Fearful || Downton Abbey

Part One: Mrs Hughes

Mrs Hughes

"I wonder what's taking her so long? Perhaps she's fallen asleep?" I hear Mr Bates mutter to me and I shrug my shoulders "I'm sure she's fine" I reply and turn my attention back to the famous singer wailing her lungs out in front of us. Mr Bates chuckles lightly and I couldn't help but smile.Anna and Bates were just perfect for each other, I had never seen a couple so happy and so deeply in love as the Bates, they spent every second with each other and never tired of the others company. I knew how much they both cared for the other and Anna was just a sweetheart, she deserved to finally be happy. The singer finishes her final song and I was surprised that Anna hadn't appeared back upstairs yet. Maybe Mr Bates was right and she had fallen asleep somewhere. She had looked very ill earlier, I just hope it isn't the flu or something worse. I shrug my shoulders and head downstairs,expecting to see Anna curled up on the chair by the fire, comfortable and asleep but she wasn't there. Maybe she's gone up to bed  I think and open the door to my study, I flick on the lights and jump as Anna's voice whispers "close the door". I turn around and see her crouched behind my dresser, cut and bruised, her dress in tatters and her hair messily pulled out of her once neat hairstyle. "What on earth?" I gasp and Anna repeats her plea to close the door."Shouldn't we tell someone?" I whisper, turning towards the door and she grabs my wrist, pleading with me to not tell anyone and to help her before Mr Bates finds out. With my stomach in knots and my heart sinking, I do as she bids and fetch her some clean clothes, a comb and a cloth to clean her wounds. I return back to my study and carefully close the door behind me. I hand Anna the comb and dress and help her to stand. She's shaking like a leaf and nearly falls as I help her to my chair. I gently wipe away the drying blood from her face, trying not to wince as Anna whimpers in pain. I try to sooth her as best as I can and hold her as she quietly howls into my shoulder. I rub her back and offer what little support I can but my heart is shattering into a thousand pieces hearing Anna cry. I had never seen her cry in all the years I had been here,except of course when her husband was forced out of her arms by the police all those years ago. Anna's whimpers gradually stop until she falls asleep in my arms. I smile fondly at the young woman in my arms and try to wriggle my way out from underneath her without waking the poor lass. I'm successful and silently make my way to find Mr Bates, who I am sure is worried about her, though what I can tell him I am unsure about. I find Mr Bates sitting in his chair, mending a jacket for his lordship. "Mr Bates?" I ask and he staggers to his feet "I found Anna. She was in my study. Looks like she took a tumble after she came down here. She's bruised herself, badly I'm afraid and has some pretty nasty cuts but she says she's fine, so there's no need to get the Doctor. She's asleep now but I can give the pair of you a bed here for the night if you wish?" I ask and Mr Bates nods "That would be much appreciated, thank you Mrs Hughes" he says and I smile at him, before exiting the room to prepare their space for them...