Bertie quietly worked his way through his breakfast with his mother sitting next to him. It had been about a week since Edith left and Bertie hadn't heard anything from her and struggled everyday to not call her or send a note.

And everyday his mother would ask "Have you heard from Lady Edith yet?" and everyday he would tell her he didn't and she would respond the same way "Well I'm sure she is just busy, you'll hear from her soon best not to disturb her."

Mrs. Pelham was also anxiously awaiting word from Edith, hopefully one that would end things between her and Bertie finally. She was keeping a close eye on Bertie this week he was definitely in a drab and worrisome mood, and she would be thankful once the both of them could put Edith Strallan behind them and move on to something more productive. In fact she already had some young women in mind that she thought would be perfect to introduce to Bertie once he had a few weeks to sulk.

"What do you have planned today Mother?"

"Nothing much, I'll run into the village later. What about you dear?"

Bertie took his time answering as he dreaded the prospect of another day constantly worrying about Edith

"I just have to figure out which cottages are worth repairing, that's all."

"Have you gotten word from Lady Edith yet?"

"No I have not. I'm getting worried, I thought about sending a note to Mr. Branson just to see if there is anything I can do."

"She's probably fine, I just think-"

"I know what you think, Mother. There'll be no harm in contacting Mr. Branson." Bertie sharply answered

Mrs. Pelham didn't respond but hoped Edith would hurry up and do what she needed to do, of course Bertie would be hurt but it would be best in the long run, for all parties involved, really.

The butler came in with the morning post and Mrs. Pelham saw the same look in Bertie's face that she had seen for the past week, guarded optimism hidden behind a need to appear detached to people around him.

Bertie accepted the small pile of letters meant for him and shuffled through looking for familiar handwriting and Mrs. Pelham saw his eyes widen as he settled on a particular envelope.

After a whole week of waiting and hoping for any word from her and questioning if he really should give her the space his mother said she needed Bertie finally recognized Edith soft feminine handwriting and had to keep himself from ripping it open. He set the other letters aside and although he could feel his mother's eyes watching him he quickly opened the letter and began to read.

Bertie,

I have to apologize for my behavior last week, it was rude and inconsiderate however at the time I felt the need to be alone with my thoughts and could only do that at Downton. I also apologize for taking so much time in writing you, but there was a great deal I had to consider and I wanted to make sure I made the appropriate decision and used the right words.

Our time together is something I'll always cherish but I won't be able to see you anymore. As you know from the outset I was unsure if pursuing another relationship would be wise I've realized that continuing further would only end up hurting both of us. I think it's wise if we stop now before becoming more attached to one another.

This has been extremely hard for me to write but I hope you can understand and accept my decision. I believe you will make someone very happy one day and I wish you nothing but the best moving forward and hope to remain your friend.

Best Wishes
Edith

Robert looked over the top of his morning paper to see Edith picking at her food and looking downcast, he appreciated that Edith still joined him for breakfast. Once Mary was married she followed the custom of a married woman taking breakfast in bed almost religiously but from what Edith said she even joined Anthony in the dining room at Locksley for breakfast. Robert was happy to hear that Edith preferred to get a running start on the day because it meant when she moved back to Downton he could start his day off with her again. There was Tom of course but he tended to spend his mornings with Sybbie then straight to the estate office.

The thing that pained Robert the most when all his girls went off to get married is that one by one they ended up missing from breakfast table and he was ashamed to say he took it for granted when all his girls were there with him to start the day

"Are you feeling all right Edith?" Robert softly asked as Edith tapped her finger on the edge of her fork and didn't seem to hear him

"Edith?...Edith?" Robert had to raise his volume in order for Edith's head to snap up

"Yes, sorry Papa I was miles away."

"Are you all right?"

"I just had trouble sleeping last night, that's all." Edith told him giving a weak smile

Robert didn't believe her for a second, she had been moody and distracted the whole week, ever since she had rushed back from Brancaster for some reason. Edith never was able to hide her emotions for very long in stark contrast to Mary, at times Robert marveled at how different the two of them were. He thought he'd never be really able to tell how Mary felt until she came out and told him, Edith on the other hand was always unable to hide her disappointment or pain from the time she was a little girl to the woman sitting across from him right now

"Carson, would you go sort out some more toast these have gone cold." Robert said over his shoulder with a pointed look, Carson dutifully nodded and quickly left the room

"Edith, you've been a bit off ever since you came back from Brancaster, I hope Bertie hasn't upset you."

Edith was almost relieved at what her father said, the whole week she had been trying to figure out what to do with Bertie she was short and sullen with almost everyone in her family. Mary had become frustrated and chose to ignore her until her mood improved, Cora had been distracted by new developments at the hospital so she hadn't gotten the chance to really observe how distracted Edith had been. But Robert had sat through a nearly wordless breakfast all week, observed Edith choosing to spend solitary time in the garden rather than take tea with the family and saw go to her room early after dinner every night.

"No he hasn't upset me, I told you he's been nothing but a perfect gentlemen…" Edith quickly defended him but took a moment to admit to her father what was really bothering her "…but I sent a letter yesterday where I broke with him. He's reading it right now I imagine and I'm not quite sure I made the right choice."

"You broke with him?"

"I know you liked him very much, and I did too but…" Edith didn't know exactly how to finish the sentence, she wasn't even sure she made the right decision

"I do like him but I think you know that I care for you a great deal more, what made you end it with him?"

"His mother had a conversation with and mentioned some things that I hadn't really considered or tried to ignore."

"Such as?" Robert asked becoming concerned at what Mrs. Pelham had said to Edith to change her mind about Bertie so completely

"That Bertie will always be in Anthony's shadow, and that it wouldn't be fair to him for us to continue on."

"Do you think that's true?"

"I could never forget about Anthony, I know that's true and I would hate for things to progress and Bertie end up resenting me so I suppose she is right." Edith said with a defeated tone in her voice that nearly made Robert's blood boil

"Oh, is she?"

Edith had nothing to say to Robert's challenge and wasn't sure if she wanted someone to support her decision or talk her out of it

"Did Bertie ever bring up these concerns with you? Was he ever jealous of Anthony?"

"No, actually he was always very supportive and understanding, kind even." Edith admitted beginning to see a different logic

"I would expect as much from him…" Robert confidently said "…Edith may I ask you something?"

"Yes, Papa I care for Bertie very much." Edith guessed

"I think I knew that but I was going to ask, when you were married to Anthony did he ever bring up Lady Maud?"

"Not often, but sometimes. I was usually the one to ask him about her."

"And why was that?" Robert continued to ask

"Because I loved him and wanted to know all about him, even the things that happened before we met." Edith answered and her own situation becoming shockingly clear in an instant

"And did you ever feel jealous of Lady Maud?"

Edith thought back to her time with Anthony and the occasional times they would speak about his first wife, the only thing Edith was jealous of was the fact that Maud had Anthony when he was a younger man but otherwise she just felt sympathetic for his loss and grateful that she had the chance to be married to him

"Maybe at times but it didn't matter because I was with Anthony and I was happy." Edith thoughtfully said with a smile toward her father

"And you were happy because you loved each other, isn't that right?" Robert asked her, pleased that Edith seemed to seeing sense

"Yes Papa, and you don't have to ask. I'm having those feelings towards Bertie and I think, well I'm actually fairly certain that he cares for me in that way." Edith told him with the realization apparent in her face

"Well, it seems like you've got yourself in a pickle as your American grandmother would say."

"Oh Papa, I think I've made a huge mistake. He'll never forgive me." Edith worriedly said with Robert already thinking she might be overreacting

"Mistakes can be corrected darling, it's nothing a frank conversation can't sort out. Just be honest with him."

Edith tossed her napkin on the table and quickly stood up

"I should probably go call him." Edith stated looking for confirmation from Robert and still in a bit of a daze

"I think that would be a good start, give him my regards if you remember." Robert said as Edith walked behind his chair then quickly turned to give him a kiss on the cheek

"Thank you Papa, you're wonderful."

Bertie slunk back into his chair confused and defeated, he knew Edith felt some uneasiness about jumping into another relationship but he thought they both had handled it well. He tried to be supportive and understanding and he thought Edith was quite honest with him about it she had even said she was happy with where they were.

"Who is that from?" His mother's question brought Bertie out of his thoughts

"Edith."

"And what did she say?" Mrs. Pelham asked with a certain edge to her voice

With his head still swimming Bertie blurted out

"She doesn't want to see me anymore apparently."

Bertie thought he saw a slight smile appear at the corner of his mother's mouth but she quickly put on a sympathetic face and told him

"It's probably for the best dear, I'm just upset it seems she took up so much of your time. Don't dwell on it too much, there are plenty of fish in the sea after all."

"I can't understand how we went from being perfectly happy during her visit to her breaking with me within a week." Bertie stated remembering the time they spent with each other and how he began to consider when a good time to propose would be

"Women can be fickle Bertie, and only other women can really understand their character. After a while I'll find some decent young women for you that you can seriously think about." Mrs. Pelham told him with an encouraging smile

"Little early for that don't you think?" Bertie sarcastically asked as he rose from the table

"I'm just as upset as you are for Lady Edith wasting your time but you're still a catch and deserve a good wife."

"I'm going for a walk." Bertie announced not ready to even think about spending time with someone else

A few moments after Bertie left a footman appeared and caught Mrs. Pelham's attention

"A phone call for Lord Hexam, I can run out and still catch him Mam, it seems urgent."

"Who is it?"

"Lady Edith, from Downton Abbey, Mam."

Mrs. Pelham looked to see the nervous footman awaiting instruction, he was good at his job the servants had to have gathered that there was something going on between Edith and Bertie and they of course all knew how she rushed out and also heard how Bertie had been waiting all week to hear from her.

"It won't be necessary, in fact tell her that her calls won't be accepted here anymore and don't breathe a word of it to his Lordship or anyone else for that matter."

"Are you sure Mam?"

"Yes I am and I'd hate to have to start looking for a new footman." Mrs. Pelham snapped.

A/N: Whoooaaa you guys sure don't like Mrs. Pelham and I guess this chapter won't make it any better, sorry!