Overseeing the preparation for the annual flower show was one of the first times Edith was able to sit back and enjoy the fact she had been reborn into Downton Abbey. Family time with Papa and Sybil was almost always pleasant, and Cora was quick to ask Edith for help as the best daughter with numbers and knowledge of the community. The flowers themselves were spectacular, particularly Mr. Molesley's prized roses, and she found great amusement in watching the banter between Cousin Isobel and the Dowager.

For once nothing was in imminent danger. No drama or issue to intervene in. For once, all issues would sort themselves out nicely even if Isobel visibly doubted Edith's assurances that Grandmother would do the right thing in the end. There were only two flies in the ointment of the peaceful morning.

The first was Matthew. Despite Cousin Isobel's attempts, Edith had not rekindled their friendship. She saw his awkward attempts, the stuttering small talk and lingering glances, and wanted no part in it. She had meddled before and been burned. What was the point of trying again?

The whole morning she could look over and see Matthew laughing and flirting with Mary. For no real reason, it hurt, but she always knew this was the outcome. Edith and Matthew didn't have a close relationship in the show, so why would they now? No, instead, Matthew and Mary would continue on with their tumultuous love affair to the joy and frustration of the whole house. A part of her hoped he would listen to her warnings and she knew deep down she would do what she could to help him get a happy ending, but friendship? She wouldn't , couldn't, without him truly coming to understand her.

The second was Evelyn. He would be arriving by train around tea time. Edith had been thrilled to read his letter, quickly replying that of course he could come without even asking Papa or Cora. A smile had been stuck on her face since. It would be wonderful to meet Evelyn again without the stress of the season or Pamuk. Unfortunately she was not the only person who was looking forward to his arrival.

"Not that necklace, dear," Cora said. "The pearls blend in too well. Perhaps your rose gold necklace would suit better."

"It's a bit much for day wear, Mother," Edith sighed, putting aside the strand of pink pearls to hold up a shorter, gold pearl necklace. "And this dress hardly calls for glamor."

"Yes," Cora said disappointedly, looking up and down at the brown skirt and striped white and tan blouse. The simple linen ensemble had little more than lace to adorn it, and the small string of pearls, while fitting the occasion and Edith's own taste, hardly would make it any more of a show-stopper. "Are you sure you don't want to change, dear? I could call Anna. Perhaps your new amber dress would be-"

"Mother," Edith cut her off, deciding on the gold pearls. "This dress is perfectly fine. We are greeting Evelyn not the King."

"That's just it," Cora replied, a look of concern on her face. "My darling, you can't pretend to not understand why he's choosing to come."

"His father is sick, and he had to come to the country anyway. He's just staying one night, Mother."

"And yet, despite his ailing father, he is taking the time to come see you."

"Downton."

"No, you," Cora corrected. "He is going out of his way to come see you. He cares for you. I wouldn't be surprised if he was coming to make a proposal before his father passes on."

"Mother," Edith sighed. "He isn't. I know he isn't."

"How do you know?"

"Because." Edith stated, fixing ivory combs in her hair. "Why are you so invested anyway? Why are you here? Shouldn't you be with Mary, coaching her on which man to marry?"

"I will tonight. Now, it's your turn."

"That's a first."

Cora froze, face flashing with frustration, guilt, and sadness. Edith looked down at her vanity and refused to look back. Instead she heard Cora rise from the bed and felt hands on her own stiff shoulders as she stood behind her.

"I don't claim to be a perfect mother. Most days, I can't even claim to be a good one. But I love you, all of you. I just want what's best for you all, and for you to be happy. I do that the only way I know how and... that doesn't work for you, my dear strange girl."

"I know you love me. I know I'm too different," Edith nodded, shoulders softening under her mother's hold.

"You're not too different. You're all different. I just understand your differences the least, and that is my fault as your mother. I try to push you towards the life I think you should want, and it's hard to understand what you actually need. I treat you like Mary when-"

"No," Edith stood, brushing her mother's hands off. "You don't treat me like Mary. You treat me lesser than Mary. Because you have expectations, and I fail them."

"They're not my expectations, Edith," Cora defended sadly. "The world has its expectations, and I wanted you to be prepared for them."

"And I wanted a safe home that didn't throw the same judgements at me as the world does. I wanted a mother who looked at me more favorably than the London crowd."

"I do. Edith you're so-"

"Ugly? Plain? Lacking in advantages?"

"Intelligent. And Brave. Don't think, just because I don't say it as much as I should, that I don't see it."

"They just don't compare to Mary's."

"That's not-" Cora protested before a knock sounded at the door. "Yes?"

"Mr. Napier's car is coming up the drive, M'Lady," a maid said. "Mr. Carson said you would want to be informed."

"Yes, thank you. We will be down in a moment." Edith took one last look in the mirror to ensure she was presentable before turning to leave.

"Edith," Cora called gently.

"We don't have time for this, Mother. We will just carry on ignoring it, as we have before."

"No. We won't. I won't let you slip away again."

"For now. It's still my turn as long as you think Evelyn is interested in me. When you realize he isn't, you will be back to Mary."

"Darling-"

Edith didn't wait for the reply. Instead she walked out of the room and down to the front doors of Downton. The servants were lined up in formation to greet the arriving noble, and Papa and Sybil stood by them, waiting for the other members of the family.

"There you are," Papa said. "I was wondering where the devil everyone was. Is your Mama coming down? And Mary?"

"Mother should be just behind me. I don't know where Mary-"

"We're here," Mary's crisp voice cut through the room as she descended the stairs with Cora right beside her. "I felt like I had to change, but it took longer than expected."

Edith was surprised. Nothing had been wrong with the dress Mary had worn that morning. It had looked rather fetching, in fact, but it couldn't compare to this new dress. It was a lovely plum gown that hugged her long legs and emphasized her pale skin. The neckline was lower than expected of daywear, but was made modest by panels of netting filled with blue and purple embroidery creating the shoulders and sleeves and cascading down to the hem of the garment. Mary looked beautiful. More beautiful than Edith expected.

Edith straightened her brown skirt, now thinking perhaps Cora had been right and she should have changed, but it was too late. The car was at the door. With one last sorrowful glance her way, Cora took Papa's arm and led them all out to meet their guest.

Evelyn stepped out as Branson opened his door, appearing as handsome as ever. His deep brown eyes surveyed them all with a kind smile on his face. Edith did her best to return the smile, but it only reached her eyes when his gaze was turned her way. It could have been her imagination, but he seemed just as glad to see her as she was to see him.

"Mr. Napier," Papa greeted, stepping forward to shake his hand. "Good to see you again."

"Welcome back to Downton," Cora smiled.

"Lord and Lady Grantham," Evelyn said, shaking Papa's hand and taking Cora's. "Thank you so much for allowing me to stay on such short notice."

"It's no trouble. In fact, it was quite auspicious. You'll help balance the numbers tonight for our little party, and I know my daughters will be glad to see you," Cora motioned behind her to where Mary, Edith, and Sybil stood, giving them permission to step forward and greet their guest.

"Mr. Napier," Edith said, forcing formality even as she smiled.

"Evelyn," the man corrected, smiling back. "I thought we had agreed to that. Or should I go back to calling you Lady Edith?"

"No, no. Edith is fine. It's just, well, I'm rather nervous for some reason. I don't know why, we are friends after all."

"Yes, friends," Mary said, elongating the word as she stepped forward with an arm outstretched. "I hope we can be friends too, Mr. Napier. Or, can I call you Evelyn as well? You seem to be determined to be a regular guest to my family. That seems a good reason for us to become more acquainted."

"Lady Mary," Evelyn nodded, looking up and down at her figure hugged in her stunning gown. Edith examined the gravel at her feet. "I would be honored if any member of Edith's family were to call me by name."

"Then you must call me Mary."

"And call me Sybil, Mr. Napier. Um, Evelyn," Sybil quickly said. "Any friend of Edith's must be a friend of mine."

"Well," Papa coughed, awkwardly. "Glad that's settled."

"Let's move in. You must be famished, Mr. Napier. Tea is prepared in the library for us," Cora said, guiding the party into the home. Cora and Papa went in first, followed by Sybil. Mary was quick to settle beside Evelyn who in turn slowed to walk beside Edith who followed last.

"I'm so glad we can finally speak again in person," Evelyn murmured. "I was beginning to think I would never return to Downton."

"I'm glad too. I missed our conversations in London."

"Am I more boring in letters than I am in person then?"

"You know you're not. I enjoyed your letters very much, but there's just something about speaking in the flesh that... means more somehow."

"I couldn't agree more ."

"Here we are," Cora chimed as Thomas opened the door to the library. Papa and Cora took two chairs. Sybil took one sofa, and Mary sat on the other. Instinctively, Edith sat with Sybil leaving Evelyn to hesitantly sit opposite her by a charmily smiling Mary. "Now, Mr. Napier, you must tell us how you have been since we last saw you in London. How is your father?"

"Not well, I'm afraid," Evelyn said somberly. "My Mother and I hope it's just some summer sickness, but his doctor suggested I travel home just in case he takes a turn for the worse."

"Oh my, I'm so sorry."

"That's awful," Sybil sympathized. William and Thomas brought in the tea service, and yet, no one moved to grab a cup.

"I can't imagine," Mary agreed, reaching out a hand to comfortingly touch his arm. "That must be quite difficult for you. And yet, you came to see us."

"I made a promise that I would return when I could," Evelyn said stiffly. Mary continued to stroke his arm. Edith wanted to demand she remove it. "I am a man of my word."

"Quite gallant of you, but then you have always been quite the true gentleman, Evelyn. I'm glad you are here."

"I'm sure, we all are. EDITH particularly," Sybil said sternly. She and Cora were staring daggers at Mary. Papa and Evelyn just seemed uncomfortable.

"How has your work been?" Edith asked, reaching out to make herself a cup of the dark English tea. It wasn't her favorite, but at least it would give her the excuse she needed to justify the faces she would be making this evening. Must Mary flirt so openly with Evelyn? Couldn't she let Edith have an hour with her friend focused on her?

Thankfully, Evelyn didn't yet seem to be enraptured by Mary's charms, and was more than happy to discuss his diplomatic work with her. A few days before he left, Albanian independence was recognized by the London Conference. Evelyn hated he had to leave so soon after, but family comes first.

"Here, here," Papa cheered, holding up his teacup like a flute of champagne.

Mary, of course, took the opportunity to ask him about his family. Asking after their health. Asking if his cousins, Katherine and Edmund, would be summoned to his estate as well. Asking if his mother was as enamored with Rutland Boughton's composition The Immortal Hour as she was with The Birth of Arthur during the time they wrote back and forth.

Edith didn't know Evelyn's mother liked opera. It took a minute to even remember her name, Viscountess Eleanor Napier. Evelyn rarely talked about his family in his letters. Should he have? Should she have asked? Shouldn't Edith know something about his family beyond a vague recollection of names and off hand comments she put no effort into remembering?

Mercifully, Sybil drug the conversation towards social issues and politics. For once, neither Cora or Papa scolded her for it, and let them have a good debate on the issues of the day. The vote in particular came into question with Edith and Sybil radically for it with Evelyn and Mary showing more tepid support.

"It should come, will come, with time," Evelyn agreed. "But we must do so at the right time. Such a change will radically change the system, and I don't know how prepared England is for that. At least a quarter of the country still vehemently opposes the idea."

"No one is ever truly prepared for change," Edith argued. "And those against the right to vote entirely will continue to invent reasons why it is inconvenient. We can't stall progress because a minority would rather live in the past."

"It's easy for you to say," Mary tutted. "You two are clearly... invested in politics. And I am confident I, as an educated woman, could vote with competence, but that doesn't mean the majority of women have the ability to vote logically as a man would. Wouldn't you agree, Evelyn?"

"There are certain gaps in education and political knowledge that would have to be addressed. There some talk about restrictions on the vote for that reason. A higher age, social class, marital status, and the like," Evelyn admitted.

"What nonsense!" Sybil cried.

The next hour was spent between political discussions and polite small talk when Cora regained control of the conversation. Sybil was more spirited then she had been in a while, clearly gaining a voice to speak even around Papa and Cora. Mary too was in a different state than normal.

Usually, Mary dismissed Edith and Sybil's political debates, brushing them off as beneath her or that she was too busy with her own life to care. Now, she seemed particularly invested and opinionated, and what she didn't have an opinion on she asked Evelyn about and generally saw his side of things.

Eventually, the dressing gong sounded. It was a bit earlier than usual in order to prepare for the arriving dinner guests. As the sisters slipped up stairs, Sybil began to whisper.

"Mary," Sybil hissed. "Stop it."

"Stop what, darling?"

"You know what! So please, stop. He's Edith's."

"Is he? I didn't see a ring."

"Mary, you know-"

"Sybil," Edith said. "She isn't doing anything wrong. If he wants Mary, he wants Mary. There is nothing wrong with that. I don't own him."

"But-"

"No. I understand that you and Mother believe he is courting me, but he doesn't feel the same. I don't want his intentions misconstrued and character misaligned because of assumptions."

"Edie-" Sybil protested.

"There," Mary triumphed, a pleased smile creeping across her face like a cat who got the cream. "No problems then. We shall just see which one of us he likes best."

Edith smiled back wanly, more like the mouse the cat had cornered. The winner of that challenge would be obvious. But then, Edith had known that from the start. The real question now was how this would affect the new relationship between Matthew and Mary. What would Matthew do if Mary and Evelyn became engaged? Would he still leave feeling betrayed or would he stay as he and Mary hadn't truly started a relationship? Maybe it would have been better if she had never begun this relationship with Evelyn.

Edith thought of that as Anna helped her dress in a tunic gown made of draped sage organza. Sybil dressed with her in her own evening gown, seemingly wanting to be close. She didn't say anything, but Edith could tell she wanted to. Eventually, Sybil had to return to her room for jewelry and gloves, leaving Edith to wait in the hallway alone.

Edith paced back and forth as she thought. Would Evelyn even want to propose to Mary? Would it be out of duty to quell the rumors or because he truly cared for her? Where did that leave Edith if he did? She had long ago accepted the most likely course for her would be to become the next Aunt Rosamund, but if all the doors in London were slammed in her face due to the rumors-

"I don't see why you care," Mary said. It took Edith a moment to realize she had stopped before Mary's room, the door open just a crack. "Isn't this what you wanted? Me married off before rumors tarnish me forever?"

"I want both you AND Edith to marry." Cora sounded frustrated. "Mr. Napier came for her."

"And yet, she is perfectly willing to let me have him if I want him. Does it matter who he chooses as long as it is one of us? I'm sure you have some other match lined up."

"I had thought to ask you to look after Sir Anthony Strallan tonight."

"Ha, that old booby?" Mary scoffed.

"He's a nice, decent man. His position may not be quite like your Papa's, but it would still make you a force for good in the county."

"It sounds like he is perfect for Edith then."

"Mary," Cora scolded.

"Honestly, Mama, I turned down Matthew Crawley, is it likely I'd marry Strallan when I wouldn't have him?"

"I'm glad you've come to think more highly of Cousin Matthew."

"That's not the point."

"No, the point is, when you refused Matthew, you were the daughter of an Earl with an unsullied reputation. Now, you are damaged goods."

"Mama!" Mary cried in hurt and dismay.

"It doesn't matter what is true and what is false. You and Edith must marry soon or every door in London will be slammed in your face. I don't want both of my daughters destroyed due to slanderous gossip.

There was a lull in conversation. For a moment Edith thought to move away when Mary's voice came again, sharp and cold. "So that's it then, your grand plan is for Edith to get Viscount Evelyn Napier, and I'm left with Strallan."

"If you truly won't take Matthew then yes. It's for the best."

"For Edith maybe. Leave me to manage my own affairs, Mama. I will marry whomever I choose, Napier or otherwise, and you can fix up Edith with Strallan or whatever else could possibly want her. She said herself that Napier won't have her."

"You mustn't be unkind to Edith. She has fewer opportunities than you do."

"Fewer? She has none at all."

"I think I'm ready to go down," Sybil's voice suddenly called from down the hallway. "Although, I don't know if this necklace... Edith? Are you alright?"

"Of course, I'm always alright," Edith said, quickly turning from the door to look at a concerned Sybil. "Are you ready to go down?"

"Yes..." Sybil said worriedly. "Do you want to wait for Mama and Mary?"

"Let's not. I believe they will be another moment, and I would like to speak with Evelyn before dinner." Before Mary takes him away.

"Aright, Edie," Sybil agreed, leading them down the hallway to the grand staircase and then down to the library where all and Evelyn waited. Like the lovely sister she was, Sybil began a conversation with Papa that allowed Evelyn and Edith a few moments alone before guests, Cora, and, most dreaded of all, Mary arrived.

As Edith spoke to Evelyn, it was hard to imagine him with Mary on his arm. And yet, it was even harder to imagine anyone else. What was easy to imagine was herself, standing on the sidelines as he married another. Wasn't he engaged to another girl during the show?

Could Edith be happy for him? She hoped so. Would she be undeservingly sad about it? Maybe. What was certain now, was how Sybil and Cora and most of the house would look at her. The pity, the scorn, the expected disappointment. She was, after all, the lesser sister. The sister never destined to get the man. The one who had to work for any admiration she received, and even then was easily looked over for others. She was, now and perhaps forever, poor Edith.