Thank you all so very much. I am a bit overwhelmed, seeing as I thought no one would read this story. It has really warmed my heart and I hope that you continue to enjoy it!
Chapter 8
Fall 1970
There was a flash of dark, curly hair and a child's giggle that made Mary pause her reading and set her book down in her lap. She glanced around, sure that perhaps now she was losing it. Another giggle made her stand. Her head cocked to the side and she wondered if she was imagining years ago when Downton Abbey was full of happy children gallivanting about.
But she heard it again and walked around the corner to find her youngest grandchild, Violet, in Anna's lap. Anna was smiling, running her fingers through the nine year old's dark curls.
"Violet, darling, how did you get in here?" Mary asked the little one. Violet glanced up and smiled.
"Hello, Granny! Cousin Robby brought me!" She announced. "He's still at the car. He takes forever to get out. So I came on in. Mr. Michaels opened the door for me. Why does he always look so sour?"
"Sour?"
"He does," Anna agreed, curling one of Violet's curls around her finger.
"See, Gran agrees with me. He always has a frown on his face. Does he not like me?"
"Not like you? Dear one, who wouldn't like you?" Violet giggled, her laughter making Anna brighten. Though that's what the children always did. They brought so much life back into her. Mary wondered if she shouldn't ask Violet's mother to send her and her sisters over more often.
"I don't know…Mr. Micheals, the butler," Violet answered. She slid out of Anna's lap, but remained near her looking over the books on the shelves. "Perhaps you need a new butler."
"Granny doesn't need a new butler," a voice said on the other side of the room. Mary turned and her smile grew when she saw it was her grandson, Robby. He was George's eldest son.
"She does," Violet disagreed. "He is so sour! Isn't he sour, Gran?"
"Violet, don't bother Aunt Anna with such questions," Robby shook his head. Violet stuck her tongue out and Mary was taken back to a memory of another little girl making that exact same expression, warming her heart.
"You're silly, Cousin Robby!"
Robby sighed. "It's Rob. I'm no longer a child."
"Robby, Robby, Robby," Violet sang.
"Alright, alright," Mary broke in. "That's enough. Violet, go take your gran out for a walk in the gardens. But stay close to where I can see you from the window," Mary added. Violet nodded.
"Come on," she persuaded, grabbing Anna's hand.
"Yes, let's go," Anna agreed. She got up from her chair and went with Violet outside. Mary walked to the large bay window to watch as Violet helped Anna down the few stairs and the two of them walked around the front of the garden. Her lips curled up into a smile.
"Violet is so good with her," Mary mused aloud.
"She is," Robby confirmed. "It's why Auntie believed it might be a good idea to bring her along with me, so that you and I could talk alone. Though, she is a bit of a handful." Mary turned to face her grandson and laughed.
"She's a child," she reminded him. "You're nearly fifteen years older than her. Perhaps, you shouldn't argue so much with her, Robby. Or, is it Rob now?"
"You and Aunt Anna can call me Robby, but only the two of you," Robby replied, though he was smiling. Mary nodded, that was good enough for her. She wasn't sure she saw him as a Rob.
"Now, what have you come to speak with me about?"
"Let's sit," Robby suggested.
"Oh dear, is this serious?" There was a hint of playfulness in her tone, but Mary was worried. It seemed the children and grandchildren were all concerned about her and Anna here in this big house. She worried their next step would be trying to convince them to leave Downton to stay in some sort of home, even though George had once promised her that would never happen. And then there was the even bigger fear that they might try to send Anna away, leaving her here all alone.
"Not too serious, no," Robby promised.
The two of them sat on the settee so they could still see Anna and Violet.
"It's about the nurse. I believe I have an idea," Robby began. That turned Mary's attentions to him.
"Oh? Who could you know who could be a full time nurse? You work on this estate."
Robby chuckled. "Maebh, Granny. She would be a wonderful full time nurse for Aunt Anna and you."
"I don't know why you think I need a nurse," Mary quipped, "But Maebh lives in Ireland. Why would she come all this way to stay here with us?"
"Maebh adores you," Robby began. "I already spoke to her and she would love to help. She's been searching for a job since she graduated from university."
Mary pondered this for a moment. "Having Sybil's granddaughter would be nice. We wouldn't have a stranger coming in here and trying to take over. Plus, Maebh knows the Abbey. And Anna always adored Sybbie."
Her eyes were drawn back outside. She didn't see Violet or Anna and so she stood, her heart racing in her chest. Had she been wrong to allow Violet to take Anna outside, alone? But before she could rush outside, she saw the top of Anna's head in one of the chairs with Violet curled up in her lap. It appeared that Anna was telling her a story.
"Alright," Mary conceded. "Tell Maebh that she is hired. When can she start?"
"Within the week."
"Great."
1920- Downton Abbey
By the time they returned from Mary and Matthew's honeymoon, Anna could no longer hide that she was with child. No matter how she adjusted her dress, it was glaringly obvious that she would have a baby within a few months' time. She stood in front of the mirror in her bedroom and sighed. It would be her first time facing those downstairs with her belly showing. They had arrived late the night before and only Mrs. Hughes had seen her.
She was grateful for Mrs. Hughes' kindness over it all. She had gushed and told Anna how she was glowing. But it didn't keep Anna fearing what the others would say when she got downstairs.
Taking in a deep breath, Anna pinned up her hair and reminded herself that she had to keep her head up. John would want that for her. Her eyes fell to the picture on her small vanity. She walked toward it and lifted it up. Her fingers ran over the frame and she closed her eyes. Sometimes, she was sure she could feel him around her. It gave her a sense of peace, knowing that he was watching her from above.
Slowly, she placed the picture back down. Then she straightened her back and got prepared to go downstairs.
When she reached the bottom step, Mr. Carson was the first person to notice her. She didn't miss how his eyes were drawn right to her stomach and then he quickly shook his head and turned away, not saying a word. She guessed that was better than him making some quip about her pregnancy. However, that peace was short lived.
"So not only are we housing a murder's wife, we will have a pregnant lady's maid? How the house has fallen."
Anna paused, her heart pounding in her chest.
"Mr. Barrow, must you be unkind? Would you like me to speak with Lord Grantham about your thoughts on his former valet?" Mrs. Hughes asked, raising her brows. Thomas was unamused, his lips twisting in annoyance.
"No," he bit. He disappeared around the corner and Anna found that she was stuck in her spot.
"Don't let him fluster you, Anna," Mrs. Hughes calmly stated, stepping closer to her. "He has no bearing on your future."
Anna offered Mrs. Hughes a weak smile and nodded. She knew that was true and that Mary had every intention of keeping her on at Downton. However, that did not make what Thomas said untrue. Those around would believe John a murder and her as a murder's wife, now with that murder's child. Was it fair of her to bring shame to the house?
"Don't think that way," Mrs. Hughes wisely said, reading Anna's thoughts. "We all know Mr. Bates was falsely accused and his death was unfair. Lord Grantham has made it clear to both Mr. Carson and me that he plans on making sure you and the baby are taken care of, much like Lady Mary has. Those who matter want you here."
"Thank you, Mrs. Hughes."
The bell for Lady Mary's room rang.
"I best head upstairs."
-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-
The next couple of weeks went about the same. Many were kind, but Thomas often made comments here and there about a lady's maid with a child. He was reprimanded by both Mrs. Hughes and Mr. Carson, but it didn't keep him from finding a way to be cruel.
However, Anna realized that Mrs. O'Brien did not make these quips. She had also expected them from her. But whenever she looked her way, Mrs. O'Brien looked away. There was a permanent look of guilt on her features. If Anna didn't know better, she might think that Mrs. O'Brien had feelings.
-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-
"I'm sorry I rang for you early," Mary said, her brows set into a tight knit. She and Matthew had just argued once more. The money from Mr. Swire was becoming a real gray cloud over their happily married bliss. She couldn't understand why Matthew couldn't accept the money. They needed it for their home.
"It's alright, Lady Mary. I'm quite glad to have been called up early," Anna admitted. Mary quickly noted the paleness in Anna's cheeks.
"Is someone not treating you kindly?" Mary suddenly felt overly protective of Anna. "If anyone downstairs is saying something to you, you must tell me, Anna. Is it Carson? He will come around. You know how he is about tradition."
"It's no one, m'lady," Anna quietly answered, not quite meeting Mary's eyes.
"Anna?"
"I'm alright," Anna pressed more firmly, glancing up. "It is all an adjustment."
"Well, of course it is," Mary agreed. "How are you feeling? You aren't overdoing it, are you?"
"No, m'lady. I feel just fine."
"Good," Mary stated. Her thoughts then went back to Matthew. "I don't know why he must be so stubborn."
"Who, m'lady?" Anna questioned. She adjusted the curtains to let the light in.
"Matthew," Mary sighed. "He still won't listen when it comes to the inheritance. If he won't take it, we will lose Downton."
Anna turned to Mary and then walked toward her. She rested her hands over her belly and pursed her lips together, in thought.
"I've thought an awful lot over this, m'lady, and I think you should be more patient with Mr. Crawley. He's a kind man and honorable."
Mary inhaled sharply. "Of course he is, but we'll lose Downton, Anna. He can't allow that."
"If you'll forgive me, my lady, I have to say there are worse things than losing your home. You will regret it if you allow this to ruin what you have with Mr. Crawley. You love him so very much. Please don't let this get in the way of that."
Anna moved away, but Mary reached out taking her hand and making Anna face her again.
"You're right," she whispered. "Thank you, Anna." She dropped Anna's hand and touched the swell of Anna's belly. "He's growing big."
"He is." Pride filled Anna's features. Mary couldn't help but smile.
"I don't know what I would do without you, Anna."
To be continued...
This is the last update for this story until the beginning of July. I will be away from my computer starting tomorrow. But I promise I will be back with this story and more that I have planned. More in a bit! Thanks again for reading!
