Marked absence of Edward? (5)
I believe the answer is:
noted
'marked' is the definition.
('note' can be a synonym of 'mark')
'absence of edward?' is the wordplay.
'absence of' becomes 'no'.
'edward?' becomes 'ted'.
'no'+'ted'='NOTED'
(Other definitions for noted that I've seen before include "Recorded in writing" , "Remarked - famous" , "Illustrious" , "Scores like this" , "Toned down and recorded" .)