Drawn to You [Downton Abbey]

Chapter 12 - Seeking Advice

Edith watched from her bedroom window Sir Anthony leave Downton. Mr. Carson was down there, along with her mother and Thomas. She opened her window, and the cool morning air blew in. She heard the faint voices of the men down there in the gravel...

"I'm terribly sorry for the sudden leave," Sir Anthony said, "but something came up at work and I must go."

"Understandable," said Lord Grantham. "Have a safe trip."

"Thank you, Sir. And thank you for your hospitality."

Sir Anthony got into the car as Thomas held the door open. She saw that the two glared at each other for a moment, and then Sir Anthony got in and Thomas shut the door. The car drove off. She never felt happier to see someone go, but she realized that what happened the night before was out of his control. When Sir Anthony grabbed onto her, and when he kissed her, she could smell and taste whiskey.

"Glad he's gone," she heard her father say down there, and Thomas turned from him with a smile on his face. He entered the house.

"I wonder what made him leave?" her mother asked her father. "Edith may have said something to him."

"I cannot be sure." he said. "That man was off his goat if he thought he could get back with her. I was never fond of the relationship in the first place."

Edith shut her window and walked about her room a little, thinking. What a horrid experience she had the night before, even if Sir Anthony was a little tipsy. There was no telling what would have happened if Thomas didn't happen to be outside in the hallway. What were the odds? If he hadn't shown up, she would have gotten away on her own. It would have been better, considering that she kissed Thomas, and considering what she told him after.

She had to talk to him, when she was in her right mind and not wild with anger and other emotions.

She exited her bedroom, ready for the day. It was just before breakfast, so he should... She stopped. There he was, standing at the end of the hallway, decked out in his footman's attire. He leaned against the wall, resembling a model. She gulped, knowing that she had to face him. As she walked up to him, he turned his head and leaned off the wall. His eyes went wide for some reason.

"Good morning, Thomas."

"Good morning."

An awkward silence ensued, and Edith thought frantically about what to say. Or just how to start. She rambled, "Thomas, listen, about last night... I was not in my right state of mind. I was flustered and upset, and, really, just a jumble of other things. I am so sorry. I really hope that we can still be friends."

A smirked played on his lips, and the tension started to drain out of her. "It's alright, Edith. I knew you were in a state, and it wouldn't be wise to hold anything against you. Now him on the other hand... while he was definitely drunk, I'm holding everything against him. Anyone who does something like that to someone I care about has something coming to 'em. Honestly, I wanted to do far more damage. I would have if he hadn't socked me in the jaw."

He touched his jaw and winced. She noticed the slice on his lip that was scabbed over. "I'm so sorry, Thomas. While I am extremely glad that you were there, I feel terribly that you got hurt."

"One punch isn't going to bring me down. The man better not come back."

"I hope not. Um... what did you tell the other servants regarding your bruised jaw and split lip?"

"I just said that I had a tumble with a couple of drunk men in the village last night. Mr. Carson wasn't happy to hear that since we're not allowed to leave Downton after eight at night."