A/N Ok.. here we go! Again struggled with this chapter, but I thought the dialogue was necessary. There are other parts of this story that I could write, and I may go back and do so. I think it would be fun to explore some of their outings, and what some of their meetings may have been like while he was working at the pub.. but I've been sitting on their wedding night chapter for like 6 weeks, so I think I am just gonna zoom ahead a bit. Any objections?

Staring down into the water, Anna was willing it to boil. She was watching a pot for Mrs. Patmore. She'd gone down to the cellar and told Anna to stir the moment it boiled. But Mr. Bates was back today, and Anna wanted to make sure she was available for his arrival. She hadn't seen him in eight weeks. They had exchanged a few letters, his last being the most promising. He had said that he wanted to speak with her when he returned, to talk about their future. She didn't know if it was a good thing or a very bad thing, but she could see the line written so clearly in her mind… she had read it at least 100 times.

As she was waiting, a delivery boy brought in a dozen long stem roses. It was Valentines day, and the house was painted red. Anna couldn't decide if she was happy or angry about it. She loved the festive attitude, but it served as a rather nasty reminder that she had no Valentine…and the one she wanted, well… Lost in her thoughts, she was delicately touching the flower when the card came lose and fell onto the table. Who would know, if she read it?

"Dear Daisy" it read.

She smiled and gently touched one of the petals. She looked back at the card, just as Mr. Bates came into the doorway. She tilted her head at him and smiled, but he had a rather shocked look on his face. His eyes were dancing between Anna, the flowers, and the card in her hand.

"Mr. Bates" she said… and then she noticed… cupped in his palm, hanging at his side, a single red rose. But he was turning, and leaving, going as fast as his leg would allow.

"Mr. Bates!" she called after him, and had just gotten to the doorway before turning to see the pot boiling on the stove. She cursed under he breath, shoved the spoon into the pot, and went to it stirring rather forcefully.

He thought the flowers for her… She was reading the card. Did he know her well enough to know she was too nosy for her own good? No… He would think finer things of her than that. Ugh, she in one second had confirmed every fear the man had ever had; that some young lad had come to fancy her and take her away from him. And he had a rose…Had it been for her? Of course it had. She felt tears coming, she must find him.

He wasn't outside, and he wasn't in the Library. The servant's corridors were also empty. After searching high and low…she chanced the hallways, she could a ruffling in one of his lordships spare rooms.

There he was hanging clothes in a closet.

She leaned in the doorway.

"You're rather quick on that cane," she said

He turned, caught her eyes, and then looked away. "Just embarrassed" he said.

"They were for Daisy… "

He looked up, eyes narrowing..."But… the card?"

She licked her lips… "It wasn't signed, but everyone suspects William"

"They weren't for you?" he asked quietly.

"Nope… I have no admirers" she was trying to sound sad… But there was just too much cheek in it. He dropped his chin, and looked up at her. His lips were in a bit of pout.

He sat down on the ottoman at the end of the bed. "You have an admirer" he sighed…was quiet a moment and then continued. "You would make a wonderful wife and mother… Do you know that? I want all of these things for you, Anna… a home, husband, children. A life where you get chocolates, flowers, and jewels for Valentines Day, and every other day. I can give you none of that," he shook his head. "Yet when I think of a man who would be worthy of you… my palms get sweaty, and my stomach feels sick. I want to be that man… I want to be worthy of you. To be able to court you, and marry you, but I can't…" He hung his head. "That is my struggle. In loving you in the meek and small way I can, I feel like I am depriving you of all the things in life you deserve."

She sat down next to him; it was quiet a moment before she spoke. "I never believed I would leave here. Probably around my 26th birthday, I realized that I could be happy to live and die… at Downton. Mrs. Hughes won't always be Mrs. Hughes… someone will have to take over. You were a complete surprise" she smiled, "and everything you do give me…" she looked into his eyes, "kindness, friendship, trust…. it is more than I imagined I'd ever have. And I am grateful for that. Do I wish and dream for more? Yes… but only with you. Without you, well.. I'd rather just have Downton.

Her words were washing over him. They were a delight to hear. He had underestimated her, he had been a fool. She was his to treasure, spoil, and love in any way he could…

"Please know Anna.. please, I never intended to hurt you in any way. I know… I let you think that I didn't care for you, and that was wrong. Surely you must know, I care a great deal for you."

"Care?" she questioned.

"I love you Anna Smith" he admitted with a smile. "You must know that."

She grabbed at his hand, but he stiffened a little.

"I know," she said… "We have to stop."

"I don't know that we need to stop, but do need to exercise some control."

"So… no snogging then?" she smiled.

"Not while in the house" he said.

She nodded.

"Mr. Bates…" she asked quietly. "Was that rose for me?"

He nodded and reached into his coat pocket. "It is a little smashed I'm afraid"

She took it gently from him, and smiled. "It's beautiful… thank you." She was blushing a little.

"Mr. Mosley spared me one." He said smiling.

"That's where you were this morning?" she asked.

He nodded, "Anna, perhaps we should formalize this? We cannot court in a traditional sense, but I suppose we have been courting for quite awhile now? The solicitor says he may be able to charge abandonment… but he isn't hopeful."

"You hired a solicitor?" she asked

"Yes months ago" he said. "I didn't want to tell you" she interrupted him, "because you didn't want to get my hopes up?"

He nodded. "You…" she pushed against him gently, "need to stop worrying so much about my feelings… I'm a big girl you know?"

At that they heard a noise from the hallway and she quickly stood and quietly made her way out of the room.

Dinner that night was wonderful. They had strawberries, and John found Anna's joy in eating them incredibly fascinating. He wanted to kiss her, just a gentle one… but he couldn't, he wouldn't risk it.

"Carson" Robert said, "one more thing… Can we move Bates afternoon off to Wednesdays? I'm going to use the time to meet with Matthew on the estate."

"Certainly my Lord," Carson said.

As Carson left the room, Robert smiled to himself. He had noticed Bates picking out a rose from Mr. Moleslys garden. He was glad to see the poor chap taking some initiative. The house had been buzzing about he and Anna for months, and he knew the fellow had had a tough time with his first marriage. He deserved this.

Anna lay awake that night, looking onto her dresser where a small crystal vase was housing a perfect red rose. She slept with a smile on her lips. That next morning at breakfast, Mr. Bates sat down next to her and whispered, "Mr. Carson has moved my afternoon off to Wednesdays." She nearly choked on her toast. "But, I'm off on Wednesdays," she said. "I know" he smiled.

That next Wednesday, they ventured into the village together. He took her to bookshops, and bought her pastries and hot cocoas. She laughed and smiled at him, shy at all his fussing. They walked back to the abbey, her arm in his and John had never had a finer day.

A/N Be kind on this one.. I know it's a little choppy. I'll make it up to you, with Smut.. which is up next.