Anna's POV
Friday afternoon. As I have been about my errands, those two words have been running through my head since he told me he'd booked the registrar. Walking downstairs for tea, the thought that I will be Mrs John Bates in less than forty eight hours clouds all others. Having waited so long for it to happen, at one point believing it never would, I was in a daze. Upon reaching the door to the servant's hall, there he was. Standing and watching him, I felt a faint smile spread across my lips. Sure, he wasn't every woman's idea of an ideal husband. There was obviously his leg, his limp seemingly worse over the past few months. The uncertainty of the way in which his wife died. None of this detracted from the fact that to me he was the most wonderful man in the world. Every other man I had ever known paled in comparison. The man of my dreams. Soon to be my husband. He must have known he was being watched because suddenly his eyes met mine, taking me by surprise. Wiping his hands on his napkin, he stood up and walk towards me.
'Anna, might I speak with you in the courtyard?' he asks. Nodding weakly, I follow him. All sorts of things run through my mind as we walk the long corridor in silence. Has he changed his mind? I did rather force the issue with him the other night. I told him we would be married, rather than ask him his opinion. Mind you, that's what he needed. He's never been the most decisive of people.
Once outside, the winter days mean it is now nearly completely dark yet it is only five in the afternoon. And it's cold. Turning to face me, he must read my mind as he pulls me close to him. I am relieved he's instigated this show of affection, my fears are soon all but forgotten as I breathe in his scent. When I am this close to him the rest of the world disappears. It is just me and him and I wouldn't mind it being that way forever.
'Anna...' the sound of his voice bringing me gently back to earth.
'Yes, Mr Bates.' I whisper, my head resting against his chest.
'I was wondering, well hoping, you didn't think Friday afternoon was too soon You were dragged away before I had a chance to ask earlier.' My dear sweet man. Didn't he realise even Friday wasn't soon enough to become his wife?
'I'd marry you any day ending in a y,' is my bold yet truthful reply. Feeling him pull away from me, I wonder if I have said something wrong. I realise it is only so he can give me that look he gives me. No one has ever, or could ever, look at me like the way in which he does. Gently stroking my chin, I prepare myself as he pulls my lips towards his for a kiss. Feeling myself weaken under his spell, I am again taken by surprise when he breaks our passionate embrace to wrap me in his jacket. I smirk at him.
'Well, it is cold...' he replies with a small chuckle. I'm not complaining. He shows no sign of reluctance as I run my hands slowly along his sides and rest them on the small of his back, gently stroking the smooth fabric of his waistcoat. We are fully clothed yet this is the most intimate moment we have shared together. 'I was thinking about baby Charlie today.'
Surprised by his rather random admission, I press for answers. 'Ethel's Charlie? Why?'
'Well, watching you holding him has to be one of the most beautiful things I have ever seen in my life.' he explains, a hint of the smile on his face that I love. He seems to save certain facial expressions especially for me. ' If that's how I feel when I see you holding someone else's child, imagine what it's going to be like when we have one of our own.'
'You silly beggar,' giggling, I softly pat him where my hands have been stroking his back. Again, I am caught off guard as he begins to tickle my ribs, causing us to break apart and the cool air to hit my body. A maid's uniform isn't the warmest of garments to wear in a courtyard on a winter's night.
'Now you take that back,' comes his command as I beg him to stop tickling me.
'I'm sorry,' I say breathlessly before sighing. 'I guess we should go back in and have some tea.'
He nods in agreement but neither of us move as we stand and look at each other. This man standing before me, despite all his flaws and there were many, I may never forgive him for the time he left me, was the love of my life. I'd heard stories of their being one person for us all in this world, and he was mine.
Despite my daydreaming I register his hand touching mine. The smallest touch send shivers down my spine. I don't know how I ever got along in this world without knowing his touch. Needing his touch. Leading me to the door, we stop and he brings my hand to his lips, tenderly kissing the back of it. He opens the door and at first we struggle to adjust to light from within after being in the almost pitch darkness. Even though I welcome the warmth the inside of the house brings, I'd relive the moment we just shared in the courtyard a million times over if I could.