ch. 4

When they arrived at the office Anna signed in with the front desk receptionist and sat in wait beside John. Most seats were already taken so they held hands again having nothing to do but wait.

The Dowager Countess walked inside the waiting room just as the pair stood to follow a nurse inside. Even from the side she recognized her son's former valet holding hands with the pretty young lady's maid of her oldest granddaughter. She watched wordlessly until the pair disappeared through the door after the nurse luckily was not seen by either.

Just as the nurse settled them in a room the doctor appeared with a smile of greeting, "What can I do for you today?"

"Anna has been feeling ill for a week so I insisted that she come see you Dr. Clarkson," John spoke before she could.

The doctor offered a quiet nod when he approached to examine her, "What exactly have you been feeling Anna?"

"I have been feeling ill for a week, vomiting and extreme exhaustion that I thought was just from being so busy. Em, I have also had turns of dizziness now and again for a month," Anna spoke thoughtfully.

"All right, I am going to ask you for a urine sample that will take a few weeks for the results to see what it could be," Dr. Clarkson kept his voice even.

In her absence John cleared his throat, "Anna wanted me to ask if there are any new treatments for my knee. There is still a piece of shrapnel that was left when I got shot in the war and has caused my limp when it plays up."

Dr. Clarkson gazed over his knee thoughtfully, "Nothing new that I'm aware of, but I would have see where the shrapnel is to know if we can safely remove it."

The door opening stopped their conversation short for Anna to appear with the sample he requested. "As I've said this will take weeks but when I do have the results I will let you know what I find."

"Thank you Dr. Clarkson, we do so appreciate that and i will come back for an exam on my knee ," John reached for her hand with the other holding a tight grip on the cane.

Anna eyed him without a word as they walked out together through the waiting room to exit from the office. Only one pair of eyes watched them leave together holding hands as when they went in.

They spent the afternoon together before Anna reluctantly left the inn to return in time for the dressing gong.

Carson opened the library doors with a clear throat, "The Dowager Countess has arrived m'lord."

"Thank you Carson, ah mama how are you," Robert carried the drink he'd just poured across the room for a kiss from his mother.

"Oh I'm quite well as Dr. Clarkson assured me during my regular check up this afternoon, but something odd did happen. While I was in the waiting room, I saw your former valet going into the back with Mary's Lady Maid's what's her name, Anna. But that wasn't all, they were holding hands," Violet lowered herself to sit down.

Robert paused in the attempt to take a sip from the small glass, "What, and you are quite sure it was them?"

"Oh yes I am one hundred percent sure it was them, after all I might be old but I recognize your staff when I see them. They were holding hands when they left too, though neither saw me," Violet added.

With a shake of his head Robert turned slowly towards the butler who stood guard by the door, "Did you know about this Carson?"

"No m'lord i did not, as it is Mr. Bates wasn't here long enough for me to notice anything that would indicate they had feelings for each other," Carson grumbled under his breath in clear disapproval.

As he took a sip Robert chuckled, "Oh there are worse things in the world to worry about than those two seeing each other. You're right though, Bates wasn't here very long so we had no way of knowing. After dinner I would like to speak with Anna if you could bring her up to my library."

Carson gave a nod saying nothing when the women all came in together engaged in their own conversation.

All through dinner Robert couldn't get his mind off Anna and Bates seeing each other when he had only been here such a short time. How quickly had that progressed into something more than friendship? Had his daughter known that her Lady's Maid began to see his valet, now former.

In a way he felt relieved that although things hadn't worked out for Bates to stay, at least he had the love of a kind, caring young girl.

After dinner he retreated to the library in wait for Carson to return with Anna just as he finished the drink he poured. "Ah Anna, I'm sorry to pull you away from your duties but I promise this won't take long."

"It's no problem m'lord," Anna attempted to keep her voice steady in wonder why his Lordship would call her in.

"You aren't in any trouble Anna, it seems that the Dowager saw you at Dr. Clarkson's office today. She mentioned that you were Bates, and you two were holding hands and I just wanted to ask if he's well," Robert spoke softly.

Through a long exhale of relief Anna smiled, "Yes m'lord he is actually quite well health wise at least. In fact, he asked Dr. Clarkson today if there is anything that he can do about his knee to help him."

Robert brought the glass up against his lips for a quick drink, "If anyone can Dr. Clarkson will be able to help him. Has he been able to find employment yet, because he mentioned it might be difficult."

"No not yet m'lord, so I have encouraged him to get his knee done first to hopefully help him with more prospects," Anna said.

The smile quickly faded into a frown when Robert spoke softly, "Oh I'm sorry to hear that he's been unsuccessful. I felt bad for us parting the way we did, and wish him nothing for success in the future."

"I know m'lord, and I hope that once his knee is fixed if it can be it will give him a better chance at getting something he'll be happy with," Anna nodded.

"Please give Bates my sincerest regards when you do see him next time," Robert brought the glass against his lips quickly to finish.

He waited until she left to cross the room where he poured himself another drink, wanting just a few more minutes alone. He hoped the operation would help his friend find a job that he loved to do.