Full Of Surprises

It had taken her a couple of minutes walking to realise that she had made a wrong turning from the room, and now she was nearly at the end of the corridor that took her much further away from the servants' hall. Duneagle wasn't as big a house as Downton, but then all of the hallways and staircases there were written indelibly on her memory. She huffed quietly, taking a breath before she revolved on her heels. She didn't seem to quite have her bearings with anything here just yet, and it made her wonder if she was quite cut out for travelling after all. Luckily Lady Mary and Mr Crawley wouldn't be looking to journey much with their imminent arrival. She smiled to think about the baby and how exciting it was for everyone – if a little unnerving too, with everything that had happened not too long ago.

This trip was exciting as well, of course. She just needed to feel less like a home-bird, and she was sure that would happen soon.

Getting back onto the concourse of the landing, she quickly cheered to find John standing not too far beneath one of the archways. His subtle smile had carried with him, and she felt warmed by his gaze – and certainly less out of place.

"I got a bit lost."

"It is quite a maze." He was being kind, but she felt nothing but happy. "How is Lady Mary?"

"Letting on that she's better than she really is," she disclosed – it wasn't such a revelation. "Mr Crawley is fretting about her, poor man."

"As I would be, if it were you."

He gave her a smile that was tinged with something resembling hope, and perhaps a bit of anticipation too. In some ways she hadn't stopped thinking about the possibility in the last year, but in others it didn't occur. It was all very different for Lady Mary and Mr Crawley; so much pressure placed upon their shoulders. She very much liked that she and John could take their time, and they were still getting used to one another, as she had told him with a wink and a smile.

"Well, I wouldn't be being carted across glens and vales. It's still a little early, so I don't think we'll have another honourary Scot on our hands."

His eyes crinkled at her. There was nobody else around, so he reached for her hand.

"I think I caused quite a stir at the dinner table," she said, a touch shy.

"You? Never."

She shook her head with a small smile as she looked up at him. "Next time I'll just eat up, lest I say anything else silly."

John softly squeezed her fingers. "It's Miss Crawley's doing, not Anna's."

She chuckled, making him smile in appreciation. "I have so many names that I don't know whether I'm coming or going."

"Well, you're always Mrs Bates to me," he rasped low. "And I am very glad of that."

She grinned, her stomach flipping over as he brushed his mouth lightly at her cheek. When he pulled away, she noticed a sparkling in his eyes. Before she could ask what he was thinking, he broke the smile on his lips briefly.

"His Lordship will be on the stalk soon, so we can get away for a bit." He glanced around, returning his gaze to her after only a few seconds. "That's if Miss Crawley doesn't mind staying behind, as I'd rather like my wife with me to see the sights."

Anna smiled wide, already looking forward to what was in store.

"She'll be a bit disappointed, but then she'll have Mr Grantham to amuse her, so I'm sure she'll be just fine."

John turned onto his back, the dusk of the room not doing much to bring him back to sleep. He had dozed for a while; his dreams being full with dancers, Anna at their heart once more, smiling and laughing in delight. She had taken him so much by surprise, and he had been overjoyed to look upon her so light and carefree that he hadn't even thought to be regretful that he couldn't have joined her on the floor. Even if he had been proficient, he never would have been able to match how marvellous she was.

His thoughts whirled in memory of the reeling, and getting much more rest seemed to be hopeless. The soft knock upon the door was disregarded as a phantom at first – he had heard whispers that the castle was haunted – but when another came, he pulled himself up and out of bed to inspect closer.

"Shhh," she held a finger to her mouth that still curved, inching her way inside. He was speechless enough as it was. "I couldn't let you come to the maids' quarters, not that it's such a way away."

"And how did you manage it?" he smirked, taking sight of her bare feet.

"Us creatures of quicksilver and light are very resourceful," she remarked, her hands already upon his face, reminding him of the kiss they shared hours before.

His had slid instinctively to her waist, and she beamed at his touch.

"You'll have to wake me in the morning," she said, before leaning in to him. "But I wanted to surprise you, one last time."

He gazed into her face, still beautiful in the shadows, and couldn't help the smile that erupted.

"You are full of surprises, Mrs Bates."