Chapter 29
A/N: my sincerest apologies for the late upload, I was without internet for several days.
Thank you to suzie, Teresagreen and guest, I very much appreciated hearing your thoughts and ideas about the 'atmosphere'
This is the extension scene of last chapter: 'fixing the atmosphere'
Enjoy :D
Daisy, O'Brien and Thomas filed out when dismissed but Mr Bates remained and blocked the door. Anna moved towards him as if to leave, but he shut the door and turned to them before she could.
"If I might keep you for a minute more Mr Carson"
"If you'd like me to leave?" she offered stepping forward and closer to the butler
"No, I would like you to stay please Mrs Hughes, and you Anna…you have decided not to take action over the allegations Thomas has made against me because you believe them to be untrue."
The poor man looked like he needed to let them hear these words but also wanted to keep them inside. The past was not a pretty thing for many, she could understand that
"That is correct," Mr Carson affirmed nodding to the man in front of him, wondering what he wanted to say.
"And you are right, there is no truth in them. But if you were to proceed with the matter you would find them to be proven," Mr Bates continued.
She could tell there was something big he wanted to say when he had asked them all to stay.
A confused silence filled the room, Mr Carson had drawn back at the confession. He was so stuck in his belief of Mr Bates' innocence that this had shocked him
She glanced at the butler, knowing he would react the most. He didn't like having his beliefs challenged, particularly about people he respected.
"Thomas has tried to convince you that I am a drunkard and a thief," the man continued.
He sounded so broken and hateful of himself she wanted to offer him comfort of some sort.
"Which we never believed," Anna reminded him
That girl was so in love with Mr Bates and he with her, but they seemed to always have something in their path, she thought silently.
There had to be more to this story.
"Because you know no different. Until a couple of years ago I was a drunkard and I was imprisoned as a thief."
She gasped. She couldn't help it. The Mr Bates she knew didn't fit with the man he was painting. She glanced to the butler beside her to see his reaction and was met with an impassive face masking confusion and anger
"I have repaid your kindness very poorly. I masqueraded as a man of honour and integrity but by any moral code I am disgraced."
She glances to Carson and sees his impassive mask set but she sees the stunned expression there. She turns back to Mr Bates
"That can't be the whole story," she said quietly, urging him to show the man he was now and not be haunted by the past.
"Perhaps not, but it's enough of it to demand my resignation," he continued determinedly
Mrs Hughes was shocked. She turned to Carson and studied him for a reaction. He knew how to handle this.
Carson raised a hand to stop the valet.
"Do you want to leave Mr Bates?" He inquired quietly, the power of his voice still evident though his voice was low.
"No. But I feel I have no choice."
"You owe me a say in the matter surely?" He asked. She was amazed at how calm he appeared. This was leadership, she reminded herself.
"If you wish."
"Then I will consider the case and give you my decision when I have discussed it with his lordship. Until then I hope you will remain in your post."
His voice had risen slightly when exerting his power and the mention of Lord Grantham seemed to strengthen him further. He won't like this but he'll make the right decision, that's the kind of man he is.
Bates glanced at her and found her gazing steadily back at him. She and her butler were a united front, a team. She supported him in his call and the valet had to accept that. It was for his own good.
After looking to Mrs Hughes, he turned to Anna. She was like a daughter to him. Seeing the pain in the way she looked at Bates then dropped her eyes to the floor was heartbreaking. He hoped Bates knew what he was doing.
A/N: this again is n't really a lovey dovey chapter because they're being heads of house and being a united team, there is more than lust in their eyes, it's respect, trust, loyalty and little dash of humour :)
Thoughts?
