A/N: Wrote this for a challenge on LJ and it blossomed from there. After some pushing, decided to post it on here as a trial. There's a plan…of sorts…but more an Anna/Bates fic-fest. Hope you enjoy it. xxx
It All Began At Downton….
Anna gave herself a final glance in the mirror and offered herself a satisfied nod. Even if she said it herself, she looked good tonight. Dressed in a long, figure hugging black dress with silver heels that were insanely high, she knew she'd get some looks, not that she was bothered, she wasn't looking for anything like that tonight, tonight was all about having a good time, men could go and take a running jump!
On her bedside table, her iPhone buzzed and she grabbed at it, grinning as Gwen's text message flashed up.
Gwen
Taxi's downstairs! Get your ass down here!
Grabbing her little black clutch bag, her phone and her keys she flicked off the lights in her bedroom and rushed out of her apartment, checking the lock as the door closed.
In her heels, steps took a lot longer than usual, but as her phone buzzed again,
Daisy
What are you doing? HURRY UP!
Anna picked up speed and emerged from the secure hallway out into the warm July night. In front of her building a taxi waited, a long suffering taxi driver was sitting with arm out of the window whilst in the back, three faces hung out of the window.
"Finally!" Ethel cried as Anna approached the taxi. "I've got a right thirst on, I need a drink!"
"You've had three vodka's already!" Gwen scolded, before grinning at Anna, "You took your time, but, hang on! You look hot!"
Anna grinned back, "Thanks!"
"That dress is gorgeous!" Daisy sighed as Anna smoothed out the material of her dress.
"Hey, lady! You get in or not?" The taxi driver was clearly not in any mood for fashion or dress admiration.
"Err…excuse me, we're paying your kebab tonight, so less attitude!" Ethel snapped and Anna cringed, thanks to Ethel they had often had to
walk home after taxi drivers had grown tired of her behaviour towards them.
"I'm getting in!" Anna said quickly and opened the door, squeezing into the taxi between Gwen and Daisy.
"Do you think they'll have servants? I bet it's dead grand!" Daisy sighed as the taxi started on its journey.
"Course they will! It's meant to be massive; Sarah said it's like something out of an Austen novel!" Gwen said with some excitement.
"This is Cora we're talking about, it's going to be over the top," Ethel said with a roll of her eyes. "I'm expecting full on fairy lights on every inch of the house, floating candles in an ornate water feature, a butler who talks with a plum in his mouth and an orchestra playing in the gallery!"
Daisy giggled, "Do you think they'll announce us like, 'Lords, Ladies and Gentlemen…Miss Daisy Robinson!' when we go in?"
"Don't talk daft!" Gwen laughed. "It's a 50th birthday party, not a trip to Parliament!"
"But it is Lady Grantham who's throwing this party!" Daisy said, her eyes sparkling with excitement.
Anna laughed along; the truth was they were all excited to be finally seeing the famous Downton Abbey, home of their employer, Lady Cora Crawley, Countess of Grantham. She ran an events management company based in Leeds, but she was forever going on about her husband's ancestral home, Downton Abbey. She was from America originally, but had married well, her husband, the current Lord Grantham, was high up in the army and had served in both Iraq and Afghanistan.
Despite being relatively wealthy in the current economic climate, both Cora and her husband, Robert (they rarely used their correct titles now, well, Cora did on special occasions) worked to not only keep the family home running, but to fund their three daughters' lavish lifestyles.
Tonight was Cora's 50th birthday and she had invited almost all the county and had even deigned to extend the invite to her staff of CC Events. Hence, why, on a Saturday night, Anna and her work friends were taking an expensive taxi to Downton Abbey in fine cocktail frocks and not walking the short distance into Leeds to get hammered at Chilli White.
They'd barely entered the grounds before Daisy was overflowing with giddiness. The youngest of the group, she'd joined CC's at sixteen, fresh from the local comprehensive with minimal GCSE's, she began as the badly named "Copy Girl" who ran all the basic errands, including making tea and coffee for the extensive staff, housed in an attractively Victorian house. Now, eighteen, Daisy had matured enough to be on Reception, along with Gwen who was head receptionist.
The drive seemed endless, but collectively (driver included) they all gasped in wonder and awe at the sight of Downton Abbey as it came into view.
"No. Fucking. Way!" Ethel shrieked, her face practically plastered to the window.
"That's….it's like Pemberley!" Gwen breathed.
"What?" Ethel demanded.
"Yer know, in Pride and Prejudice…Matthew McFadyen…."
"That's one serious pad! Would you be workin' if yer lived in that?" Ethel asked. "Cos, I'd be sitting on me arse, doing bugger all!"
"You do anyway!" Anna quipped, flashing her friend a knowing smile.
"Yeah, but at least I'd have good reason to! Yer'd never leave it would yer?" Ethel sighed. "I seriously need to find myself a well off man tonight! I need to get me a house like that! A house that will get me on MTV Cribs!"
"Funny that, I'd put you down as a more, "16 and pregnant" kind of girl!" Gwen rolled her eyes and the others all laughed.
"That were one time and you promised you wouldn't mention it again!" Ethel snapped, colouring slightly. At sixteen, she'd got herself into some bother with a good for nothing local boy on her street, a trip to the family planning clinic had sorted it all out, but Ethel still had a reputation.
Still laughing, the others apologised saying they didn't mean to be awful to her, but sometimes, she asked for it. Always full of dreams of stardom, she'd entered X Factor three times and Britain's Got Talent for the last two years. Each time she was rejected and her friends had to listen to her rant on about the unfairness of it all.
"I hope there are some decent men here tonight, Cora promised there would be," Daisy said, colouring a little at the prospect of Lord Grantham's army friends, wondering how many would be in uniform.
"Hopefully none," Anna sighed. "I think I'd prefer it to be women only."
"Oh come on, Anna!" Gwen cried. "You cannot mean that! It's time you found yourself someone, it's been three years!"
"Thank you for counting, and reminding me!" Anna laughed, not offended at all. "But, after Joe, I just can't seem to trust blokes again, I'm better off on me own."
"A crying shame," Ethel sniffed. "No girl should think that way, not that we need to depend on men, but, it's hard not getting any."
"Anna, you need a guy, forget that Joe, he was a loser, you are gorgeous and you deserve a hot and sexy guy, and I reckon he's in there!" Daisy said firmly.
Anna laughed and shook her head. After having her heart broken by Joseph Molesley three years ago, she'd made a pact that she wouldn't let out her heart to just anyone, they'd have to really earn it this time. She wouldn't be made a fool of again.
"Isn't it a crime that Anna's not getting any?" Ethel asked, directing her question at Gwen and Daisy.
"A terrible shame," The taxi driver said before Anna could protest.
"Hey, was I talking to you?" Ethel demanded.
Thankfully, they had arrived and the door was being opened by a penguin-suited man and the girls were being encouraged out.
"Perve," Ethel muttered under her breath as Gwen paid the driver.
As they all got out and straightened out their long cocktail dresses, readjusted their hair and bags (Ethel, her breasts), they made their way towards the grand entrance, feet crunching on the gravel as they walked (with difficulty) in their heels.
At the door, another penguin-suited man, with no expression, greeted them, opening the huge wooden door. Open mouthed, they climbed the few steps and entered into the grand hallway, and were pounced upon by Cora.
Lady Grantham, in a dress that looked so expensive it should be a in a vault, cried out happily, "Darlings! You made it!" She came towards them and air-kissed each one as they offered her birthday congratulations. "Welcome to Downton," she said simply, diamonds glinting from every available area that could be adorned.
The usual pleasantries aside (Cora commenting on Daisy's dress – Is it Primark?- and Ethel's lack of one – should that have a skirt with it?) they were led towards another young man in a suit who held out a tray of champagne.
"Eurgh, this stuff goes right to me head!" Ethel grumbled, swigging down great mouthfuls of the stuff.
"That one glass probably costs more than I earn in a week!" Gwen noted wryly.
Cora returned, with her PA, Sarah in tow. "Now, girls, remember how to behave, this isn't Leeds on a Saturday night, so no pole dancing," she aimed that one at Ethel and rightly so. "Anna, I think I may have found you a chap."
Anna blushed, "Oh, Cora, I don't want…"
"Nonsense!" Cora snapped, "He's very nice, a friend of Robert's, he's in the army you know, I think he'd be perfect for you. I'll introduce you….where is he?"
"Over there, by the staircase, talking to yer 'usband," Sarah said and pointed towards the biggest staircase Anna had ever seen in her life.
"So he is! Right, come along, Anna…in fact, all of you come, it'll look less obvious!" Cora said, grabbing at Anna's hand before she could protest any further.
"Cor-" Anna tried, but it was no use. Behind her, Ethel, Daisy and Gwen were giggling as they followed her towards the staircase and what was no doubt to be the most embarrassing experience of her life.
"Good luck!" Sarah smirked and Anna wanted to stop and smack the infuriating woman, but with her being so firmly held by Cora, it was impossible and not at all correct for this setting.
As they approached the staircase, several men were milling about, drinks in hands and talking animatedly, Anna recognised one as Cora's husband, he'd been to the office a few times though she didn't know him well. Stood next to him, however, was a man who most definitely caught her eye.
oOo
John Bates did not want to be here. He barely knew Cora Crawley, wife of his army comrade and commanding officer, Robert, let alone want to celebrate her birthday. Robert, however, had been very persuasive, begging him to come so that he wouldn't be left alone with a bunch of crazy women he didn't know.
After much arguing, John had relented, and so found himself standing, trussed up like a Christmas turkey in the grand hall of Downton Abbey. He'd chosen the staircase as his bolt hole, hoping he would be left alone by Cora who was determined to try and set him up with someone. He'd refused, begged her to leave him be (even Robert had tried) but Cora was a persuasive woman and now, nervously he was awaiting his fate. He could see it now, some middle aged woman desperate for a lay throwing herself at him. It made him wish he drank.
"Oh, bloody hell!" Robert groaned softly at his side. "Stand back, the party's about to start!"
Following his gaze, he saw a group of four young women enter the hall and watched as Cora gushed over them, champagne glasses at the ready.
"They work for Cora….a night out with them is very messy," Robert explained.
John raised an eyebrow, from the look of one of them, he could imagine it. The word 'pelmet' came to mind when thinking about her dress, or lack of it. Another girl, with flame red hair was dressed in a shimmering emerald green dress and was smiling happily, sipping away at her bubbly. A younger girl was at her side, awestruck by the sight around her, but his gaze fell onto the fourth member of the group and something inside him stirred.
Slim and blonde in a stunning, black dress, he was mesmerized by this beautiful young creature. He couldn't take his eyes off her, though he knew he'd have to, he was clearly staring at her. Blushing a little, he turned away, trying to distract himself with some other thought, but he couldn't get her out of his mind and slowly, his gaze turned back to her, only to see Cora approaching at great speed, a gaggle of women behind her.
"Oh, God!" Robert groaned.
"Darling!" Cora greeted them, "Look who's arrived!"
The group of women seemed to spread out behind her, all observing him with a great deal of interest. Inwardly, he groaned and wondered just what Cora was up to now.
"Girls, this is my husband, Lord Grantham," Cora announced grandly, making good use of his title to show off.
"Call me Robert," Robert said smoothly, flashing his wife a warning glance.
Cora now had her attention fully on John and he cursed silently, flashing his old friend a look for help. Robert merely shrugged and offered him a sympathetic glance. Nothing would stop Cora when she had an idea.
"Now, John, you don't know anybody except my darling husband…" Cora began, linking her arm through his.
"Well that's not strict-" John tried, but Cora cut him off.
"So, let me introduce you to some people." Cora turned around the face the women standing behind her. "This is Ethel, she's in marketing…."
"Hello," John nodded at the girl in the ridiculously short dress. She smiled back and shook his out held hand.
"And, this is Daisy, she's…well, she copies our things and does the post…"
Again John nodded and shook the young girl's hand who looked at him with big eyes. Up next was a red haired girl in the emerald dress, she smiled politely and shook his hand, but by this point, he was barely thinking straight. Next to the red haired girl (Gwyn?) stood the very pretty blonde haired woman. Up close he realised she was even prettier than he'd first thought, she was watching him carefully, though she had said nothing throughout all the introductions
"And this is Anna…." Cora said, turning him slightly to face the blonde woman. Cora's hand dug into his arm and he took that as a sign, clearly this was the woman she intended to set him up with, and for a ridiculous minute he wanted to kiss Cora. However, his thoughts quickly halted, Cora must be out of her mind! Why on earth would a woman as beautiful as this Anna want to be with him? Cora was trying to make a fool of him.
"Hello," Anna said and held out her hand with a smile that made his heart leap. Looking at her closely, he couldn't quite believe how attractive she actually was. Pretty blonde hair that had been curled slightly framed a beautiful face with deep blue eyes that seemed to sparkle. He took her hand, enjoying the feel of her small, soft hand in his and he returned the greeting.
"Well, I need another drink, come darling," Cora said loudly and brightly, grabbing her husband's arm. She flashed John a huge grin that made him cringe before turning to the other women. "Gwen! Ethel! Daisy! You need a drink too, come get one!"
Anna coloured a little and dropped her eyes from his, it was ridiculously obvious what Cora was up to and they were both embarrassed, but there was little they could do.
As the group disappeared, Robert throwing him an apologetic glance, John turned back to Anna and offered her a soft smile, his eyes crinkling a little at the corners. She met his eyes and smiled back, her cheeks blushing in a colour he found so gloriously beautiful that he wanted never to see any other colour again.
"I'm sorry," John finally managed, his voice an embarrassed whisper.
"Don't be, this is typical Cora," Anna sighed, shifting awkwardly on the spot as John merely hummed in agreement. "Sorry, I didn't quite catch your name," Anna said apologetically.
"John Bates," he answered, holding out his hand to her.
She took it with a smile, "Anna Smith."
Her hand in his, he felt a jolt rush through him, suddenly he had the desire never to lose sight of this woman ever again. Her smile made his life complete, her touch made him want to never let go and the mere warmth of her eyes sent his heart tumbling into an area he'd never dared explore for a long time.
They talked for what seemed ages, sharing tales and enjoying common interests of conversation. He found her so interesting, her voice beguiling, her mannerisms endearing. She seemed to enjoy his company too, smiling often, laughing at his poor attempts at humour and occasionally, touching his arm with her hand whenever she wished to make a serious point.
How long they stood and talked, neither seemed to know or care, but when they both noticed Cora and Gwen looking their way and talking obviously behind their drinks. Anna turned back to John and rolled her eyes and he offered her a grin, his eyes twinkling with amusement.
"Could they be any more obvious?" sighed Anna.
Watching as Cora and Gwen turned to take another glass of champagne, John suddenly made a snap decision. He grabbed Anna's hand and pulled her towards him and a nearby doorway. Opening the door he pulled her inside, her soft laughter ringing in his ears.
"John! What are you doing? We shouldn't be in here!" she was protesting, but she didn't do anything to pull her hand away from his.
They were in a stairwell that was bleak and stark, clearly an old servants' staircase and John led her downstairs, his hand squeezing hers as they walked.
"I know this house well, been here a few times. There's a nice place outside, I don't know about you, but I was getting too warm up there and fed up with the looks!" John said, still leading the way.
Anna said nothing, just followed him faithfully, her fingers lacing with his as they walked. Finally they reached the bottom step and John led them out into a little courtyard. He came to a halt, and behind him Anna bumped into him, not realising he had come to a stop.
Laughing, they both faced each other and for a moment held each other's gaze, something sparking and passing between them. After what seemed like an age, the spell broke and they both looked away.
"Shall we sit down?" John suggested, pointing to two crates nearby.
Settling themselves, they resumed their conversation. Once again the talk flowed easily; they laughed and talked as if they had known each other years. He found himself quickly falling for her, her mannerisms, her beauty; her strength of character….it entranced him.
It came to an end all too quickly. Anna's phone buzzed and she checked it, sighing and getting to her feet.
"My friends are going," she stated with a hint of sadness in her voice.
"Already?" He made no attempt to hide his disappointment.
She smiled and said, "It's been lovely talking to you."
"It's been lovely talking to you."
She made her way towards the staircase, John following her, something inside him pulled at his heart and made him reach out. He reached out and grabbed her hand,
"Can I see you again?" he asked, his voice gruff and breathless.
She inhaled sharply and smiled back at him. "I'd like that." She moved closer and reached inside his jacket, removing his mobile phone.
She typed her number in and slipped it back into his pocket, her fingers trailing across his chest as she removed her hand.
He reacted quickly, pushing her back against the door until she was flush against it and he pressed himself against her, enjoying feeling her warmth through his clothes. She responded, arms wrapping about his neck and they moved in towards each other.
It was a hard and fast kiss at first, both acting purely on impulse, as they broke apart; he met her eyes, seeing desire reflected there. He moved in again and this time, their lips met in a long, slow, deep kiss, tongues meeting, mouths melding together.
His hands moved down the side of her body, sliding along her waist and then down onto her hips, pulling her even closer. As they came apart again, he smiled at her with warmth.
No words were spoken, nothing needed to be said, she turned and took hold of his hand and together they ascended the stairs. Somehow, they both knew, it had all begun at Downton.
