So this was originally written as a one shot, but several of my tumblr loves have asked for me to continue it. So I will be continuing this thread for a while. I'm not promising regular updates all the time, because that is unrealistic, with the end of the semester coming up, but i will try to update as frequently as possible. Also, this chapter is unbeta-ed, so excuse the mistakes that I haven't caught yet.

Elspeth Hughes looked over the large crowd in the main hall from the balcony, she had been the housekeeper here for sometime, and this ball for Lord Carson's daughter was her crowning glory. Mary Carson was one of the most selfish girls she had ever met, but her sisters Edith and Sybil were absolutely lovely. And Lord Carson doted on all his daughter's and his son William. Had since before his wife Alice had died. Elsie hadn't been here when Alice had been alive but, she had died shortly after Sybil, the youngest, had been born. Mary had just turned sixteen, Edith was 14, William was 10, and Sybil, who had been a surprise was only 5.

"This is a wonderful party Mrs. Hughes. Quite a feather in your cap." A voice rumbled next to her ear.

She smiled. "Well, I did try milord."

He chuckled before they heard little footsteps rushing towards them. She had little time to turn before she found her arms full of Lady Sybil. "Oh Mrs. Elsie, Papa! Have you ever seen anything like it?"

Charles Carson never took his eyes off of his lovely housekeeper balancing his daughter on her hip while replying, "No, I don't recall seeing a more lovely sight."

Elsie noted that he had been looking at her he whole time. She blushed slightly before saying, "Lady Sybil shouldn't you be in bed?"

That seemed to take the wind out of the little lady's sails and she nodded. "Can papa come with you to put me to bed?"

"Well as long as we don't keep him away for too long, he still has guests to see to."

Elsie started down the corridor with Sybil in tow and Lord Carson following close behind. She laid Sybil in her bed and tucked her in tight with a kiss to her forehead. Charles knelt down and wished his youngest happy dreams and then kissed her cheek.

Mrs. Hughes shut the door quietly behind them, and started for the servants stairs until she felt and hand grab hers.

"Stay, please. Until the ball is over, watch your handiwork, then meet me in the library," he said, his eyes searching hers. "Please."

"Okay. I'll be in the gallery." She acquiesced quietly, "and I'll meet you in the library, milord."

He nodded and headed down to the last hour of Lady Mary's ball.

-/-/-

An hour and a half later she stood in the library watching at the last car leave through the large window. She hadn't heard the door close or him coming up behind her until she felt his breath against her hair.

"Milord, have I upset you?"

"No, never. You could never do that." He said sincerely.

She turned only to find him very close to her, her heart sped up and she looked into his eyes then her gaze flickered down to his lips. He leaned down almost touching her lips.

"May I?" He asked, lips almost touching hers.

"Yes." She whispered just before his lips grazed hers for the first time, and they instantly deepened the kiss. His arms wrapped around her waist, and her hands fisted in his jacket.

When they needed air he pulled back and rested his forehead against hers. She let out a shaky breath.

"Can I speak freely, Milord."

"I should think you can always do that with me."

"I wanted to ask if you could call me Elsie? And what this means?"

"It plainly means that I have watched you with my daughters and I have watched you run this house without a mistress to tell you what to do, and I have fallen in love with your...your independent, kind and loving demeanor with every meeting, and every passing day you have been here." He rumbled out as quietly as possible.

"What could ever come of this Milo-"

"Charles, please. It is Charles."

"That's the point. It can never be just Charles. You have a family. I'm sure the Dowager Countess would never approve of…" She trailed off hesitantly, maybe he didn't want marriage, she wasn't sure. All she really knew was that she was head over heels in love with her employer and his family. Even Mary, if she was honest with herself.

"I don't care what Mother thinks. All I care about I what is going to be best for myself and my family at the moment. You are the best thing that has ever happened to this house. You found a way to fix me after Alice had died. You fixed me with the cups of tea wherever I was. The words of encouragement for Edith and William. And Sybil thinks of you as a mother already. I want to be able to hold you in my arms, to see you in the morning and all the hours in between. I want you by my side, because I think we would be even better together." he intoned tenderly.

Tears ran down her face, and he kissed her again. She knew she was lost to him, whatever he wanted she would try to give to him. She loved him, and he loved her and they could make it.

"Okay. Yes." She said breathlessly when the broke apart once again.

"I haven't asked anything yet, Elsie." He said with his boyish rogue grin.

"I knew what you were thinking, Charles." She said, her brogue thickening with the overwhelming emotion she felt.

"You know me too well," He said before pressing a kiss to her forehead.

"What will everyone think. You know this is going to be a scandal." She said before pulling her lip between her white teeth.

"I find that I cannot care right now. Tomorrow we will tell the children at breakfast. Then we will contact Reverend Travis, and Mother and Isobel. Tonight, you will sleep in the extra guestroom you always have made up. We will handle whatever is thrown at us, together." He explained with a knowing smile.

"Whatever you say, dear." She said and he pressed one final kiss to her lips. She kissed him back passionately, trying to pour out all her love for him into that one kiss. He pulled back and threaded his fingers through hers to walk her to her room.

Let me know what you think. (or if you even think it worth continuing.)

Much love
Samantha