Ch. 3

Over the next few months, Anna secretly snuck away any chance she could get so she could go into town and be with John. After the first warning, she never again came to the room to find him reeking of beer so as not to risk losing the one thing in his life that was still beautiful and good.

Each time before they made love, John confirmed that Anna was sure this is what she really wanted. Then they would make slow, yet passionate love that left them breathless, and John needing long stretches of time to recover. Still, the way Anna fit perfectly into his arms was magical, and how gentle John managed to be even with the significant difference in height and weight, so not to hurt Anna brought their coupling to a different level. It was more than a union of bodies right from that very first day.

Anna said nothing about her activity to anyone, not even Lady Mary though she knew she could trust her with the secret if need be.

After another session of love making, Anna and John lay in bed together with the bed sheets tangled around their bodies. Anna lay on his chest, enjoying the reassuring feeling of it rising and falling with each breath he drew. They held hands and lovingly gazed into each other's eyes with only their heartbeats in the background.

One of John's arms slid delicately over Anna's waist so his finger caressed the soft skin of her lower back. Her sides felt a little wider since they first started to make love three months ago, a thought that made him smile. This wasn't too much for her if she was able to still manage an appetite.

"How have you been able to sneak out so much to come see me without tipping anyone off, especially Lady Mary?" John chuckled quietly.

Anna shifted onto his chest a little more, "I have my ways Mr. Bates, but no one is the wiser that you are the reason for my coming into town so much. It's worth it, if it means we get to be together. So much is going on at the house though, so I do have to be a little more cautious until things settle down some."

The curious look on his face made her laugh as she explained, "Lady Sybil got hurt during a political rally. She tricked Mr. Branson into taking her, and his lordship was very angry about it and blamed Mr. Branson. Lady Sybil will be alright, otherwise, his lordship would have sacked Mr. Branson then and there surely. "

"Well, thank God that she is alright. His lordship will get over it. It'd have given him a fright, because he loves them dearly," John smiled.

"Yes he does, and he has already seemed to have forgotten about it but we were all so worried about Lady Sybil. Oh, we also had the flower show, and the Dowager Countess gave up her prize," Anna added.

John cocked an eyebrow, "That must have been extremely difficult for her to do, but good for her."

The conversation paused as John slowly stroked the extra bulge in Anna's side then treated himself to a long look at her beautiful face so he could try to remember all of her features for the times when she could not be here lying with him this way. Her eyes sparkled like diamonds, though he thought could see a hint of exhaustion. "Have you been sleeping well Anna, because you look very tired," John whispered.

"I have slept well, though for some reason I have been feeling extremely tired, " Anna quietly admitted.

"You are probably running yourself ragged between working as a lady's maid, being head house maid, and sneaking off to see me. Please try and rest more when you can, before you come down with something." John lifted his free hand to her chin then guided her lips closer to his for a kiss.

Their lips met in a slow kiss with John's arm sliding tighter around Anna's waist until he finally pulled away just enough for their eyes to meet.

Anna offered a smile, "I would rather come see you, but I will try to put my feet up more if i get the chance."

"I truly love when you come see me Anna, but I worry about you," John dipped a quick kiss against the soft skin of her forehead.

Anna slid onto her back so John could position himself on top of her. They once again made slow, passionate love with their legs tangled in the sheets, their arms around each other. John held her tight, careful not to put all of his weight against her slight body.

Once they finished, John rolled onto the bed, his breaths coming fast and shallow, though he couldn't stop smiling. His large hands grasped Anna's waist, able to hold onto the curves that began to show all around her middle.

"Are you hungry Anna, because I can order something for us to eat from downstairs given you have the time," John stroked her cheek with his finger.

"Sure, that would be nice, but while you do that I am going to excuse myself to use the bathroom," Anna reluctantly slid from his arms to sit up on the bed before she pushed into the standing position with a long stretch.

John watched her graceful steps towards the wash room until she disappeared from sight. He reached for the phone that sat atop his night table to ring the front desk for some food for them.

Just as he hung up the distinct sound of vomiting rang from inside the wash room that brought him from bed quickly. "Anna, are you alright?" John hurried towards her and knelt beside her.

"Yes, I think so at least, just all of a sudden I felt very ill, but I think that it's passed now," Anna reached for his hand to use as support for her to stand.

John slid an arm across her back supportively for the walk back to bed. He helped her lie down and took her into his arms, "Just rest now for a little until the food has arrived. If it continues then you should see Dr. Clarkson."

"I have gotten slightly ill the past wee, but I thought that I was just coming down with something," Anna let out a slow breath as she rested her head on his warm chest.

"We could go see Dr. Clarkson after we've finished lunch, just as a precaution, in case you are beginning to fall ill. You do so much Anna, which is wonderful, but I worry about you too," he softened his voice.

A soft knock tapped against the door that reluctantly brought John from bed so he could answer the door. The maid offered him a tray with two plates still covered with a towel. She gave a slight nod and stole a glance inside the room. Earlier, she had seen a young blond woman enter his room while she cleaned down the hall.

From the doorway, she could see her laying in the single bed with the covers pulled completely up to her neck.

"Thank you," John hobbled with the tray to sit down on the chair he left near the door for that purpose, then he closed it behind him.

Anna walked over to take the tray from him and brought it back to the bed so she could take the plates off. They snuggled against each other both sitting up on the bed while they ate their food, neither one in a hurry. "You feel thicker around the waist, so I can hold you better," John stole a quick kiss from her.

Once all their food finished John brought the tray outside for the maid to bring back then returned to bed. "We should go see Dr. Clarkson now, so we can have more time together before you have to return."

"You should also see him to ask if there are any treatments for your knee so it doesn't bother you as much," Anna suggested.

John made a face, but nodded agreeably. If Anna wanted him to get checked, he would get checked. "I can ask when we go, though I doubt there are any that will help. "

Together, they dressed quickly, then left the room holding hands with only a small nod towards the maid as they walked past.

A/N: Sorry for the long pause between updates. The holidays are a very crazy time for me. My friend appreciates everyone that's been reading and hopes you continue to enjoy.