"Gods, she could be impossible." He could still feel where she had placed her hand on his chest. On his heart. It felt warm. It felt... soothing. He had been about to explode before she appeared. Just seeing her calmed him. He had not expected her to touch him, but when she did he suddenly couldn't remember anything else. Well, there was no turning back now. "In for a penny, in for a pound" he thought as he opened the door.
Lord Grantham stared at him with his mouth agape. Had all the staff gone mad today? Bates was throwing punches and now Carson was barging into rooms uninvited. Lord Grantham was obviously frustrated. He was not a man that angered easily. He wasn't prone to rage, like Bates. His anger manifested as agitation. He almost never lost his temper completely. Carson was relieved to see that he didn't seem to have lost his temper on this occasion. "My Lord." He bowed his head.
Lord Grantham was grateful that most of the guests dispersed quickly. Somehow a few of the men had managed to get rather drunk. He wondered if that was before or after Bates's ludicrous display. Bates. What the hell had he been thinking? Cora was furious. Lord Grantham sighed. He tried to sound sincere in his apologies but his thoughts were focused inward. He looked at Cora. She was glaring at him. She could tell he was distracted. When they had a moment alone she gave him an order. "Go handle this."
"I can't leave the guests." Smiling outwardly as someone approached them. Shaking hands. Only a handful of people remained.
"I will make your excuses and finish up here. I don't imagine anyone is going to expect an after dinner drink now."
He walked over to Thomas. "Make sure everything is taken care of. No one retires tonight until this is all cleaned up." He glanced at the drunken men by the bar. Were they bloody singing? "All."
Thomas stared straight ahead and gave a curt nod. "Understood."
When he got to the library Carson was pacing outside. "I told him to wait for you inside, My Lord. I did not feel it was my place to handle this particular matter."
Gods, Carson must have been too angry to speak. That was a first. He took a deep breath and walked into the library.
Bates was waiting. The adrenaline had worn off and now he was feeling the effects. His leg throbbed but he dare not sit down. He stood and stared out the window. Nothing to do now but wait. He tried not to think about what was going to happen. He thought about Anna.
Lord Grantham walked in and glared at him. Bates glanced at his face before looking back at the floor. He kept his eyes down. He could not read Lord Grantham's expression. His heart was hammering in his chest.
Lord Grantham took a deep breath and looked toward the window. "Bates. What the devil were you think..."
John couldn't help himself. He cut him off. "My Lord, He grabbed her!" he turned to face him. "I have been watching him for months! Months! He's been after Anna at every turn!" Bates was nearly shouting now.
His defense set off Lord Grantham. This was not to be tolerated. He wheeled on Bates, his anger flaring.
"And you think that gives you the right to attack a man at my blasted Garden party?"
Lord Grantham was shouting at the top of his lungs now. It startled Bates into remembering his position. "No, of course not, my lord."
"Cora is furious. I am furious. All of England is going to be talking about this come morning! Do you know how embarrassing this is?"
He was still shouting. Bates swallowed and looked down.
Lowering his voice, Lord Grantham sighed and turned toward the window. "Bates, I saw it too. But you have put me in a most difficult position."
"Please, My Lord, I know that I..."
"That you what?" Angry again. "Disappointed me?" He snorted sarcastically. "That is hardly even the beginning!"
John felt his chest tighten. This was not going well. How was he ever going to be able to support Anna? Oh god. For a moment he felt like he might sob.
Lord Grantham took a deep breath. "What the hell am I supposed to do, Bates?"
It was rhetorical. John didn't look up. He was afraid to open his mouth. Afraid Lord Grantham would hear his voice quivering.
Then suddenly Carson walked in.
Bates looked at him, surprised. It was unlike Carson to barge in on Lord Grantham. Very much unlike him. He was obviously furious at John when they walked up here. For a moment he wondered if he intended to join Lord Grantham in berating him. "Let's all have a go" he thought to himself sarcastically. He sighed and looked back down at the floor.
"My Lord" began Carson. His voice seemed odd for some reason. Too calm? John looked back up at him. He had a most peculiar expression on his face. He looked... tired? Was is nervous? John couldn't figure it. He looked back to Lord Grantham.
Lord Grantham looked exasperated, fed up. He thought he might turn on Carson. Well, this day was nothing if not interesting. He wondered how Anna was doing.
Carson put a hand out. "I know I should not be interrupting you like this, but..."
"Bloody well right." Lord Grantham snapped, but he was looking at Carson curiously. Only a few minutes ago Carson looked to be ready to throttle somebody. Bates, most likely. Now he looked... apologetic. What in the blasted hell was going on?
Carson took a deep breath. "My Lord, I was thinking..."
Bates stared at him. Was he about to defend him? This was a surprising turn of events. He looked to Lord Grantham. Lord Grantham looked just as confused and curious as John as to what Carson was about to say. They both stood waiting for Carson to speak.
Carson breathed again and seemed to make a decision. Pulling himself to his full height, he stood at rigid attention and announced "If put in a similar situation, that is to say..." he paused, John heard the grandfather clock tick, "if any man were to take unwelcome advantage..."
Lord Grantham interrupted him. "Spit it out, Carson."
Carson turned and looked Lord Grantham in the eye. "If a footman were to wrap his arms around Mrs. Hughes, I do believe I would act in much the same way as Mr. Bates."
John and Lord Grantham stood in stunned silence. John could not believe what he was hearing. Had Carson just confessed to loving Mrs. Hughes? At this moment? This was incredibly out of character for him. John had the sudden urge to laugh. He looked at Lord Grantham. His mouth was hanging open and he was staring at Carson. Carson was staring straight ahead.
After a long pause, Carson continued. "And I might imagine... that if some other Lord or Duke were to make unwelcome advances at her Ladyship..."
This could not possibly be happening. John was shocked but also found it oddly hilarious.
"...you, My Lord, would be most unhappy indeed, and might even forget yourself for a moment as well."
Lord Grantham was staring at Carson. He seemed too stunned to speak.
Drawing himself up, Carson finished, "Unless, of course, your Lordship preferred that I handle the situation, in which case I would punch him for you."
John could not contain himself. He let out a snort of laughter. Lord Grantham turned and blinked at him. John's shoulders were shaking. He bit down on his lip, but it was too much. He started laughing.
Lord Grantham looked like he could not contemplate what was going on. Carson glared at John. He had just bared his soul, as far as he was concerned, and the man was laughing at him!
Suddenly Lord Grantham let out a chuckle. John was laughing harder now and Lord Grantham started laughing too. This entire situation was so absurd. He supposed Carson was right. They were all no better than a bunch of back alley brawlers when it came to their women. It could have been any one of them.
Carson looked flustered. Still laughing, Lord Grantham clapped him on the back. "Well done. I expect it felt good to get that off your chest. I do hope you've shared the good news with Mrs. Hughes."
Carson looked relieved. He raised his eyebrows. "She told me to say it, actually."
John and Lord Grantham started laughing again.
Lord Grantham nodded at Carson, smiling broadly. "That's very well, very well indeed. And I suppose you're right, except I am perfectly capable of fighting my own battles."
"I didn't mean..." Carson started.
Lord Grantham put his hands up to indicate that he was only joking. He turned to John. "Alright Bates, I suppose you get a pass on this one, but don't go tackling any more footmen."
"I will do my best, my Lord."
"I suppose I should have a chat with Timothy, but perhaps not today."
Carson agreed. "Mrs. Hughes informed me that he refused to see Dr. Clarkson, but that there seemed to be no permanent damage."
"Good then." Lord Grantham nodded. "Tomorrow."
