The brisk English air sent chills through Anna's petite frame, but she didn't seem to mind. The cold reminded her that she wasn't numb anymore as she had been for the first months of her husband's imprisonment. She pulled the collar of her coat closer to her neck and ducked her head to brace the wind as she tried her hardest not to kick up any dirt on her newly polished shoes. Even though the entire staff and house had taken an unspoken pity about her, Mr. Carson would still not stand for sloppy appearances.

She took a deep breath and let the smells of newly burning embers escaping from the approaching house fill her lungs. She had thought of leaving Downton once upon a time, and although there was always the pain of Mr. Bate's absence in the house, she simply couldn't leave. Not when she still held onto the hope that her husband would be home soon. Anyway, she thought, today will be different. Her usual routine which consisted of tending to Lady Edith's needs would be happily increased as Lady Mary and Mr. Crawley were scheduled to arrive on the 11 o'clock train from York. Mr. Crawley had taken on her husband's case, working with Lord Grantham's lawyer, trying everything in his power to prove John's innocence, and in doing so, had moved to Grantham to be closer. Anna had thoughts to go with them, to continue to be with Lady Mary and closer to her husband; however, she remained here, where she knew John would want her. But a visit from Lady Mary and Mr. Crawley would certainly mean a letter from John, and that was enough, she thought, to get her through today.

Mary sat in the car, stone-faced, as she stared out the window, but even in her inexpressive states, Matthew had learned to read her thoughts.

"You're afraid Anna won't be pleased," Matthew said as the car continued to wind down the familiar paths that led to home.

The way he said it wasn't a question, and Matthew didn't intend it to be one. It was in these moments that Mary loved him even more. The way he was able to say exactly what was on her mind reminded her why they would be married.

"I think it's important that we keep her hopes up," she replied, intentionally not answering Matthew's question.

"We are going to win this case," he said. "John Bates is an innocent man. He'll be home by June."

"Then why can't we tell Anna that?" Mary asked stubbornly even though Matthew had explained it multiple times.

He took her hands in his, bringing one delicately to his lips. "Trust me," he said.

Mary sighed. "I've no option but to trust you! I just wish you'd let me know what this breakthrough you've found is."

"I know you do, love," Matthew said exasperated at his fiancé's persistence. "And I will tell you, when the time is right, but telling you sooner would be risking the stability of this case."

Mary turned back to the window. Normally, Matthew would have broken down by now, but this time Mary's stubbornness was being equally matched by his. This conversation had been routine since Matthew came to Cousin Isobel's house straight from work three weeks ago. "We've got it!" he had called through the house until Mary emerged from her room.

"Got what?" she asked, afraid that perhaps the stress of work had finally gotten the better of him.

"John Bate's innocence," he had said proudly and pulled her in for a kiss right in front of his mother.

Even in her stubbornness, the memory of Cousin Isobel's face after the kiss had been enough to make Mary smile.

"Are you excited to see Lady Edith?" he asked after letting her sulk for a moment.

"I suppose," she replied. After spending three months living with Cousin Isobel, she suspected she would be excited to see just about anyone. Her relationship with her sister had come a long way from where it once had been. She could more than tolerate Edith now, and sometimes she even longed for her presence. Yes, distance had been good for their relationship.

Matthew nodded silently and looked out across the field. He could just see the top of Downton above the towering trees of the estate, and was overcome with the same feeling of responsibility and pride every time he saw the great home. One day, this would be his.

No, he corrected himself, it will be more than mine. It will be ours. And that thought was enough to overcome any obstacles that stood before him.

The car bounced along the gravel drive that led to the front of the house, and Mary could make out the committee sent to welcome the couple back home. The car stopped, and Matthew hurried out so he could open her door.

"Ready?" Matthew whispered with a mischievous smile on his face as he opened the door.

"As long as you're here," she replied and gave him her hand to steady her descent from the car.

She wrapped her arm through his and together they emerged from behind the car to be greeted by the smiles of Mr. Carson, Anna, Thomas, and her mama and papa.

"Oh Mary," Cora Crawley cooed as she hugged her daughter. She was glad to hear her daughter was returning home for a spell. The house had seemed terribly empty since two of her daughters had left. That, she supposed, was just part of growing old. "You look lovely."

"Of course she does, Cora," Robert replied proudly. "Matthew I trust you're taking care of my daughter."

"Of course, Milord," Matthew responded earnestly as he shook Robert's hand.

"Milady," Mr. Carson said as he bowed his head to Mary. Mary giggled like a child at Mr. Carson's nonsense.

"Stop that foolishness, Mr. Carson," she teased, "Or I shall have you thrown out."

"I'm glad you'll be enjoying Downton once again," he said, returning to his normal state of professionalism.

"It's good to be here," she said honestly. She turned to Anna whose gazed was still focused straight ahead.

"Oh, Anna," Mary said taking Anna's hands in hers.

"Milady," Anna smiled. "Please tell me you've come with good news."

"We have," Mary replied, although because of Matthew's secrecy she couldn't be quite certain what it was it. "We need to talk at once."

"Yes, we do," Matthew agreed. "Cousin Robert, I think you and Cousin Cora should join us."

"Of course," Robert replied. "Carson, will you arrange the library for us?"

"Right away, Milord."

Anna's heart started racing. There was hope, she could feel it. Although, she couldn't be too certain how much longer it would hold out.

"Have you seen him recently, Mr. Crawley?" Anna asked Matthew when they were all seated in the library.

Matthew had, just two days ago. "He's doing quiet well, considering his circumstances," Matthew answered, hoping that his slight exaggeration of John Bate's conditions would put Anna at ease. "He asked that I give you this."

Matthew produced an envelope and handed it to Anna. She smiled at her name scrawled in John's slanted writing. These letters were the closest they came to touching these days. When she read them, she could almost feel his arms around her and hear his voice reading the words he wrote. She clutched the letter in her hands and took a deep breath. Let's get on with it, she thought. "What news have you brought?" she asked.

"Yes, Matthew," Robert added. "What's the latest?"

Matthew sat up a little straighter. "We've had someone come forward with a tip," he said.

"A tip?" Robert asked.

"Yes," Matthew continued. "A lead that we have been investigating now for three weeks and have come to find very reliable."

"Well what kind of lead is it?" Cora asked.

Anna sat silently listening, clinging to Matthew's words and wringing them of the hope they held. Was it possible they were really onto something?

"I can't say," Matthew said. "Not right now at least."

Mary sighed. She had hoped that he would share his secret here in Anna's presence, but to her dismay he continued to be persistent.

"I don't understand," Anna said. "You've got a lead but cannot tell us what it entails. How are we to trust its success as you so have claimed?"

Matthew exhaled. He knew that this question would be posed, and he had no other answer for Anna but to trust him. "Trust me, Anna," he answered her. "We just have to wait for the right time. We want to leave no stone unturned."

"Does John know?" Anna asked.

Matthew shook his head yes, again slightly exaggerating the truth of the situation. Mr. Bates knew that Matthew had been given a lead on a suspect of his wife's murder, but he didn't know who that suspect was.

"Well, then," Anna said. "If my husband trusts you, then I have no choice but to as well."

Thanks to everyone who is following this story! This is my first time doing something like this, so any and all feedback would be welcomed. I reloaded this chapter because I found a few mistakes and tried to correct some inconsistencies.