"Mrs. Hughes?"
Reverie snapped to reality within a second. She was no longer standing on the seashore, water lapping over her feet. Her hand was suddenly free from the firm grasp of Mr. Carson. The warm afternoon on the beach turned back into the cold Yorkshire night.
"I am sorry, Mr. Carson. I left myself for a moment."
The butler stepped into her parlor and searched her face to be certain she was all right and not suffering a rebound of the stomach ailment that was traveling through the house. Mrs. Hughes, Mr. Carson, the Bates, Miss Baxter, Lady Mary, Lady Rose, the children and Lord and Lady Grantham had all recuperated from the virus, but the rest of the house didn't fare as well, upstairs or down.
"Did you need something?"
"I have a proposition for you." Her eyes danced with mischief, but he interjected before she could pounce, "Mrs. Hughes, I mean to say that I have a bit of a favor to ask. I understand if you do not wish to assist me, but I would appreciate your consideration."
Mrs. Hughes bit her tongue and managed a polite, "Of course, Mr. Carson. What is it?"
"An odd set of circumstances has presented itself. With so much illness still in the house, Lord and Lady Grantham, Lady Mary and Lady Rose have decided to stay in London for the next few days rather than return tomorrow. Lord Grantham said they can certainly get by with Anna, Mr. Bates and Miss Baxter. Nanny is quite ill and Mr. Branson is in no shape to leave his bed, so there is no one to attend to the children. This leaves you and me as the only two healthy adults in the house. I was wondering if you would assist me in watching them. Mrs. Crawley has offered to stay with them, but I hate to subject her to all of this illness."
"You didn't need to ask, Mr. Carson. Of course I will help. I am afraid Mrs. Patmore is still down so will be on our own for meals, but the children aren't difficult to please. We will be quite all right."
"I thought we could move Nanny to one of the empty rooms on the ladies' side and you could stay in her room? I will take the guest room nearest the nursery, if you find that acceptable?"
"Of course, Mr. Carson. I will prepare a room for Nanny and get her moved."
"Thank you, Mrs. Hughes. You are my angel."
Mr. Carson left the room so abruptly, she was unable to respond. Her mouth was open partly in shock, partly in delight. "Your angel, Mr. Carson?" she said quietly. "That's a new one." Mrs. Hughes turned off the light and headed to the women's side, a spring in her step.