SERIES 4 SPOILERS
"Well I came down here for a bit of piece and quiet"
John smiled at Anna. Not registering what Green had said. Then it clicked.
The night of the concert.
The night Anna was attacked.
He was going to kill him. His suspicions were confirmed. Green had left the concert, he'd been the only other person down in the servants hall aside from A-
A touch to his leg brought him out from his murderous thoughts. He looked to the left and met Anna's eye.
Instantly she knew he knew. The look in his eyes told her as much. She sent her own pleading look back but it had no effect. He was furious his jaw was tense and she could see the vein on his forehead twitching.
"Courtyard. Now." Was his raging whisper. Without a word to anyone he stood and left the table.
Anna caught Mrs Hughes' eye and giving a small smile gave her excuses and left quietly doing her best to avoid looking at the man across the table. She hurried down the corridor after her husband.
The chill in the air went unnoticed by him as he paced like a caged animal. He'd threw his cane to the ground with such force it was a wonder the piece of wood hadn't shattered to a thousand pieces. It took every ounce of control to keep himself together as Anna appeared at the door.
"It was him."
"John-"
"Don't." She looked down. "Don't deny it. He was down here...that night...I saw..." He was struggling to keep his voice steady. "I saw your face. I saw Mrs Hughes' face."
"Please John, calm down"
"You lied to me!" he exclaimed.
"I..I..."
John wasn't listening he was too consumed in his own rage. Every time he looked at Anna he envisioned what Green had done and every time he closed his eyes he saw the bastards face. He was a dead man.
"I'm going to end this. He's dead." With a feral look in his eye he headed for the back door.
In a panic Anna ran and barrelled into his chest. "NO!" Being without his cane John stumbled slightly holding on to her to stop them both from falling to the ground.
"Anna. Let go."
The tears were freely streaming down her face now. Out of terror and fear.
"John, please, don't."
"Anna after what he's done."
"what about me?"
"I'm doing this for you."
"When I've to see you dragged away cuffed through the servants hall again. And when i've to stand in court watching them sentence you to death again. When we share our final kiss. I've to say good bye and watch you hang." John looked up his own tears streaming. "Is that for me? Because if it is. I don't want it. Do you hear me John Bates? I know it and I don't want it."
"Anna, he-"
"I know. God knows I know what he did." Anna grabbed hold of his jacket. "But please...John...I don't know...I can't...John..." As the panic started to consume her she struggled to catch her breath.
Immediately john recognised the signs. Anna had become prone to panic attacks most commonly occurring at night when she woke up shaking and gasping for breath.
"Anna." He took one of her hands and placed it on his chest. "Look at me, Anna." Her terrified gaze met his, she continued to gasp. "Breathe with me." Eventually she managed to steady her breathing, and collapsed into him.
"They'll have finished eating now." His voice was devoid of emotion and Anna was scared to look at him.
"Anna!" It was Mrs Hughes. "Lady Mary rang."
"Coming!" She cursed herself for the weakness in her voice. John hadn't moved, his face like his voice held no emotion but Anna could see the fury in his eyes.
"John?"
He didn't look at her. "I wont touch him. We'll discuss it at home."
"I'm sorry-"
"Don't keep Lady Mary waiting, we'll discuss it at home." and Anna felt like she'd been dismissed.
