Iris had grown accustomed to her life at Downton. She worked hard and enjoyed her newfound family. Anna and Bates used her birth certificate to legally change her last name to Bates. It made her very happy. For the first time, Iris had a family.
Iris walked into the village and ran into a farmer boy that looked her age.
"Excuse me." he said politely.
"Oh no, excuse me. I'm so terribly clumsy."
"I doubt that. Do you live in the village?"
"No, I work at Downton."
"Really? I work on a farm on Lord Grantham's estate."
"That's nice."
"Maybe I could see you again."
"Yes, come to the back door after dinner tonight."
"I'll be there."
Iris could barely contain her excitement throughout dinner. She kept smiling.
"You seem very bright." Anna commented.
"I'm meeting a guy that I met in the village." she said smiling.
"That's wonderful."
"What's going on?" Bates said sitting down by them.
"Nothing." Iris said getting up. Anna laughed, and Bates gave her a look.
"She's meeting a man from the village." Anna told him.
"What?!" he asked anxiously.
"I'm guessing that he wants to court her."
"Iris you came!" the young farmer said.
"Of course I did. And I forgot to ask your name."
"Jack."
"And I'm Iris."
"It's nice to meet you Iris. Maybe we could go spend some time together when you have some time off." he told her. She nodded. Bates rushed outside with Anna following behind him.
"These are my parents. Mr. and Mrs. Bates." Iris told Jack.
"Nice to meet you." he said shaking their hands. "I'd like to court your daughter."
"I see. May I speak with you for a minute?" Bates asked. Jack nodded. Bates motioned for Anna and Iris to go back inside.
Bates came back inside and nodded at Iris. She hugged her father, "Thank you."
"You're welcome. Now go on upstairs. The other maids are already asleep."
"I'll try to sleep."
YOU ARE READING
The Mysterious Housemaid
FanfictionA new housemaid has arrived at Downton. The housemaid has previously known Mr. Bates's late wife, Vera Bates. She seems to have a connection to Anna and Bates's past.
