My Fair Anna,
How do you fair after the trial yesterday? - Truly? It couldn't have been easy to endure, (God knows it was difficult for me too), and I can only imagine how distraught you still must be since my sentence... Which is why I ask you not to worry about me. Don't even think about my predicament; instead, move on with your life. I've always advised you to prepare for the worst haven't I? Well, the worst is nigh my dear and there's nothing that can be done to alter it.
So I urge you to think only of yourself in the meantime. Where do you intend to go? Will you even stay in Yorkshire? I know you'll have a home at Downton and that you'll be taken care of for as long as his Lord and Ladyship live there. Everyone is familiar with how highly the family regards you after all, especially Lady Mary with whom I'm sure you'll have a position for as long as she doesn't learn to dress herself, (which I'm sure she won't).
What is the news of Downton by the way? Has Mrs. Hughes withdrawn some of her authority? I suspect the whole household is in a frenzy over the result of the trial, which I don't blame them for. But I do think it curious that there hasn't been a word of it in the papers. However, I'm sure that will change very soon.
But forr now I await your response with high spirits and happiness in my face; for I'm not yet defeated as long as your faith is placed in me. Because with it I need no one else's. Your strength is mine as my stubborness is yours since we married, and that is something I'm just not sorry for. Perhaps I should be but I'm not. In fact, it only makes me more grateful; for if we hadn't seized the opportunity when we did we wouldn't have had the chance at all, and leaving this world without promising my heart to yours is something I really couldn't bear.
Yours truly and forevermore,
John
Thank you to Kuri333 and Jamesluver for the follows and terriejane, Jamesluver, and Eva for the reviews.
Sorry this letter took so long - it was a little hard capturing the written aftermath of Bates's trial, which was something I really wanted to get right so thus the delay. Anyway I hope you liked it, please review if you did and Anna's letter will be coming soon!
-birdywings