Missives and His Mother

Disclaimer: Anna's not mine. Downton Abbey's not mine. Mr. Bates is definitely not mine. If he were mine, he'd go around with his sleeves rolled up more often. Mmm…

Chapter 4

She was just sliding a much read copy of Pride and Prejudice back onto the library shelf when she heard his soft voice behind her.

"Finished Pride and Prejudice, have you?"

Anna turned and smiled at Mr. Bates. "Yes, I have. It was lovely. That's one I'll be glad to read again."

He gave her that perfect little smile of his and moved to the next shelf over.

"And what are you returning, Mr. Bates?"

"Moby Dick," he said as he slid the fat tome back into its rightful place.

"Oh," she said, "It took me three months to make my way through that. It was beautifully written, but it was so long!"

Mr. Bates grinned and turned back to the shelf to find his next loaner from Lord Grantham's impressive library. "So, what are you thinking of reading now, Anna?"

She pursed her lips (his eyes watched very closely) and skimmed the titles. "I'm not sure. Do you have any recommendations?"

"Have you read anything by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle? His Sherlock Holmes mysteries are marvelous and I think you'd enjoy them quite a bit." He pulled a volume down and handed it over to her. "Some of them are a little scary, but nothing as scary as what is across the Channel right now."

Anna took the book and wondered. The war had already managed to invade every part of their lives and it had barely started. Thomas and William were gone, but Lord Grantham was still trying to decide what to do. The newspapers were full of it and conversation didn't go on for very long before one party or the other brought it up. It just couldn't be helped. Anna supposed that this was why so many of the staff were taking full advantage of borrowing books from the library. Any escape that could be had was valued beyond belief. She realized she'd been watching Mr. Bates scanning the shelf for quite a few minutes without responding to his suggestion. "Thank you, Mr. Bates. I shall give them a try." She managed to bring back her smile. "And for you?"

He reached up and pulled down a thick, blue book. "I believe I'll read a little Shakespeare."

She marveled at the variety of his reading. "Any play in particular?"

"Maybe The Tempest with the hideous Calaban." He smirked at her so she'd know he was joking.

Anna scowled at his disparaging comment. "I suggest Romeo and Juliet. You can't go wrong with a love story."

"Even a love story where the hero and heroine both end up dead?"

"I suppose you have a point there. Perhaps As You Like It or Twelfth Night where love triumphs over all."

Their eyes met and neither had the inclination to look away until Mr. Carson came in to return his borrowed copy of David Copperfield. Anna smiled at them both and went to take the copy of Doyle up to her room.

"Anna?"

"Yes, Mrs. Hughes?"

"Here's a letter come for you."

"Oh, thank you, Mrs. Hughes. I'll just take it up with my book and be back down in a jiffy."

Many hours later, Anna sat down on her bed and pulled out the letter from Mrs. Bates.

Dear Anna,

Do you mind awfully if I call you Anna? I hope not.

John's birthday is coming up at the beginning of October and I don't mind you asking at all! You have me intrigued, my dear. What is this project you mentioned? Can I help in any way? You just let me know and I'll do whatever I can to assist. Lord knows he deserves a wonderful birthday present.

Speaking of birthdays, dearie… when is yours?

I know what you mean about talk of the war being everywhere. I can't go anywhere in London without hearing of it around every corner. I've found myself staying at home more and trying to distract myself with my knitting. It doesn't always work.

It was very hard when John went off to Africa. He'd write whenever he could, but it wasn't very often at all. I thought it was hard while he was gone until he came home. He was broken in body and spirit and I wasn't sure he'd ever come out of it. He didn't really come back to himself until he went to Downton Abbey. I think you might have had a bit to do with that, Anna, and I can't thank you enough.

How are things progressing at Downton? Is her Ladyship feeling any better?

I hope so and hope you're taking care of yourself, my dear.

Margery Bates

Sorry this is so short, my lovelies, but you can look forward to birthday merriment pretty soon. Anyone want to guess what the "project" is?