Dear Mr. Bates,

If you haven't gotten used to calling me 'Mrs. Bates' by now then I don't think you ever will; because I sure haven't. And I daresay that Lady Mary never will either, (she still calls me 'Anna' I'm afraid. Not that I mind much as we've always had this unspoken understanding between each other - I'd call it friendship but O'Brian tells me differently).

Pardon myself if I offend you, but I can't say that Vera was a chance of any kind of life at all so much as a lifetime of misery that you were fortunate enough to have caught a lucky escape from. I probably shouldn't speak badly of her now that she's gone but I'm afraid I have no shame in admitting that perhaps her passing was a blessing in disguise, (apart from our current predicament of course). So good riddance to her wherever she is and I won't apologize for saying so. I'm sorry but I won't. God can condemn me all he likes in this life or another; but I've burned every bridge there is so I won't mind burning a few more to spite such a wicked woman. Besides, I'm sure I can count on you to cleanse my soul of the nastiness she stokes in me can I not? So perhaps I do have some faults to speak of... and I'm not as good as you believe me to be.

Well, if you could hear me admonishing you while you wrote this then you'll definitely hear me now and will do well to heed my words. I beg it of you to stay out of trouble - we already have enough of it on our plate, do we really need any more on our heels? You're taking a bigger bite then you can swallow my dear and I have a feeling it's going to choke you up sooner rather than later.

You'll be satisfied to learn it was the work of both of them - they make a good team do they not? After all, Mr. Murray has a high rank among his colleagues of the law and his Lordship a great amount of influence over York. So this is the one instance in which I am thankful that the first class has the upper hand. It's probably wrong to pull the strings in your favor but I don't care; it brought me closer to you did it not? Should we not be allowed to bend the rules just this once?

I can assure you there will be plenty more smug to see upon the Dowager's face in the future because she is, as you say, quite unfamiliar with the notion of being wrong.

I wouldn't venture as far to say that their relationship was 'doomed to fail' but I'll admit that any blind man could see they were unhappy. And I don't mind saying that it was hard to see Lady Mary like that. I sometimes just wanted to take her by the shoulders and shake some sense into her to break free of him. But I suppose it is her life and she should be free to choose how she lives it. Although I do wish she had taken Mr. Crawley when she'd had the chance... But late is better than never no? And already they're making up for lost time - at this rate the wedding will have happened so quickly I won't have had time to write to you about it! They've fixed the date for the spring and have already settled on guest lists and seating charts and even floral arrangements - I swear the Abbey smells so much like a garden already that I get light in the head just thinking about it! But they're happy so I've nothing to complain about.

Of course I believe his Lordship to be a good and generous man; but even you must admit that he has certain standards and those standards are just too high for the likes of Branson. But who knows? Perhaps Lord Grantham will prove me wrong someday, I should like him to anyhow.

I don't believe you've ever told me of your African War tales, (you were quite a mystery when we first met if you recall). But I'm sure all of them are wonderful and the children should enjoy them when we have some... (as long as the details aren't too gory of course.) And what of the loyalty and honour of his manservant? Surely even minor charcters deserve key roles to play? After all, I'm sure you played a splendid batman in the rubble and barren land of war.

Of course you haven't much to complain for if we've made it this far. In fact, you have every reason to be grateful: your life is still in our hands and your neck is held all the more higher upon your shoulders now that the burden of the trial is over with. And of course I never doubt, how could I when all the faith I possess is placed in you? So don't fail me Mr. Bates and I solemnly swear to do the same. And I couldn't abandon you now, not when we have this chance; it may be a small one but a chance is a chance nontheless and I intend to take it as long as you'll hold my hand through it all.

Love,

-Anna

P.S. Practice only makes perfect indeed...

Thank you to Jamesluver for the review! So glad you're enjoying the story:) Faster update this time because I couldn't resist and I owed you guys. More to come soon!

-birdywings