A short chapter but more to come. Thanks to my editor in chief, she knows who she is. :-)

Bates POV

Reaching the servants hall, I am, like most mornings, the first person to arrive. Taking up my usual seat, I pour a cup of tea from the tray Daisy has laid out for us. My mind is filled with Anna. I have to keep reminding myself I am at work and will soon go about my duties but this keeps getting forgotten, as the image of her on our wedding night takes over my thoughts.

'Good morning Mr Bates,' Daisy says, bringing in some toast and spreads and laying them in the middle of the table. She stops and takes me in. 'Goodness me, Mr Bates. You look like you haven't slept at all.'

If only she knew. 'Morning Daisy. No, sleep was hard to come by last night.'

Daisy smiles and sits beside me. Don't get me wrong, I have the utmost respect for this young lady but her sitting besides me means I am about to have my ear talked off about something or other. Being ever the gentleman I smile politely as she begins.

'My mum used to suffer from sleepless nights.' Daisy begins. 'Do you know what used to help her?'

'No,' I sigh before taking a sip of my tea.

'Oh Daisy, I'm sure Mr Bates doesn't want to hear yet another of your stories.' Mrs Patmore interrupts as I say a silent prayer in thanks. 'Now get back in the kitchen. Breakfast won't prepare itself.'

'Yes, Mrs Patmore.' Daisy says in her usual screech as she rushes out of the servants hall. Myself and Mrs Patmore share a knowing nod before she follows in the direction of the kitchen maid.

'Good Morning Mr Bates,' Mr Carson is the next to enter the servants hall. I nod in acknowledgment of his arrival before settling back into thoughts of my wife. Steadily, the other servants joined us. Thomas, Miss O' Brien, Mrs Hughes but no sign of my beautiful Anna.

We have been apart barely an hour but the moment I see her arrive at the entrance to the servants hall, it's feels as if we have been apart days. We stare at each other for a few seconds and I know she is thinking about last night, just like I am. She smiles before scratching her forehead and I can't do anything to stop the small laugh that escapes me. Realising this has drawn attention to our silent interaction, I cover up my laugh with a cough.

'Mr Bates, I hope you aren't coming down with anything.' Miss O' Brien says in her usual harsh shrill.

Anna smirks at my distress as she walks around the table to sit beside me. As she pulls her chair in to the table, I look down and a flash of gold catches my eye. Panic fills my head as Anna reaches for the tea. My eyes are locked on Anna's finger as she prepares her drink. It seems like an age before she rests her hand on her knee. How do I let her know without drawing attention to ourselves? A quick glance to my left at Mrs Hughes, I discreetly move my hand towards hers. In the corner of my eye, I see her look at me upon this contact. Looking straight ahead, I begin to fiddle with her wedding band, praying she'll realise what I am trying to make her understand.

She gasps in her acknowledgement, and I close my eyes. Mainly because she has now drawn attention to us, however partly because the way in which she gasps reminds me of the noises that escaped her the previous evening. Bringing me out of my private thought, she moves her hand away and takes the ring off. Holding out my flat hand, she places the ring inside it. Clasping my fingers around the ring, I move my hand away. Looking around those at the table, I make sure they are not watching before I slip the ring into my jacket pocket.

'Did you sleep well, Mr Bates?' Anna asks, fully knowing the answer. My darling wife is now looking at me, a grin etched across her face. I struggle to retain my composure and I am sure the look in her eye causes my heart to skip a beat. 'You look a little tired. What did you get up to last night?'

By this time, the eyes of the room are focused entirely on us and Anna is loving it, making it her business to flirt with me whilst everyone is watching.

'Now that would be telling.' I reply before coughing.

'Sounds like he was up half the night hacking his guts up.' Thomas chips in. 'Sure you're not coming down with that flu, Mr Bates?'

'Thank you for your concern, Thomas. I am fine.'

'Mr Bates, shouldn't you get Dr Clarkson to look you over? Just to be safe?' Mrs Hughes asks. I sigh as Anna is now giggling beside me.

'I'm perfectly well, Mrs Hughes.'

The inquisition is ended by the sound of the bells from the occupants of the house. With the house still coping with recent events, people are waking up earlier meaning breakfast for the servants is short lived. Lady Cora's bell is first to sound, before the bells of her daughters.

Anna rises to her feet but not before passing a note into my hands. Squeezing my shoulder, she leaves me alone to begin missing her all over again.

Making sure no one is around me, I unravel the note and read:

'John,

please meet me in Lady Sybil's room after you've finished with Lord Grantham. Now Jane has gone, I might need some help making the beds.

Anna x