Thank you all! Here comes Part 2, which takes place right after Part 1. No time lapses here, though there may between other parts. I believe there will actually be 5 parts instead of 4, but we will wait and see.
AN: A few lines were taken from the show. Those lines are not mine.
Thanks again for your kindness!
Chapter 16
Winter 1970
There was a light dusting of snow that covered the grounds of Downton Abbey. Jack glanced up at the sky to see the snowflakes falling from above. Some of his fondest memories were of him as a child with his cousins playing here in the snow. This place would always be his home. He was raised in a house on this property. His father met his mother in the village and they decided to remain here and have their family.
Passing Mr. Michaels, he told him hello, and then went into the large room where Gran and Auntie Mary were. While he had collected a decent amount of their backstory, there was still so much he wanted and needed to know.
He sat down across from them and pulled out his notebook.
"So Gran, Auntie Mary" Jack began smiling over at them. "You know all great love stories begin with a chase, who was the chaser in this story?"
"Chaser?" Anna asked, twisting her lips and turning to Mary.
"Yes, who was the pursuer out of the two of you?"
"Oh," Mary shook her head, "We just both…"
"Mary did most of the wooing," Anna interrupted Mary, shooting her a sly grin. "She never doubted what she wanted."
Jack watched as his aunt's cheeks blushed slightly. He never knew her to be one to be embarrassed easily.
"Ah," he teased. "So Auntie Mary was like the predator and you, Gran, were the prey?"
His Gran's face fell and her cheeks sunk in, before her eyes darkened and she shook her head vehemently.
"Absolutely not! Your aunt would never take advantage of me!"
"I….that's not…" Jack was confused. He had only been playing along with them; he hadn't meant anything by it. Thankfully, his aunt understood this. Mary leaned forward and sighed, before taking his hand into hers.
"I think it's time we told you about one of the darkest parts of our past."
1920s- Downton Abbey
A giggle passed through Anna's lips. Even though she knew this all was wrong, she ignored it. She blatantly ignored the voice inside her head that told her that this was a dangerous game she and Lady Mary were playing.
At some point over the past couple of weeks, this had turned from 'just comfort' to fun. They enjoyed waking up next to one another and then playing with one another's hair as they kissed. Then throughout the day, they would search the other out and find a place to sneak to grab a quick kiss or two.
This was playing with fire and Anna was generally more cautious than this. But she couldn't stop. There was some thrill in it.
"Hey," Mary whispered in her ear, kissing the curve of her jaw. "What if we took this upstairs?"
Anna chewed on her bottom lip, resting her head back against the wall of the small closet. Her eyes met Mary's and she felt her heart racing in her chest. What was this? This was just fun, right? The two of them had been through so much trauma losing the loves of their lives and this was the fun that they needed. At least, that is what Anna told herself. She tried not to think about what would happen if someone found out. Anna knew it would mean that she and Johnny would lose their home and she couldn't allow that to happen.
"Perhaps later," Anna whispered, even though they were far removed from everyone. "I have to get your dressed hemmed for this evening. You have visitors coming," Anna winked. At that Mary stood back and rolled her eyes.
"I do," she agreed. "Mama and Papa think this house party is important for my moving forward in life. I'll be expected to entertain the guests, Tony Gillingham, especially. Matthew has only been buried for less than a year and they want me to move forward with my life."
Anna's hand came up to rest on Mary's jaw. She loved the way it seemed to fit perfectly within her palm.
"They only want you happy," Anna said. Mary rested her forehead on Anna's and smiled.
"I am. We have fun, don't we?"
"We do," Anna agreed, having to smile in response. "Much fun."
"Then this is all a waste of time, but I'll do it to get my parents to leave me alone for a while. You'll be in my room every night?"
"Of course, I will."
-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-
When Anna made it back downstairs, she found it bustling in preparation of the big party. She had to admit that she was rather excited about it all. It would be a change of pace for the house. She was most excited for the opera singer who would be coming to perform.
As she moved out of the way, she saw a piece of luggage fall out of a man's arm. She cheerfully laughed and lifted it for him, asking to help.
"Stick it under my arm if you can," he said. Anna did as he asked. "You're an angel from above."
"I don't know about that," Anna chuckled. The man asked her where Lord Gillingham's room was and that was when she realized this would be Mr. Gillingham, Tony Gillingham's valet. She told him where to go and then went off to work on mending Mary's dress. There was this particular one that fit her perfectly, but it had a tear at the sleeve.
Mary had told her just to choose a different dress, because she didn't want Anna working too hard over the next several days. But Anna insisted she wear it. She loved the way it looked on Mary. She was going to have fun helping her dress up for the events over the next few days, though she would miss her. The two of them wouldn't be able to have their daily picnics with the children. However, this was just a few days. In the grand scheme of things, it wasn't too long.
-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-
As the room grew more and more crowded, Mary realized this was the first time, in a long time, that she had been surrounded by this many people. She figured that was her parents' point of all of this. They wanted her back into their lives. Mary often lived off on her own, living her own life now. She wasn't into entertaining much anymore.
Someone walked by and asked her a few questions, the nod and smile of Lady Mary Crawley returned to her. She could still slip into her role. Her father caught her eye and gave him a small nod of his head, showing his approval. It was important to her parents that she play the role well this weekend. Perhaps, if she did, they would leave it alone for a while.
-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-
"Let's make sure your hair is pinned up tightly," Anna said, twisting some hair up to the nape of Mary's neck. "You don't want it falling down while you're out riding horses with Lord Gillingham."
Mary smiled up at Anna through the mirror.
"I'd much rather spend the day with you." Anna blushed slightly and tightened another pin into Mary's hair. She wasn't as bold as Mary was. If she were, she might lean forward and kiss her right here and now. That was what Mary would do. Even though she played into it, it was always Mary who was pressing the limits and initiating their touches.
"We'll have plenty of time together once the party is over. Mrs. Hughes is needing plenty of assistance. I doubt I'll see much of either of the boys the next two days."
"Don't let her work you too hard," Mary stated, checking her hair in the mirror. She gave it an approved nod, before turning around to face Anna.
"I don't mind," Anna told her. "It is my job." There was a lightness to her tone. Mary stood and leaned forward to kiss Anna. Anna stepped back. "Mary, you'll mess up your make up."
"Let it," she replied, kissing Anna once more. Her hands rested on Anna's hips, a new and darling move. It made a weird feeling run up Anna's spine. Her breaths shortened and she kissed Mary back. Mary's hand began to move up Anna's side and it rested right below Anna's right breast. Anna inhaled sharply.
"Mary…." She breathed.
"I'm sorry," Mary murmured, dropping her hand from Anna. "Something must have gotten away from me. I…."
"It's quite alright. I didn't say I didn't enjoy it. Just maybe…"
"We should take it a little slower? Not get ourselves in trouble?"
Anna chuckled, "Exactly." She gathered the night dress on the edge of Mary's bed. "I'll see you later, m'lady."
-X-X-X-X-X-X-
Mary had to admit that the horse ride with Tony was fine. She enjoyed speaking with Tony, but she knew in her heart that she was not ready to move on from Matthew. She wasn't sure that she ever would be.
Of course, there was this thing with Anna. It was something Mary could not understand or even describe. She felt this boldness when she was with Anna. There was a connection that Mary could not explain. Her behavior was one that she would have never expected from herself, and yet, she didn't care. She enjoyed her time with Anna. She enjoyed the time they spent when they were alone and when they were with the boys. When she was with Anna, her heart wasn't quite so heavy. The loss of Matthew didn't completely suffocate her.
Having a little bit of time, Mary decided to sneak downstairs and see Anna. It was rare for her to come down and find Anna. More than not, they did their talking outside or in Mary's bedroom. But she was missing her. It had been hours since the two of them had seen one another.
When Mary turned the corner down the hall, she glanced in the servant's hall to find Anna working at the table. But she found that Anna was not alone. A man that Mary had never seen before was speaking to Anna. The man was leaning over a chair, smiling with a charming grin at Anna. The man was obviously smitten with Anna and Mary understood why. She leaned further to see what they were speaking about. Mary wondered if Anna realized this man was flirting with her.
A pang of something filled Mary and she wondered what that feeling was. It definitely wasn't jealousy. She wanted Anna to find someone someday, if that was what would make her happy. But she still couldn't get that feeling to go away.
"Anna," Mary finally said, when there was a loll in the conversation. Anna quickly turned and stood from her seat. Such a silly tradition, Mary thought. Why must Anna have to stand while she was working just because Mary was in the room?
"M'lady?" Anna sounded surprised. "Is everything alright?'
"Yes, of course, I only needed to steal you away for a moment if that's alright."
Anna dipped out of the servant's hall and followed Mary down to one of the empty rooms.
"Are you sure you don't need anything?" Anna asked, once they were alone. Mary just shook her head.
"I only missed you and wanted to say hello." Anna's lips curled up at that admission. "I stopped in to check in on the boys. They were both napping." Mary paused for a beat. "So, who is that?"
"Who?" Anna's brows knitted.
"The man in the servant's hall," Mary explained, cocking up one eyebrow. "He's not bad to look at."
Anna giggled, "Are you jealous?"
"Me? Jealous?" Mary laughed. "Of course not. You'll be in my bed tonight, won't you?"
"I will."
Mary grabbed a quick kiss and then touched Anna's hand.
"I can't wait."
-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-
There was a heavy pounding in Anna's head as Dame Melba sung beautifully before her and the guests. She was sure it was from the game of racing demons they had all played downstairs in the servant's hall. It was a pity because she had been looking forward to this moment all day.
Leaning toward Mrs. Hughes, she whispered, "I'm going to pop down to get something for this headache I've got."
Mrs. Hughes merely nodded, her eyes still on the Dame. Anna quietly stood and exited the venue, quickly making her way down the stairs to grab a powder. She hoped it would work fast, so that she could come back upstairs for the rest of the performance.
Anna knew the kitchen well and found the first aid kit right away. As she made the powder into a liquid, she heard steps behind her. Anna wondered if it was Mrs. Patmore, coming back downstairs to check on something for later. Though she should be resting. Anna turned to scold the cook and was surprised to find Mr. Green standing in the room.
"Would you care for something stronger?" He questioned, lifting the substance he had from his pocket.
"I shouldn't let Mr. Carson see you with that." But Mr. Green wasn't worried.
"Do you want some?'
"No," Anna answered, drinking down the powdered water. Her head still pounded, but it wasn't as strong down here in the quiet.
"I expect you're sick of it too, a grown woman screeching like a cat on a bonfire."
"That's very naughty," Anna chuckled. "I think Dame Nellie has a beautiful voice."
Anna began to head back to the stairs, but Green blocked her path. Suddenly, Anna didn't feel so safe. The smile fell from her face.
"What are you doing?"
"I heard you were married to a murder," he quietly said, inching forward. "And that he was a cripple."
"He was not a murderer," Anna strongly stated. "I had his name cleared." Anna blinked back the tears. It had been a while since she had heard those words spoken of John. But no matter how long time had passed, it still hurt.
"Ah," Green only smiled. "Well, your son is what, two?"
"How do you know about my son?" Anna questioned, now feeling protective.
"People talk," Green winked. "So that would mean it's been an awfully long time for you."
"What are you talking about? Let me pass," Anna tried to step forward again, but Green just remained in her way.
"I think you could use a little fun."
To be continued...
Thank you again for reading!
