Clouds from the past
A/N I wanted both the Dowager Countess and Mrs Hughes. Now there's a challenge.
Hope you like it…
Chapter 1
Secrets not buried.
'Mrs Hughes!' the butler barked as he strode into the servants room.
'The Dowager Countess asked to see you in the drawing room.'
'I'll go right away Mr Carson,' Mrs Hughes answered, got up and left.
She knew Mr Carson assumed the Dowager had a complaint about the household, and since any of the upstairs should find anything amiss about whatever made him behave like a general in full fury, she wasn't too worried about that.
Instead, she felt much worse. The Dowager had never before spoke to her personally. She had a feeling she was in for trouble.
She knocked and entered the drawing room.
'You asked to see me, Milady?' she said.
The formidable Dowager rose from her chair.
'Indeed,' the old lady said. 'Come in Mrs Hughes, and sit down, please.'
She did, feeling terrified.
The Dowager made a lot of work of sitting down, carefully draping her skirts over the sofa.
'I am so glad you were able to see me , Mrs Hughes,' she said smoothly.
'You must be very occupied with your chores and duties as a housekeeper.'
'I can manage, milady.'
She didn't like the way this was going at all.
'Mrs Hughes, you have reached the highest position a woman in service can reach. I suppose you are happy with that.'
'I am, milady,' she answered, unsure of what was going on.
'The staff respect you, taking you as an example. You are an impeccable servant. But I believe they would be appalled if they knew better.' the Dowager said, smiling.
'I don't know about that, milady,' she said, assuming the worst.
'But I do, Elsie.'
She closed her eyes. Hearing her given name told her she was lost.
'I know all about your filthy dealings with my late husband, Elsie. I don't blame you,' the Dowager waved her hands, 'you were very young and he was the Earl of Grantham. Every simpleminded peasant girl would be impressed by that.'
The Dowager smiled at her, but it was a grim smile.
She sighed.
'What is it you want from me, milady?' she asked.
A/N Please review!