Disclaimer: Same as chapter 1.
Keeping Mr. Bates in the dark about her plans was going to be more difficult than she had originally thought. How she could have forgotten he sought her out more during holidays she didn't know, but there he was lingering in the upstairs hallway as she left Lady Mary's room. She noticed his coy smile as she firmly closed the bedroom door. She knew when she didn't show up for luncheon a few hours from now he would most certainly seek her out to find out where she went. She only hoped the reason she had come up with would get her by until the next morning.
Walking towards her husband, she watched as he leaned down slightly to be closer to her. When she reached him he said quietly, "Hello."
"Hello," she replied before looking up and down the corridor. Mr. Bates did the same before he spoke again.
"I was thinking if we hurry through luncheon we could possibly take a short walk with it being Christmas Eve and all," he suggested.
Whatever it was she thought he was about to say that hadn't been it. This simply would not do. There was no way she could take a walk with him today no matter how nice it sounded. She thought she still had time until she had to confront him, but she would have to tell him now that she wouldn't be at luncheon.
Her toes curled in her shoes slightly as she secretly tried to grip onto something invisible. She needed to steady herself in order for her story to seem as the truth; she hoped he didn't see right through her.
"That sounds lovely," she said as she fidgeted with the dress she had over her right arm.
Their eyes met and he replied, "I'm sensing a but is coming."
There was no going back now. She even told herself it was the truth so it would look more believable, and she promised inwardly to herself and to him that when he saw the gift she would explain herself.
Sighing, she stated, "But Lady Mary needs me to pick up a Christmas gift for Mr. Talbot today, so I won't be at luncheon."
She waited after she had spoken to say anything else. Looking to Mr. Bates, he looked as though the information annoyed him somewhat.
"On Christmas Eve?" he asked as his face slightly turned into a scowl.
"I know it's very last minute, but Lady Mary insisted I had to go pick it up."
Mr. Bates straighten his back and stood to his full height for a few seconds, obviously needing to think over what his reply would be, and then leaned back down.
"Is there no one else who can do this for her today?"
This had not been the first time he had been irritated with Lady Mary's demands. Likewise, she had also gotten frustrated from time to time when Lord Grantham seemed to take up too much of his time, but at the end of the day they both understood it was the nature of their employment.
"I'm afraid not, and who else would she send to get it?"
She watched her husband's facial expression relax as he relented, "You're right. I'm sorry."
Bravely, she reached out and gently touched his right forearm with her left hand.
"You've nothing to be sorry for. I would gladly take a walk with you if I had the time," she responded with a small smile.
She was graced with a smirk back from him which made her feel like she had been successful. She pulled her hand back and placed it on top of the dress.
"I will see you at dinner then?" he asked.
"Yes, Mr. Bates. Now, we must get on," her eyes sparkled before she walked past her husband and off to the laundry.
"But you'll have to bring something back won't you?" Mary asked as Anna was laying out evening wear before she left for the village.
"I didn't even think of that," Anna gasped as she looked to her.
"Well, I guess it wouldn't hurt to actually get Mr. Talbot a gift. I wasn't planning on it, but if he gets me something and I don't have anything for him I'll feel selfish."
"Milady, I couldn't ask-" Anna tried to say but was cut off.
"You're not asking anything. If you would please pick up a necktie for Mr. Talbot at the clothier I would be most appreciative."
Mary reached into her hand bag and handed Anna the money needed to get the gift.
"Are you sure, milady?" Anna asked as she held the money.
"Of course."
"What fabric do I buy?"
Mary walked to her vanity and sat down, looking at Anna through the looking glass.
"You have good taste, Anna. I trust you to pick something suitable."
A smile pulled at her lips from the compliment.
"Thank you, milady."
"Now, you'd better get going. I need that gift sooner rather than later, and I expect details on how the other thing goes over as well," Mary smiled.
"Of course," Anna smiled more fully, "will that be all, Lady Mary?"
"Yes, thank you Anna."
After being dismissed, Anna made her way directly to the servants staircase and descended the stairs. When she reached the bottom, she turned to walk towards the back door. Mr. Bates was leaned up against the wall not too far down from Mrs. Hughes parlor.
"What are you doing here?" she asked as he pushed himself off the wall.
"Nice to see you again as well," he teased.
"You know what I mean," she said more lightly.
"I just wanted to see you before you set off. If only I could accompany you."
She felt her heart jump into her throat. What if Lord Grantham didn't have anything for him to do, and he was free to go along with her? She hadn't thought about that. How in the world would she tell him he couldn't come with her without either making him suspicious or hurting his feelings? She was hoping that wasn't what was about to happen.
"Well, I'm sure Lord Grantham has you doing extra tasks since we only work tomorrow evening," she replied.
It was the only thing she could think of to say.
"Unfortunately, you're right," he said sadly.
Anna felt a sweeping rush of relief. If it had been any other day she would have been disheartened by her husband having extra duties but not that day. She was glad he would have more things to distract him while she got his present in the cottage.
"Perhaps another time then," she said softly.
He nodded in agreement, "You headed out now then? I see you have money in your hand."
Anna looked down at the notes in her hand and was thankful she was holding them. The currency helped to back up her story, which now that she thought about it was the truth. She would have to make a very quick purchase after the bookcase was in the cottage now however.
She looked back up to look at him.
"Yes, I'm to pay for it when I go pick it up," she replied.
"Well, have a safe journey."
"I plan on it, Mr. Bates. I'll see you later this evening," she smiled as her hand brushed over his elbow.
He gave her that smile which was reserved for her only before she moved to gather her coat and hat. She was just reaching up to take it off the hook when her husband lowered it for her. They only shared a smile as he helped her into her coat and handed her her hat and handbag. When she had the hat placed as she liked on her head she looked down the hall to make sure it was clear. Seeing it was, she turned back to him and placed a kiss on his cheek before opening the door and closing it behind her.
The air was cold, but she took a deep breath anyway as she quickly walked across the courtyard. Her plan was still intact. As far as she could tell he still didn't have a clue that she was doing all of this for him. She was getting closer to her last hurdle, which was to keep him from seeing it in their home until the following morning. She giggled to herself as she walked and was sure she knew just how to keep his eyes from looking at the bookcase.
When she reached the cottage Mr. Ailor and his apprentice, Mr. Derby, where waiting with the bookcase by the front door.
They both waved to her as she got closer, and she waved back.
"Good day, Mrs. Bates," Mr. Ailor greeted.
"Hello, Mr. Ailor, Mr. Derby," she greeted back.
Mr. Derby doffed his hat as Mr. Ailor spoke again, "We've already got it off the lorry as you can see. All we need is for you to tell us where to put it."
"All right. Let me just open the door."
She retrieved a heavy iron key from her handbag and walked to the door. Placing the key into the lock, she turned it and opened the door. She stepped inside and placed her handbag and key down on the small table in the sitting room. She then looked to the section of the room she wished to place the bookcase. The only place she had thought to put it was along the wall where a small chest of drawers with a small vase of winter flowers placed on top currently sat. She would move the wooden piece further down the wall and place the bookcase there instead. The thought of placing the bookcase in their bedroom had crossed her mind, but her husband did the majority of his reading in the sitting room. If he wished to read in bed he would select two books at a time and carry them upstairs to be placed on his bedside table. It would have been more work for him if the bookcase were on the second floor.
She was broken from her thoughts as she saw the two men bringing the heavy bookcase into their home. They both grunted as they sat the piece down inside the sitting room.
"Where we headed, Mrs. Bates?" Mr. Ailor asked.
"Would you mind moving this chest of drawers down the wall a bit? I think the bookcase would look nice along here," she asked politely as she stood by the piece of furniture.
"Sure thing."
She backed away and the two men carefully moved the chest of drawers down until it was far enough down for the bookcase to not look crowded. Walking back over to the bookcase, they lifted it together and moved it to it's new location along the wall.
"What do you think?" Mr. Derby asked.
All three of them stood back and looked at the tall structure. It looked like it belonged there.
"I think it looks very lovely. Thank you both again for doing such a good job with it," Anna praised.
"I'm just glad you're pleased, Mrs. Bates. Thank you for your business. I hope you remember us in the future," Mr. Ailor replied.
"I surely will."
She walked the men to the door. They made their goodbyes, and Anna watched them drive away before she went back inside and closed the door. Deciding she didn't have time to waste, she kept her coat and hat on as she worked to find Mr. Bates' books. She knew they were most likely in almost every room, so she started with the room she was in and worked her way outward. She found them tucked away in different cabinets, drawers, and even their wardrobe. She had filled up three shelves by the time she was done. He would have two shelves left to place more, and she hoped when it did get completely full maybe he would consider donating some so he could buy new ones. It was a long shot, but she could always hope.
She arranged the books a couple of times before she felt it looked just right. His collection looked so welcoming in the case, and she was more excited than ever for him to see his Christmas gift. She only had to make it through the evening.
Knowing she had spent too much time as it was, she collected her handbag and key then walked into the foyer. She went to the front door and then walked back through to see how noticeable it might be. Tonight when they got home it would be dark, and if you weren't looking for something out of the ordinary you wouldn't see it straight away. As long as he didn't walk into the sitting room everything would go as planned.
She forced herself to open the door and exit her cottage. She securely locked the door back, knowing if it wasn't done so properly Mr. Bates would end up checking the whole cottage over; he had done so in the past.
Her walk was a brisk one to the village, and she immediately went into the men's clothier to look for a necktie worthy of Mr. Talbot. She had never picked out men's clothing for anyone other than her husband, but she hoped Lady Mary would be pleased with what she selected.
Ten minutes later she had her purchase wrapped in brown paper and tucked underneath her left arm. Her strides were quick and anxious as she made her way back to the abbey.
She breathed out a shallow breath of relief as she stepped into the warmth from the backdoor. Closing the door, she went about the process of hanging up her coat and hat before she reached into her handbag to retrieve Lady Mary's change. With change in hand, she laid her handbag up under her hat and took the gift into her other hand.
Her shoes made quick, light tapping sounds against the flagstone, and not to her surprise seemed to alert Mr. Bates of her presence because he emerged from the servant's hall.
"How was luncheon?" she spoke first as she reached him.
"I had the displeasure of hearing Mr. Barrow rattle on for most of it," he replied with a stoic look.
"Sorry," she said, trying to contain a smile.
"So, how did it go?" She watched his eyes glance to her hands. "Looks like it was a successful trip."
"It was," she agreed, "very successful."
"Are you privy to what you are carrying?" he asked only out of curiosity.
"I am. It is a necktie."
She watched his jawline clench as he shifted more of his weight to his left leg.
"Whatever is the matter?" she asked softly.
He sighed and replied, "I'm just being silly."
Anna straightened her back more, if that was even possible, and was just about to speak again when Mrs. Hughes walked out of her parlor and toward their direction.
"So, you're back then," Mrs. Hughes greeted.
"Sorry if it took me longer than expected," Anna said to Mrs. Hughes.
"I don't think it did. Mrs. Patmore has put a plate aside for you in case you are hungry."
"That's very kind. Thank you," Anna responded.
The three of them stood in silence until Anna made the first move.
"Well, I better get this package to Lady Mary."
"And I've got plenty of my own to do," Mrs. Hughes said before she set off up the stairs.
Anna gave one last look to Mr. Bates before she too made her way upstairs.
That night before the servant's dinner Anna was looking around for her husband. She thought he might already be at the table or maybe lingering around the kitchen, but he wasn't in either of those places. He surely wouldn't be upstairs. Lord Grantham wouldn't ring until late on Christmas Eve. An idea came to her and she strode down the corridor to the back door. She walked right by her coat and opened the door, stepping out into the frigged night air. She closed the door quietly and turned to walk towards the stacks of crates in the courtyard. There Mr. Bates was sitting on a stack almost completely covered up in the shadows. It had been quite a while since they had both been alone here. There was no need when they had a place of their own to go home to every night.
"Mr. Bates," she whispered as his head turned upon hearing her light footfalls.
When she reached him she continued, "What are you doing out here? You'll catch your death in this cold."
"The same could be said of you," he replied, avoiding the question, but holding out a hand for her to come closer.
She placed her hand into his and stepped in between his legs. She enjoyed the times they were positioned this way with him sitting at the right height and her standing. They were eye to eye.
"You didn't wear your coat," he commented as he rubbed his free hand up and down her back.
"I was too busy trying to find you to worry with it," she confessed.
He faintly smiled at her and for a long moment they simply looked at each other before she spoke again.
"Can you tell me what has been bothering you now?"
He lightly squeezed her hand and said, "I was just in disbelief Lady Mary would send you on an errand to pick up a necktie today."
"But that's what the errand was. It was to pick up the necktie for Mr. Talbot," she said quickly.
Had he seen through it? No. Surely he couldn't have guessed it was just a cover for what she had really been doing.
She waited with baited breath until he spoke again.
"I know. I saw the package in your hand, but still it's Christmas Eve and I selfishly wanted to see more of you. We haven't always had the opportunity in the past... and..."
He allowed his words to drift into silence.
She released her breath and realized he was disappointed in not being able to see her as much as he would have liked that day. Some of their previous Christmas seasons had been nothing short of dreadful and heartbreaking. This one would most certainly not be that way.
She leaned in and pressed a chaste but warm kiss to his forehead before she pulled back and looked into his eyes.
"I don't have anything else going on tonight other than putting Lady Mary to bed. After that, it is just you and me until we are expected tomorrow before the gong."
He smirked as he searched her eyes with his own. "That sounds wonderful."
"Indeed it does. I've missed you today as well," she informed as she picked a bit of lint from the lapel of his suit jacket.
"I'm sorry for being grumpy."
"I would say that's a good reason to be grumpy, and you're never selfish when it's time with me you want," she reassured.
"Only a little while longer."
"Yes. We better head inside before we freeze to death, and then our Christmas can officially begin."
"Yes, Mrs. Bates," he quipped with a knowing look as he collected his cane and stood.
When both of their tasks had been completed they wished the others a Happy Christmas and bundled into their coats, gloves, and hats. The night air was just as cold as earlier but it didn't feel as such as they walked hand in hand towards their home. Mr. Bates seemed much more relaxed now that they were away from the others which in turn made her happy. They made light conversation as they ventured closer to the destination they both longed to be. It was one of their favorite parts of their day; the walk to and form work. It they them time to enjoy each other before the beginning and before the end of their day.
Anna felt Mr. Bates' gait quicken slightly as their cottage came into view.
"Bless him," she thought.
She loved seeing him get excited, and he still had no idea how extremely excited she was. Only a few more hours and she could reveal what she had been up to. She gladly quickened her pace to match his and were now at their door.
Mr. Bates collected the key from his coat pocket and placed it in the lock. He turned it and opened the door. He ushered her in first and placed the key back in his coat pocket before closing the door behind him and locking it.
Now, she just had to keep him out of the sitting room until morning.
He helped her with her coat, and she set to work on removing her gloves and hat as he removed his articles, placed them on the shelf and leaned his cane into the corner of the wall. When they were both done with their small task, she pressed her palms into his waistcoat.
"Would you like a fire, my darling?" he asked thickly in the darkness of the room.
"I was thinking we could have one in the bedroom fireplace tonight," she said lowly and filled with meaning.
"If you'd like," he voiced. "I'll need to check for firewood."
"Everything is already up there. I checked this morning," she replied.
She had indeed checked. She wanted to make sure he had no reason whatsoever to venture around downstairs.
"Was this part of your plan, Mrs. Bates?" he almost whispered.
"How did you know?" she teased.
"You're one for surprises, but you've been extra quiet this year."
"Have I?" she asked as she unbuttoned his waistcoat then unhooked his pocket watch and slipped the chain into the pocket.
"Yes," he rumbled, "are you being sneaky?"
She decided to play into it instead of getting defensive and giving herself away. She really needed to change the topic before things began to unravel.
"Me? I seem to be a few things at the moment but sneaky isn't one of them," she purred.
She lifted herself to her tip toes and pressed her lips to his. She allowed the kiss to linger until she felt his arms curl around her waist, bringing her closer to his body. It was then she broke the kiss and heard him barely sigh.
"Let me just light a lamp, and we'll go upstairs."
"No need. We have one upstairs," she said as she took his hand in hers and started to move towards the staircase.
"Anna, we might hurt ourselves," he insisted.
She was standing on the first step as she turned around and placed her hand to the side of his neck.
"Please, don't make me wait any longer than I have to... John," she said wantonly.
She hoped it worked, and when she felt his hand on her lower back to help her up the stairs she smiled to herself.
A few hours later they laid tangled up together in the warmth of their room. The fire was now burning low in the hearth as Anna pulled a large quilt from the bottom of the bed to cover them with. They snuggled underneath it until both of them were comfortable to sleep.
"Happy Christmas, my darling," he whispered lovingly into her ear.
It was well after midnight, so it was early Christmas morning.
"Happy Christmas," she whispered back.
