"Ah Bates, I'm glad I've caught you."
John put down the book he had been considering in the library and turned at the sound of Lord Robert's voice. He had finally run out of reading material during his enforced rest period and was intending to enter one or two withdrawals into the ledger.
"Is there something you need M'lord?"
"No no, don't trouble yourself, I just wanted to tell you I've seen the agent this morning and he's found a cottage for you and Anna."
Finally. At long last. Was their wait about to be over? Fireworks of excitement began to fizz and crackle deep in John's stomach at the idea of finally being able to set up home with his wife.
"That's very kind of you M'lord."
"Nonsense, my dear fellow, I'm only sorry it's taken so long. We've managed to move one of the tenants from the row just at the end of the drive into the village, so you won't have too long of a journey to walk here in the morning."
Bates felt warmed inside at the consideration Lord Grantham had shown him. Truly, his employer was a good man, kinder and more considerate than many he had encountered. Resolutely he dragged his attention back to what Lord Grantham was saying.
"...bit of a mess I'm afraid, and we're not likely to have chance to get in and clean it up to a great degree. Everyone's working flat out on the next set of repairs and we simply don't have the workforce to spare on the estate right now..."
John, seeing a pause for breath, jumped in.
"I'm sure it will be fine m'lord. Anna and I can clean it up between us, make it our own, so to speak."
Lord Grantham smiled at him kindly, sensing quite plainly the suppressed excitement and emotion almost vibrating beneath the valet's calm demeanour.
"Of course, you'll want to set up home together. Tell you what, why not go along this afternoon and take a look at the place? I'll have a word with Mrs Hughes, I'm sure Anna can be spared for a bit. Then you can take a look and see what needs doing. And if you need anything, be sure to let one of us know."
Lord Grantham fished a large door key out of his pocket, with a ragged label tied around the end of it, and held it out to John.
"That's very generous M'lord, thank you."
"No more than you deserve Bates. The both of you."
Lord Grantham realised that John's silence was due entirely to his attempts to suppress a lump in his throat and blink away a sudden dampness in his eyes.
"I must get on, but I look forward to hearing all about it later once the gong is rung."
Swiftly and tactfully, Lord Grantham made his exit. From the hallway, John heard him calling to Mrs Hughes.
"Ah Mrs Hughes! I've just been having a word with Bates and I wonder if you can spare Anna this afternoon for a while..."
Grinning to himself, fingers clenched around the large, ornate, iron key, John wondered if all keys to paradise were shaped like this.
...
Walking down to the cottage, John hadn't for a moment considered that they would be disappointed by what they found inside.
But at the sight of the dilapidated furniture, dingy walls and the filthy state of the floor, his stomach sank. This was not the cosy cottage they had longed for. It resembled a hovel. However, John never failed to be amazed by Anna's optimism. Within a few minutes, she was tidying furniture, sorting cloths, insisting that it wouldn't be so bad with a lick of paint.
All of a sudden John didn't care about tidying up.
"You being in this room is enough to make it nice..."
Anna's homely instincts were a balm to his senses, but he was captivated by his nimble fingers and deft movements, the soft smile glowing on her face.
He couldn't wait any longer. Catching at the cloth she was folding, he tugged it from her grasp, casting it aside.
"Come here..."
He folded Anna into his arms, relishing her soft giggle, wrapping her close to him for a long kiss.
Alone at last.
Sadly, the sofa did not live up to his intentions, one of the legs collapsing beneath them and tipping them backwards. Suddenly they were both laughing, arms around each other, overtaken by the ridiculousness of the situation.
John turned to her, stroked her face, smiling fit to burst his cheeks.
"So what shall we do now?" Anna said softly.
Much as he wanted to stay and make long, sweet love to her, John's desire warred with another instinct, to make their first time together in their new home as perfect as possible.
"Shall we get started on some housework?"
Anna looked a little disappointed.
"If you like."
John pulled her closer against him, to whisper softly into her ear.
"I have waited so long to be with you again, and a hurried embrace among dirt and broken furniture is not what you deserve. When I can make love to you again, I want it to be among clean sheets, comfort, warmth, and the promise of a whole night together..."
Anna's spine tingled with anticipation. He was right. But she didn't want to wait long...
"Well..." she hauled to her feet, pulling him out of the sofa. "We've got work to do..."