My first time of sharing anything I have ever written so any reviews are gratefully received. Trying to make stories original after reading all the brilliant efforts on here is difficult. This idea popped into my head a few weeks ago and it's only now I've decided I'd share it.
Having always enjoyed the Sybil/Branson storyline, I imagined what it would be like if Anna or Bates were a member of the household rather than staff. So here is the result.
Lady Anna, daughter of Oliver Smith, Earl of Grantham, Lord Grantham etc (I'm thinking along the lines of Kenneth Branagh in appearance). Her mother, Victoria (Emma Thompson-esque) and her brother and heir Michael.
The story still runs along the same lines as the show. They live at Downton, Bates was batman to Oliver during the Boer War and comes to work as his valet. The major differences being the Crawley family have been replaced, there is an heir and Anna and Bates are different social classes.
Lets see how this goes...
Disclaimer: I do not own anything, most characters belong to Julian Fellowes, ITV, etc etc.
Here I was, standing outside the servants entrance to one of the grandest houses in Yorkshire. Me. John Bates. On my first day of work. Men like me don't deserve second chances. I didn't even deserve to breathe the same air as the Earl of Grantham and his family, let alone work for them.
I was an ex drunkard, ex prisoner, a thief in the eyes of the law and a failure as a husband. I was also a war veteran, the cane I cling to with my right hand and the throbbing in my right knee forever reminding me of that fact.
Serving with Lord Grantham, or Captain Smith as I had known him back then, as his batman. He was a few years older than myself, an experienced soldier for whom my respect knew no bounds. I put my life on the line to save his and received shrapnel in my knee for my troubles.
Receiving the call from him to become his valet was like the answer to all my prayers. Living in London, I needed to get away from it all, my problems and failing marriage becoming almost too much to bear.
Knocking on the door, I was becoming almost impatient as I waited what seemed an eternity for someone to answer. The more time I spent standing here on the doorstep, the harder I found it to believe this was really happening. My second chance. To put everything behind me and start again.
Reaching for the doorknob and twisting it, I was surprised to find the door open. Being a man of honour, or masquerading as one, I half thought about closing it again and waiting for someone. However, the late winter air drifting around me made me think better of it. Stepping inside, I closed the door behind me.
A long corridor lay ahead of me, footmen were busy hurrying around at the top of it, a female voice bellowing orders from inside the kitchen. Continuing down the corridor, I was met by a middle aged woman, a scowl on her face which I'm pretty sure was her permanent expression, coming down the stairs.
'Can I help you?' the woman asked, looking me up and down before her gaze fixed on my cane.
'I'm John Bates, the new Valet.' I replied, trying to remain as polite as I could. A blank face stared back at me. 'His Lordship should be expecting me.'
'I'm sure he is.' the woman snapped back. 'Although not in your current condition.'
I shrugged, unsure as to how to respond. Silence fell between us then before an older gentleman appeared at the top of the corridor. 'Miss O Brien, who is this man?'
'Oh, Mr Carson. This is Mr Bates, the new...' she stopped to take me in again. 'Valet.'
'Ahh yes, Mr Bates. Follow me. ' The older gentleman, Mr Carson, seemed a lot more accommodating. Following him into what seemed like the servants dining area, I was met by more staring faces. 'I trust you had a good journey, Mr Bates.'
'It was fine, thank you,' I replied.
Another new face, this time of a more mature lady, appeared in the doorway. Mr Carson turned to face her. 'Ahh, Mrs Hughes, would you be so kind as to fetch the rest of the staff? I'd like to introduce them to Mr Bates.'
'Certainly, Mr Carson.'
~0~
After being introduced to the downstairs staff, the head footman, Thomas showed me to my room. Yes, the facilities were basic yet perfect for a man such as myself. Things had been so complicated for me recently that I yearned for the simpler things in life. All I asked for was my own little sanctuary, somewhere to rest my head after a day of work and this room fitted the bill perfectly.
Thomas explained to me in the vaguest of details what to expect and how things worked when it came to His Lordship's likes and dislikes, his routines and what have you. Having been his batman, I remember a few of his idiosyncrasies, but that was in the compounds of battle. Much different to the grounds of a stately home such as Downton Abbey.
Thomas. He was going to take some fathoming. I sensed hostility, he didn't really welcome my arrival. Why I was yet to find out. However, living with those you work with, I'm sure the reasons would come to light soon enough.
Sitting for lunch with my fellow servants, Mr Carson went about explaining the ins and outs of Downton and about the Smith family. I knew Oliver was married, his wife Victoria was all he spoke about in the times that we weren't fighting. Those times when we bunked down in the evenings and the guns fell silent. He had a son, Michael, who was an infant when we were fighting the Boers. The lucky eldest son of a Lord who would one day inherit the whole estate.
Michael wasn't an only child, Victoria giving birth to a daughter whilst myself and her husband were still out fighting in Africa. Anna was her name. She would be in her late twenties now. I had only been in the building for an hour but already knew she was the topic for much conversation in the servants hall, having heard her name on several occasions.
The maids seemed in awe of Anna. Mrs Hughes was much more reserved, fearing Anna's arrogance would come back to haunt her someday. Mr Carson's admiration was clear as he set about defending her honour. In all my life I had never known of a woman who drew such contrasting views. When talk turned to, what seemed, a never ending list of suitors, I found myself listening intently, the air of mystery built up around her as a result of the gossip I had heard intriguing me.
'Mr Carson,' one of the footman addressed the Butler as he entered the servant hall. 'Sorry I'm late. His Lordship would like Mr Bates to meet him in the library after luncheon.'
'Thank you, William.' Mr Carson nodded in acknowledgement.
'Now sit down and eat something before it gets cold,' Mrs Hughes ordered, watching as William took his place at the table.
~0~
Making our way to the library, following Mr Carson, I winced as my knee complained of all the walking I had put it through today. Stopping outside a door, Mr Carson knocked on it before I heard a familiar voice telling him to enter.
'My Lord, Mr Bates to see you.' Carson announced, gesturing to me as I followed him into the grand room His Lordship was lucky enough to call his library. Looking around the room, completely stunned at the grandeur of it all, I smiled as my old comrade came into view.
My first impression was how much older he looked but then again I wasn't exactly in the prime of my life. Despite the years altering his features, he hadn't really changed from the man I would have marched beside into hell if he had asked me to.
'Thank you, Carson,' Oliver replied, moving to me with an outstretched hand. Clasping my hand in his, he shook it enthusiastically. 'Victoria, Michael, Anna, I'd like you to meet the man to whom I owe my life.'
Completely taken by surprise by Oliver's generous introduction, Carson's mumble also indicating his shock, I turned to look at the family I had heard so much about, yet never laid my eyes upon.
Victoria was the first to greet me, every bit as glamorous as Oliver had described her. 'M'lady.' I smiled, shaking her hand and bowing my head.
'Bates, it's lovely to finally meet you at last.' She said, smiling broadly.
'This is my son and heir to my title, Michael.' Oliver explained, pointing to the strapping young man standing behind Victoria.
I almost did a double take as I took in the man now striding towards me. He was almost identical to the Captain Smith I was batman to in Africa. Shaking his hand, I smiled. 'Sir.'
'Bates, I've heard so much about you.' Michael replied. 'Welcome to Downton.'
'Thank you, sir.'
'And this young lady,' Oliver began, pointing at the window next to his desk. 'Is my daughter, Anna.'
So this was the mercurial Anna. She stood with her back to us, staring out of the window at the extensive grounds the house had to offer. She was already making it obvious to me she wasn't one for duty or to go with the crowd, her independence endearing me to her. I'm sure I heard her groan as she was forced to interrupt her thoughts. It was almost like time had stopped as she turned to face us. I took in the soft features on her face and knew almost immediately my life would never be the same again. Her eyes were enchanting, a sparkling blue. Blonde curls were tied up loosely, some stray strands flowing down over her shoulders. She was petit, the clothes she was wearing accentuating the curves she hid beneath them. I was intoxicated, she was stunning.
'Mr Bates,' she said softly. 'Welcome to our humble abode.'
'Erm... thank you. M'lady,' I replied, almost choking on my words as they fell from my mouth. 'What a lovely home it is.' She nodded before turning her attentions back to looking out of the window.
What was happening? Oliver continued to speak but I couldn't avert my gaze from her. She was beautiful and she knew it. Everything that had been said about her in the servant hall over lunch was true. I could see why the maids admired her, I could see why Carson may favour her, I could even understand Mrs Hughes fears over her vanity. She had shown me all those things in our short exchange.
'Carson, allow Bates the afternoon off to acclimatise to his new surroundings,' Oliver offered. 'He can dress me for dinner.'
'Very good, My Lord,' Carson replied. 'Is that all, My Lord?'
'I think so Carson, Thank you.'
~0~
Once back in my room, my mind was full of thoughts of Anna. Wanting, no needing to know everything about her. Soon, I found myself imagining her playing games with her many suitors. The poor souls hanging on her every word, she persuading them to dance to her tune with relative ease.
I paced the room as I cursed myself for having such thoughts about a woman young enough to be my daughter. Especially the daughter of a man I had the greatest amount of respect for. Deciding there and then to banish these thoughts to the inner recesses of my brain, I set about unpacking. Anything to get her out of my mind. However, as I hung up the last of my shirts, I feared it was too late.
A few days passed, my position in the house meaning mine and Anna's paths didn't really cross at all. I was relieved. It gave me time to realise, or maybe try to convince myself, the air of mystery around her created by servant hearsay had caused this bizarre attraction. That's all it was. Attraction. She was pretty, I am but a man. Unquestionably, I can't have been the only man to have been attracted to her on first sight. Loneliness, that's what I put it down to.
A conversation about our shared love of literature had lead me to gaining His Lordship's permission to use his library to borrow any book of my choosing. Reading was one of my passions. It gave me the opportunity to escape reality and immerse myself in another world. The nights of insomnia I suffered as a result of my experiences would be greatly enriched by the right reading material.
Perusing the bookshelf, I reached for one work which caught my interest before out of the corner of my eye I saw the library doors open. All coherent thought left me as I acknowledged who the person was. It was Lady Anna.
'Bates,' Anna nodded, greeting me as she closed the door behind her. 'I see you've found my thinking place.'
Hands trembling, I made much harder work of replacing the book I had pulled from the shelf than was needed. 'Sorry, M'lady, I was just, err...'
'Looking for a book?' She offered, an amused grin on her face. 'That is what most people do in a library, is it not?'
'Yes,' was my reply as I stood, an intrigued observer, whilst she crossed the room to stand beside the window.
'So you enjoy reading, Bates?' She asked, turning her head to look at me, her gaze fixed on mine causing a stirring inside me.
'I do, M'lady,' I began before clearing my throat. 'It helps me relax, one can forget about the troubles life can bring.'
'That's very true,' she agreed, smiling as she nodded.
Slightly amused as to what hardships she could possibly have to encounter, the daughter of an Earl, I found my heart beating faster as she left her position at the window and drifted towards me. As she perused the bookshelf, I closed my eyes for a moment, her presence beside me filling my senses.
She ran her fingers along the spines of the countless books her father had collected over the years. After careful consideration she picked one out and took it down from the shelf. 'This comes highly recommended.'
It was all I could do not to openly display my emotions as I felt her fingers touch mine as I removed the book from her hand. Looking down at the volume she had chosen, I smiled inwardly as I read the front cover. 'The Complete Works of John Keats.' I read aloud.
'Have you read Keats before?'
'I have, M'lady. Many times.'
'Then you have good taste, Mr Bates.'
With those words, she left me, and my foolish heart beating a wild rhythm, alone in the library.
~0~
There was tension towards me downstairs, I could sense it. There were visitors to the house, Sir Roger Walton and his family had come to stay. The whispers lead me to believe the son of the family was one of Anna's many suitors. With my injury, I was unable to help the footmen. Thomas found this extremely inconvenient, voicing his concerns over the servants dinner. He insisted that on a list of Valet's duties was to help when there was a larger than normal party for dinner. Mr Carson rebuked Thomas's protests, insisting they had managed before and would manage again. This did nothing to quell my fears, and regrets at not being able to assist.
Ashamed as I admitted it to myself, one regret was not being able to serve the guests their dinner, to catch a glimpse of Anna in her finest evening wear. To see her entertaining and being the charming woman I had convinced myself she was in the company of men vying for her attention.
Leaving a grumbling Thomas to serve with William, retiring to my room not an attractive proposition, I requested permission from Mr Carson to walk the Abbey grounds. My shame at my inability to support the footmen and irrefutable pride made it too unbearable to stay in the house a moment longer.
'Very well, but we shall be locking up at eleven. And try to keep out of sight.'
Relieved at his consent, I made my way out of the servants entrance into the courtyard. It was now after dinner, I had seen William return to the kitchen with the serving plates from dessert before I made my exit. Walking around to the front of the house I pulled up the collar of my overcoat, the coldness surrounding me reminding me of my age and the chill on my knee causing it to ache. Looking ahead, I saw the moonlight shining down on the outline of a collection of trees, surrounding a bench. Deciding on this as the perfect place to rest and wait for the commotion of a house full of guests to die down, I slowly trudged towards it.
As I got nearer to the resting place, the unmistakable sound of Anna's voice reached my ears. Stopping at the first tree I came to, I leant against it. Eaves dropping wasn't something I particularly agreed with. However she wasn't alone and where she was concerned, I was beginning to break every rule I had ever made.
'Come on, Anna,' groaned a male voice. 'When are you going to accept you'll never find anyone who can give you what I can?'
'And exactly what can you give me, James?' Was Anna's reply, a small chuckle once she had finished her sentence.
'A comfortable life, stability...'
'Comfortable?' Anna guffawed. 'I want more than comfortable. Comfortable isn't good enough for me.'
'Then what do you want, Lady Anna?' the man questioned, his tone impatient.
'Passion, to marry a man I truly love and who loves me in return. A man who wouldn't see me as a trophy.' The conviction in her voice as she spoke convinced me more of her aversion to the duty she had been forced to follow since the day she was born.
'But your destiny dictates you are far beyond your prime, Lady Anna. If you were a real lady, you'd have married by now.' The man continued. My fists clenched as I heard this man spout his poison. I had deduced he must be the son of Sir Walton. 'We'd do well together, you and me.'
Scuffling clearly audible, what I heard next shocked me to my bitter core. 'Stop. Please, let me go.'
'Anna, just relax.' the male voice growled.
'Let me go,' Anna said weakly, her struggling to get away using up her energies. I didn't want to imagine what was going on, all I knew was that I had to help her.
As I moved closer to where the voices were coming from, I reeled in disgust as I saw the man pinning Anna up against the tree with his body, forcing kisses upon her as she squirmed beneath him.
'I think she asked you to let her go.' I said calmly. The man turned rapidly, the horror on his face undeniable as he took in my presence.
Letting her go almost immediately, he started toward me before turning to look at Anna. 'You can forget ever marrying me now, Lady Anna. Or any of the other possible suitors in our circle. I'll see to that.'
'Then I'll find great pleasure in informing His Lordship of your behaviour,' I revealed, James turning his attentions back to me. He half laughed before storming past me. He almost ran back to the house as Anna collapsed on the floor, sobbing uncontrollably. My heart ached as I watched her. Propriety telling me not to walk over to her, instinct urging me to pick her up in my arms and hold her in my embrace.
'Thank you, Bates,' she murmured finally.
'M'lady, are you alright?' I asked.
'No,' she announced through the tears as she stood up. 'But I will be. Thank goodness you came when you did.'
'Would you like me to walk you back to the house, M'lady?'
'If it wouldn't be too much trouble, Mr Bates. That would be very favourable indeed.' Anna nodded. 'But first, would you sit with me for a moment.'
As we sat, watching her regain her composure through the tears, I soon realised it was the most heartbreaking thing I had ever seen. Everyone had their own opinions of Lady Anna. She gave off the bravado of the confident daughter of an Earl, the world at her feet. However, if you scratched below the surface, she was suffering because of the dynasty she was born into. She never asked for this. Her defiance against the system, as it were, appealing her to me even more.
If that were possible.
'Right, I'm ready,' she said suddenly, standing up. 'I apologise, Bates. I couldn't let them see me like that.'
'Don't be sorry, M'lady.' I replied. 'As long as you are fully recovered, I shall accompany you back to the house.'
'Thank you, Bates.'
