1.
It was a summer night like any other. The rain whipped the windows hard as the wind blew fiercely, making the windows tremble loudly. If she hadn't been there for some time now, it would have scared her, making her imagine that the old mansion wouldn't resist the storm. Nonsense.
Time went slowly this night, giving them time to relax, since the Earl and Countess were in London. Without them the formalities at home decreased considerably, even if the Dowager Countess was staying there, to take care of her granddaughters.
It was after eleven o'clock, and everyone seemed to have gone to bed, except her, of course.
Mrs. Hughes was kept busy with a copy of Pride and Prejudice lying on her lap and with a comforting cup of tea in hand. The first thunder roared outside and lightening lit the grounds for a few seconds, but it did not call her attention from the book. She just wished to read a little more before went to bed herself.
What she wasn't expecting was that her reading would be interrupted by a gentle knock at the door, which opened immediately after. Elsie thought it was Charles Carson, but she was surprised when the little Lady Sybil came in and towards her, while she remained in her seat.
"What happened Milady?" She asked putting the book and the tea aside to examine the girl.
The child was visibly frightened and with rosy cheeks. Mrs. Hughes would swear that she had run downstairs. New thunder roared outside making the girl jump into the housekeeper's arms.
"Are you afraid of the storm?"
"Yes, Mrs. Hughes. Can I stay here?"
"Of course you can, my dear."
The girl cradled in her lap, and Elsie started to stroke her hair affectionately. It didn't take too long for Lady Sybil calm and close her eyes in contentment.
"Where's mamma?"
"In London, but she'll be back soon, don't you worry."
"I miss her." Sybil murmured wistfully.
"I know dear."
"Can I sleep with you tonight?"
Caught by surprise, Elsie smiled at the small child. Part of her felt touched by having been sought, it seemed more logical for the child to have sought comfort in the arms of her grandmother, but instead she came, looking for her, the housekeeper.
"Sleep my child, I will not leave you alone." She answered the girl, kissing her softly on the forehead.
It seemed she was about to sleep when the door opened again and Edith ran into the sitting room, slamming the door behind her and looking at the housekeeper with pleading eyes.
"Can I?"
Elsie smiled and reached her hand out to the girl. Lady Sybil pulled her legs up, to accommodate her sister at her side, so that the two children could lie in the woman's lap, protected under her loving look and her comforting wings.
Both children closed their eyes and sought to warm their little bodies in the heat of the woman. For her, it was nice have them here and let herself imagine how it would be if she'd had her own children. Allowing her maternal instinct show, she stroked them both until they were calm and sleepy again.
Even she began to feel sleepy, her eyes suddenly were too heavy, but the sound of the door being opened again made her open her eyes quickly to look at Lady Mary standing hand in hand with Mr. Carson, both in their pajamas.
The adults exchange a long and significant look, trying hard not laugh.