Bates POV

It is the morning of our wedding, andhere we are at the breakfast table. Forbidden to touch each other. I glance sideward at my wife to be, she is locked in conversation with Daisy about something or other. Stirring my spoon through the now stiff texture of my porridge, I let my mind wander to the events of this afternoon. The moment myself and my darling Anna are pronounced man and wife will be the most amazing of my life. I must have a silly grin on my face because my daydreams are interrupted.

'What's put the smile on your face, Mr Bates?' Thomas asks, putting down his paper to look at me.

I couldn't tell the truth, that much was obvious. Everyone in the room was now staring at me, including a grinning Anna.

'Oh nothing, just thinking that's all.' I reply, looking Anna in the eye.

'Thinking, about what?' Miss O' Brien chips in.

I sigh. Can't these people just mind their own business?

'That's just the point Miss O' Brien, they are thoughts. In my head. If I intended to share them I would have voiced them.'

Maybe harsher than I intended. This short outburst seems to have ended the enquires on the going's on in my head, as Thomas resumes reading his paper and Miss O' Brien recommences scowling her way through breakfast.

Lifting my cup of tea to my lips, I take a sip before realising Anna is still grinning at me. Of course, she knows exactly why I have a smile on my face. Her. She is the reason I smile. She is the reason I do anything. It's all for her and although slightly nervous, I can't wait to promise the rest of my life to her. She must know what is running through my mind as she discreetly squeezes my knee under the table.

'Right, those linens won't sort themselves,' she announces. Standing up and making her way to leave. I already feel half alive with her not being directly sat next to me, yet she is barely ten foot away from me at the door to the servants hall.

Watching her leave, I take in her perfect figure and my mind soon wanders again, this time to thoughts of our wedding night. Why, I don't know. In our current positions it isn't likely we'll have one. We'll make the biggest commitment another human being can make to another and then go our separate ways like it never happened. Yes, a young woman has tragically lost her life. We agreed to leave the announcement until after Miss Swire's funeral but a selfish part of me can't help wishing we could share our first night as man and wife together.

Looking up, I see her in the corridor, chatting to Miss Hughes. Sensing an opportunity, I leave the table and hover by the door until the God's shine upon me and Mrs Hughes leaves my dear sweet girl standing alone in the hallway. It isn't in my nature to sneak up on people yet there is something about this woman that makes me take leave of my senses. A quick look over my shoulder lets me know we cannot be seen as I grab her by the waist and pull her under the stairs. She's giggling

uncontrollably. A realisation comes over me, one that has done many times before, her laughter is the most beautiful sound I have ever heard.

'Sssh.' I laugh, putting a finger on her lips.

Managing to compose herself, her eyes are solely focussed on me as I fight to find the power of speech. Suddenly, I am finding it hard to believe this beautiful woman has chosen me. I must have been silent for longer than would be deemed normal as Anna tuts and rolls her eyes.

'What is it you want exactly, Mr Bates?' she asks, a slight touch of agitation to her voice.

'Well..' I begin with trepidation. I am lost for words. What has come over me? I curse myself. You are a grown man for goodness sake, John Bates 'I just wanted to make sure you hadn't changed your mind.' I cringe inside at the unoriginality in my line of questioning.

'No, should I have done?' Anna replies, folding her arms before a perfect smirk spreads across her face.

'Erm... well, err...'

' I want this more than I've wanted anything before in my life. What will it take to get that through to you?'

She walks away from me then and I'm sure in that second I've never loved anyone or anything more than I do her as the daft grin returns to my face.

'Oh, and John...' She turns on her heel as I slowly peek out from behind the stairs to look at her. The fact she has called me John for the first time isn't lost on me but she carries on as normal. 'Wear your hair a little looser for the wedding later. I prefer it that way.'

And with that, she's away to carry out her errands and I'm reprimanded by Mr Carson for blocking the hallway, standing there like a lovesick fool.