AN: Character death warning in the 1970s, but it's not Anna or Mary...but it is a character from the show. Just wanted to give you a heads up. I hope you keep enjoying!
Chapter 42
1920s London
One of Anna's favorite things about being at Bellgrave Square was the quiet. She had woken up hours ago, feeling a bit sore, but there were no sounds around her. She had been able to sit in the bed and read a book alone. While she missed the children, it was nice not to have any responsibilities.
Mary was still asleep beside her. She had fallen asleep in Anna's arms, holding her tightly. The two rooms that had been set aside for them had an adjoining door, so they didn't need to fear anyone knowing they had stayed in the same room.
Plus Mary's aunt had fewer staff than Downton. And they didn't even make their way upstairs until they had been rung. Thankfully, Anna had gotten some water and biscuits brought to her the night before, so she had something to chew on while she waited for Mary to wake this particular morning.
"Anna?" Mary's quiet voice broke Anna from her thoughts. She looked over and gently brushed Mary's dark locks out of her face.
"Good morning. You've been sleeping hard."
Mary lifted herself up and yawned. She placed her hand on Anna's arm and her thumb rubbed against the skin.
"How are you feeling, darling?"
"A bit uncomfortable," Anna honestly replied, "But I was able to sleep alright."
"That's good." Mary shifted so that she was closer to Anna. Then her eyes met Anna's and there was a look that crossed over her features. "Might I ask you something?"
"Of course you can."
"How often does Green haunt you?"
The question caught Anna off-guard. Her lips tightened and she blinked back the tears that surprised her.
"I don't…."
"You don't have to answer if you don't want to," Mary quickly told her. "I'm not trying to upset you, Anna."
"You're not," Anna whispered, looking down at her hands. "It doesn't happen too often. But there are times when he's in here," she tapped against her temple with her finger tips. "Right here," she repeated. "I will think I'm finally past it and then it hits me again. I fear I'll never completely escape it."
"Oh Anna," Mary brought her hand up to caress Anna's cheek. "You know you can tell me when you have those bad moments, right?"
"I do. I just….it's hard to talk about," Anna answered. The words would be there in her throat, but her mouth would not allow them to escape. It was too terrifying.
"You don't have to talk about that night, darling, but you can let me hold you when it's difficult for you. I want to be there for you."
"I know you do," Anna's nose brushed against Mary's cheek. Then she rested her head against Mary's chest, closing her eyes. "Today is actually hard," she admitted. She felt Mary's hand brush through her hair. "I had nightmares all night."
"Oh, Anna," Mary sighed.
Tears left Anna's eyes. She was grateful for Mary's comfort.
"What can I do?"
"Just hold me."
-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-
"I miss the children, but I really am not ready to leave," Mary told her the next day. She wrapped her arm over Anna's middle and kissed the spot right behind her ear. The two of them had remained in bed the day before eating foods and just talking about whatever they wanted. It was the most free the two of them had been able to be for a long while.
"I know, me too," Anna replied. She happily sighed and rested back against the pillows. "But our train leaves in just a few hours. I'm sure the children are ready to see us."
"I bet Pippa will ask us a million questions about why we were away," Mary chuckled. She felt Anna nod.
"I worry Johnny is upset with me," Anna quietly admitted. Mary glanced up to meet her eyes. "He's sensitive. I hope he wasn't sad all these days."
"We'll explain that it was necessary and it was, Anna. We didn't know what it was. Your health is important for not only you, but the children, as well."
"I know." Anna sat up. She kissed Mary and then slid out of the bed. Mary noticed that Anna was getting around much better today. She went to the suitcase and lifted out her simple black dress.
Mary slipped herself out of the bed and went behind Anna, wrapping her arms around her waist and placing her head on her shoulder.
"We should try to get away more. And next time not when you're ill." Anna laughed.
"Yes, I think that sounds like a perfect idea."
Downton Abbey
As they always did, they slipped back into their routines at Downton. Mary was the lady and Anna the maid. But during their evenings they were one. Mary was focused on the estate. She took her position as the agent very seriously. This was George's future. But not only his. Mary dreamed of a day when she could have her family openly within this home. She knew it may never be possible, but she had to dream that it could one day be true.
"I nearly forgot – that chap, Henry…."
"Talbot?" Mary questioned, turning her attention to her father at the table.
"Exactly. Yes, he telephoned while you were out. He's going to be in Yorkshire on Wednesday to look at a car and he wants you to watch him doing it."
Mary sat up slightly. She wondered what this was about. She had been very clear with Henry that she was not interested.
"Hum….to watch him looking at a car?"
"Well, not quite. He's driving it around some track nearby. At Catterick."
Tom's face brightened. This was completely up his alley.
"Testing it, seeing how it handles. I can take you, if you'd like."
"Oh yes!" Sybil interrupted. "Tom would love it. Why don't you let him take you Mary?"
"You could come too," Mary said to her sister and then her eyes moved over to Edith, as well. Edith had been brighter lately. It was something Mary had noticed, especially in the nursery. She heard less complaints from Edith about Pippa's behavior. She was sure it had to do with a man named Bertie.
"I'll be in London," Edith answered. Her father went on to tell them that Edith had a date. Mary gave a small nod, as her sister disagreed.
Glancing up, she saw that her mother was looking at her, pleased. Mary knew it was about this invite from Henry. She sighed. She would go, but only to remind him that she had no intentions of dating him. If that was his game. Maybe she was being too harsh on Henry. They had discussed being friends. Perhaps this was all that it was.
"I will go," Sybil stated. "It sounds fun."
"Perfect."
-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-
"What's this I hear about Lady Mary having a new potential beau?" Gossip started up in the Servant's Hall. Anna shifted uncomfortably in her chair and focused on the food on her plate.
"That is none of your business," Mr. Carson stated, looking down the table. "Lady Mary has exceptional standards. I believe that is why she hasn't remarried since Mr. Matthew's death."
Next thing Anna knew, Mrs. Hughes appeared to be choking on her food. She hit at her chest and shook her head when someone tried to help her. Then she lifted her water and took a small sip.
"Yes, Mr. Carson, I'm sure that is it." Her brows rose and she shot a look at Anna, making her cheeks redden. She ducked her head down.
Anna wondered if this was Henry being spoken of. Mary told her of their brunch the other day and how she told him she had someone already. It seemed Mary really did enjoy spending time with him. Anna wasn't jealous. She knew that Mary loved her. That was never a doubt in Anna's mind. And it would be good for Mary to have a friend.
When lunch was finished, she heard Mrs. Hughes ask her to come into her parlor. Anna stepped inside and closed the door behind her. A shaky breath left Mrs. Hughes' lips.
"I'm sorry about that, Anna," Mrs. Hughes apologized. Anna smiled.
"Oh, I don't think anyone caught on why that happened, Mrs. Hughes. It's good actually that they believe Mary may be with someone else. It helps keep our secret better for a while."
"I suppose. But…." Mrs. Hughes paused. She could tell that Mrs. Hughes was between wanting to ask and not wanting to actually know. "Are things alright…."
"Yes," Anna assured her, a grin still on her lips. "There is nothing to worry about. We are still very happy."
Mrs. Hughes' lips pursed into a crooked line. Anna knew that Mrs. Hughes would never really understand their love, but she was grateful that Mrs. Hughes would keep their secret.
"Well, that's good," she quietly replied. "Very good."
"Is there anything else that you need, Mrs. Hughes?"
"No, dear. You may go."
-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-
"Do you want to watch him drive his car?" Anna questioned Mary, helping her with her red tie. As her hands brushed against Mary's neck, she felt Mary shudder against her. Mary met her eyes and brought her hand up to touch Anna's cheek.
"I cannot wait until you are healed," she winked. "And I don't know. I've never watched a racing car before. Sybil and Tom are going with me and that should be fun." Mary's lips then twisted and her eyes darkened slightly. "I am a little concerned."
"Because of Matthew?" Mary nodded. "Oh my love," Anna sighed. She stood up, now that the tie was done up. She ran her fingers through Mary's dark locks, before bending over and kissing the crown of her head. "You don't have to go. I'm sure Henry would understand."
Mary straightened her back.
"Well, I have plenty to do this morning before Tom, Sybil, and I head to Yorkshire. That will help me clear my mind about it all. I can give it all a go."
"As long as you are sure," Anna said.
"I am." Mary's hand touched Anna's. "But I do wish you could come with us. It would be much more fun with you."
Yorkshire
Mary watched as the cars raced past them. She sucked in her breath and then adjusted her hat. Sybil and Tom were cheering them on, discussing how they believed that Charlie was going to win.
"I hate it. I just hate it," Mary exclaimed. "I don't understand the point."
"Well, there is no such thing as slow motor racing," Tom pointed out.
"Even so," Mary sighed. "It just seems unnecessary and dangerous." She could not wrap her head around Henry finding joy in such a thing. Her husband had only been driving back to the Abbey when he had been killed in a car accident. How safe could it possibly be to be racing around like that?
Finally the racing was over. Tom rushed right over to say hello to Charlie and Henry and Mary watched as Henry showed him the car and let him have a look.
"What is this, exactly?" Sybil questioned her, when the two of them were alone.
"Pardon?"
"You and Henry? You are still with…." Her words faded.
"Of course, I am. This is only friendship, Sybil. Anna will always be my one and only, always."
Sybil's lips were curled up into a bright smile. "That's beautiful, Mary, truly."
-X-X-X-X-X-
Henry gave Tom a tour of the car. He allowed him to get inside of it and tinker with the different elements.
"So, you and Mary met up again recently while she was in London?"
"We did," Henry answered carefully. Tom had a look on his face like a brother-in-law trying to suss out a potential suitor for his sister-in-law. From that, Henry gathered that Tom didn't know about Mary's secret lover, whomever that was.
"Then I guess Anna's health scare worked in your favor," Tom then said. "If they hadn't rushed up there, you two wouldn't have been given the opportunity to meet up."
"Anna?" Henry was caught off guard.
"Oh yes, Mary's lady's maid," Tom said with a smile. "She had a bit of a health scare and I drove them to the train. But it all ended up being fine. False alarm."
"Ah," Henry replied, everything adding up in his mind. "And this….lady's maid, how long has she worked for Mary?"
"Long time," Tom shrugged. "The two are close."
His eyes moved over to Mary and he gave her a nod. She nodded in response. He told Tom to enjoy the car and then walked over to where Mary was next to her sister.
"You can go and look too," Henry told Tom's wife. She took the hint and walked away, leaving him and Mary alone.
"It's quite….loud," Mary finally said, eyeing the cars from a distance.
"So, Anna?" Henry asked. Mary turned to face him and cocked her eyebrow.
"My lady's maid? What about her?"
"Is she the secret lover?" He asked her point blank, not missing the way Mary's cheeks turned a shade of pink.
"What makes you think that?" Mary bristled.
"Don't worry," Henry said just above a whisper, "I won't give your secret away. It's quite scandalous: a lady and her maid." A chuckle left his lips. "You really do surprise me Lady Mary Crawley."
Mary narrowed her eyes in on him. "Do you know what could happen if this information got out?"
"I won't tell anyone," he repeated again, sincerely. "Though I would like to meet this Anna. She must be pretty special. It seems you really love her."
"I do," Mary's face was full of adoration. "I really do."
"Then it's settled, we must plan a time to all meet up together."
"You don't seem to be unnerved about my choice of love," Mary stated, with her hands crossing over her chest in curiosity. Henry just shrugged his shoulders.
"I guess it's never mattered to me whom someone loves. And you're my friend, right?"
"Right…."
"Well, there you have it. But do bring her by. I really can't wait to meet her."
Spring 1971
It seemed Pippa, George, and Johnny were trading out being by the house now. Not a day went by without one of them there. Mary wasn't sure how they managed it with their careers, but they did.
Johnny was going through the mail and sitting by his mother, who was watching something on the telly. She was often happy when the television was on. Mary sat across from the both, just glad that today had been a good day for Anna. She remembered them. Other things were fuzzy for her, but she did remember her and Johnny.
"Here," John said, handing over a letter.
Mary slowly opened it and read it over. Her hand came up to cover her mouth.
"Aunt Mary?"
"It's….It's Henry," she said. Anna turned her eyes from the television.
"Is he coming to visit?"
"No, darling, he…well, he had a heart attack."
"Uncle Henry?" Johnny asked.
"Yes, he's gone."
"That's a shame," Johnny stated, sitting back in his chair. "Was he in America still?" Mary numbly nodded.
"We will have to send flowers," Mary then said, sitting up. "No matter how many people we lose as we get older, it doesn't get easier."
Anna stood from where she was sitting and wrapped her arms around Mary's shoulder.
"No," she agreed. "It doesn't."
TBC...
More soon, please let me know what you think. Thanks for reading!
