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John gently pushed Anna down on the sofa. He quickly shrugged off his jacket and dropped it to the floor. Leaning over to kiss her, he pulled at the buttons on her dress. She worked his shirt open and slid it down his back, kissing him all the while. He was kissing her neck now and she was moaning softly. He knew this wouldn't take long but he didn't care. He reached up under her dress and began to pull her stockings off.
Carson drew himself up to his full height and stood at attention. He was livid but trying to contain his anger. After Bates and Timothy had been taken away the guests seemed rather eager to leave. Lord Grantham was obviously flustered, trying to figure out how to handle the situation. He turned to Carson.
"Tell Bates I will speak with him NOW."
"Yes, my lord" rumbled Carson as he strode off toward the Bates's cottage. He was furiously muttering to himself. What the Devil was Bates thinking? At a garden party! The guests were terrified. Blood everywhere. The family had been shamed. This wasn't a back alley pub where you could just haul off and strike a man!
He was still muttering to himself when he got to the Bates's cottage. He knocked once and threw open the door, bellowing "Mr. Bates!" He was not expecting the scene he found before him.
Bates shot to his feet. He was wearing only his trousers, which were unfastened but thankfully still mostly on. He looked at Anna. Some of the buttons on her dress were undone but she had pushed her skirts back down. She was covered. He was relieved that he'd been in too much of a rush to pull her dress off. Her stockings and knickers lay on the floor.
Carson looked as if he might explode. "Now?!" he roared at them. "Of all things! Of all times! You're doing this now?!"
John looked at Anna. Was she blushing or was she still flushed? He looked back at Carson. His eyes were bulging and his face was red. He looked like he might scream. John saw Carson look down to the floor, seeing Anna's knickers. It took him a moment to realize what he was looking at. "Gods!" he roared again and spun on his heel to face the wall behind him.
Carson attempted to collect himself, focusing on a spot on the wall. He tightened his jaw. "Mr. Bates, Lord Grantham would like a word with you."
"Of course," John stammered,"...I'll be right along." He was pulling on his undershirt and fastening his trousers.
"He would like a word now."
"Erm. All right. Just give me a moment."
Carson grunted.
John pondered that Carson was never this gruff with him. He was his superior, of course, but they always had a form of mutual respect for one another. With a pang of guilt he realized just how angry he had made him. "I'm sorry, Charlie" he thought to himself.
"Would you like some tea, Mr. Carson?" Anna offered. Carson hung his head and groaned loudly at the wall. He was trying not to remember what he had just seen and speaking with Anna was not going to help. "I'll wait outside."
John shot Anna a surprised look. She responded with a sly smile. He looked at her with a mixture of amusement and confusion. He waited until Carson closed the door. "Something funny?"
She shrugged. "This has been a most ridiculous day."
"I don't expect Carson wants to sit for tea over your knickers."
"I don't need to have my knickers on to remember my manners." She shot back with mock seriousness, a smile at the corner of her lips.
John laughed softly and shook his head. This had been a most ridiculous day, indeed. Turning serious, he pulled her from the sofa. "I'm sure I'll be sacked. I won't let them sack you."
She leaned her head against his cheek and whispered to him. "If they sack you, then we're both leaving, so it doesn't really matter."
He hugged her to him and she rested her head under his chin. They stood like that for a moment. There was nothing else to say. Releasing her, he kissed her on the forehead and turned toward the door.
Outside, John met Carson and they started walking toward the house.
John wanted to apologize. He was unsure where to begin. "About that, back there, I'm sorry..."
Carson turned his head to glare at him. His face was still red. John swallowed and decided maybe this was not the right time. They walked on toward the house in silence.