Anna accepted John's hand with a smile as he helped her from the train at Downton Station. The leather of his gloves crinkled when they wrapped the fingers of hers and Anna allowed the smallest of smiles to slip out. But the hint of romantic betrayal buttoned under forced propriety a moment later when Emmaline and Mrs. Bates disembarked the train as well.

"We'll see you when it's spring." Mrs. Bates hugged Emmaline fiercely before beckoning Anna over to kiss both her cheeks and whisper in her ear. "I very much doubt my son could go longer without seeing you."

"Nor I him." Anna answered back, kissing both cheeks as well.

"It felt good to scold him again." Mrs. Bates shivered as if with excitement at remembering the memory. "I haven't had a chance to berate his actions since he was sixteen. It's been far too long."

Anna darted her eyes to where John hugged Emmaline, kissing her solidly on the forehead as the porter brought her bags. "I'm sure he appreciated your care."

"He appreciated your care more." Mrs. Bates tapped the side of her nose when Anna's cheeks flushed. "Not to worry. Mum's the word and all that at my end."

"Truly?"

"Truly." Mrs. Bates stiffened her shoulders in a moment of self-importance. "It's been too long since I had a secret to keep to myself."

"And Kincade and M and Emmaline." Anna shuddered, "If I could do it over again I'd make sure to be a little more subtle."

"Darling, moments like that aren't for subtlety." Mrs. Bates bent around Anna. "John, if you don't hurry we'll miss the train."

"Coming." John gave one last embrace to Emmaline before stopping near Anna. "In other circumstances I'd kiss you now."

"And in other circumstances I'd let you." Anna extended her hand, "Just imagine that this is everything we'd want to say to one another on this platform that convention and propriety won't let us say."

"I'd need longer than a handshake to say all of those things." John winked at her, taking her hand firmly and running his leather-clad thumb over the back of her gloved hand. "I'll be back soon."

"I'll hold you to that." Anna released, shivering and nodding at the train. "Best get on before the train and your mother leave you behind."

"It'd be worth it." He peeked around before removing his hat to place a soft kiss on her cheek. "I'll be back before you know it."

"I'll know." Anna kissed his cheek back, her lips lingering as the train whistle blew. "I love you."

"And I you." He drew back, replaced his hat, and climbed into the carriage after his mother.

The door closed and he put his hand to the window a moment before waving behind Anna to Emmaline. Anna put her arm around the girl, keeping her close as they watched the train pull away, and then turned to the porters still waiting with their bags. Her hand rubbed over Emmaline's arm.

"Come on, before you know it we'll be celebrating St. Patrick's Day."

"I'm not sure they celebrate here the way my family likes to." Emmaline smiled and they followed the porters to the motor waiting for them. "My mother used to go to Dublin every year for a week just to celebrate with her family."

"We did just have ourselves six weeks for Christmas so I can understand if they won't let you take a week during Spring Term." Anna allowed Emmaline to enter the cab first and then followed, leaning over the seat to give the man instructions to Downton before sitting back. "Did you have a nice holiday?"

"You ask as if you weren't there."

"I ask because I was there." Anna put her hands in her lap, pulling at her gloves before turning to Emmaline. "You don't mind, do you?"

"That you came with us for Christmas?"

"That your father and I are…" Anna shook her head, "It's so odd to say."

"Lovers?"

Anna shuddered, "Please never use that word again."

"Isn't it true?"

"It puts a bad taste in my mouth." Anna grimaced, "And it's far too simple a term for what I hope your father and I are to one another."

"What are you, to one another?"

Anna leaned her head back, thinking. "Kindred spirits I think. Two souls of a similar experience and nature drawn to one another through shared circumstance and a host of sufferings."

"What kind of sufferings?"

"The kind you'll understand when you find someone for yourself." Anna reached for Emmaline's hand and gave a little sigh when the girl allowed her to take it. "I don't want to overstep any bounds or threaten the relationship that you and I have together but… I love your father, Emmaline. I don't know where this will go but I know that my future lies with him. Wherever that may lead."

"Even if it's away from Downton?"

"At this point I'm fairly certain I won't remain on at Downton regardless of what happens between your father and I."

"Why not?"

Anna bit her lip, "It's something I hope you never understand and a tale I don't think I want to tell you for the same reasons."

Emmaline frowned, sitting back in her seat. "Was it what you told my father in the train compartment on our way to Inverness?"

"Yes but he already knew most of it." Anna sat up a little straighter as Downton came into sight. "But, for the rest of it, I think we should keep it between ourselves for the time being."

Emmaline nodded, "I don't need to encourage any more rumors in my direction. And I certainly don't want them talking about my father."

"Me either." Anna patted her hand as the cab pulled just outside the front doors. "I'd like for our private lives to remain that way."

She went to disembark from the cab when someone put their hand over hers to help her out. Anna jerked away on instinct when Green's face greeted her. Her entire body stiffened and it took Emmaline's smaller hand on her arm to even urge her to move after the encounter froze her.

"My, my Ms. Smith. We are jumpy." Green's smile hinted toward a leer and Anna intentionally avoided him as she stepped down from the cab and helped Emmaline to follow, keeping the girl behind her. "Did you encounter some kind of snark in Scotland that put you on edge?"

"There are no such things as snarks." Mrs. Hughes's voice broke through the tension and Anna relaxed slightly as the woman approached. "It's a wild country but not a mythical land."

"Last time I was in Scotland all I got for my trouble was a belly full of heather and the worst beds I can imagine sleeping on." Green snorted, "I almost kissed the ground when I came back to England."

"Will you allow him to disrespect your home Mrs. Hughes?"

"Mr. Green is entitled to think what he likes." Mrs. Hughes's lips twitched toward Green before she addressed Anna and Emmaline. "How was Inverness? It's been a time since I was farther than family in Argyle but I trust you enjoyed yourselves in the moors?"

"Reminded me a bit of home really." Anna reached to take her bags from the cab driver while handing over the requisite payment. "Thank you."

He placed his crooked fingers to his forehead and nodded at her before returning to his place and driving away. Anna noticed Green had not moved but chose to address Mrs. Hughes instead. "And how were the girls who stayed? Not too homesick I hope?"

"Ms. Baxter and Mr. Moseley made sure they were all eating Christmas dinner with a family in town and that they received their letters and gifts on time from their families." Mrs. Hughes pulled out her watch and her eyes went wide. "Speaking of, we've got a number of girls on their way this afternoon and I need to make sure it's all ready for them."

"I'll help."

"No, you situate yourself and Ms. Bates here and then make sure you're chipper for your evening and morning rounds." Mrs. Hughes winked at them before sweeping back into the school.

Anna pivoted to Emmaline, doing all she could to continue ignoring Green. "Go and take your things up. We might have time for a quick trip into the village to send a telegram to your father, tell him your safe, before supper if you're up for a little walk."

"I'd love that." Emmaline squeezed Anna's hand and, before Anna could argue, nabbed all of the bags to maneuver them into the school.

Anna let out a sigh, a small smile quirking at her lips, but it died the moment Green stepped into her path. "I do have duties that need my attention, Mr. Green."

"Still so formal?" He leaned toward her, his hand coming toward her face but Anna dodged aside. "After what we shared?"

"I'm sure the only thing I'd ever consent to sharing with you is the intimate details of the pointy end of a pitchfork." Anna swallowed, nodding toward the school. "Now let me by."

His leer deepened. "I feel like we've been here before, you and I. Having a conversation like this one."

"That would usually signal insanity."

Green blinked, "What?"

"Insanity is performing the same task over and over while expecting a different result." Anna held her position. "I don't know what you could possibly want from me, Mr. Green, but whatever it is I won't give it to you."

"Didn't you realize, Anna," His voice took on a menacing tone and it was all Anna could do not to shiver in fear as her jaw clenched. "I don't wait to be given anything. If I want it, I take it."

"I'm quite aware of how you do what you do." Anna let her voice even, her hands shaking before she bawled them into fists. "And I know what you are. I know the validity to all those rumors from London now."

"And you'll what? Risk your reputation to tell everyone they're true?"

"I won't be risking anything."

"And who would, your Mr. Bates?"

Anna bit the inside of her cheek. "Whatever Captain Bates is, he is an officer in His Majesty's Navy and deserves the respect befitting his rank and for you to address him as such."

"Protective of your mutilated cripple are you?"

"He's not a cripple."

"I had a friend, served under your Bates for a time, and he told me all about that disgusting back of his." Anna thought she tasted blood in her mouth and released the hold of her teeth on the skin. "He's a cripple, no matter which way you slice it. Anyone looks like that, they're a fecking Quasimodo."

"I'll ask that you watch your language, please. This is a ladies' college."

Green pantomimed putting a hand over his mouth. "Did I offend the sensibilities of a woman who spent her Christmas holidays shagging him?"

Anna went to pass Green but he grabbed her arm. "Let go of me."

"I think you need to learn what happens to sluts like you."

He tried to drag Anna through the gravel but she dug in her heels and used her free hand to slap him. The motion struck hard enough across his ear to upset his balance and he released her arm to stop himself toppling over. Anna caught herself and hurried toward the school, trying to shout for help but only managing weak cries that barely echoed back to her. She almost reached the doors when arms wrapped around her waist and brought her to the ground with a loud shriek.

Scrabbling over the gravel, Anna managed to collect a handful and threw it into Green's face when he tried to turn her over. His weight lifted off her and Anna scrambled through the rocks to get to her feet. Her shoe came off and Anna reached to grab it as Green approached again. Without thinking, she brought the hard heel around and caught Green in the temple, tearing a gash through his cheek as the worn heel exposed the nail.

Red blossomed over Green's face and he howled, his hand going over the wound as he tumbled to his side on the drive. Anna almost screamed, the energy and adrenaline pumping through her body, and raised her shoe when another hand landed on her shoulder. But Mrs. Hughes immediately released her hold on Anna, stepping back with her hands raised in surrender, as Mr. Carson joined her.

Anna collapsed into Mrs. Hughes's arms, sobbing as Mr. Carson's bulk sidestepped them to grab for the crying Green. He hauled the man to his feet and dragged him inside the building as Mrs. Hughes shuffled Anna into one of the rooms off the entryway. They cocooned in there until Anna could no longer hear the screeching sobs of Green down the hallway.

"What happened Anna?" Mrs. Hughes held her and Anna could only shake her head, dropping her useless shoe to sob helplessly into the other woman's arms. "I was only gone for a minute."

Anna could not get any words past the choking in her throat and just managed to shake her head. Mrs. Hughes patted her arm and helped her up the stairs to her room, closing the door on anyone who thought they might want to ascertain the events from the noises echoing throughout the school. When they were safely ensconced in Anna's room, the lock turned with a satisfying click, Mrs. Hughes sat on the bed opposite Anna's.

"What happened Anna?"

Anna coughed, swallowing to get her emotions in order as her chest spasmed. The hiccups of her heavy sobs combined with a lack of oxygen only worsened them until Mrs. Hughes took her hand and rubbed over it as if to soothe her. The motions worked and soon Anna could breathe normally and the salt of her tears dried to her cheeks. A wet cloth pressed over the tracks and Anna nodded her thanks as Mrs. Hughes removed her hand.

But when Mrs. Hughes opened her mouth to speak, someone banged on Anna's door. Both of them froze as the distinct slap of the flat of someone's hand went to the wood while another hand rattled the knob. "Anna, I know you're in there and I need you to open the door right now. This is urgent."

Anna hurried to the door, wiping her face with the cloth as she turned the lock to allow Mary inside. Mary closed the door quickly and rested her weight on it as if shutting out anyone else attempting to slip through the cracks. She opened her mouth to speak, pausing at the sight of Mrs. Hughes, and then frowned in response before shaking her head to continue.

"We've a situation on our hands."

"We're attempting to handle that ourselves." Mrs. Hughes stood, opening her hand in Anna's direction as she continued to try and wipe over her face.

"Then you know about the Christmas Ball?"

"What?" Mrs. Hughes's forehead deepened with a multitude of lines. "What about the Christmas Ball?"

"Isn't that the situation you're attempting to handle?"

"We're trying to handle the outcome of the attack Anna just sustained outside this school. Just now." Mrs. Hughes reached for the abandoned shoe, showing Mary the drying stain. "She slashed his face with this."

"I hope she managed more than that." Mary addressed Anna. "It happened to you again? Within spitting distance of this school?"

"What are you talking about?" Mrs. Hughes brandished the shoe. "It happened in the drive right outside the front doors."

"I don't think we're discussing the same event." Mary put up a hand. "Mrs. Hughes, I don't think you understand the gravity of-"

"Both of you please stop." Anna broke through their argument, sitting down so hard on the edge of the bed the springs creaked. "You're both right."

"Both right?" Mrs. Hughes's forehead wrinkles deepened before they vanished entirely as her eyes flew wide. "He's done this before?"

"There were rumors of something like this happening at his last school, in London." Mary winced, "I happened to confirm those when I was making some inquiries about it over the holidays."

"And we allowed that monster into our school? Around our girls?"

"We didn't know at the time and the rumors didn't even spring up until just before the Autumn Festival." Mary held up a hand to stop Mrs. Hughes blustering anger boiling over. "Measures have already been taken. Sergeant Willis is downstairs to take him in for questioning."

"A little late for that now that he's gone and assaulted Anna."

Anna's lip quivered and the tears came again, distracting the other two women from their argument. She buried her face in the cloth, soaking her tears into the already damp material as Mrs. Hughes's voice sounded in her ear. "Have I said something wrong dear?"

"It's what I came here about." Mary swallowed and Anna peeked out to watch Mary take the desk chair. "There's a rumor circulating the village about you and Captain Bates involving the Christmas Ball."

"What?"

Mary shrugged, "Someone swa you two leave together and when he brought you back here the next morning…" She cringed, "The prognosis isn't good Anna."

"Is the suggestion that Captain Bates and I…."

"So says the village gossip." Mary shrugged, pointing to Mrs. Hughes. "But news of you being attacked by Mr. Green'll surely drive all of those horrible assumptions from their minds."

"Who spread the rumor?"

"It's more about who saw him take you from the Christmas Ball." Mary held up her hands, "Far be it from me to judge what two people get up to when the blood's running hot and all that but-"

"Captain Bates was saving me." Anna sniffed, dabbing at her eyes and bringing her fists between her legs as she met the raised eyebrows of the two women before her. "This wasn't the first time Mr. Green's attacked me."

"I beg your pardon?" Mary held the edge of the chair and Anna nodded. Mary sagged in her seat, "Oh bloody hell."

"The night of the Christmas Ball…" Anna licked over her lips to try and force the words out. "I was dancing with Captain Bates and… I admit we had salacious suggestions for one another. I went to the back stairs to access the attic so…"

Mary snorted and dropped her smile at the disapproving scowl from Mrs. Hughes. "Apologies. This is serious."

"Captain Bates was supposed to meet me up there but Mr. Green cornered me instead." Anna tugged at her fingers. "He'd dug through my drawers, which I confirmed when I returned the next morning, and found a number of letters I'd received from the Captain that were… Less than appropriate for two unmarried individuals to write to one another."

"And Mr. Green read them?" Mrs. Hughes frowned as Anna nodded. "Why would he read your letters?"

"Mr. Green's made his intentions, where I'm concerned, known. Frequently and with no confusion. Unfortunately he doesn't accept that I don't return what he believes are affections and that's irked him to a large degree."

"To the degree he'd attack you on the drive outside the school?"

"I believe he attacked me today because his last…" Anna took a deep breath, losing her eyes and curling her fingers toward her palms to stop them trembling. "He attacked me at the Christmas Ball. It was… Brutal and horrible. Captain Bates found me and took me back to his hotel so I wouldn't be alone at Downton that night and called for Doctor Clarkson to look me over."

"Is that why you went to Scotland for the holidays?" Mary motioned her hands around. "Because you didn't want to be here?"

"I traveled there with Captain Bates and his family for the holiday and… Mr. Green was angered by that, apparently."

"I'm going to guess you're more Captain Bates's than you'll ever be Mr. Green's." Mrs. Hughes offered and Anna nodded, twisting the cloth in her hands. "I thought I heard him slur you outside."

"It might also explain where the rumor came from." Mary huffed, folding her arms over her chest. "Jealous cock decides he'll ruin the reputation of the woman he hurt to try and stop a good man from gaining where he never could."

"What do they say happened at the Ball?"

Mary shrugged, "The suggestions are just that you are, perhaps, a fallen woman. Or else that you're chasing his position and his money."

"Then he's trying to ruin my reputation?"

"It's… In a bit of danger, yes." Mary cringed, "And with that gash you put in face matched with the accusations that'll be leveled at him once they've got him in custody… It doesn't look good, Anna."

Anna nodded, standing and leaving the thoroughly twisted cloth on the little table. "Term doesn't officially start for another two days, yes?"

"Yes." Mrs. Hughes frowned, "Why?"

"Because Emmaline and I need to go to London, tonight."

"I told you, I made all the inquiries when I was there for the holidays and-"

"It's not about what you can prove about Mr. Green." Anna gathered a few of her things. "This is about what I need to do."

"Do what?" Mary thrust her open hand toward the door. "If Mrs. Hughes told the whole truth then there's a man in the infirmary with a gash in his face because you put it there. I'd say you already did what you needed to do."

"It's not that." Anna tucked her things into a small bag and unlocked her door. "It's something far more serious."

"There's something more serious than a bleeding man?" Mary followed her out of the room and down the hall to Emmaline's room. "This brings back memories."

Anna ignored her, knocking on the door so Emmaline opened it a moment later. "Can you pack something for two days?"

"That's when term starts."

"We'll be back in time."

Emmaline frowned, noting the trio of women outside her door. "What's going on? Where are we going?"

"London, as quickly as we can get there."

"Why?"

"Because you're father's in London." Anna turned to Mrs. Hughes. "If Sergeant Willis has any questions for me while I'm gone please tell him I'll be back by start of term. I wouldn't want to delay him unnecessarily in the course of his investigation."

"If he's even got time to get to you after he's waded through all the other people Mr. Green's…" Mary stopped herself, biting on the end of her tongue at the look on Emmaline's face. "I'll go see about some train tickets for the two of you."

"And I'll see that Mr. Carson hasn't bludgeoned Mr. Green himself."

Emmaline opened her mouth, completing the overall look of confusion painting her face as Mary and Mrs. Hughes left the corridor, and turned back to Anna. "Ms. Smith, what's going on?"

"There's something… a few things, I need to tell you Emmaline."

Anna went into Emmaline's room and explained the details as Emmaline packed. Or tried to pack. The story quickly distracted her and Anna took over as Emmaline slumped onto her bed.

"That's why you were so sad on the train. Because of what-"

"Yes." Anna closed the latches on Emmaline's suitcase. "And that's why I need your father's help."

"Are you fleeing the country?"

"What?" Anna shook her head, "No, I intend to suggestion something a bit more drastic to him and I hope he sees the logic in it."

"In what?"

"I'll wait to tell you when I know how he'll respond."

Mary drove the two of them to the train station, all three staunchly ignoring the tittering of the other girls and the faces pressed to the glass as they drove away. Anna and Emmaline boarded and sat in silence for most of the ride. But once they reached the station, Mary's promised telegram arriving ahead of them, Anna and Emmaline immediately lost themselves in the embraces of John and Mrs. Bates. John in particular took care to check over both Emmaline and Anna before attempting to lead them to the car.

"Captain," Anna put a hand on his arm, stopping him. "I need to speak with you in private first. If that's amenable."

John turned to his mother and daughter before digging into his pocket for his pocketbook. "Mother, please take Emmaline to the teashop across the street. We'll meet you there."

"Of course. Come along Emmaline." Mrs. Bates wove her arm through Emmaline's and led her away.

Anna and John found one of the waiting rooms empty and John locked the door from the inside to ensure no one could enter. The frosted glass allowed them to watch the shadows of people pass by, even given the lateness of the hour. When they sat, Anna gave an audible sigh and then snorted a laugh.

"How is it that sitting for hours can be exhausting?"

"I don't know." John reached out for her hand and Anna gave it over. "Why are you here Anna? Lady Mary's telegram only said that I was supposed to be the solution to some kind of problem."

"Did she tell you what happened?" John shook his head and Anna gave her detailed version of events. When his hand tightened in her grip Anna made a point of covering his hand with hers. "We're here to solve a problem, John, not incur another if we can help it."

"There'll be no more problem if the man is dead."

"And then where will you be?" Anna waited and John's jaw slackened a bit. "My concern is my standing more than his field of final rest."

"How'd you mean?"

"Even if they prove, in court, that he's a lecherous snake who attacked and brutalized a number of women, my reputation hangs by a thread."

"And if you testify…"

Anna nodded, "I need a way to protect myself and, by association, your family if I can and all this comes out like I fear it will."

"My family's fine."

"But your position is up for consideration and, despite what you told me in Scotland, I believe you want this promotion." Anna smoothed her gloved hand over his. "You've earned it John."

He kissed her glove. "Then what's your plan? How can I help you Anna?"

"You're not going to like this."

"What?"

"We need to get married." John balked a moment, blinking furiously and Anna nodded. "I considered this the most plausible reaction."

"It's not because I don't want to marry you, Anna." He hurried to say but Anna just put her free hand alongside his cheek to kiss the other one.

"I know."

"It's… We can't. So close to the possible promotion it'll… It'll throw into question my intentions, my motivations, my focus, and perhaps even my morality."

"That ship, Captain, has sailed." Anna grinned and John laughed with her. "And what could they say about you marrying a respected educator?"

"I'm more worried about what they'll say about you?"

Anna smiled, noting the different lines of worry, forecasting, and concerns that creased John's face. Her thumb stroked along his cheekbone, "Am I not as strong as you are, John?"

"I've no doubt about it."

"And have you not stood by me through thick and thin?" She paused, "Thin and thin, more like."

"Always and forever." He turned his face to kiss her gloved palm.

"Then trust that this is the best answer. This is the only answer." Anna took a deep breath. "We both need to be above reproach for what lies ahead. Our motivations and intentions without exception. We need to be more than standing on the sidelines of these problems without even the right to be kept informed should things go wrong."

"Things won't go wrong."

"I'm not sure our individual experiences can justify thinking like that." Anna sighed, dropping her hand to join the clump their joined appendages made. "We need to get married."

"I'm guessing you mean tomorrow." Anna nodded. "How?"

"We'll get a special license, something I'm sure a Navy man can acquire a bit faster than I could, and we'll be married tomorrow. We only have to tell Emmaline and your mother but this we will do."

John held her gaze for another moment before snorting. "I had wanted to propose to you in a more romantic setting. To plan a wedding for summer or fall where you'd wear a crown of flowers or twined leaves and a beautiful white dress. We'd dance together and laugh until our faces cracked from smiling. Then I'd take you to our own little place somewhere and we'd make it ours for however long we could stay there."

"Like we did at Tero Fell?"

John nodded and then went to his knee before Anna. "In the light of our circumstances, knowing that I love you with all of my being and all this represents is an advancement of my plans, I've a question to ask you." Anna maneuvered her fingers in his hands, squeezing as they both smiled at one another. "Anna May Smith, will you do me the honor of being my wife?"

"Yes."