Here it is…the lingerie chapter. Also, the beginning of the end for this fic. I am estimating another two, maybe three chapters for this baby. That is good, because I have another idea that's itching to get out.
Thanks for hanging in there with me kids!
"Matthew, do you think you could find something to do to occupy yourself tomorrow afternoon?" Lady Mary, the new Mrs. Crawley asked her husband, looking at him in the reflection of her dressing table mirror as she sat in front of it.
Matthew looked at her in amusement. "Are you tired of me already?"
Mary glared at him in mock frustration. "No." She shrugged, "Anna just seemed to be a little blue this afternoon when she got back from her outing. She puts on a brave face, but I know that it's hard for her to be away from Bates, even as little as she is allowed to see him. I just thought a girls' afternoon might cheer her up a bit."
Mary rose from her bench and climbed in bed beside Matthew. "I think that sounds lovely. I've been looking for some time to myself actually. I have rather a surprise that I want to plan for you."
Mary raised one perfectly arched eyebrow. "Really? We'll it seems I have picked the opportune time."
Part 2
"Anna, did you have any plans for this afternoon?" Lady Mary asked her maid as Anna was pinning up her hair.
"Well, Milady," Anna replied, "I had planned to visit the Louvre today. See some of the art Mr. Bates suggested I see while I'm here."
"Would you mind terribly doing that another day?" Mary asked. "I'll give you extra time off if necessary so you don't miss the opportunity to go. There is something I would like you to help me with today."
Anna was surprised. Ever since they had arrived in Paris for Lady Mary's honeymoon, her time had been taken up almost exclusively by her new husband. There had been very little time for afternoon plans. Anna had been hardly seen Lady Mary the majority of the days since they had been here. She dressed her in the morning, before dinner or their evening outing and for bed, but other than that, the newlyweds had preferred their privacy.
"Of course Milady, but wouldn't you rather have Mr. Matthew accompany you?" Anna asked.
"Well, that's the problem. Mr. Crawley is spending the day away, planning a 'surprise' for me. I'd like to give him a surprise as well. I have something in mind, something very fitting for Paris, but I've never done it before, so I need a good friend to make sure I'm not making a fool out of myself."
"Well, I am intrigued. Whatever will we be doing?" Anna teaser her employer gently.
Lady Mary blushed slightly. "I want to go pick out some lingerie. Parisian, not like what is in my trousseau."
Anna's blush ran higher than her counterparts when she realized what their afternoon would entail.
Seeing her red face, Mary continued. "That is why I need you with me. You will be level headed enough to tell me if I look ridiculous. I cannot rely on a shopkeeper for that."
Anna giggled, "Of course not, milady. I will look forward to the adventure."
Mary grinned, glad to see a spark of the old Anna back. "Good. Let's go after luncheon."
Part 3
It was a little after luncheon when Anna and Lady Mary arrived in front of a storefront that they would never have found at home in Yorkshire, or even in the bustling metropolis of London.
Inside the shop, they were greeted by a thin woman who spoke too quickly for Anna to understand her French. Lady Mary explained what they wanted and the woman sat them down in a small sitting area and brought Mary different things to select from.
Inspecting the pile, Anna wasn't sure she had ever seen such delicate clothing items in her whole life. Many of the pieces that Mary tried on looked like they would tear just from trying them on, let alone stand up to a passionate night between newlyweds.
While she was waiting for Mary to try on one of the gossamer articles, Anna's thoughts drifted to her own wedding night, the only time she had been allowed to spend as a newlywed with her husband. Bless Lady Mary's meddling, because without it, she wouldn't even have the memory of those few, beautiful stolen hours to get her through the long, empty nights without John.
She had been nervous, but he had been gentle and sweet, the way he always was with her. He seemed lighter that night, freer somehow, as if he finally was allowing Anna to see him as he was. He wasn't holding anything back that night, for her protection or otherwise. He had teased her gently after they made love and Anna had giggled from sheer happiness.
Broken from her thoughts by Lady Mary emerging from the dressing room, Anna took note of her selection. " Tu es magnifique" declared the shop owner, but Anna wasn't so sure. There was something about the color that wasn't quite right and it pushed Lady Mary's breasts in an odd way. Anna said so and the shopkeeper frowned at her, but Lady Mary just laughed.
"Anna has been dressing me for years Madame, I trust her judgment." Mary disappeared into the dressing room to find another garment. Emerging just moments later, Anna was stunned by her selection. The fabric was soft and floaty, cut much differently than the long nightgowns that were part of Lady Mary's trousseau.
"That's the one." Anna declared.
Lady Mary smiled as she surveyed herself in the mirror. "I like it too." She turned to the shopkeeper. "I'll take it."
As Lady Mary returned to the changing room to dress back in her street clothes, Anna took the opportunity to survey the store. They had so many really beautiful things here. She blushed when she thought about wearing some of them for Mr. Bates. She didn't think she would have the courage, even though she was sure he would appreciate each and every one.
She stopped in front of a display of garters. There were all different colors and designs, suitable for anyone who wanted such a piece. Anna could imagine herself wearing one of these for Mr. Bates. It was easily hidden beneath any of her day to day clothing, but the subtle knowledge of its presence would add a thrill to her day. She imagined her dear husband finding such a thing on her leg. For all his stoicism, he liked that he married, in his words, a "naughty girl."
"Yes." Anna heard a voice hiss in her ear and she jumped, startled and slightly embarrassed at having been caught so closely inspecting the garments.
It was Lady Mary behind her, her purchase boxed and paid for. "You should buy one of those Anna. A little surprise for Mr. Bates when he gets home." Mary arched her eyebrow and gave Anna a suggestive look. "After all, once he's home, you'll have to celebrate."
Anna blushed and giggled, "I don't know, Milady. I've never owned anything like this ever in my life."
"There is a first time for everything." Mary laughed slightly as she called the shopkeeper over. "My friend would like help in picking out a garter. A surprise for her husband."
The shopkeeper made a big display of critiquing Anna's coloring, pinching her cheek uncomfortably to "see your natural pink." She selected three for Anna to choose from, but Anna quickly realized that she had chosen the three most expensive that the shop had to offer. Thankfully, none of them suited her tastes at all.
From the corner of her eye, Anna spied a lacy garter in ivory, with blue embroidery. She picked it up and drew it through her hands. The button closure was a small, delicate cameo. It wad beautiful. She checked the price tag, pleased to find the garment was reasonably within her budget. "This is it." She whispered, more to herself than to either of her companions.
Part 3
"Let's stop for tea, my treat." Lady Mary suggested after they left the shop. She guided them to a small, open air tea shop. Anna placed her bag at her feet, feeling very flushed. She imagined the small, pink bag was shouting to the world, "This daughter of a Yorkshire tenant farmer just bought some rather scandalous lingerie." She breathed through her embarrassment, imagining John's face when he learned about the purchase.
"So, will you write Bates and tell him?" Lady Mary raised an eyebrow and there was no mistake as to what she was inferring.
Anna flushed for a moment, considering. "No, I think I will wait and tell him in person. I want to see his face." She smiled to herself at the thought.
"I'm sure he will like it." Lady Mary returned Anna's mischievous smile.
"What about Mr. Matthew? Should I bring breakfast late in the morning?" Anna turned the tables on her companion.
Together, they starting laughing, both imaging how their husbands would react to that day's treasures.