Maesmawr Hall Hotel - Wales, 1930
"William, Charlotte! Lady Adelaide is leaving. Come and say goodbye!" Anna called out to her children before turning to the well-bred Lady standing before her.
"I do hope you had a pleasant visit once again Lady Adelaide." She said sweetly. The daughter of the Earl came once or twice a year to stay at the Bates' small hotel and every year, Anna liked her more and more. She was well born and sophisticated, but was a real person, underneath her polish. She reminded Anna a bit of Lady Mary.
"I always do, Mrs. Bates. Your hotel is so lovely. I always enjoy staying here. You always manage to mix such an eclectic group of people so effortlessly." The lady observed as the Bates children scurried around the partition from the family's quarters to bid their farewells.
"May I help you with your bags, Milady?" Despite having inherited Anna's fair complexion and blonde hair, William Bates, at 8, was tall with broad shoulders, like his father, and never failed to charm their female guests with his manners and confident air.
"Of course you may my dear boy." Lady Adelaide handed him her small travel bag, as her heavier luggage was already outside, being loaded onto the carriage by the actual footman.
"Goodbye Miss Adelaide." 5 year old Charlotte still confused proper titles from time to time, but her sweet nature and chestnut curls always smoothed over any childish mistakes.
The children rushed to load her last bag and Lady Adelaide addressed Anna once again. "I would dearly love to plan another visit in the Fall. You will still be open then?" She asked with some concern.
Anna smiled confidently. "We will be here, Milady."
Lady Adelaide seemed unconvinced. "So many places for travelers have closed in the last few years due to the economy. I hope you have not been too severely affected."
Anna assured her that the hotel was as stable as ever and the lady was on her way to the train station, muttering about Americans and the Stock Market.
Bates entered as the carriage pulled out of sight. The children followed him, excitedly chattering about the small coins that Lady Adelaide had tipped them for taking care of her bag.
"Well, she's off." He said to her cheerily, but stopped short at the sober look on her face. "What is it?"
"She asked if we're still going to be here in the fall. John, she's not the first to ask. Since everything with the stock market in America, places like ours are closing every day."
Anna looked worried, but Bates draped an arm around her and looked at her seriously. "Not places like ours Anna. There is no place like ours. We're not the grandest, but we have attracted some of the grandest people here. We even had a Duke once, remember? We're popular with the aristocracy and with the everyday traveler. What other place do you know of that can claim that?"
"No place I guess." Anna admitted, a small smile coming to her lips. "We really have done well here, haven't we?"
Bates nodded emphatically. "We have. We're doing well and we have a good reputation. We have an amazing staff; as long as we're smart about it, we're going to be fine."
"You're right." Anna turned and wrapped her arms around his waist. "I don't know why I worry so." She nuzzled her face into John's chest. She loved their little life and it scared her to think that something that had happened an ocean away could threaten all that they had built.
"Come with me, my dear wife." Bates took her hand and led her into their private parlor. "Tonight is Mrs. Hopkins' night to be on duty. She is the one Janie will call if there are any issues tonight." He nodded to Janie, the night clerk, as he closed the door, shutting them off from the rest of the world. "You have a night off, a warm fire, and a husband who is interested in your attention."
Anna giggled prettily and presently forgot about her worries.