Sorry about another shortie. I have a few longer ones in the works, but these fall together so much more easily.
Anna lectures Ethel for interrupting her conversation with Mr. Bates after his proposal. Season 2.
Anna gave her roommate a fierce glare as she entered their room to find Ethel reading by candlelight. "Didn't know you realized you were allowed to read in your own room." She muttered.
She was quiet and kept her mouth closed as she changed into her nightgown and readied herself for bed.
"What's with you?" Ethel asked.
Anna sighed before responding. Ethel could be obtuse at the best of times and was totally self-involved at the others.
"It's just, you interrupted a very private conversation earlier Ethel." She hoped that the other maid would let the issue drop.
"With Mr. Bates?" She smirked at Anna. "When I asked you who he was, you didn't tell me he was sweet on you."
"Because it's none of your business." Anna retorted, annoyed that Ethel was ruining her good mood.
Ethel just raised her eyebrows and didn't respond.
Anna laid back in bed and closed her eyes, replaying the evening. Mr. Bates' hopeful face, telling her that he could finally get a divorce, that light in his eyes, for the first time, believing they could really be together. He was serious, having already spoken with Lord Grantham as to what could be arranged. She felt her face flush as she remembered the soft way his lips had touched hers, just for a few moments, before he had pulled her into a tight embrace.
He had been so sweet, later on in the servants' hall, telling her about his vision for their future. She could tell he'd thought a lot about it. About being with her. He may have kept his feelings guarded, but his thoughts had been filled with the possibilities of their life together, of that she was now sure.
Anna sighed and smiled, forgetting for a moment that Ethel was in the room. "He proposed to me tonight. He wants to marry me."
Ethel snorted, "And you accepted? What, has he got money or something?"
Anna heaved a huge sigh. Ethel just didn't understand. She was too full of her grand plans for the future to notice the opportunities that lay in normal, everyday, beautiful things like the person you love, loving you back. She turned over in bed with her back to her roommate, closing her eyes and keeping all further thought about Mr. Bates to herself.