They were on their way down the village Main Street after finishing their shopping when the skies opened up and it began to pour. Charles pulled Elsie into the warmth of the Grantham Arms. "Looks as though we might have to settle in for a bit, what say we have dinner and wait for the storm to pass?" he asked shaking the rain from his hat. He ordered a sumptuous supper along with a fine bottle of wine which seemed to be going straight to Elsie's head. What happens next?

As Elsie headed to the powder room to dry off, Charles ordered them a fine meal of roast beef, potatoes, and brussel sprouts. Elsie's favorite, he thought to himself. He also ordered a robust red wine to pair with the succulent beef. When Elsie arrived back at the table she found Charles staring out the window at the rain.

"Lost in thought, Mr. Carson?"

Charles cleared his throat. "This rain does not seem to be letting up. We may have to call the house for a car. Although I might rather walk in the rain than disturb the house." "There are worse things than having the chauffeur come pick us up." Elsie said rolling her eyes, a little irritated with the man before her. "I for one will not be walking in this rain, and neither are you. You'll catch your death."

"I suppose you are right." Charles said finally looking back to her. She had removed her hat and her damp hair hung around her face. She looked quite pretty, quite elegant with her hair looser around her face. The dark auburn waves set off the blue of her eyes. Elsie noticed his gaze and blushed looking down and fussing with her napkin.

"I must look a right mess. My hair is soaked through, and quite heavy. I'll have to take it down to dry by the fire when we return." She said, patting her hair, and tucking a strand behind her ear.

Charles was flustered, being caught staring at her. "Yes.. Uh..no. I mean, no you do not look a mess, Mrs. Hughes. And yes, you will need a fire later." He paused to collect himself before adding. "I have taken the liberty of ordering for us. Roast beef, potatoes, and brussel sprouts, with a nice bold red wine. How does that sound?"

"Lovely, indeed. Thank you, Mr. Carson. And brussel sprouts, what a treat. They are my favorite and we rarely get them downstairs." She smiled knowingly at him.

They made small talk about the house and soon their meal arrived. It was a lovely and sumptuous supper, and as Charles poured Elsie what was to be her third glass of wine, she reached her hand out and placed it on Charles' forearm. "Oh, I mustn't, Mr. Carson. I admit, I'm beginning to feel the affects a little. Another glass and you may be carrying me back to the house." Elsie giggled. Yes, his Elsie let the most adorable little laugh escape her soft pink lips.

Charles, completely enamored by her giddiness and laughter continued to pour her another glass as she looked on in surprise. "I'll be glad to lug you home Mrs. Hughes." He said winking.

Was this actually happening, were they both sitting here in Grantham Arms, touching, winking, and laughing over a bottle of wine? Elsie's heart soared at this rare moment of closeness between the two. He was so dear to her, and when he let himself go, she got to see the Charles she so adored. The sweet, kind, playful side. The side he saved for her alone. She smiled back at him. "I think I might just enjoy that, Mr. Carson." Elsie replied as she looked at him over the glass of wine she was now drinking down steadily. They found themselves lost in each others gaze when the chimes over the door rang out, breaking them from their reverie.

No sooner had the bell rung, a deep voice was heard behind Charles. "Elsie, Elsie Hughes? By my word, it is you?" Charles stood abruptly and turned the man. He was a good six inches shorter than Charles. Solid, facial hair, neatly dressed, well groomed, a man of some wealth. He removed his hat and held his hand out to Charles. "Well now, you must be the lucky man to finally win the heart of this beautiful lady? My name is Joe Burns, Elsie and I go way back. We were childhood friends. Ey, Elsie?"

Charles' mouth gaped open. "I beg your pardon, Mr. Burns. I am.."

Charles was cut off by a shocked and slightly tipsy Elsie. "Joe Burns, whatever are you doing here? This is my colleague, Mr. Charles Carson. He is the butler of Downton Abbey." Elsie stood as the men shook hands and Charles offered a him a chair at the table. Which he quickly took next to Elsie. Colleague, Charles thought. Colleague? Not friend? He was reduced to the status of colleague. He knew exactly who this Joe Burns fella was. He certainly did not look the part of a farmer, he thought snidely. He remembered the name. How could he forget the name of a man that had almost taken Elsie Hughes away so many years ago. Not once, but twice. Charles watched the interaction between Joe and Elsie as he explained his journey through the area. He was staying at the inn while looking at farm nearby. He had tripled the size of his own since they had last met and he had found himself becoming quite successful and in need of newer operational management. The mechanization of farming was spreading quickly. Elsie listened and smiled, offering her sincere congratulations on his success. When there was a pause, Charles cleared his throat, and looking rather put out went to stand. "Perhaps you two would like go catch up? The rain has slowed enough, I should head back to the house."

Elsie went to stand. "Then I should go with you, Mr. Carson." She said smiling at him. Choosing him once again, over Joe.

"No, no. Not necessary. Please Mrs. Hughes, by all means, stay and catch up with your friend." He said with little feeling or emotion.

"If you insist." She replied somewhat coldly, sitting back down and looking away from Charles. Charles shook Joe's hand and headed for the door. What was he doing? What was wrong with him? Leaving her in that state, with that man. A man he knew wanted her. Probably wanted her for as many years as he had himself. He silent scolded himself for being such a coward. He knew he was escaping. Escaping the moment he just had with Elsie, and escaping from having to watch her with another man. He couldn't help one last glance as he walked past the window. Inside he could see Joe's chair turned towards Elsie's. He held her lovely small hands in his and Charles' heart sank as he watched the man's hand gently cup Elsie's blushing cheek. Something he would never, could never, do himself…..

...

Charles arrived home feeling quite angry with himself. He let his fear and jealousy take over and just left her there. He left her there intoxicated, with a man who was quite obviously attracted to her and cared for her. A man who happened to have a room right above the table where he had just eaten one of the best meals of his life. Not because of the meal itself, but because he shared it with Elsie. His best friend, his love. He made his way out the servants entrance and sat at the bench. He would wait for her. She would be home soon.

The hours passed and still no Elsie. It was nearing midnight and his mind contrived a million different scenarios of why she was still not home. She could have had trouble on her way home. Had perhaps fallen and twisted her ankle. Was she waiting out there in the dark for him to come find her? Had she perhaps just gotten to talking and was now on her way home by taxi? He tried to push the other option for his mind. The scenario that made most sense. She was still with him. She was slightly not herself. Perhaps Joe's warm words and gentle touches had convinced her to join him upstairs. Maybe at this very moment Joe Burns was slowly undressing her, running his rough hands up and down her soft curves. She would then marry that man. Leaving him here to die alone. He stood, an angry grunt escaping him as he slammed his fist into the tabletop. "Dammit!" He had never been so angry in his life. His anger was only at himself. He had no one to blame but his own stupid, selfish pride. His pointless grand desire to uphold propriety and dedicate himself to his occupation. Then he heard her.

"My goodness, Mr. Carson! What in the world are you doing out here making so much noise?" He turned to see her walking out the door. The soft, sheer white of her summer nightgown. A pale pink shawl wrapped around her shoulders, her hair loose and hanging in waves down her back.

"How? How did you…when did you get back?" Charles asked quietly, relief washing over his body.

"I came back just shortly after you. Why? Did you not know?" She questioned. Then he watched her anger build. "Mr. Carson! Did you honestly believe that I was still with Mr. Burns? At this hour? What in heavens would I be doing with a man in the middle of the night? Do you honestly think so little of me?" She turned her back on him. Charles moved closer, putting his hand on her shoulder. She promptly shrugged it off and turned to face him. They were but two feet apart. Elsie raised her finger to his chest, pointing accusingly. "You leave me, out of nowhere, drunken and with another man! I should have stayed! I should have marched right up those stairs with Joe. He asked me to join him. To be with him. To let him love me." She blurted angrily, her Scottish temper taking hold of her good senses. "He still wants me! After all these years! And I turned my back and left him. A good man. A man of respectability and wealth! A strong, brave man!" He watched her shoulders slump in defeat. "And why? To come back to this? To come back to a life with a man who thinks so little of me, and feels even less for me…" Tears spilled from her eyes as she fled back into the house, leaving him shocked and alone…

TBC