Something blue

Marriage preparations for Mr Carson and Mrs Hughes.

o-o-o-o

'Only two weeks to go, my love,' Mr Carson smiled as he slipped into his fiancée's sitting room to steal a kiss just before the family's lunch.

'I can't wait,' she smiled back.

'Mr Branson would like to show us the work they've done on the cottage this afternoon, do you think you can spare an hour or so?'

'Oh yes, no problem. I have to speak with Emily, Mabel's replacement, but I am free after two.'

'I'll see you then.'

o-o-o-o

That evening they shared a glass of leftover wine before going to their separate beds.

'Charles, that's the family's crystal,' she remarked after examining the beautiful glass she was holding.

'It is dear, but a wine like this and in such lovely company should be served in a nice glass. It went perfectly with the fish but when his lordship learned it's a German wine he refused to have any. Her ladyship doesn't like white wine and so only the young ladies each had a glass. It's a shame, really. To your health and happiness, my dear,' he toasted.

'Slàinte,' she smiled, 'because I don't know what the Germans say when they have a drink.'

'I believe they say 'Prosit',' he answered promptly.

'The things you know.'

'Ah, but you don't know half the things I know, my love,' he said with a cheeky grin.

'I can't wait to find out,' she laughed. 'And you are right, it is a delicious wine.'

'I'm glad our cottage has a cellar. I'll stock it with some beautiful wines for us,' Mr Carson said happily.

'Mr Branson and his workmen have done a wonderful job, I was so surprised! They turned that small boot room into a lovely bathroom and the kitchen, it's just wonderful. I wish we could move in tomorrow, it's getting on my nerves.'

'Just two more weeks and the wedding trip, darling.'

She shot upright in his arms.

'A honeymoon?'

'Of course we'll have a honeymoon! And I am not going to tell you where we'll go. It's a surprise.'

'You are the loveliest man, I love you and I'm so lucky to be your wife,' she whispered.

He kissed her forehead. 'You're so very welcome, my love.'

o-o-o-o

Saturday morning Mrs Hughes and her fiancé slipped out to have a look a their cottage once more. It was almost ready. The kitchen was fully stocked with pots and pans, cutlery and china. The living room contained a beautiful Persian carpet, once bought for Downton Abbey's drawing room but it appeared too small. It didn't fit anywhere else so Lord Grantham was happy to present it to his butler and housekeeper for so many years.

A mix of old and new furniture made their small cottage look like a home, the only thing missing was the bed, and that would be delivered on Monday. They had it custom made, so Charles would finally have a bed in which he could stretch his tall frame.

'I just can't wait Charles,' Mrs Hughes smiled and hugged her fiancé.

'Just a week love, and our honeymoon.'

'Mmm. Will it be a long honeymoon?'

'Wait and see.'

o-o-o-o

Monday morning brought Mrs Hughes a small package.

She opened it and first read the covering letter.

'Dear Mrs Hughes,

Mrs Crawley wrote me a letter, informing me you are going to get married to Mr Carson. I can't tell you how happy I am for you, because I always thought Mr Carson had a soft spot for you! Mrs Crawley said you both are very happy.

Mrs Hughes, I am so very grateful for everything you did for me and my Charlie. Supporting us and arranging for Charlie to meet his grandparents. The first meeting went not as we planned, but in the end all went well.

Without you and Mrs Crawley I don't know where I'd be now.

But Mrs Hughes, you were the first and the only one to care for us when we needed it most and I will never forget that.

Charlie is very happy living with his grandparents, and I get to visit him at least twice a week. He is a handsome boy and he loves to draw pictures. I wish I could come over and congratulate you personally on your wedding day, but I'm sorry to say that's not possible. So instead I sent you my small present by mail, and I asked Charlie to draw a picture for a very sweet lady. Here is what he and I made for you.

With love,

Yours, Ethel Parks'

Dear Ethel…she smiled and opened the package. In it were three very fine, batiste handkerchiefs, beautifully embroidered and monogrammed EC in a corner. EC…Elsie Carson… A lovely present, she thought. Carefully folded in a sheet of paper was a picture in watercolours, of a vase with tulips in all shades of blue.

'Something blue,' she whispered with a smile on her lips. The picture was small enough she could carry it in her purse.

A knock on the door announced her fiancé.

'Oh Charles, look what Ethel sent me!' she said happily.

'Ethel?'

'Oh you know. Our Ethel! The maid with the little boy!'

He snorted, but she pretended not to hear it and showed him the handkerchiefs and little Charlie's picture.

'Very nice,' he said grudgingly.

'Read the letter, Charles,' she said softly, and he did, of course he did, and when he finished it he wrapped her in his arms.

'Elsie, you're the sweetest and most sensible woman in the world and I don't deserve you. Do you know I hardly spared a thought on that poor girl? I am ashamed of myself,' he whispered in her hair.

'It's all right Charles,' she smiled. 'I know I'm a stubborn and wayward woman and I don't deserve you, a sweet man who lets me be myself.'

'I would not want anything else love, I need you to keep me grounded.'

'I need you to keep me in line. And I need you even more because I love you,' she whispered.

'I'm so proud to be loved by you.'

'Don't be silly Charles,' she whispered, with sparkling eyes,' I am a Scottish farm girl and I own nothing.'

'I've always dreamt about Scottish farm girls, as long as I can remember,' he told her, returning the smile in her eyes. 'In fact, her not being a Scottish farm girl is the only thing I really don't like about lady Mary.'

'I'm glad,' she chuckled.

'You should be. And you actually do own something, you own my heart and my eternal love.'

'Oh, Charles,' a tear ran down her cheek and she snuggled into his arms.

'You deserve nothing less, my darling.'

o-o-o-o

A/N Thank you all for your reads, your lovely reviews and support! x george