"Of course, it is highly irregular, having a married couple work together. Highly irregular."
Seated in his pantry, Charles and Elsie chatted over their evening sherry.
"Well, they've always behaved before, Mr. Carson. And let's be honest, they were as good as married well before it was official."
"Mrs. Hughes!"
Elsie clicked her tongue. "Oh, I don't mean it like that, Mr. Carson. Honestly! I only meant they were already affectionate. And, if you'll recall, it in no way affected their duties."
Charles grunted to himself. Leaning back, he tented his fingers and stared contemplatively. He was a man who took no decision lightly.
Elsie sat across from him patiently, her lips pursed in both amusement and exasperation. She sat patiently, that is, until she was content to sit silently no longer.
"Oh, for Heaven's sake, Mr. Carson, do as we discussed and you can put yourself out of this misery!"
"Mrs. Hughes, I am not miserable, I am deliberating. I do not often do favours for the staff, and while I am tempted, in this case, to make an exception, I must consider the precedent it would set. I simply cannot have the entire staff expecting special treatment!" He arched a brow at Elsie, the glint in his eye belying the note of finality in his voice. The truth was, he enjoyed sparring with her; this much she knew. And if she were honest, she rather enjoyed ruffling his feathers too.
Elsie scoffed, "Deliberating, indeed... It's the Bates' half-day, not the fate of a man's life, you're deciding! Or shall I fetch you a robe and wig, too, Mr. Carson?" Elsie sipped delicately at her sherry to hide her smirk. But, when she cast a glance over the rim of her glass, she saw in his eyes a spark that matched the one in hers. She lowered her glass slowly to her lap, and her smirk faded as an all-too familiar tension settled between them. Neither spoke a word-neither dared lest the moment be lost. All Elsie could hear was the thumping of her heart...
It was Charles who looked away first. He cleared his throat and took a healthy swig of his sherry. Elsie sat straighter in her chair, but inside she felt herself deflate, just a little. In her heart of hearts, she knew it wasn't to be; still, she allowed herself a sliver of hope.
"Yes. Well. I think you're right, Mrs. Hughes." Charles moved to pick up where they had left off.
"About the half-days?"
Charles nodded. "I suppose it can't hurt to arrange it so they fell on the same day. No doubt Bates will want to spend as much time with his wife as he can."
"And Anna with him, I should think."
"Yes, quite. That settles it, then. They'll have their half-days together..." He paused, and Elsie tilted her head at him questioningly. "To, as you say, be affectionate." There was a smile in his eyes, and when Elsie couldn't stop the small laugh that escaped, that smile bloomed across his face.
"Silly man," Elsie chided, returning his smile warmly.
"Well, Mr. Carson" she said as she rose from her seat, "with that settled, I think I'll say goodnight.
"Goodnight, Mrs. Hughes. Sleep well."
"And you, Mr. Carson. And you."