This chapter is in honor of the premier of the sixth and final series of Downton Abbey. Everyone prepared to say their goodbyes to this wonderful show and its beloved characters? What are everyone's predictions for this season? Which season is your favorite and who is your favorite character? For me the second season was by far the best and my favorite character was Sybil. That is, until her untimely demise:, ( But now I'm thinking it's between Violet, Baxter, and Mrs. Hughes.
Anyway, hope you like this letter and thank you to Jamesluver and Guest for their reviews.
-birdywings
P.S. Keep in mind that Anna has visited Bates since his last letter so we are now post-servants' ball.
Dear John,
Even now I'm still astonished at the verdict, but I fear we are still far from relieved out our dreadful predicament. Yet I too remain optimistic for the future, however bleak and small it may currently seem. You are innocent and our exhausted efforts shall prove so with time, of that I am confident. Christmas may have arrived late for us this year but sparing your life is as grand as any gift I have ever been given another then the day of your liberation, which is a day I intend to see through.
A great deal has occurred since the servants' ball with plenty of tall tales to be told, so I will first begin with the shortest among them. The first is that Lady Rosamund's beau turned out to be faithless, and although she was glad to expose his betrayal before any binding commitments could be made she is disappointed that the Dowager Countess was, in fact, proven right for neither the first nor the last time I'm sure.
You will also be glad to learn that Lady Mary hs indeed broken with Sir Richard on what was originally bad terms but then were resolved before he left as she didn't wish for their final words to be angry ones. Since then I've heard a particular rumor that she is engaged to be married to a certain Mr. Matthew Crawley I believe? But of course I could be mistaken.
Her Ladyship has also recieved the season's greetings from Ireland where Lady Sybil and Tom occupy their time with their new lives and celebrate the news of their child to be. I still take pleasure in the memory of their wedding back in the summer; granted it was a small ceremony with very few guests and a buffet that could be considered sparse during the reception, however Tom's mother's cooking certainly made up for the plain food. Nontheless it was quite enjoyable and made you realize what both Lady Sybil and Tom knew long before you that it was better to have the right person hanging on your arm rather than the right wedding.
I only wish that his Lord and Ladyship had agreed to attend, if not for Tom's sake then for Sybil's. She's very dear after all and only strives to take the best from every situation. His Lordship just can't remain cross forever can he? After all, do we not all deserve the chance to choose whom we love? I chose you did I not? And it's a choice I could neither regret nor withdraw.
Need I remind you that I won't be going to America, not while you're behind bars when I could be unveiling the evidence that proves tou of your innocence. And we will prove it, of this I have no doubt in my mind. Besides, I'm sure there will be another opportunity for an American voyage in the future, one that we can spend together.
Yours truly with all my love,
Anna
P.S. whether sooner or later I can't say but I promise I will find the goodness in me to forgive Mrs. Hughes... and even Miss O'Brian if it will satisfy you.