A/N: Hello! Thank you for all the wonderful feedback for my last story! You have no idea how much it made me smile! Here's a (very short) first chapter to my new multi-chapter fic! I'm not entirely sure how I want it to end, so you'll have to bare with me! It's set in series 2 – the infamous "Don't tell me you'll miss me" episode!
Disclaimer: I don't own these characters and, unfortunately, it's highly unlikely that I ever will! *sigh*
Merry reading!
"Don't tell me you'll miss me…"
"I will, Mr Carson. Very much." Mrs Hughes nodded. "And it costs me nothing to say it."
But it costs me everything to leave. He sighed. Of course, he would never tell her that.
She frowned. She could tell from the look in his eyes that something wasn't right. If it pained him so much to leave, why not just stay? Darn that Lady Mary. Mrs Hughes knew that she would never fully appreciate Charles. Not to the extent that she did. But just how much was that? She tried to push that last thought to the back of her mind. "Then why go?" Before Charles could answer, she started again, "I know you think you can help her, Mr Carson, but she's made her own choices in life and she's a big enough girl to deal with them."
"I just want to be there for her. Like I always have been."
"And make yourself miserable in the process?"
"Without Lady Mary, there isn't much keeping me here." It hurt him to be so untruthful.
She looked to the floor and silence fell between them.
Charles thought by saying that, making himself believe that there was nothing else here for him, it would be easier for him to leave, to leave her, but seeing her expression only made it more difficult. He had hurt her as well as himself. It was him that finally broke the silence, "I'm sorry… I meant that Lady Mary is the family member that I have connected with the most. Ever since she was a lit-"
"It's fine." She interrupted him.
He cleared his throat, "His Lordship will find a good replacement."
"Will he?" Her gaze met his.
Before he could answer, there was a knock on the door. Anna appeared, "Lady Mary is looking for you, Mr Carson."
"Thank you, Anna." He said as he rose from his seat, leaving Elsie alone in his parlour.
A/N: Thank you for reading! I'm sorry that it's very short! However, reviews are still rewarded with smiles (and tea)!