"Are you saying she isn't worth my time?" Bertie shot back taking the bait
"Bertie, you can't be serious. She's a perfectly nice person from a decent family but you know just as well as I do she's simply not an option for you."
"I don't agree at all. There is no reason why she wouldn't be, like you said she's from a good family, she has her own source of income so she's certainly not a gold digger. You have no reason to think she is unsuitable."
"I certainly do and it's staring you right in the face, but you refuse to see it for some reason." Mrs. Pelham fired back
"I only see a remarkable woman who I enjoy spending time with."
"Would you like me to say it? Fine, she's…used up Bertie. Do you really want to take on someone's child, live in another man's shadow for the rest of your life when you could have your pick of any young woman? I hope you can see that she views you as an opportunity to find security for her daughter and move up the social ladder without giving you much in return. Not to mention her career as a journalist, her mother may not see anything wrong with it but what can you expect from an American?"
"You really can be quite ignorant when you want to be mother." Bertie bitterly told her
"The only thing I'm doing is looking out for your future, I hope you can appreciate that at least."
"And what about my happiness in the future? Would you prefer I waste my life being miserable with some woman as long as I marry her in her first season?" Bertie asked her with obvious frustration in his voice
"I hate to ruin any romantic dreams but people in your position marry for more than just love, you have to be smart about this."
"Mother, I doubt we'll ever agree on this so I'll just say that I'm beginning to care for Edith a great deal, and I'll be the only one to make decisions about my future, whether it has to do with marriage or anything else." Bertie strongly told her as he set his paper aside
"I just think that-"
"I think I've made myself clear, and I won't discuss it further. I'll be in the dinning car." Bertie cut her off as he opened the door and left his mother worried about her who her son was choosing to spend his time with.
DunDunDun, can't have all smooth sailing can we? Thanks so much for all your wonderful reviews! Happy to see that people are enjoying this!