A Complicated Beginning
I don't own Downton Abbey. If I did it would go on forever. Just playing with characters for my own amusement. I'm a true Chelsie fan but couldn't resist this...there are no dates or ages attached to this only it is early on and everyone is a bit younger. Needless to say non-cannon.
That first time he saw her he knew he was in love. She was walking through the village. Her auburn hair held neatly in place by a hat, but he knew it would be well below her shoulders in length. She was heading into the local post office. He followed. When she spoke asking for stamps he almost fell over. She was Scottish too! All he wished for was standing right in front of him but he needed to find a way to meet her. As she walked passed him he lifted his hat in greeting. She nodded and left. He approached the post mistress. "Good morning Dr. Clarkson and what do you need." He needed a name. He needed so many things but since the lady in front of him was the biggest gossip in the village he knew it wouldn't take long to learn what he wanted to know.
"Good morning to you. I need a few stamps for the office. Anything going on? Seems like a quiet day. Perhaps the chill in the air is keeping people home."
"If only," replied the postmistress. " Did you see the new housekeeper for Downton Abbey? The woman who was just in here?"
"I can't say I noticed," lied the good doctor a skill honed from years of trying to give people hope when there was little he could do. "What's she like?" He couldn't show too much interest. "Bet she's a real dragon of an old lady."
"Dragon she may be. A Scottish dragon," said the gossip behind the counter. "I hear from the maids she's a real one for details and doesn't miss anything that is amiss. However, she's not old at least not by housekeeper standards. No more than 30 to 35."
Still showing little interest he asked, "Does this dragon have a name."
"She does. It's Mrs. Elsie Hughes. She not married it's an honorary title bestowed on those leading the female staff." The postmistress stressed the word bestowed as it to belittle the title. "Thank you," said Dr. Clarkson now knowing all he needed to track down this lovely lady before he had cause to see her as a patient. The last thing he wanted was her as a patient it would complicate matters. He knew how he was filling would complicate matters anyway. Now he needed a reason to visit the big house as the locals called the abbey. Suddenly an idea sprang to mind. He could call upon his lordship to ask about improving the finances of the local cottage hospital. Still, that wouldn't get him to the downstairs where he knew the housekeeper would most likely be found. That would take a bit more thought. At least he has the beginning of a plan to make the acquaintance of the lovely lady he saw but a few minutes before. How to get downstairs? He could enter that way, but that would be an issue related to class and status in the community. While not as elevated as the noblemen, as the village doctor his status was more than that of servant. Servant, the very word irritated him. His mother had been a housekeeper before marrying his father who like him had been a doctor. Their marriage was not looked on favorably by his father's family but they had accepted it eventually. His parents had a lovely life together, with he being the youngest of their three children. Was history about to repeat itself? Whoa, said the doctor to himself I haven't even met her yet and I'm thinking we will have the same happy life my parents had. For all I know she may hate Scotsmen. She may not want to leave service. She may not want a family. How had all these thoughts filled his brain in just an hour of seeing the lady from afar.
Richard rein in your thoughts. Take one step at a time. This can mean so many problems, or so much happiness. The doctor was certainly one thing, a romantic. Now how can I get downstairs. Better not check the kitchen for bacteria Mrs. Patmore will kill me. No I must be more creative. If I wait for her next visit to the village, I might be waiting a long time given the hours servants keep. No I have to go to her but how to get there. The doctor was still pondering the question when a message arrive it seemed a footman was sick at the Abbey and in need of his services. This could not be a more welcome sign had he asked for one. Of course he regretted anyone being sick but surely the housekeeper would be nearby since it was a member of staff.
Dr. Clarkson packed his medical bag and was off on his way to the big house. He still didn't know what direction his conversation would take with the housekeeper but he was determined to find a way to talk with the lady who was taking up so many of his thoughts. He wondered was she a true highland witch or a lowlander. Did she prefer Edinburgh or Glasgow? There would be many topics for discussion if he just gets the chance. I'm also wondering how Mr. Carson feels about the new housekeeper. Of course Carson has been a bachelor all his life and I doubt he's given her a thought.
Meanwhile at the Abbey, Mr. Carson was sitting in his pantry thinking many of the same thoughts as the good doctor but wondering when the new housekeeper was going to notice him after all he is the butler of Downton, someone of stature in the community and someone growing tired of being alone.