Dear readers, hi! Long time no see! I am terribly ashamed of the awful amount of time that has passed since I published my previous chapter. But well, something called life has an annoying tendency to come between me and my writing time... I'll try not to let another two months pass before the next one. In the mean time, I hope you enjoy this one. xoxo
Late summer 1913
- Congratulations, Mr Mason !, boomed Lord Grantham, while jovially shaking William's dad's hand, after having offered his well-wishes to the bride and groom.
- What a lovely daughter-in-law you got here, added Lady Grantham with a warm smile.
Daisy blushed profusely, gripping the arm of her new husband.
- Thank you very much, your Lordship, your Ladyship, replied the eldest Mr Mason with a little bow. I am very lucky indeed.
- And it looks like we have a wedding epidemic around here! Three weddings at Downton in less than a year!
Indeed Mary and Matthew were currently away in Spain for their honeymoon.
- Better weddings than funerals, I say, stated Mr Mason.
- Right you are!, agreed Lord Grantham. I wonder who's going to be next…
- I hear Lady Edith is moving to America?, asked Mr Mason.
- Oh, yes, you heard right. She and her husband are leaving next week. My mother-in-law couldn't be more thrilled!
- I bet they are going to do brilliantly, said the old man with confidence.
- That's all I wish for them…, replied Lord Grantham. Anyway, Daisy, William, we wish you the best happiness, and Lady Grantham and I are going to leave you in peace to enjoy your wedding party now!
- Thank you for coming, your Lordship, said William, who was somewhat blushing too, whether from pride and happiness, or from the champagne that Lord Grantham had liberally distributed, one couldn't tell.
- Yes, that was so kind of you. We are very honoured. Thank you your Lordship, your Ladyship, added Daisy with a curtsy.
Cora kindly nodded to the young couple, and the Earl and Countess of Grantham took their leave from the party.
- So, who do you think will be next?, asked Anna, who had been standing a few feet away from the small group, next to John, and had overheard Lord Grantham's words about the "wedding epidemic".
John smiled to her lovingly, and discreetly squeezed her hand.
- I hope we will be, he said. We have the decree nisi, the only thing we have to do now, is wait out the six months for the decree absolute, and we'll be free. It won't be long now, my darling. We could even set a date now.
- Oh, no, said Anna shaking her head. I don't want to start planning anything unless it is really over and we are absolutely sure that it is really going to happen. I fear it would be bad luck.
- Alright, as you wish. But I don't see what could come in our way now. Only five more months.
Anna smiled at him hopefully, when Ms Baxter came up to them.
- I say we did a fine job on that dress, don't you agree Anna?, she said proudly.
- Not too bad, yes, replied Anna joyfully.
- She really looks lovely, agreed John. You are two fine seamstresses.
- Why, thank you, Mr Bates, said Anna with rosy cheeks. The model is rather pretty too, though. Always helps. Oh, look, there's Mr Molesley! Oh, neither of you know him, that's true. He used to work at Downton. Let me introduce you.
Anna waved to Mr Molesley, who came up to them. He had a glass of champagne in his hand, and seemed very petulant.
- Hello, Anna, how are you! What a beautiful wedding, isn't it? The bride and groom look so happy!
- Yes, they surely do! Hello, Mr Molesley, nice to see you here. May I introduce Mr Bates, his Lordship's valet, and Ms Baxter, her Ladyship's lady's maid.
- Oh, nice to meet you two!, exclaimed Mr Molesley, offering firm handshakes to his two new acquaintances. I didn't know her Ladyship had hired a new Lady's maid? Ms O'Brien finally got the sack?, he asked with a wink to Anna.
- She finally did!, agreed Anna.
- Nice to meet you Mr Molesley, said Bates. So Anna tells me you used to work at Downton?
- I did, replied Molesley. Actually, I was his Lordship's valet before you!
- Oh, really? And why did you leave then? His Lordship's a kind employer.
- Well, I was presented with another career opportunity. Something I enjoyed more.
- And what was that?, asked Ms Baxter.
- I got hired as a teacher at Downton's primary school.
- Good Lord, what an achievement!, beamed Ms Baxter.
Mr Molesley looked equally proud and confused, and started stuttering something about not being that smart really. He had not yet recovered his full speaking ability when Mrs Patmore interrupted them to usher their small party towards the wedding buffet.
x x x x
Anna was watching with a dreamy smile and a tiny bit of jealousy when William offered his arm to Daisy and they started dancing, opening the wedding ball. Musicians from the village had come to entertain the wedding party, and Daisy looked as if she was on cloud nine as William started whirling her around. When the first song ended, and guests started to invade the dancing space to join the bride and groom for the second dance, Anna sighed softly, then jumped up as John came behind her and whispered in her ear:
- Miss Smith, would you grant me that dance?
Anna chuckled as she turned around with bright eyes.
- Of course, Mr Bates.
Her heart pounded in her chest as John's hand slid into her own, while the other found its place on the small of her back. Next time, she repeated to herself as a mantra, it will be me in the white dress, and I will have the right to kiss him as much as I like… Right now, not kissing him every other minute was taking up all her strength.
- There was a time, mused John as they turned around the room to the rhythm of the music, when I thought I would never be able to do that again. Not that I am a very skilled dancer, or that I ever practiced frequently, but I would have missed sharing this with you…
- Well, I'm glad that surgeon did a good job on you, said Anna.
- Yes, so am I. You deserve better than a cripple for a husband.
- Don't ever think it would have deterred me, though, stated Anna firmly. I'd have loved you even if you were one-legged.
John chuckled.
- I am serious John, she insisted. I love you and I would have had you any way I could.
His eyes shone a little too bright as he held her gaze, testing the sincerity of her words. The intensity with which her look bore right down to his soul told him all he had to know.
- I don't deserve you, that's all I know.
- But you do, she smiled. And I can't wait for those five months to be over.
- Me neither…
A little while later, as she hit the buffet in search for refreshment, Anna came across Mr Molesley, who was looking longingly at Ms Baxter, herself being engrossed in a chat with Mrs Hughes and Mrs Patmore a few feet away.
- Come on, Mr Molesley, go and ask her to dance!, teased Anna, nudging him in the arm. You can't look away from her!
- What, er, me, no!, stuttered Mr Molesley.
- You're not fooling me, you know, Mr Molesley, scolded Anna playfully. You obviously fancy her! So go! Talk to her!
- I couldn't…, breathed the balding man, turning crimson.
- Don't be silly…
Anna walked the few steps between them and the women's group, and called:
- Ms Baxter?
- Yes Anna?, replied Baxter, lifting her head to look at them.
- I think Mr Molesley would like a dance with you!
- Oh, why, er, yes, of course, she replied, putting her glass down on the nearest table. I am flattered, Mr Molesley.
Molesley was still struggling to grasp what was happening as Anna ushered them both towards the dancing space.
- There you go, she whispered in Molesley's ear with a wink. You're welcome.
Thomas came across and laughed:
- So Anna, you look like you're in a mood to play match-maker!
- They do look well suited, don't you think?, she replied genially.
- I am pained to admit that they are indeed…, mused Thomas. So, can I interest you in a dance?
- Oh, yes, absolutely, said Anna beaming.
x x x x
Next evening in the servants' Hall, all the faces were small-eyed, and everyone was nursing a more or less intense headache. Mrs Patmore could be heard whining from the kitchen about the amount of work she had to manage on her own, since Daisy was away for a few days, on a short honeymoon with William.
- You know what I think, Mrs Patmore?, offered Mrs Hughes to the lamenting cook as she came to put the hot dish of soup on the table.
- And what is that, pray, Mrs Hughes?
- Don't you think you should consider hiring another kitchen maid? I mean, Daisy is now married, no one can say for how long she'll want to stay around. She and William will probably want to start a family sooner or later… It makes sense to me anyway…
Mrs Patmore stood dumbfounded. Obviously the fact that Daisy might want to leave service had not occurred to her, although it did seem quite obvious to Mrs Hughes.
- Well I… I haven't really discussed that with her. I shall ask her when she's back.
- You do that, agreed Mrs Hughes with a kind smile.
She knew that Mrs Patmore, despite her rough manners, liked Daisy very much, almost in a motherly fashion, and she reckoned the cook would not be glad to have to part with her maid. But life moved on, and there was nothing you could do about it. Once Daisy would have a baby, Mrs Hughes couldn't see how she could manage to continue working the insane hours they were all doing in Downton Abbey's downstairs.
Moments later, once dinner was finished, Anna joined John in the backyard as was their habit most evenings.
- It really was a lovely wedding, don't you think?, sighed Anna with contentment, a reminiscing smile on her lips.
- It was, agreed John.
When he failed to elaborate, Anna turned to him and started studying his face, which she found rather sombre.
- What ever is the matter John? Have you had some bad news?
Worry started gripping at her guts. She couldn't help fearing that something would come up and get in the way of him getting his divorce.
- No, nothing, assured John. Your fiancé's a brooder, that's all. And brooders brood.
- And what on earth are you brooding about?, she asked curiously.
- I was just telling myself that this was the sort of wedding you deserve, in your church, with all your friends. You in the white dress, me looking like a fool… And I despise myself because I won't be able to offer you that. It'll have to be at the registry office, just you and me.
Anna pouted at his words, and came to stand right in front of him, gazing straight into the depths of his hazel eyes.
- Mr Bates, she started confidently. I'd rather have the right man that the right wedding. And this is what I'll have.
John chuckled sadly.
- No, I'm serious, John. Being able to walk out with your hand in mine, your ring on my finger, and go back home with you, that's all I'm asking for.
- Thank you for that, whispered John with a slight edge in his voice.
- And…, she added with a saucy grin, I can't wait for you to take me up to our wedding bed…
He looked up sharply, with a hot gleam in his eyes, and held her gaze for a long moment, before squirming away.
- Christ, Anna. You shouldn't do that to me. I am just a man, you know. We'd better go back inside before things get out of hand.
Anna laughed.
- Not before I get one kiss though.
- Your wish is my command, he said, bringing his lips down to brush softly on hers.
x x x x
A few weeks later, a late September sun was lighting the Yorkshire scenery, and Mary had decided to take Matthew on an extended tour of the estate. As they walked leisurely hand in hand, she sighed:
- Well, Spain was very beautiful and everything, but nothing will ever compare to this place to me. This is where I belong, this is my home.
Matthew gently squeezed her hand, and replied:
- I can't say that for myself yet, but I do hope in time I'll come to feel the same.
- I'll make sure you do, smiled Mary, bending to kiss him.
- Well, this sure makes up for a good start, said Matthew when their lips had parted. So, how far exactly do your lands go?
Mary launched herself into a detailed explanation, showing him the limits of the property.
- Anyway, she concluded, I'll need to show you on the maps we have at the Abbey. And we'll start working with this Branson fellow. I rather liked him on the few times I met him, and Patrick, before he left, thought rather highly of him. I think we'll do some good work with him.
Mary stopped abruptly when she noticed that Matthew was looking at her with a dreamy smile on his face.
- What?!, she chuckled.
- Nothing, he replied. It's just… I love when you talk about Downton. It's like you're… lit up from within. Like there's this flame inside you. You sound so passionate, it makes you even more beautiful.
Mary blushed.
- Christ Matthew…
She sighed as Matthew deposited a kiss on her cheek.
- But you're right though, she mused. I am passionate. This place is so beautiful.
- I'm sure you will do wonders with it, assured Matthew. And I and Branson will do our best to help you in your task.
- I know you will, she smiled, as she took his hand and firmly led him forward.
x x x x
Next morning, all the staff was seated around the large table of the servants' Hall, when Mr Carson started to distribute the morning mail.
- Gwen, this one's for you…, he said, handing a letter to the red-headed maid. And here's for you, Mr Barrow.
Carson went all round the table, until he came behind Mr Bates, and handed him a small grey envelope.
- And here's the last one for you, Mr Bates. Looks like a telegram, I don't know how it ended up in the stack of regular mail…
Anna looked up, slightly worried. Telegrams rarely brought good news. John shot a quick glance towards her, as his fingers tore the paper open.
- What's it about?, asked Anna urgently. Your mother?
John scanned the message quickly and shook his head.
- No. It's about Vera. It's from a hospital. Says she's been taken seriously ill with diphtheria and she's asked to see me. Looks pretty bad…
- Oh, said Anna.
She was relieved nothing bad had happened to the old Mrs Bates. She liked her very much.
- Mr Carson, do you think you could spare me for a few days? Time for a quick trip to London?
Carson frowned, and replied:
- Well, if his Lordship allows you to go, I'll let you go.
- Thank you Mr Carson. I'll ask his Lordship then.