A/N: A big thanks to everyone who's reviewed this so far. There will be letters from Mr. Bates coming up in the future.
Disclaimer: I don't own DA, more's the pity.
Dear Mr. Bates,
Unfortunately, this will have to be a short, quick letter. I have to be up
quite early tomorrow for the trip to Ireland and I didn't want to leave
without writing at least a little bit to you.
Lady Mary seems to be both looking forward to the trip and wishing that Lady
Sybil would just come back to Downton. I know that she's grown tired of Sir
Richard and wishes that she could break off their engagement. At the very
least, she'll have a few weeks away from him. Lady Edith mostly seems to be
sad that Lady Sybil is marrying before her. I think that she wishes that she
were living in a Jane Austen novel where such things couldn't happen. I am
hoping to get a few moments to myself, but being in unusual situations tends
to make Lady Mary a bit peevish.
The other thing to tell is that I will be visiting my parents shortly
after I return from Ireland. Lord and Lady Grantham have generously given me
the time to visit. I am going to tell them about our marriage and your
arrest. It's all written on my face.
Oh John, how I wish that you were here. I just need to hear your voice, your
laugh. I need to feel your mouth on mine, your hand on my hip.
All my love,
Anna
He wiped away the tears from his eye before turning away from the wall. The
prison guard on duty took perverse pleasure in mocking any prisoner who
showed any form of emotion.
He closed his eyes and imagined Anna in front of him. He kissed and clung
onto this Anna. He would regret it later when the wounds were still open,
but for now he reveled in the phantom caresses.