Lord Grantham was summoned early the next morning by telegram. His attorney George Murray sent word he would need to meet with him the next day in London. It was of absolute urgency as plans for the future of Downton needed to be settled. He left a forwarding address in London, mentioned he himself was in transit to that location and requested Robert plan to remain there for several weeks in order to resolve financial matters that had escalated.
Robert was downcast when he read this news. He attempted to fluff it over with Cora during breakfast by emphasizing there were financial matters that had been put off since Mathew died and he simply could no longer avoid them. It was nothing to be concerned about he assured her, just a matter of finalizing plans Matthew had previously put into motion and never concluded.
Outside in the courtyard, John worked on Lord Grantham's riding boots in the soft morning light. As he polished the leather, his mind retreated to the previous night, when he had fallen asleep in front of the warm fire with Anna in his arms. After their painful discussion, she seemed to eventually melt into his body. His words were loving, and his hold on her tight, absolving some of her self- deprecating thoughts that troubled him so, and excusing the grief that disoriented her every thought.
Before they drifted into a deep sleep, John's hands lingered around her, gently rubbing the ends of her long hair between his fingers. He relished the sensation of those silken blonde strands. When a soft moonlight separated the darkness of the room and rested brilliantly upon Anna's satin skin, John stared at her wonderful long eyelashes, thankful her despairing eyes were finally at rest. He reasoned her willful state of mind, pondering ways to assure her of his undying love and loyalty. He would never leave her again - had she forgotten his promise?
When he awoke in the middle of the night, he waited until she stirred before urging her to bed - grateful for those hours of peaceful sleep they had found together in his loving embrace. John could only hope she felt deeply loved and safe in his arms - he yearned to be that way with her again. Suddenly his thoughts were interrupted as one of the hall boys ran into the courtyard informing of Lord Grantham's request for him.
John returned to the house and met Robert upstairs in his private dressing room. "M' lord, you've sent for me?"
"Yes Bates. I'm afraid we need to leave for London first thing tomorrow. I've arranged for our departure on the early morning train." He was fiddling around the room looking for a book.
"For how long m'lord?"
Robert stopped and looked directly at John, his face seemed apologetic as he responded, "we'll need to remain there for several weeks, quite possibly a month."
John's eyebrows raised in shock at this news.
"I know old chap, it's certainly a long time away from home. How is Anna getting along these days?"
"She is...still not herself," John spoke with care, as he did not want to reveal how devastated he was at the news of this sudden extended trip.
"I'm sorry Bates, I wouldn't ask you to leave Anna for this long if this wasn't an urgent matter. The fact is, I need you there with me in London, not only for your services, but also for your support. This trip is detrimental to the future of Downton. Do you understand?"
"I do. Of course."
Robert discovered the book he was looking for, and opening it, he continued " maybe it would be best for Anna to stay here in the staff quarters while we're away."
"Yes, I agree, and I will talk to her about it and begin preparing for our departure right away. Will that be all?"
They both nodded to one another, and John left Robert alone in the room to find Anna.
He was in anguish at the thought of leaving her for such a long period of time. He could not however, protest against going with the very man who aided the survival of his beloved. How could John refuse? The fact was, he couldn't, and he knew not to even breach the subject with Lord Grantham. Instead, John dutifully accepted the task at hand and began preparing for their imminent departure.
Later that morning while on his way to the attic where they stored all the luggage for the house, John ran into Anna in the upstairs hall.
She gave him a small smile, "There you are. I heard you were looking for me earlier."
"I was," he gave her a half smile, she knew something was amiss.
"What is it?"
John looked around the hall and when he confirmed no one else was near, pulled Anna into one of the guest bedrooms closing the door behind them.
"I have to leave for London first thing in the morning with his lordship."
"All right. I'll get home before you, should I pack your overnight bag?"
"Anna, Its not a day trip. We'll be gone for awhile."
"How long is awhile?"
"Several weeks I'm sorry to say."
"Oh..." She was clearly disappointed by this news, and John oddly felt relieved by her reaction.
Anna lowered her head and thought for a moment before confessing, "I don't want you to go."
John's heart leapt in his chest, and he couldn't help contain the smile that began to form. "I hope you mean that."
Anna looked up into his expectant face, her heart drowning those blue eyes with emotion. "John, I know I haven't been the wife you need for a very long time, but you helped me remember something very important yesterday...You really do love me, unconditionally." Her face burned with embarrassment and heartbreak.
John felt a surge of emotion run through his body at her affirmation but didn't ponder it very long. Instead he quickly reached for Anna, pulling her against him for a tender embrace. Emphasizing his words, he responded "Yes...I love you Anna. You are my life; my every thought is for you, this is not to be forgotten. Not ever."
She pulled back from him, resting her hands on his chest while he maintained a strong hold around her waist.
"I'm so sorry...I know I've hurt you with what I've said and by pushing you away. I've just..." her lips began to tremble as she struggled to explain.
John interrupted shaking his head slowly at her, "No...You don't need to apologize. Yes, I was hurt, and confused. But don't you realize? I would never let you divorce me. We have committed our lives to one another through the best of times and the very worst. I understand your gesture came from your love for me. It was self-less. It was also maddening, but it was self-less love."
Anna lowered her head for a moment feeling ashamed. John reached for her chin and slowly lifted her face toward his again, sliding his thumb over her lips for a brief moment.
He still felt unsettled. "Something else is bothering you. Tell me," gently John encouraged her, still holding her chin up and tilting his head lower to question the aversion of her eyes.
Anna shrugged her shoulders; "I had a dream last night that I wanted to tell you about."
"Go on," he insisted.
Anna hesitated and shook her head in disagreement. "Maybe now isn't the right time."
"Anna, please don't hold anything back from me. Now is all the time we have, I'll be gone for possibly a month. Tell me."
"In my dream... we adopted a child."
John smiled a smile so big, even the creases near his eyes were raised upward, "that sounds like a good dream."
"Maybe you could think about that while you're away?" Anna bit her bottom lip, as was becoming her nervous habit these days.
"Yes. Now that, I will think about." He spoke with gentle sincerity and assurance.
John leaned forward to softly kiss Anna's head, then smiled lovingly at her. She reached for the back of his head, and pulling him down toward her face, she perched up on her tiptoes and gave him a chaste kiss on the lips.
"I'm sure you will need to leave before sunrise in the morning, will you be very late working tonight?"
"I shouldn't be, I'm nearly finished packing for his lordship, and I'll need to have time tonight to pack my own things."
"I enjoyed our fire last night, maybe we will have time to enjoy one last spring fire together."
"I would like that."
John's eyes glistened over at her invitation and his heart nearly split inside his chest. Just when they were gaining ground against the hollow of their lives, he was forced to leave her.