Patrick grabbed Edith's hand and once again they jumped through time and space. Now instead of within Downton, they were at its nearby grounds, in a snowy night Edith recognized very well. It wasn't Christmas, not exactly, but winter was starting to show, and snow already gathered on trees. Not enough to make them uncomfortable, but enough for the younger Edith to desire a coat, instead of the thin, flowy, albeit old fashioned, garb she had been wearing at the time. It was December 1911, the last time Edith had seen Patrick during the latter's life. That she knew of with certainty. She hadn't dared to ask, but did have a nagging feeling the disfigured man she encountered was indeed Patrick.
"Edith, you know we can't, and you know why!" The younger Patrick had said
"Doesn't make it fair" her more jovial self muttered "Your father, my father, Mary, it's all so unfair"
"Life's unfair, my precious Edith" He came down to kiss her hand "Had it not been, you'd be the one getting all the attention. You deserve it most"
"Quit flattering me! You don't fool me for a second!"
"You know I have to marry your sister; it's how it must go"
"Says who?!"
"Both of our sets of parents" He sighed "Listen, I want this as much as you do. But we can't marry, and it's time we accept it. We were never meant to be!"
"Well, we can still be together. People do it all the time, just refuse to admit it. Especially in the aristocracy"
"I know better than to tarnish your reputation and your soul with such horrible acts; painting you as a homewrecker in the eyes of God would not be wise"
"You've never been the religious sort before now..." She pronounced cynically
"Edith, it would be immoral of me to hold you in an adulterous relationship with me and restrain you from finding a more fulfilling and suitable relationship" He said, teary-eyed.
"You know what I think?! I think you're making excuses! She's wrapped you under her spell too, you're just a bit more subtle about it!" The younger redhead declared
"Edith, trust me, this is for the best. You'll thank me one day." He said solemnly, holding back his own tears, walking away from Edith, the redhead lying in the snowy ground, crying.
The current Edith shivered, and Patrick held her closely
"Admittedly, this is my fault. But you have to admit you've come quite a long way from that. You're strong, Edith. On your own way, like I've said. And now it's time for us to part. There are others who wish to talk to you"