The flower show was bursting with life. Ladies and gentlemen in white, cream, grey, and black swirled around tables of bright, colorful flowers. Delicate pale purple and white cosmos were gathered in bunches with golden cornflowers. Blooms of bright pink, blue, and white hydrangeas, fragrant lilies, and tall stalks of delphiniums filled the tables. A rainbow of dahlia and zinnia littered the room as well, along with vases of gladiolus, asters, and poppies.
The crowning achievement of the flower show were the roses. There were the saturated pinks of the old garden gallacia rose and the softly petaled, heavily fragranced damask rose. The sweet briar rose, simple tea and mosses roses, and clean, white albas rose were all about. The last of these seemed as if they had jumped from the banner of York itself. All around various colors of roses bloomed, but none were quite as vibrant as the dark bruises under Edith's eyes.
The flowers all seemed to swirl together in Edith's tired eyes. The few hours she was able to rest before Anna woke her had not been enough. Already a pounding headache was beginning to form, and the bright sunshine streaming into the room was hardly helping. It was too cheery a day for her to have such serious matters on her mind.
Thankfully, Edith's family seemed to understand for once. Sybil cast her many concerned looks and gentle "Edie"s before her duties and a certain red haired maid pulled her away. Papa just offered a few gentle pats on the shoulder before leaving her be. Even Cora only offered one comment about "doing what's best" before informing Edith to think, rest, and leave the management of the flower show to her.
The staff seemed to have some idea of the importance of today as well. Anna had seemed particularly tender this morning, and Mrs. Hughes had come up to her on the walk over, asking if there was anything she could do. At the show itself, the staff seemed to be keeping one eye out for her, some for her well being and others purely for gossip. In particular, Carson and Thomas surveyed the community center like army scouts looking for the enemy. Unfortunately for all of them, Evelyn wasn't here.
Edith had wanted to speak to Evelyn as soon as possible. However, a combination of her sleeping in, the flower show, and Evelyn's actions hadn't let that happen. Thomas informed her during a hasty breakfast that he had seen the man hurrying off first thing to Ripon. Not before her father had all but threatened his life if he didn't return, Thomas had assured her smugly. Not that she had been concerned by the idea. As if Evelyn would run now. They clearly didn't know him at all.
With her family busy, the staff watching, and Evelyn gone, Edith was left alone to wander the rows of flowers. She forced a smile, nod, and soft good mornings to the members of the community who passed her. Thankfully, most were easily dismissed with a few pleasantries. Until one stubborn blond came walking her way.
"Good morning," Matthew said, bright blue eyes searching her pale face. "Are you alright?"
"I always am," Edith assured as she forced a polite smile. "And you?"
"Better. I have accepted the inevitable… Are you sure you are alright?"
"Do you doubt me so soon after your apologies."
"No," Matthew said firmly with a shake of his head. "It's just- I heard from Mother that there was some sort of incident last night. With Mary."
"It's nothing to concern you. Mary just… but I'm not supposed to talk about Mary with you, am I?"
Matthew winced. "I deserve that, but it does concern me, Edith. Anything that hurts you does."
"Because we are friends?"
"Yes."
Edith continued to walk down the row of tables. Her hands delicately touched a sprig of cornflowers. Matthew followed, watching and always just a step or two behind.
"Mother said you were engaged to Mr. Napier. Are you?"
"That is the question," Edith muttered.
"And what is the answer?"
Across the room a gathered crowd began to clap as the Dowager Countess crossed the stage. "Welcome, ladies and gentleman, to the Grantham West Yorkshire Flower Show."
"Cousin Matthew?" Edith didn't bother turning around to acknowledge Mary as she approached.
"Lady Mary," Matthew greeted. His voice wasn't quite cold, but a clear distance had formed between them.
"When you ran off last night," Mary said, "I hope you hadn't thought me rude."
"Certainly not, I monopolized you at dinner. I had no right to any more of your time."
"You see, Edith and I had a sort of bet-"
Edith snorted, back still turned. Matthew's voice went from distant to chilly. "Lady Mary, our choices are our own, and I would rather not have anything blamed on another, especially Edith. Be assured you have nothing to apologize to me for last night, but that is not true with her."
"It- it was just a bit of fun, Matthew. Not everything is so serious," Mary defended. Edith stopped a moment to look from the flowers to Matthew. He did not seem pleased.
"Not everything," Matthew agreed sadly before turning away. "I am glad we are on speaking terms. Now, I should look after my mother."
Matthew nodded, sending one last look Edith's way before departing. Edith remained standing still, back turned to Mary, as they watched him go. She wondered, if she pretended to count all the aster flowers, would Mary leave her alone?
"And now, for the first three…" the Dowager's voice could be heard from the stage as she began announcing the winners.
"What did Cousin Matthew speak to you about?" Mary demanded. Edith sighed.
"Marriage."
"Don't be stupid," She hissed.
"I suppose you didn't want him when he wanted you, and now it's the other way around. That's been quite a trend with you recently."
"Matthew couldn't want you."
"No," Edith admitted, turning around to face her sister. "Not when he cares for you so much. And since you have done your best to destroy our reputation and repulse every eligible man in England, I suggest you consider accepting him before you scare him off for good too."
"And I suggest you lock down your dear, sweet Evelyn before he realizes how little you have to offer," Mary snapped back. "Do you really think he will be happy? With you?"
"Are you trying to make me turn him down? Is it because you think you still have a chance with him or do you really not understand what will happen to you if I say no?"
"When has my well being been your concern?"
"Quite often actually. Certainly much more than I would like."
"Then I suggest you start doing what's best for yourself, and let me handle my own affairs," Mary said, swanning past Edith and heading towards the stage.
"Perhaps I will," Edith muttered, turning the opposite way to disappear in the unoccupied booths of flowers. She didn't feel like being pressed in a crowd today or being around people at all really, not in her current state.
At the very back of the hall by a hardly used side door, hidden behind tall vases full to the brim with flowers, Edith was able to hide. Finally no stares or family feuds or people demanding answers, just blessed peace and quiet… Until someone opened the side door and a lone figure slipped inside.
"Evelyn?" Edith asked, cursing herself immediately as the man startled and spotted her ivory walking suit behind the dark greenery.
"Edith," Evelyn breathed, quickly moving to her side into her previously secluded corner. "I was coming to find you."
"Any hope it is just because you missed me and not because of your forced proposal last night?" Edith awkwardly stated. Evelyn looked down in shame.
"I am sorry, Edith."
"No, it's my fault. I shouldn't have said that."
"You are right to. It was sprung on you, and wasn't even done properly. No ring, no romance, I didn't even ask the question."
"At least you got on one knee," Edith joked half heartedly.
"That hardly counts. I want to do it properly if you will let me."
"Evelyn," Edith stopped him. "Do you really want to marry me?"
"Of course I do, Edith."
"Why?"
"Because you are a wonderful woman. You are intelligent and beautiful and-"
"No," Edith interjected. "No, I won't believe it."
"But it's true."
"Even if I do believe it, there are thousands of women in England who are beautiful and smart, Evelyn. Most are even more beautiful and clever than me, and have a bigger dowry and good traits I don't."
"Edith-"
"I don't need you to tell me why I am an option for you to marry. I don't need compliments and words that don't really mean anything. I need to know why, out of all those better candidates, you would choose me."
Evelyn paused, looking her up and down from her strawberry curls to the leather of her shoes. "Do you want to hear the answer from my head or my heart?"
"The head can be the most honest, and the heart the most confusing."
"Then I will tell you my thoughts first," Evelyn nodded. "I came to Downton the first time looking for a wife I could trust. A wife who could one day help me in my career as a diplomat. I needed someone who could charm a room, host events, and speak intelligently on all manner of topics with grace and wit."
"You came for Mary."
"Yes," Evelyn grimaced. "I saw her in London a few times and heard of her even more from acquaintances. She seemed magnanimous enough from reputation alone to be what I needed. She was from a good family, and her letters showed wit and charm. Everything I wanted in a wife."
"But you didn't ask her."
"No. When I met her, Mary showed a surprising lack of decorum. Your sister is wonderfully sociable, when she wants to be, but when people or topics don't interest her she can be…"
"Cruel," Edith finished. "And dismissive."
"I found her wanting in the ways I would want my future wife to be. I had thought to leave, my mission a failure, but then I saw you." Evelyn reached out a hand, pushing back a stray red curl and cupping her face. "You were gracious and kind, showing your cousin the ropes of high society masterfully yet also shooting down any disrespect. You spoke of politics and your well thought opinions with ease, and were more focused on your duties and reputation over advancing your own social status or chasing a pretty face."
"That's easy to do when no one is chasing you either," Edith denied, pulling away and fiddling her hands along the sleeves of her ivory jacket.
"And yet last night you had no trouble putting our conversation and, I hope, enjoyment of the night to the side to help a guest . You showed your ability to connect to people and understanding of complex, obscure topics to protect your family's good name."
"You make it sound so extraordinary," Edith denied. "There isn't anything grand about ignoring your own dinner partner to discuss tractors and harvesters."
"Not to you, because you are a natural hostess, a diplomat. You understand what I do and could help me in so many ways."
"And just how do you expect me to do that?"
"Because you already have, Edith. Do you know how many compliments I received for my "young lady friend" after I brought you to those diplomatic dinners in London? Your sister may charm the young men and short sighted boys, but you made an impression on the movers and shakers of the country. I want that in a wife. I want YOU as a wife."
"I-" Edith began, looking for some other reason among the surrounding flowers but finding none. "I suppose that does make some sense. But Evelyn, that isn't enough. You can't marry me because I am a good investment into your career."
"You are the one who told me to start with the head first," Evelyn said. "Is it so hard for you to believe I care for you?"
"I know you do, Evelyn," Edith said, turning from the overflowing vases to look directly into his eyes. "But do you care for me or do you love me?"
The loud applause across the room signaled the end of the flower show and presentation of the Grantham cup. Edith and Evelyn's eyes didn't waiver from each other.
"Edith," Evelyn murmured. "Do you remember what I said when I first left Downton?"
"Interest is the spark."
"Yes. I didn't expect a fairytale romance, but I did want a woman who found me interesting. Hard though that may be."
"Evelyn-"
"And I wanted someone I was interested in in turn, and I am. I am Interested in your ideas and your poise and your mindset. I wanted a woman, even if I didn't think it possible, I could fall in love with. And I have," Evelyn reached out to grab her hands. "Lady Edith Crawley, I am interested in you. I want you to be my wife. I love you."
Edith felt the breath leave her lungs. The world seemed frozen in that second. Evelyn's chocolate eyes were so determined, so sure as they gazed at her with the same emotion she couldn't name before. It was love. He loved her. Evelyn Napier loved her.
"What if I don't feel the same?" She whispered. "I- I never let myself think you could feel this way. I never let myself…"
"Then I will wait."
"What if I never feel the same?"
"You will."
"How can you be so sure?"
"Because you find me interesting too. And you aren't half as good at hiding your feelings as you would like to think."
"I still need time," Edith said.
"I know, and I am so sorry, my dear. I wanted to court you properly."
"Why can't you?"
"Because I, well- Edith, if that's what you want I will oblige, but I don't think your parents will ever approve of us if-"
"If we aren't engaged now, I know. I'm not saying we shouldn't be engaged, publicly at least, but what if it's not quite that to us," Edith explained quickly. "If we take the time to court while the world thinks we are engaged. I can't marry you, Evelyn, not if I don't love you with my whole heart. But if we have a long engagement, if we court, I think I would. That is, I think I want-"
"You want to be engaged?" Evelyn said, a smile growing on his face. "To me?"
"I don't know, not yet, but I know I want to try. You don't have to, of course," Edith rambled. "I know I am not much to wait for, and you could-"
"I will wait a lifetime if there's a chance you could love me. And if you realize later that you do not, I'll find a way to make it my fault."
"Evelyn," Edith said, gently. "You don't have to do that. You don't have to do any of this."
Saw as
"I want to. I want to give this a chance, us a chance, and so do you."
"Yes," Edith said softly. "Yes, I think I just might."
"Then we must do this properly." In that little corner of the community hall, surrounded by blooming, full hydrangeas, bright roses, and towering delphiniums, Evelyn knelt. As he pulled a small wooden box from his coat he spoke saying, "Lady Edith Crawley, will you give me the honor of becoming my intended?"
"Where did you get a ring?" Edith gasped as he opened the box to reveal a square cut ruby on a golden band surrounded by glittering diamonds.
"I went to Ripon this morning. I told you, I had to do this properly. Do you accept?"
"Even knowing I might reject you later if I don't fall in love with you, you still want to marry me?"
"Yes."
"Then… my answer is the same. Yes, I will accept your ring and your proposal, Mr. Napier."
"Evelyn, my dear. It will always be Evelyn to you."
"Bravo!" Mother cheered. "Well done! Bravo!"
Matthew felt his own lips twist in a smile as Mr. William Molesley went up to collect the Grantham cup from a remarkably kind and humble Cousin Violet. The Crawley women were always full of surprises.
The crowd of people quickly surged forward as the show drew to an end. Many congratulations and praises were aimed towards the Mosleys and Crawleys alike for their flowers and fairness respectively. Mother stood right beside their butler and his father, beaming in pride.
Matthew himself had stood with them, but, as the throng of people grew closer, he slipped away. Under normal circumstances he would go speak to Robert and talk of this last battle between their mothers and its happy ending, but he couldn't with Mary standing right there with her family. Not after last night.
Matthew wanted to believe the best of Mary. Even now, as he quickly hurried to the door to avoid her and the clambering public, he wanted to make light of her words and actions. But what could justify her betrayal?
When he had spoken to Edith last night, things had been much simpler. Both sisters held animosity and assumed the worst of each other in their mutual, petty sibling rivalry. But what was petty about attempting to steal the man the other cared for? What was mutual about one side blaming it on the other as a bet?
For once, Matthew could not justify Mary's actions. Her explanation was possible, but so far from likely it wasn't believable. Not when looking at Edith's pale face and distant stare. Not when her entire future could be at risk. Edith wouldn't risk it all for a bet, but what did he really know of last night?
How Matthew wished he had stayed to see the events unfold instead of hearing them second hand from his mother. Mother never liked Mary, that much was obvious. Her declaration that Mary had made a fool of herself and put Edith's relationship with Napier at risk was biased at best. Especially when she spoke of a possible engagement with a disappointed sign and murmured words wishing he had acted sooner.
But was Edith engaged? Matthew didn't know. He felt like he didn't know anything, he thought as he moved passed tables of flowers toward the side door. He thought Mary was beginning to care for him. He thought he would know if Edith was engaged. He thought-
Matthew froze before the door. A flash of ivory and a shade of red gold he would recognize anywhere was among the flowers. He turned in time to see the couple, one kneeled before the other.
"Then… my answer is the same. Yes," he heard her say. "I will accept your ring and your proposal, Mr. Napier."
"Evelyn, my dear," the man said, kissing her palm before slipping the ring on her finger. "It will always be Evelyn to you."
As Edith and Evelyn stood, staring happily into each other's eyes, neither noticed Matthew as he stared at them too.
"Bravo, Edith," Matthew whispered.
For some reason, while his head meant the words, Matthew felt his heart protest the sight of Edith happily embracing her new fiancee. Matthew silently turned away, opened the door, and left the hall. This moment was between the couple, and he had no right to interfere in their happiness. After all, why would his twisting heart matter? He was a mere hidden watcher in the flowers, always a step or two behind.