Coming to London

Lady Mary Crawley stepped off the train from her first class compartment and turned to wait for the three women she was traveling with. Mrs. Hughes, Anna Bates and Sara O'Brien came down the platform, each carrying a small overnight bag. Through the throngs of passengers they could see Sybil's small hand frantically waving above the heads surrounding them. Arrangements had been made for the three women to meet with Mr. Lewis the following day. The group would be staying at Crawley House for two nights.

"I hope you had a good trip," Sybil said. "We will be taking the street car. Aunt Rosamund is out of town and my husband has gone to Oxford on a speaking engagement. So I'm afraid it will be a house of women."

"I'm sure we can manage with the staff we have here," Mary said.

"Mary, we don't have table service and I don't expect the ladies to work. They are here to meet with Mr. Lewis although I do appreciate any help they provide around the house. The drawing and morning rooms are not open," Sybil turned to the other ladies. "We don't have the servants hall open either. I'm afraid you'll have to make do with the kitchen."

"I'm sure we'll all be fine, Lady Sybil," said Mrs. Hughes. "Mrs. Patmore sent along a hamper. We need to collect it from the porter."

"We'll, get a cab then," said Sybil as she escorted the ladies out of the station.

Once they had arrived at Crawley House and had determined their rooms, Sybil asked everyone to meet back in the library.

"My husband wanted me to let you all know that Mr. Lewis can be very direct. Please try not to feel intimidated when you meet with him in the morning as he is only trying to help Mr. Bates."

Anna was wringing her hanky in nervousness and looked about to burst into tears. Mary moved to sit beside her and covered her hand with hers.

"Matthew also feels this is for the best, Anna. Mr. Lewis is one of the best in the profession, if anyone can help, it will be him."

"I'm just so nervous," Anna said.

"Don't worry about anyone or anything for tonight," said Sybil. "Just try to get some rest."

The following morning all five ladies were seated in the waiting room of Lewis and Mason. Mrs. Hughes and Miss O'Brien were interviewed and then it was Anna's turn.

"Mrs. Bates, please try to relax," said Mr. Lewis.

"Mr. Lewis, if I can be of any help please don't hesitate. I just want my husband cleared of the conviction."

"I have a copy of your statement. I want to discuss with you the options available to your husband."

Anna nodded. The stress was apparent on her face and she looked as if she would faint at any moment.

"If you don't understand anything I have to say, please let me know. As you know there is sufficient proof to move for retrial on grounds of conflict of interest on the part of the defense barrister" Mr. Lewis paused to make sure Anna understood. "The issue becomes what happens in a new trial. At the moment I cannot conclusively prove your husband's innocence, therefore there is a chance he will remain in prison or worse."

Anna visibly paled at his statement.

"I can however provide sufficient counsel to show the prosecution's case is flimsy at best. The law asks jurors to be "beyond a reasonable shadow of doubt" for conviction. I believe I can provide that, but there is always a chance for the worst. If we do proceed with a new trial, I will have the proceedings moved to London where the crime was actually committed."

Mr. Lewis got up, poured a glass of water and handed it to Anna. He then went to the door and called his secretary in to sit with her.

"You need to understand Mrs. Bates, that I am quite ruthless in court and will spare no ones feelings or sensibilities in my examination of witnesses."

"I understand. It is my husband's life. I want the best for him no matter what. When do you think a new trial would happen?"

"The motion for retrial would take about six months to go through the courts. The new trial date would be set from there. I would estimate eight months from now. In the mean time I have a private investigator attempting to locate the missing Frank Wilson and there are a few other avenues of inquiry open to us," Mr. Lewis paused to let everything sink in.

"You need to take time to consider what I have said. I will be meeting with Mr. Bates in a few days. Please let me know your wishes on how you wish me to proceed within the next two weeks."

"Thank you Mr. Lewis," said Anna as she left the room. "I appreciate your frankness."

It was late afternoon by the time the women returned to Crawley House. Anna was so shaken Mary had Anna sit with her in the library while the others went to prepare tea. Sybil got as far as the dining room when she found her husband coming up the stairs with a plate of food. He pulled her close with one arm and kissed her soundly. He didn't realize there was a room full of women behind her until Sybil pushed on his arms slightly.

"Ladies," he said blushing to the roots of his hair.

"How was the trip?" Sybil asked.

"Long. Katie is upstairs with the little one. I forgot we were having company."

"Obviously, Mary and Anna are in the library."

"I'll go through in a few minutes."

Mrs. Hughes and Miss O'Brien didn't know where to look. This was definitely not the way they were used to the household being run and the interview with Mr. Lewis had been unsettling for both of them. The way the Bransons ran their lives and their home was disconcerting to say the least.

"I'm glad her mother isn't here to see this," Miss O'Brien hissed to Mrs. Hughes.

"Young people do things their own way," Mrs. Hughes replied when Sybil was out of earshot. "It might be a blessing in disguise for poor Anna and Mr. Bates in the end."

"I hope you're right," was all Miss O'Brien could come up with.

Once everyone had finished their tea, it was time for Tom, Mary and Sybil to have a small conference with Anna. Anna filled them in on what had transpired with Mr. Lewis.

"The decision will be up to you and John," said Tom. "There is still more information to be uncovered. Eight or nine months from now we should have some of the answers."

"Take your time and consider everything carefully," said Mary. "Right now I think you should go lay down and get some rest."

Two weeks before Christmas 1920 Anna and John Bates had made their decision. Come what may, it was time to move forward. Word was sent to London for Mr. Lewis to move for a retrial.