A/N: I just noticed on the Downton Abbey Wiki that Anna was born in 1886, which would have made her 26 at the time of the Titanic sinking in 1912. However, when doing research for this story, I read somewhere that she was born in 1888, and as I have already mentioned that she came to the Crawleys 10 years prior, at the age of 14, we will stick with her birth being in 1888 for the purposes of this story. So maybe slightly AU, but nothing that will change the events of the series for us.
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May 24, 1912
"Six o'clock!" Daisy's voice came resounding through the door. Anna started awake, then sighed as she threw her bedding back. There was a lot to do today, but she didn't mind that; she was excited about this evening. Today was Empire Day, one of only a handful of days when the servants were given the evening off to enjoy themselves with the family.
They would have their evening meal in the covered area near the cricket field, followed by a firework display. There would be music, dancing, and a bonfire. And, Anna secretly hoped, a chance to spend some time with Mr. Bates. Since that morning a week and a half ago when he had caught her crying over him, they had reached a sort of easy camaraderie. She always saved a seat for him at table, and he waited for her in the courtyard for an evening chat after putting the girls to bed.
Anna hurriedly dressed and put up her hair, flying out the door before Gwen had even put two feet on the floor. Normally Anna hated early mornings, but holidays were different for her.
She flew through her morning chores with a vigor that took Mrs. Hughes quite by surprise. Gwen, too, was taken aback, although she had noticed something going on between her friend and the handsome valet.
"Slow down, Anna," she whispered, pulling her roommate aside as they were opening the drapes in the library. "You'll see Mr. Bates at breakfast whether you break the world cleaning record or not." She winked before adding, "Besides, if we finish early, Mrs. Hughes will just find more work for us."
Eventually, however, they did finish, and Anna clambered down the stairs to her breakfast. He was sitting there, in his regular seat, chatting with Mr. Carson while they both drank their tea. When he noticed her, he reached over to pull out the chair next to him, the ghost of a smile playing at his lips. Anna accepted the invitation, grabbing a teacup and saucer as she sat down. She reached for the teapot, but Bates beat her to it, lifting the pot and pouring the scalding liquid into her cup before filling his own.
"You look excited, Anna," he turned to her when his conversation with Mr. Carson had ended. "What's the matter?"
"Anna's excited for tonight," Gwen supplied, taking the seat across from Anna. "She always gets when she's given an evening off."
"Tonight?" Bates inquired, spirits sinking. He had been looking forward to their evening talks. "Why? Are you going somewhere?"
"Just to the cricket field," she explained, blushing under his gaze. "Same as everyone else. Aren't you coming?"
"I'm not sure I understand," he replied, looking to Mr. Carter for assistance. "What's going on at the cricket field?"
"The annual Empire Day celebration," the butler supplied. "His Lordship allows the staff to have the evening off to enjoy the festivities."
"That's very kind of him," Bates replied thoughtfully.
The rest of the morning and early afternoon passed in a whirlwind of activity. Anna was kept busy with the girls, who all had new frocks for the occasion. Unfortunately, new frocks meant new hooks, buttons, and clasps that required Anna to begin dressing Sybil an hour before the gong just so she could get them all dressed in time.
Finally, however, all three girls were ready for the evening and Anna was allowed to head up to her own room to change out of her uniform and into something of her own choosing. She had selected a dress Lady Mary had passed on to her a few months before, deciding – after wearing it once – that it did not complement her fair skin and dark hair at all. It was last year's style, but Anna did not mind, as this was the first chance she had had to wear it.
Finished dressing, Anna turned her attention to her hair. Pulling the pins out of her bun, she let the blonde waves tumble over her shoulders and back. Gathering her hair at the nape of her neck, she began coiling it into a low chignon, pinning it into place as she twisted. Finally finished, she gave herself one last glance in the mirror before deciding she was satisfied with her appearance. She grabbed a shawl for later and headed downstairs.
Bates took less time with his appearance. Deciding not to change out of one suit into another, he nevertheless took off his jacket, vest, and shirt so he could freshen up. He headed into the bathroom to splash water on his face and shave so he would not go out with a stubble, then finished with his favorite cologne and aftershave. Looking in the mirror, he tried patting his hair into place, but one rebellious lock kept falling over his face so he combed in a little more pomade, styling his hair neatly. Satisfied, he headed to his room to put his shirt, vest, and jacket back on.
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The fireworks were spectacular. Anna was sitting on a blanket, gazing up at the display when she felt a warmth next to her. Turning, she saw Mr. Bates grinning at her, holding out a glass of punch.
"Thank you," she blushed, accepting the beverage. Noticing his glass of water, she added, "Aren't you having any?"
He hesitated. "Not this time," he finally responded, eyes twinkling, as he sat down. There's something he's not telling me, was the thought that came unbidden to her mind. Banishing it from her thoughts, she told herself, Even if there is something about his past, you wouldn't think any differently of him; he'll tell you when he's ready. After all, you have something in your past that you haven't told him; something that, if he knew it, would cause him to look at you with such loathing and disappointment, which is why you will probably never tell him.
Anna shivered, drawing her shawl tighter around her shoulders. All of a sudden, it seemed as if she would never be warm again.
"Are you cold?" Bates asked, eyes filled with concern for the woman he loved.
"A little," Anna admitted, nodding.
I hope she's not coming down with something, Bates thought, shrugging out of his jacket. I don't know how I would bear it if something happened to her. Placing the jacket over her shoulders, he ran his hands up and down her arms to warm them.
"Better?"
Anna nodded slightly, a bashful smile playing on her lips. "Much," she replied. "Thank you."
Bates' gaze darkened and intensified. "It is my very great pleasure," he said huskily.
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A/N: OK, I know this one is short, but I think there ought to be some scenes between the end of E1 (which takes place in May 1912) and the beginning of E2 (which takes place in September of that year). I mean, after all, that's the whole summer gone…so we'll try and fill in the gaps. Please Read and Review, as always! Thanks!
