Hello everyone! This story was inspired by a few events. It began when I watched Bridgerton. This story is nothing like that show, but the idea of a marriage where you barely knew the person came to mind. It then reminded me of a story I read called Love Comes Softly. This story was inspired more by the plot of that story. It will be different, but hold some of the same ideas and plot points.

This story takes place around season 3 cannon, but it's AU where William survived the war, he didn't marry Daisy, and John and Anna's lives are also very different. William is not a major character, though he will be in the first few chapters, as he's important to the story telling there. I don't know, yet, how much of Downton life from the show will come into this story.

I do hope you'll enjoy this new adventure!

A Marriage of Convenience

Taking in the sights that passed them, Anna grinned and slid her hand into her husband's, giving it a tight squeeze. Today was the first day of their new adventure. They had been married for nearly a year now. Life hadn't been easy, but it seemed that it was finally turning in their favor.

The both of them had grown up out in the country and moved into the city when they were both given factory jobs that paid them just enough to stay afloat. But it is how they had met, walking around in the busy streets and rushing to work. For days, Anna had purposely left a little early just to be able to walk a couple of blocks with him. And soon after they got married.

However, the life wasn't what either of them wanted. They missed the country. Louis (Lou), her husband, wanted to work on farms again. It was where his true passion lay. Anna missed the large fields of grass and wanted to raise children back in the country. The city was not for them.

They were fortunate to be given a new opportunity in Yorkshire. There was a farmer there, Mr. Mason, who had been searching for a new farmhand. He sent Anna and Lou money for the train ride. This would be back breaking work for Lou, but he didn't mind. It was how he had grown up. He enjoyed working in the sun and with the earth and animals. Their dream would be coming true.

"Perhaps, once we're settled, I can find a position somewhere as a maid or…" Anna's words were cut off when Lou brought her hand up to his lips and kissed the tips of her fingers.

"I thought you wanted to be a mum?" He questioned. Anna's eyes twinkled.

"I do, but until then," Anna reminded him. He smiled.

"Whatever makes you happy. But with this new job, you won't have to work. We won't be wealthy, but we'll have enough to make by. You can stay home and raise our four little ones." Anna laughed.

"Four?"

"Of course, two boys and two girls," he stated, in a playfully serious way. "Louis Jr., Louisa, Louie…."

"Oh, so they'll all be named after you?" Anna teased.

"Well, the littlest will be Annie, after you," he said with a wink. "I'm only joking, my love." He brought himself up so he could get a better look outside the train's window. The country side was coming into view and he let out a pleased sigh. "We're going to be very happy, Anna. You and me. We're going to raise our children out here. It's going to be wonderful."

A giddiness bubbled in Anna's chest. Yes, she couldn't wait.

-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-

Mr. Mason picked Anna and Lou up from the train station. He seemed to be a kind man with a kind smile. They spoke all the way toward the farm. Anna couldn't stop smiling. She wrapped her hands around Lou's arm and tugged herself closer to him. He turned his head toward her and kissed her temple.

"I love you," he whispered.

"I love you," she whispered back, grinning.

They pulled up to the farm. Lou jumped down from the wagon and reached up to help Anna down. He grabbed her by the waist and brought her toward him, making sure to kiss the top of her head, before letting her down. She giggled and then turned to look at the large property.

"Over here is your new home," Mr. Mason explained. He walked them down a path toward a small little shack.

Lou opened the front door and he then stepped back so that Anna could go inside. He walked in behind her and placed his hands on her shoulders. There was a small table and little stove. Then down beside it was a bed. Anna smiled. It wasn't much, but it was theirs.

"We can do so much with this!" Anna exclaimed.

"I know it's not much," Mr. Mason then said, stepping into the door frame. "But…"

"No, it's perfect," Lou told him. They had less in the city. It had been small and dank and their flat bad been right next door to a family of ten. They had no next door neighbors here.

"Good. Shall I show you around the farm?"

"Yes." Lou turned back to Anna and winked. "I'll be back in a little while. Will you be alright without me?"

"Of course. I'll start unpacking and tidying up the place."

Lou gave her a wink and followed behind Mr. Mason. Once they were gone, Anna got right to work. She was ready to make this place her new home.

-X-X-X-X-X-X-

It was growing dark out. Anna had been left alone for several hours now. She had thought that by now her husband would have returned.

In her luggage, Anna had packed some bread and cheese. She pulled some out to munch on. Her stomach was growling for food. She had been hoping to eat with her husband, but it was becoming too late.

She heard the sound of steps outside and Anna quickly rushed to the window. Opening the curtains, she saw Mr. Mason and a horse. Her lips curled downward. Where was Lou? Then she saw someone behind Mr. Mason. She smiled.

Bouncing toward the door, she opened it up to find Mr. Mason standing in her doorway with a solemn face. Her brows furrowed and she swallowed hard.

"Mr. Mason?" Her heart began to hammer in her chest and she tried to glance behind Mr. Mason for Lou. But as she saw the other man, she realized it wasn't her husband. It was a younger man, who was walking up toward his father.

"Mrs. Smith," Mr. Mason quietly began. "I…" he paused. "This is my boy, William."

"Where…where's Lou?" She asked, her stomach beginning to twist and turn.

"He went off with one of the horses to help me search for a missing goat. Then he didn't return. I…well, I thought that maybe he brought the horse back and came home to you. But when I went to the barn, he, nor the horse was there. My son, here, came to visit me and on his path, he found….ma'am, he found your husband."

"Where…where is he?"

The young man stepped forward, sorrow filling his eyes. "Ma'am," he quietly began. "It appears he got thrown off the horse. He…he must have hit his head."

Anna's hand came up to cover her mouth. "Where…where is he?" This time she asked more forcefully.

"I'm so sorry, ma'am," William croaked.

Her body grew numb. William and Mr. Mason moved to the side so she could see the horse. Lying over the horse was her husband's body. Her body began to tremble.

"He's gone."

With slow steps, Anna made her way toward the horse. She fell to her knees and gently touched Lou's blonde locks off his forehead. Her eyes filled with tears.

"We were supposed to start our life together," she murmured, a sob bubbling in her throat. Yet, nothing would come. She pulled back and stood, covering her mouth with her hand.

"We can have him buried for you in the morning," Mr. Mason began. "I…I truly am sorry. You can stay here for a while, until…." He stopped, as though he knew now was not the time to be serving Anna with a time that she would need to leave.

What was she going to do?

"Perhaps, you could come with us and stay in the house tonight?" William offered. Anna met the kind man's eyes, and just shook her head.

"I…I'd like to be alone."

She then turned, no other words being able to be said. She just felt frozen. Walking into what was supposed to be her new home, she shut the door behind her. Then she sunk into the small chair, before a loud, unrelenting sob left her lips.

To be continued...

Poor Anna...

Interested in more, enjoying it so far? Let me know! Thank you in advance!