Carson finally gets put in his place but you know what he's like; he's always worried about his pride. This chapter is just the introduction to 'Soap and the bath'. This is my first Carson/Hughes fanfiction so please enjoy.

"Yes so sorry about that," continued Lord Grantham, "But you'll all need washing still, I'm sure you all know, we have guests at the moment so we only have one bath that nobody's using so I'm afraid it may take you all a while to get washed tonight."

"I'm not complaining," muttered Thomas to Ms. O'Brian. "That bath will be the poshes bath we'll ever see in our lives."

Ms. O'Brian sniggered, which was closely followed by Mr. Carson giving both her and Thomas an angry glare.

"Right you two-" Mr. Carson began to shout.

"Mr. Carson," Mrs. Hughes warned putting her hand on his shoulder; she then turned to Lord Grantham, "Thank you very much Lord Grantham and I'm sorry about my colleges here."

Lord Grantham chuckled," No problem, I think the only problem left is Mr. Carson's pride after you just upstaged him."

Mr. Carson turned a shade of red while Mrs. Hughes looked at her feet before saying," Well I dare say he deserved it."

"You know I think he did, he needs to be upstaged every now and again, it's rather funny really," and with that Lord Grantham left.

Mr. Carson raised his eyebrows and all the servants left the servants hall laughing and giggling.

Mrs. Hughes and Mr. Carson sat down, "There goes my pride." He sighed.

"They'll soon forget," smiled Mrs. Hughes, "Lord Grantham was just joking; I can tell you many servants wish for their masters to joke with them and treat them like people."

"I doubt they will forget but I guess I should be more grateful," sighed Mr. Carson, "Do you take me for a fool Mrs. Hughes?"

"Not this again please, people will always joke about other people; it's human nature. Like I said before you are the heart of this house, you may wear us all down with your constant naggings, but you do it because you care and I don't know where we'd all be without you." Mrs. Hughes smiled weakly placing her hand on his.

Silence.

Mrs. Hughes couldn't decide whether it would be more awkward to remove her hand or keep it there until Mr. Carson said, "Well at least I have your trust." "And that's all the counts." He added quickly and very quietly.

"Anyway," Mrs. Hughes cheerfully said while removing her hand, "Did you buy the soap I paid you for down in the village?"

"Yes! I did indeed," replied Mr. Carson, "Here it is."

Mr. Carson produced a small paper bag from his pocket and handed it to Mrs. Hughes. Mrs. Hughes inspected it and then looked to Mr. Carson.

"This isn't the soap I paid you for."

"Well its soap isn't it?"

Mrs. Hughes sniffed the soap, "Yes but it smells like very expensive soap."

"I thought you'd like it, the smell of it seemed nicer to the one you asked for, besides think of it a gift."

"What exactly are you trying to say?" Mocked Mrs. Hughes as she got up.

"No…I didn't mean it like that."

"I know, I playing with you," she said as she left.

Thanks for reading, I'll be updating soon. Please comment if you enjoyed.