Not Enough Time Together
As they walked across the beach, hand in hand, they looked into each other's eyes. They were in love - anyone who saw them would agree. This kissed softly, but not in passionately. They had all the time they wanted, they were together, forever. There were no restraints on their lives. They had as long as they needed, as long as they wanted. She looked at the sea
"Isn't it beautiful?" she said, "us, here, together, in a beautiful place. What could be better?"
He made a non-committal noise and stopped walking.
"Charles?" she asked, worriedly
"Elsie, my dear," he said suddenly "would you do me the honour of becoming my wife? I would kneel, but I might never get back up!" he laughed, then became deadly serious.
"Oh, Charles!" she had t been expecting him to ask her so soon. They'd discussed their feelings and agreed that the perfect opportunity would present itself. She was secretly glad that he hadn't waited months, or even years, as she'd been worried he would. "Of course, I love you!"
He broke into a true smile, which made Elsie smile more
"I love you too Elsie Hughes." he said to her ear as he started kissing her jaw line.
"No," she said "Elsie Carson, your new wife." she said, mock sternly
"Elsie Carson indeed, my love what would I be without you?" he replied.
"Let's hope we never have to find out." she spoke softly but firmly.
"Shall we go back? Is Anna waiting upon our arrival?" he asked her grudgingly, not wanting to return. They'd also decided that they'd keep their relationship quiet. Which, unfortunately, meant they couldn't go anywhere alone together for more than two or three minutes.
"Alas, she is." she sighed. This was the problem with a quiet relationship. Too much time together and people would assume. Of course they would be correct but that wasn't the point! Hopefully, now Charles had proposed they could make their relationship public. "When will you ask Lord Grantham?"
"Ask him what, my love?" he asked, confused.
"When we can get married, indeed you would not function without me!" she exclaimed
"As soon as is deemed appropriate; those were his exact words I believe"
"You've already asked him. What if I'd said no "
"You might have said no?" he said the hurt evident on his face. He turned away slightly, looking downwards.
"Of course not! But knowing you, you probably had doubts." she said hurriedly.
"I was certain you'd say yes, actually!" he said in mock anger.
She laughed, and without any further communication (they didn't need to talk aloud to each other, they knew each other so well they could spend hours in each other's presence without it being awkward) they turned and walked back up to where they were staying, simply enjoying one another's company.
When Lord Grantham had permitted the maids and general downstairs staff on a week's holiday to celebrate the end of the war everyone had jumped at the very idea. They were staying on the edge of England - possibly because the younger maids has wanted to visit a beach. But everyone was enjoying their break from work. Even Mrs Patmore was being nice to everyone!