Edith hadn't expected to smile as much as she did that night. She had thought she would stumble, whether over her awkward words or her own clumsy feet. She thought she would receive the typical dismissal from the neighboring lords and backhanded "compliments" from the ladies. Likely some comment over her hair which, dispite the swirling rumors in London, she still kept in her "provocative" fifties glam hairstyle. Perhaps she shouldn't have, but she needed something to give her confidence tonight.
But perhaps Evelyn would judge her hair or her penciled eyes. Perhaps he would rather speak to Mary, and find Edith less interesting than she was in their letters. Edith had steeled herself for the expected forced small talk, stagnant pauses, and lingering glances across the table toward Mary, but it didn't happen.
Instead, Evelyn never left Edith's side. He responded politely to others, but never attempted to join another's conversation. He encouraged her to finish her thoughts when others spoke over her. He asked questions and sought her opinion even for discussions that most would dismiss her with or soon lose interest in. Evelyn's hand always rested gentlemanly on her arm. His tongue was quick to offer a compliment, a praise, a comment of admiration, and, slowly, Edith felt all doubt and insecurity melt away. Even when Mary chose to saunter their way.
"Evelyn," Mary smiled, swirling her glass by its stem in a delicate grip. She looked marvelous, a vision of scarlet and gold.
"Lady Mary," Evelyn greeted with a stiff nod.
"Just Mary will do. We are friends after all. Are we not?"
"Of course, but you must forgive me, Lady Mary. I find it quite hard to address a woman by her Christian name if we do not share a particularly… meaningful relationship."
"Oh?" Mary crooned, her smile stretching tighter on her face. "Were our letters not particularly meaningful, Evelyn?"
"They held great meaning, at the time, but I believe our letters petered out after my last visit to Downton. Around the same time I began writing to Edith."
"And your meaningful relationship with her started."
"Precisely." Evelyn smiled, but his usual warmth wasn't present. Mary continued to swirl her glass, clearly displeased. Edith looked back and forth between them, uncertain what the nature of their words or if she should interfere.
"I- I'm glad you put so much importance on our conversations, Evelyn," Edith said. "I value them as well."
"I know you do. It's one of the many reasons I feel the same," Evelyn replied, his smile finally reaching his eyes.
"Well then, I must try harder to prove differently, and show you how… meaningful I find our relationship to be," Mary said. Her tongue rolled over the word meaningful in a way that caused Edith's stomach to roll, and not with the giddy butterflies Evelyn's smile did.
"Dinner is served, My Lord," Carson's voice echoed out. Soon followed by Cora and Papa motioning them all to follow through to the dining room.
"Edith, may I escort you?" Evelyn asked, even though she had already moved to lock her arm with his.
"Of course," Edith accepted, feeling Mary's glare on her as she did so. "Mary, didn't Mother want you to go to Sir Anth-"
"I must go find Matthew," Mary snapped, swirling away. "Goodness knows he needs the help."
Edith watched Mary walk past Sir Anthony, who tried and failed to catch her attention, without a glance. Instead she strutted straight to Matthew and instantly captured his attention.
"Poor man," Evelyn sighed, turning them both to begin their walk to dinner. "He certainly does need help."
"Matthew isn't that hopeless at these sorts of parties," Edith protested. "He did well enough in London."
"I don't mean to insult him. I have quite enjoyed his company the few times we have spoken, but…. Well, his recent actions are quite far from the man I met in London.
"I must apologize if my letters left such a bad impression of him to you. That was never my intention."
"No, no, it's not a fault of yours. It's his actions and his clear… preferences that are to blame," Evelyn said, glancing back at Mary and Matthew who now walked together behind them. "He truly cares for her."
Edith turned as well as they reached the dining room. They both appeared quite happy as they spoke and smiled. "As does she. Although, she tries not to show it."
"Hmm," Evelyn hummed doubtfully. "I hope you are right, for his sake. Otherwise, I stand by my statement that he is a poor man that does certainly need help." Evelyn pulled out her chair as they both reached the table. "Now, let us return to our previous conversation, before Lady Mary interrupted us. You mentioned the orphanage. Has Lady Mary or Lady Sybil been able to help you at all or are you a solo act once again?"
"Well…" Edith began, a blush rising in her cheeks. She was glad that he was her partner if only for the evening. Cora was merciful and did not order them to turn for several of the first courses, allowing Edith and Evelyn to continue their conversation through dinner. She wasn't fool enough to not understand exactly why Cora was doing it, but she was grateful all the same. Across the table, Mary looked decidedly less so.
When Edith recalled herself watching this episode in her last life, faded and blurry though the memory was, she remembered thinking of it as romantic. It was the first instance Matthew and Mary seemed a suited couple enjoying each other's company, and Mary's sarcasm and sass seemed truly amusing and lighthearted. In person, watching Mary snub an increasingly aware Sir Anthony, it seemed far from amusing.
It was strange watching the man knowing that, if the original Edith was present, this would be the object of her affections. To her, he seemed like a regular, older country gentleman. Gentle and blundering in a way some might consider endearing, but nothing that she herself saw as attractive. He was just another gentleman of the like that surrounded her in London. He was not a potential suitor in her mind and clearly not in Mary's either.
Socially inept the man may be, but only a fool would be completely ignorant of Mary's blatant distaste. Sir Anthony was all but melting into his seat, occasionally attempting to start a stilted conversation before his partner's dismissive responses forced them back into awkward silence. Edith could hardly stand to watch.
Cora seemed greatly displeased. A disappointed frown on her face every time she glanced at the pair. Papa seemed equally frustrated, as he had been most of the day, and with each course his displeasure only grew worse. Everyone, from the guests to the family, noticed, and Mary and Matthew did not seem to realize how embarrassing it was for the hosts for their daughter to act so rudely.
"Are you alright?" Evelyn asked. Edith jerked, realizing she had zoned out of her own conversation with him to watch the trainwreck on the other side of the table.
"I'm sorry, Evelyn. It's just… with Mary…"
"I understand. It's rather… unseemly," Evelyn grimaced. They both watched as Sir Anthony tried to restart the conversation. Again.
"Mmh, there is no doubt about it," Sir Anthony said, stiltedly. "The next few years in farming are going to be about mechanization. That's the test, and we're going to have to meet it. Don't you agree, Lady Mary?"
"Yes, of course, Sir Anthony. I'm sure I do," Mary said dismissively before she turned and asked Matthew when she would be allowed to turn. Edith would have liked to say she only knew what she said because of her memory of the episode itself, but her memory was not that good and Mary was not that quiet either.
"I'm sorry. I have to- I can't-" Edith stammered quietly to Evelyn. Before he could even reply, she was calling across the table. "Sir Anthony, I- I know it is so hard to meet the challenge of the future and yet be fair to your employees."
"That is the point precisely." Sir Anthony, who had previously been wilting under Mary's neglect seemed to suddenly perk up at her words. He turned to her immediately, a slight surprised smile taking over his face. "We can't fight progress, but we must find ways to soften the blow."
"I should love to see one of the new harvesters, if you ever let me," Edith said, scrambling internally for any suitable conversation topic. "We don't have one here, although I have been looking into it."
"You, Lady Edith?"
"Yes, me. I bought a gasoline tractor from America last year to rent out to the tenants. It has proven to be very successful so far. In future, I hope to save enough to do the same with a harvester if it proves to be as market changing as I suspect it will be."
"Remarkable," Sir Anthony smiled, focusing entirely on her now and not Mary whose face looked as if she had been forced to swallow a lemon. Edith should have been pleased at Sir Anthony's raised mood, if she didn't feel the eyes of her own neglected dinner partner to her left. Goodness, what must he think of her after abandoning him mid conversation?
Evelyn hummed deeply and Edith saw him grasp his silverware before he spoke, not just to her, but to Sir Anthony and the table at large. "We have one at Branksome. My Father has told me it's a marvel, and the farmers are thankful for it. Although, it does cost a pretty penny. Nearly six hundred pounds, not accounting for shipping."
"It would take you years to save up that sort of funds," Papa said from across the table. "Why don't you just use money from the estate?"
"Papa?" Edith didn't understand what he meant. Was he implying a loan? Some access to her trust fund?
"Well, the tenants all seem to have benefited from your first purchase," Papa said lightly, as if this wasn't such a monumental statement as it was. "So, when you're ready for a second, let me know so we can see together if it's something I can help with."
"Really, Papa?"
"I wouldn't say it if I didn't mean it, dear girl."
"Thank you, Papa," Edith smiled, beaming wider than she thought possible. Papa trusted her. Papa would finally let her help with the estate.
Across the table she saw Sybil, practically jumping up and down in her chair to the dismay of her dinner partner Lord Warren. Despite this, Sybil made no effort to hide her glee as she shared her sister's triumph.
Cora too seemed pleased, smiling at her with gentle love and joy. It was… strange. It made Edith feel warm and touched in a way she hadn't felt from her Mother since her childhood had changed to adolescence. It was pure pride, untouched with anxiety or doubt. Edith turned away quickly.
Mary looked bored by the conversation. She barely looked at anyone except to glance at Matthew who was smiling. He was smiling right at her. Edith quickly turned away from him too, turning right towards Evelyn, her abandoned dinner partner.
"I am so sorry, Mr. Napier," Edith said. "I shouldn't have-"
"Evelyn," he corrected with a smile. "You do not need to apologize for kindness, Edith. You were just being a good hostess. I would say any good woman would do the same."
"Right," Edith breathed, looking down at her plate. "Thank you for being so understanding."
"Always," Evelyn nodded before glancing down the table. "I'm glad your father finally took note of your efforts."
"Yes, I didn't expect that of him."
"He'd be a fool not to see it."
"Not a fool, just a man married to tradition."
"Some would argue I am a man married to tradition as well."
"Then you must work twice as hard to not be such a fool."
Evelyn didn't stop smiling even at Edith's gentle ribbing. He just nodded his head, a gentle laugh taking her breath away as an airy giggle she hardly recognized as her own left her lips.
"You really should come to Branksome," Evelyn said. "You could see the new harvester there."
"Really?"
"You are the one who convinced me to get it. Or rather, my father."
"I'm still surprised you managed it. But, if you are sure your family wouldn't mind my coming, I would love to see it and your home."
"They would love nothing more than to host you. I have talked about my letters, and they are all eager to meet you. Although, you must ignore everything my cousins say. They are devils out to destroy any good face I have with you."
"Oh my," Edith laughed. "And your parents? Will they be pleased?"
"More than. My mother won't stop pestering me over it and my father…" Evelyn trailed off.
"When he is better, I'll come to Branksome," Edith finished, reaching out to gently touch his arm. "I'm sure it will be sooner than you imagine."
"I pray so." Evelyn's own hand came to rest on hers. Edith felt the hot blush rise in her face.
Thomas was coming around the table, stiffly and properly offering the next course. Edith murmured a thanks, attempting to ignore the knowing look in his dark eyes in favor of the desert before her.
It was one of her favorites, a beautiful raspberry meringue pudding. Edith could practically taste it even before she quickly put the first spoonful in her mouth. The smooth pudding base and tart berries bursting with tangy flavor contrasting the lightly crisp and wonderfully sweet meringue on top. All of it covered in a gentle shower of sugar or, it should have been.
Edith choked on the taste and the memory immediately rushed back to her. Evelyn looked at her in concern as she threw out one hand to stop his fork from raising as she cried out, "Sir Anthony, don't-"
"Oh, Good Go-God!" It was too late. Sir Anthony was sputtering, choking on salt.
"What on earth?!" Papa shouted.
"I do apologize, Lady Grantham," Sir Anthony said, "but I had a mouthful of salt."
"What?" Cora went to take a bite herself, her face twisting in horror and disgust at the taste of berry, meringue, and salt. "Everyone, put down your forks. Carson, remove this. Bring fruit. Bring cheese. Bring anything to take this taste away. Sir Anthony, I'm so sorry."
Edith grabbed her glass, quickly downing it in an attempt to get the taste of the disastrous dessert away. Once it was, unfortunately empty, Evelyn offered her his.
"Thank you," Edith said, trying to guzzle his glass as elegantly and quickly as possible.
"I would hate to be Ms. Patmore's kitchen maid when the news gets out," Papa said.
"Poor girl," Sybil agreed. "We should send a rescue party."
"I'm terribly sorry, Sir Anthony," Edith said, looking at the man who clearly had had one of the worst evenings possible as a guest in their home. "I tasted the meringue myself and tried to warn you, but not in time."
"Well, you kept your composure better than I did," Sir Anthony replied. "Don't fret. These things happen."
Edith smiled at the man, hoping he understood some measure of the thanks she had for his understanding. He had endured so much tonight. From the salt to the dismissal to the chuckling at his expense right beside him.
Mary and Matthew were not quiet about their mirth. Their napkins served as a parody of politeness, but everyone could hear their blatant disrespect of Sir Anthony. The man, despite being seated right beside the pair, had the grace to ignore them, but the rest did not feel so inclined.
Cora looked deeply embarrassed both from the salt and the giggles filling the air. She was trying desperately to start a conversation with sir Anthony in an attempt to drown them out. Papa looked even more furious and displeased than Lord Warren at the moment, and Sybil was doing her best to smile through her clear discomfort.
The most furious of all was Cousin Isobel. The woman was glaring at her son like she wanted to scold him with her eyes. Evelyn too was looking quite displeased, looking at the pair as if they had committed a great sin.
Edith didn't have the energy to glare. Their behavior wasn't terribly surprising, even if she didn't remember the show as perfectly as she should. Mary always found amusement in such situations. In London she was always the first with a comment or laugh, a behavior that was always mirrored and adored by her surrounding suitors. It was no wonder that, even in Downton, her behavior persisted when suitors were present. Matthew being her main follower.
Of course, how could Matthew be anything other than enthralled with Mary? She was his destiny, his one true love. Their humor was destined to align, no matter how distasteful Edith found it to be.
Despite knowing this, she couldn't help but be disappointed at his actions, but her opinion did not matter. Matthew barely glanced her way before turning back to Mary. Clearly, he was already devoted, poor man. Hopefully Mary would make better choices in reality then she did in the television show, but from the way she was giggling, Edith doubted it.
After platters of cheese and fruit had been passed around and Edith did her best to replace savory meringue with apple and cheddar, Cora motioned for the ladies to move through to the drawing room. She was reluctant to leave Evelyn, but, with a nod and smile to him and Sir Anthony, she followed.
"Poor Ms. Patmore," Sybil sighed as they entered the drawing room. "Do you think you should go down and see her?"
"Tomorrow," Cora replied, motioning the ladies to sit. "She needs time to recover her nerves. I knew there was something going on."
"I wish I could have spoken in time," Edith sighed, sitting on the sofa beside Lady Grisby. "It seems hardly fair that poor Sir Anthony had to pay the price."
"Good God!" Mary mimicked, pretending to choke in a lower register. She laughed, only joined by an uncomfortably chuckling Lady Warren.
"Mary," Edith hissed, looking apologetically at Lady Grisby between them who seemed, possibly intentionally, blind to the familial disagreement. "Couldn't you and Matthew have held the slightest bit of decorum?"
"Oh, poor Edith," Mary smiled. "I'm sorry you can't take a bit of fun. You must have been quite a jolly partner to poor Evelyn."
"As you were to Sor Anthony I suppose."
"Well, Cousin Matthew certainly enjoyed my company."
"He has been making questionable decisions lately," Cousin Isobel glared.
"Mary!" Cora snapped, hands clenching her dress. She turned quickly to Edith, a strained but sincere smile on her face. "You were very helpful, Edith, looking after Sir Anthony. You saved the day."
"I enjoyed it. We had a good deal to talk about," Edith said. With a huff, Mary stood and walked toward the piano to grab a drink. Offering a smile to Cora and Lady Grisby, Edith stood to follow her.
"Mary," Edith said as she approached. "Must you-"
"Oh, don't lecture me. Mama has already done that, so spare me your boasting."
"I didn't come to boast. There isn't anything to boast about except having basic manners."
"Insult then."
"Must you have treated Sir Anthony so poorly? Mother asked you to take care of him. Even if you don't want him, you don't want him to spurn you either."
"Spurn me? You think I couldn't have that old booby if I wanted him?"
"With your current behavior? No, I don't think you could."
"Is that a challenge?"
"No! It isn't," Edith sighed, a millimeter away from pulling at her perfectly quaffed hair. "Unless it would make you behave properly."
"Then you should know, it's not Sir Anthony I want."
"We all know that. He knows that."
"Then don't be surprised if, when I take your challenge, I take your prize with it," Mary said, setting down her glass and leaving Edith to shake her head at her cryptic words. Soon enough, the men joined them and the meaning of Mary's words were clear.
"Ah, I've been waiting for you," Mary smiled, sauntering past Sir Anthony and Matthew straight to Evelyn. Edith felt her heart sink as Mary quickly pulled him over to the bookshelves by the arm. Evelyn locked his eyes to hers for a moment, looking about to speak, but Mary adeptly caught his attention and he was ensnared. Edith refused to look at them again.
Sir Anthony seemed rather accepting of his dismissal. He quickly recovered and moved to join a group unlike Matthew who looked both shocked and devastated at Mary's sudden disregard. Edith didn't know if it was her own need for belonging in that moment or something else that led to her sudden rush of empathy for the man. Regardless, Edith found herself approaching him.
"Matthew?"
"Ah Ed- Edith?" Matthew said, his dull shock transforming to surprise as he looked at her.
"It seems we've both been thrown over for a bigger prize."
"I- I suppose we have… What are you doing here?"
"In Downton or with you? I happen to live here, and I don't really know. I can leave you if you wish," Edith said, turning to abandon him in his misery.
"No!" Matthew said quickly, reaching out to gently stop her. "I just wasn't expecting you too after… my behavior."
"Behavior that hasn't improved. I saw that tonight."
"No, I suppose it hasn't," Matthew said with a guilty cringe.
"Mary's influence, I think."
"Must you both speak so negatively of each other? I can hardly have a conversation with one of you without the other being criticized."
"But you believe her when she criticizes me."
"I shouldn't have," Matthew said seriously. "I was surprised. I reacted poorly and listened to negative comments over my own experience with you. I knew the truth as soon as I saw you again."
"Then what kept you from speaking to me if you didn't believe it."
"For that I apologize. I wanted to, but there never seemed to be a moment until now. And it was clear you wouldn't welcome my intrusion."
"Yes," Edith admitted.
"I am truly sorry, Edith. I shouldn't have acted so defensively or made assumptions of your character on another's word. I don't want to do that, for either you or Mary. I want to know each of you for yourself, not what animosity is between you."
"So you still won't take my warning? Even now?" Edith said, motioning over her shoulder to the pair of beautiful nobility behind her. No doubt Mary was already sweeping an entranced Evelyn off of his feet.
"Mary-," Matthew began, his face twisting in pain."Mary always made her opinion of me quite clear. Nothing has changed."
"For what it is worth, I think it has. Mary does care for you, but… it is very hard for a leopard to change its spots. I just hope you can accept that before you commit to this or you will both be destined for misery."
"Please," Matthe said, "I would rather not hear about her from you, Edith. Just as I don't want to hear of you from her. You two are just too… different."
"I can respect that," Edith nodded. "Just know, whatever happens with Mary, I am here. And I am sorry she is doing this to you."
Matthew didn't speak for a moment, just stared across the room at the scene Edith herself couldn't bring herself to look at. "Edith… no matter how I feel about Mary's actions. There is not a question in my mind about who this hurts most."
"Who?"
"You."
Edith didn't know how to respond. She opened her mouth once then twice before saying, "I knew he wasn't mine. I said so from the beginning. I can't pretend-"
"He is. Even blind fools like me can see that. Napier is a lucky man to have your regard, and a smart enough one to not throw it away."
"That's kind of you to say."
Matthew sighed, burning blue eyes leaving her to look at the distant pair. When they looked back they were no longer bright but dull and tired. "I must be leaving."
"Must you?"
"The truth is, my head is splitting. I don't want to spoil the party, so I'll slip away. Would you make my excuses to your parents?"
"Of course. I hope your tomorrow is better than tonight."
"And yours. Goodnight, Edith."
"Goodnight, Matthew." Edith nodded, watching him as he turned and left the drawing room. She was unsure how to feel about his absence or the words he spoke. He still wouldn't listen to her, but he also wouldn't listen to Mary. That was progress, but it wasn't trust either. It wouldn't rebuild the relationship between them, not alone.
Edith prepared to cross the drawing room towards Sir Anthony and Papa. She was ready discuss farm equipment and hunting and ignoring Evelyn and Mary when a voice sounded sharply over the dull thrum of conversation.
"Damn it woman, are you deaf?! I said do not touch me!" Edith's head snapped around. The voice was Evelyn's.