"Lovely day for it." Edith simply said to Bertie as they made their way through one of London's lush parks
"Yes, we lucked out. And thank you for coming I know you don't exactly jump to visit London, but I just think that it's …I don't know-"
"Easier to be here, without all the formalities and families. It's so relaxing just to go to dinner with one other person and spend the day ambling around a park." Edith cut in
"Beautifully said, you really do have a talent with words." Bertie told her impressed that she managed to say exactly what he was thinking
"You're wrong though, I did find myself looking forward to coming here this time. I suppose you're to thank for that."
"Do you mean that?" Bertie asked as he snuck his hand into Edith's
"Yes, it's been a while since I was excited to be here. Michael and Lizzie are my friends of course but they have their own lives obviously and that really make up for the train ride every few weeks. But I'm having a nice time now, I really am." Edith answered as she stepped closer to Bertie and let her hand rest in his
"Good, I'm very glad." Bertie told her with a sincere smile
"Bertie, before I forget did you say anything to my mother when you were at Downton?"
"Not anything I can remember beyond just pleasant conversation, if you recall I mostly spent my time with you. Did she say something? Does she not approve of me?" Bertie teased as he brushed Edith's thumb with his
"She thinks you're very charming, but she seems to be on to us and I just wondered if you had said something."
"I don't remember but it's probably my fault I didn't exactly practice subtlety and Lady Grantham seems like the observant type, you're not ashamed of me are you?" Bertie said with another teasing smile
"Of course not, granted you're an awful bridge partner but you have other qualities make up for it."
"Thank you for seeing my positive qualities, here let's take a seat." Bertie motioned toward a bench under a tree as Edith followed.
"You do have many, whether you'll admit it or not..." Edith told him as he lifted his arm to rest across the back and curl into Edith's shoulder "…you know if anyone sees us cozied up like this there might be a scandal."
"If you want I can move further down and give us a more respectable distance."
"I didn't say that, I was just letting you know what you might be getting yourself into." Edith warned and despite the potentially gossipy position she was in felt very happy and comfortable sharing the bench with Bertie
"I'm fully aware. Edith I want you to know that I'm serious about you, I'm starting to have deep feelings for you and if I'm honest I hope you feel at least a little bit of the same." Bertie quietly told her shifting his body to face her more directly
Edith smiled at him at first, appreciative of his honesty and direct way of telling her how he felt
"I'm starting to have those feelings, it's still a bit difficult for me so I hope you can be patient."
"I know and I will be. I hope you can feel comfortable enough with me to tell me if you're ever feeling hurried because I'd hate for you to feel that way."
"You've been very good so far, much more than any other man would be I suspect. I know I'm asking a lot but I feel so lucky to have met you." Edith told him looking into his eyes with a shy smile on her face
"Me too, very lucky." Was the only thing Bertie said as they sat closely together in a secluded area of the park and Bertie slowly brought his free hand up to gently lift Edith's chin toward his
Edith had wondered if she and Bertie would get to this point, even if she would ever get to this point with another man at all. But it felt expected and easy and she closed the distance between Bertie's lips and hers and they lingered for a moment until the kiss broke naturally and they both smiled at each other
"I've been wanting to do that for a while, I hope I didn't overstep my boundary." Bertie admitted as he took Edith's hand in his again
"No, you didn't at all I'd actually be open to it again if you're so inclined." Edith smiled up at him with a flirty look in her eye
"I think I'll always be very much inclined."
"Oh, you're back." Edith heard over her shoulder and looked to see Mary entering the library
"Yes, just got in an hour or so ago. Michael wants me to write an extra column this month so here I am."
"Michael's clever, he probably can guess you'll be going to London a bit more frequently now and he might as well get some production out of it." Mary cooly reasoned as she took a seat and Edith only gave her a tight smile in response
"So did he wine and dine you?" Mary added
"We had a very nice time, no need to get all worked up there was nothing out of the ordinary."
"I wouldn't call the way he was fawning over you last week ordinary and now you're being whisked off to London? If I didn't know any better I'd say the two of you are a bit of an item." Mary stated with another one of her raised eyebrows
"It's amazing how interesting my life seems to be to everyone in this house." Edith said trying to dodge the topic
"It's not everyday we have a Marquess sniffing around." Mary shot back
"Or a racecar driver for that matter." Edith returned
"The difference is I'm not shy about Henry, you get very timid anytime Bertie is brought up but when he was here you two were practically inseparable. He's not just something casual for you is he?"
Edith set her papers aside and knew that her sister wouldn't stop until she got a satisfactory answer
"No, not at all. I didn't think I'd find this again, but here we are. I think I can be happy with him given some time and patience on his part."
"You're that sure about him? Already?"
"We're not exactly planning the wedding but we're not just out for a good time either. Others might be able to run through men but that's never been me."
"I hope that wasn't directed at me." Mary haughtily said as Edith smiled
"Not entirely but you've always had a talent for attracting a pool of men, no reason why you shouldn't take advantage of it." Edith explained
"It does pass the time, but you've managed to find the good ones. I thought Anthony was a bit dull at first but I turned out to be pleasantly surprised."
"Anthony enjoyed your little friendship those last few months and I was surprised as anyone else." Edith said as she remembered the unexpected connection her husband and sister developed first over estate modernization then genuine friendship
"Yes, Bertie reminds me of him a bit, not flashy but decent with a good heart. My God Edith I think you have a type."
Edith smiled at the comparison and replied
"Maybe I do, he likes you, you know. He thinks you're very clever when it comes to estate management."
"That's good to hear, I like him too if that means anything." Mary said proud that someone recognized all her hard work on the estate
"It does, I'd rather not go back to us sniping at each other and you and Bertie getting along makes things easier should it get to that point."
"I thought you said you weren't planning the wedding?"
"We're not and don't you start either."