Daisy's knock hit Anna like a thunderbolt. She jolted up, the reality of the day smashing into her eyes and her brain. For the first time ever since starting service at Downton, she wanted to be somewhere else.

She might have slept an hour all night. Her eyes were still sore from crying, her face numb, her hair tangled. She pushed out a breath and allowed herself a moment to hate the entire household. She had loved her position, until yesterday. Now there was a rip down the middle of everything. She almost wanted to tell them all how she felt. And His Lordship, too.

They sent him away. He had left this morning. Anna felt the tears starting again and pushed them down. It would be a very long day if she started it this way. Better to be angry than grieve. She would hold her anger like a little flame to keep herself simmering through the day.

A thought cheered her; maybe word would come from him, or about him from some quarter. It wouldn't be improper to ask if she waited a few weeks, and His Lordship would tell her, if he knew.

Now she wanted to weep again. What if he came upon terrible times? What if he'd returned to a terrible place? It seemed he had put all his effort into Downton and he had done a very fine job, better and better every day, helping others whenever he could, and still-

Stop, stop. She told herself, Lose yourself in the work. Have breakfast. Maybe some day there would be a way to find him, to see him.

"Maybe we'll get word of him someday, when he's settled at a new place," said Gwen, who had been sneaking glances at her, and Anna's throat closed. Gwen put an arm around her.

"Why did everyone have to be so horrid to him?"

Gwen's voice was gentle, "We've all got our work to do-"

"And he helped everyone, whenever he could! He helped one hundred times more than Thomas ever does! Why-"

"Shh, shh," Gwen patted her back, "You don't want anyone to hear you making a fuss, now. Let's get our first duties done, quick time. We would go down the village tomorrow," she added brightly. Anna hugged Gwyn, then began to comb out her own tangled hair.

It did help, to throw herself into the work. Anna washed her hands and was sitting at the table with the rest of the staff when she heard the back door open. Then her heart stopped. The sound of the uneven step and the cane were unmistakable. She glimpsed the shadow of his profile passing into the hall, then heard him taking the stairs.

She stood with the others as Mr. Carson entered the dining hall. He cleared his throat.

"Mr. Bates will not be leaving Downton after all,"

Anna gasped, but she bit down hard on it. No one seemed to have heard her. They were all staring at Mr. Carson.

"But why not?" said O'Brien.

"That is His Lordship's affair and it is no business of ours. Since Mr. Bates will not be leaving, William, I would like to revisit your offer to help with certain duties-"

William nodded. "It won't be a problem, Mr. Carson. Mr. Bates always pitches in, in other ways. It'll all even out,"

"What's your idea of even?" shot Thomas.

"This is His Lordship's decision, and it is final," said Mr. Carson, glaring down the table, "And we will speak no more on it. Is that clear?"

Anna's pulse pounded in her temples. She excused herself and left the table, under the watchful eye of O'Brien. Fine. Let her stare, let her spread nastiness. It wouldn't matter, especially not now.

Anna ran to her room and looked in the mirror. She pinched her cheeks and bit her lips, giving herself a little color. There were dark circles under her eyes but she could do nothing for that. She took a long look at her hair. Then she wandered into the hall, moving slowly. She stood at the top of the stairs, smoothing her apron.

The door on the men's side opened and there he was, somehow taller than she remembered. He hadn't seen her yet and she caught sight of the man he didn't allow others to see, that lost look, the battered street urchin innocence under the solemn dignity. He moved more slowly than usual and he was a bit pale; she imagined he might be tired. Anna couldn't think of a thing to say but she waited for him, rocking on her toes and gripping the stair rail.

His eyes landed on her and his smile began before he could slow it down. He was almost in a full grin before he pulled it back to an acceptable expression. He paused, leaning on his cane, and they looked at each other.

"Good morning," she said, and a rush of breath escaped her. She put her hand on her mouth and then, in a moment of embarrassment, had to blink a few times to swallow her relief. She laughed, a raw sound. "I'm sorry," she said.

"Please don't be sorry,"

Anna gathered her wits, coughing gently and clearing her throat. She looked into his eyes.

"I'm so glad you're back, that you're not leaving,"

"I'm glad, as well,"

"I'm very glad," said Anna. His eyes were so kind. She gripped the stair rail to prevent herself from throwing her arms around his neck. She looked at the floor to regain her balance.

"You must be hungry," she said, "And there's a full day ahead,"

"Mr. Carson announced the news, then?"

"Yes, at the breakfast table. We should hurry,"

He took a breath. "I've forgotten something, in my room,"

"Oh?"

"Please go ahead of me, I will see you at breakfast,"

"Oh," she said, understanding. He was protecting her from any suspicion of impropriety or perhaps from association with him, and her first instinct was to argue. But this was not the time. He did look tired.

"Will you save me a seat?" he asked, his eyes sparkling now.

"Of course. I always do,"

"You always do," he said.