A/N: We have left Mrs Hughes and Carson to deal with their surprise. Now there are musings and sunshine and a lovely thing happens to Lady Edith. There is a bit of a 'warmer' scene in this, but nothing too bad, i think you could read it in the library, in class or at work. As always: i am curious to know what you think, so leave a review in the designated area!

When Anna opened her eyes she felt as if she had been run over by a horse and cart. The house was silent, outside the sun shone brightly. The afternoon was not over yet. She hoped Lady Edith had found a way to let the surprise go ahead. Anna was glad she had written a letter and put it in the hamper. She had wanted to thank Mrs Hughes especially. Anna had found that behind the strict surface, Mrs Hughes was kind, caring and very warm. Whenever Mrs Hughes had pulled her against the whalebones, Anna was reminded of her mother, of how she had felt whenever she had been held against her breast.

Mrs Hughes turned out to be in favour of having a good cry now and then.

When John was convicted and Anna wanted to hand in her notice, she could not hold on. She had buried her face in the black fabric, smelled the lavender and lemon scent that radiated from Mrs Hughes and felt two hands on her back that were not letting go. While her whole world was crumbling around her, the only place she had felt comforted and safe, had been in Mrs Hughes embrace.

Anna looked beside her. There was a cup of tea on her nightstand. She sat up a bit and picked up the cup. Of course the tea was cold and stewed, but she was so thirsty, she didn't mind. Until she felt incredibly sick and had to hurry to the bathroom to throw up. She felt truly horrible, but couldn't help herself and counted the days back to ascertain if this could be anything else than a bout of flu.

"I ought to check up on Anna." Edith said when they were well out of earshot of the folly. She was still processing the sudden realisation that Mrs Hughes and Carson were much closer than anyone had ever thought. Or at least, she did not think anyone else knew about the romantic attachment of the pair.

"We could walk past her cottage on our way to the house. But i suggest we hurry up a bit, your mama will not be best pleased with either of us if we are late for tea." Anthony put his hand on hers and Edith found it hard to breathe suddenly.

"Yes. Yes... we should. If Anna is not better, we may need to call for Dr Clarkson." Edith tried to think of Anna and how bad she had looked when she had left the cup of tea by the bed instead of the tingles she felt everywhere since Anthony touched her.

"Did things, you know, the surprise, go as planned?" Anthony asked, he was trying to keep the conversation going. Edith was sure he had been as surprised as she was about finding the butler and housekeeper being so intimate with each other.

"I think they were surprised and i am fairly certain Mrs Hughes was pleased." Edith paused.

"Edith..." Anthony started and Edith swallowed. "You know i think very highly of you, don't you..." his voice trailed off. She smiled at him.

"You think highly of me?" she couldn't help but tease him a little.

"I do..." Anthony's tone was more solemn. But then he pulled her in his arms, closed the gap and she felt his lips on hers and she didn't think.

Edith did not quite know what to do, so she just gave in to what felt natural and kissed him back. She inhaled sharply when Anthony broke their kiss.

"I am sorry." he apologized.

"Don't... don't... there is no need..." Edith croaked. Instead of taking a step back, she took hold of his jacket and she pulled him down to let him meet her lips. Their kisses were getting more and more heated, their breaths grew ragged and Edith could feel Anthony's hands grabbing a firmer hold of her, pulling her against him more tightly. His hands travelled down her back to caress her bottom.

"No... stop..." she whispered as his lips left her mouth and trailed across her jaw to her neck.

"We can't... it's... it's... ah... Anth... no... " Edith tried to find a shred of rationality. "Anthony... really... we can't go further..." Anthony kissed her collarbone and she felt the summer breeze in her face, which gave her some clarity.

"Anthony... i am serious. We cannot go on." Her words had a sobering effect on him and he looked at Edith so fondly, she had to strain herself. If this was what love did, if this was what had gotten poor Ethel into trouble, Edith no longer wondered how such a thing could happen.

"We should see Anna. She might need something." He nodded and took her hand in his. Together they walked to the cottage in companionable silence. They had never needed many words to let the other know how they felt, now with their skins touching, words were wholly unnecessary.

When she washed her face, Anna felt a slight pang of disappointment. She was definitively a victim of the flu and of nothing else. She had always wanted a family of her own and while she had thought perhaps it would never happen, the dream remained as strong as ever. Now with John home for good, this dream was within her grasp.

It would be difficult, Anna would have to stop working and they would have to live off John's earnings alone. She would disappoint Mrs Hughes. Anna was very much aware that she was being groomed to follow in the housekeepers' footsteps.

She rinsed her mouth and felt her forehead again. She wasn't burning as hot as this morning, but she was far from well. Thinking about what a huge disappointment you would be to someone you love dearly did not help with getting on your feet again either. Perhaps she should just go back to bed and sleep some more.

Just as she covered herself with the sheet and blankets, she heard the door open.

"Who is it?" her voice sounded strange, feeble and sad.

"Only me!" Lady Edith's voice wafted upstairs. Anna heard her ascend the stairs and the door opened. Lady Edith looked beautiful with flushed cheeks and lights in her eyes.

"How are you?" she asked.

"Not well, i'm afraid." Anna answered, trying, but only managing a weak smile.

"There is no... well... trouble... is there?" Edith asked, tentatively, not wanting to cross the line, but being curious as well.

"No. No, milady. No trouble. Only a touch of flu, i'd say."

The pain in Anna's voice was not to be denied and Edith looked at the maid, her heart heavy in her chest. She was so happy and she wished everyone to be at least as happy as she felt.

"Anna, if you were to... you know... I am certain mama would not object." How difficult it was to have a conversation about something so delicate. Something so private and in Anna's case: complicated. If Anna was to stop working, there would hardly be enough money for them to live on, but Edith, awakened by her first kiss, understood that the wish could be stronger than being rational.

"I'll call dr Clarkson and have him come over. You try to get some sleep." Edith tucked Anna's hand under the covers and left the room.

"Milady?"

"Yes?"

"Could i have a glass of water? I know i shouldn't ask, but..."

"Don't worry. I will bring you one."

When Edith left the cottage, she found Anthony sitting by the pump.

"Tea, i'd say." Anthony said and took her hand again. "Tea." Edith answered and for the first time in her life, she found herself in the happy position of being wanted, cherished and loved.

"Thank you for helping me with the gramophone, i know it was awfully heavy." she said, making light conversation, steering her own mind away from her plan to give Anna what she wanted.

"It was my pleasure. It gave me good practice." Anthony answered.

"Practice for what?"

"Carrying you over the threshold."

A/N: Oooooh! he hinted at them getting married! Anna did not get the surprise we were all hoping for, but she will be happily surprised, don't you all worry about that. Next chapter will be filled to the brim with Charles and Elsie.

(if you have gotten this far, thank you so much for reading!)