Courting a Housekeeper
Summary: Sometimes, a little nudge is all it takes to make a butler show a little bit of interest in a housekeeper.
C*E*C*E*C*E
"Mr. Carson, all women need someone to show a bit of interest every now and then, preferably in a manner that is not entirely proper."
Charles Carson shook his head and released a frustrated sigh. Her words were haunting him, never letting him rest. He heard Beryl Patmore's voice in his dreams, in his waking thoughts, randomly throughout the day, during dinner service, even in his morning bath. How could one little sentence, uttered so innocently, have such a mighty impact on every aspect of his life?
He closed his eyes and ran his hand down his face, taking in a deep breath and holding it for a moment before releasing it slowly. And there it was. The same image that usually followed that nagging little voice in his mind had appeared again, putting a smile back on his face. He could still see the highlights in her hair as the sun kissed it. He could remember the sparkle in her eyes which reminded him of the depths of the sea. And her laughter rang through his memories like the clearest church bell on a Sunday morning. Elsie Hughes ... standing in the ankle deep water, her hand outstretched, beckoning him to take a risk, to join her in a bit of frivolity ... the image of her, of that day, always followed the words of Mrs. Patmore in Charles's mind.
He'd thought of little else since that outing to Brighton. They had enjoyed their day of leisure together, especially after she had coaxed him into loosening up a wee bit, granting himself a bit of time for relaxation and fun. He had allowed her to guide him towards taking the staff to the beach, but he had no way of knowing how, weeks later, he would still be thinking on that day, on her. He had seen her in a different light, and she had reminded him of a part of himself that he'd assumed was lost forever.
Elsie Hughes always had a way of making him smile, frustrated though he may be with her at times, as gruff as he could be with her when he was irritated. There was something special about her. Perhaps it was a product of their many years of working side by side, of being best friends and confidantes. She knew him better than anyone else. She could read him like an opened book, could sense his moods, could almost predict the words he would utter before a situation ever presented itself. He had never encountered anyone quite like her. He had refused to allow himself to get close to anyone in years, decades actually. But she was different. Aside from her, there was no other person who could claim to know him better, who could testify to his softer side. And with that thought came another ...
"Mr. Carson, all women need someone to show a bit of interest every now and then, preferably in a manner that is not entirely proper."
And the cycle continued until he was drawn from his musings and forced to oversee a delivery for the household. He knew the thoughts of Elsie would return, though he hoped and prayed he could keep his mind occupied with other things until he retired for the evening. He had a great deal to think about and he desperately hoped to sort through his thoughts and feelings with a clear mind during uninterrupted moments. If he was to put an end to the relentless voice in his head, he needed to take some time and really think about the road ahead of him.
It was late when he finally retired to his room. His body was exhausted but his mind was still alert. Nights like these at Downton Abbey, he would seek her company and relish the easy conversation, the comfortable silences, her soothing voice as it caressed his senses. Somehow, Elsie Hughes managed to calm his frayed nerves and settle his chaotic thoughts until he was at peace once more, with himself and with others.
But even if he had been at Downton this particular evening and she had been available for a glass of wine, he would have retired to his rooms instead of spending the last hours of the day with her. This was one thing, one very big thing, that he needed to think through on his own. Regardless of how much he valued her opinion, often sought her for advice, this was the one thing that would change everything, and it could be made or broken depending on his thoughts, words, and deeds.
After changing into his pyjamas and climbing into his bed, he closed his eyes once more and allowed his mind to wander back over his many years in service. Faces of people he hadn't thought of in years suddenly appeared, some with good memories attached, others with unpleasant ones. Decade after decade, people came into and out of his life but there was one face which appeared more frequently than all the others. It belonged to her.
Mrs. Hughes was always there. If she wasn't the focus of a memory, she was at least involved in some way or another. She made him see reason when he was being unreasonable. She was sitting with him as he worked out a particular problem with the staff. She happened to be standing in the background when good things happened or standing by his side through the worst of times. But regardless of what memory he called to the forefront of his mind, Elsie Hughes had left her mark, and that thought alone made him smile.
He switched off the bedside light and thought back to the day at the beach. He flexed his hand as he remembered how it felt to take her hand in his. He chuckled as her words replayed in his mind. "You can always hold my hand if you need to feel steady." And then he teased her for sounding a little risqué. The look on her face then and the smile on his face now were a perfect match. It was then that he realized he had already made up his mind. He'd simply been struggling to take that next step. But that would change as soon as the sun rose and the new day dawned. His last thoughts before sleep claimed him were the same ones he'd had upon waking.
"Mr. Carson, all women need someone to show a bit of interest every now and then, preferably in a manner that is not entirely proper."
He wasn't so sure about being improper, but one thing was for certain. All women, including Elsie Hughes, deserved someone to show interest, and he was determined to be that someone in her life ... if she would allow him.
Charles Carson was out of bed before the sun even had a chance to appear. He knew that by the end of the day, he would be one step closer to ... to something. Closer to retirement, to Elsie, to happiness, to another heartbreak. What was it he had told Elsie all those years ago? "What's the point of living if we don't let life change us?"
He brushed the lapels of his suit then took a long look at himself in the mirror. He needed to look his best this morning. It would not do for Carson, the Butler, to have a single hair of out of place, a speck of lint on his coat, or a crease in his trousers. He needed to look more confidant than he felt, though thinking of Elsie and what their future could hold gave him a boost of courage. He slipped an old letter from her into his inside pocket. He would take a little piece of her with him today.
As breakfast upstairs was drawing to a close, Charles felt his pulse quicken. For once, in several weeks, he could hear his own heartbeat in his head instead of Beryl Patmore's voice, though her words were imprinted on his heart. The same heart which was pounding in his chest was the one he hoped would not be disappointed or shattered as it had been so many years ago by Alice. But Mrs. Hughes, his Elsie, was so different from Alice. He doubted she had ever intentionally hurt someone. Hers was a caring nature, not one prone to causing heartache.
He watched as His Lordship neatly folded his paper and took one last sip of his tea. Carson took a deep breath and sent up a silent prayer for a positive outcome before speaking. "Milord, might I have a word with you at some point today, at your convenience of course?"
Robert turned and looked at his butler with a quizzical expression. It was so unlike Carson to make such a request which only served to pique Robert's curiosity. "Goodness, Carson, that sounds rather ominous. I hope nothing has happened?"
"No, Your Lordship. Everything is as it should be. I do, however, have a personal matter which I wish to discuss with you before proceeding."
"Aren't staffing issues usually handled by Her Ladyship? I'm not sure I could be of much help. Perhaps you should consult Mrs. Hughes and have her speak with Her Ladyship."
Carson took a step forward and cleared his throat. "If it was a simple matter of staffing, I would not impose upon your time. As I said, milord, this is of a personal nature ... involving myself."
"Very well, Carson. Meet me in the drawing room in ten minutes, and we'll discuss this personal matter of yours in private before the others come down for the day."
When Robert arrived in the drawing room a few minutes later, he found Carson waiting patiently for him. Judging by the look on his butler's face, it was, indeed, a serious matter. "I have to say, Carson, you have me rather concerned, but rest assured, I shall do what I can to assist you. I trust this isn't anything to do with that unsavory fellow we've dealt with before."
"No, Your Lordship, this has nothing to do with Mr. Grigg. I am confident we have seen the last of him. This is about myself. You see, I have a request which I hope you will grant."
"I dare say, whatever it is, shouldn't be a problem. You rarely ask for anything, though this does sound a bit more serious than a simple extra half day off during the week."
"Much more serious. I have recently discovered that I have feelings for a member of staff, and I would like to seek your permission to approach her about beginning a courtship." There! He'd said it, and now it was all out on the open. Nothing to do but wait and hope for the best.
To say that Robert Crawley had been surprised would have been an understatement. "Carson, really? You are actually seeking my permission to court Mrs. Hughes?"
Charles felt as if someone had dumped a bucket of cold water over him. How on earth had this man known of his feelings for the housekeeper when it had taken him months, years even, to realize them. "How ... how did you know Mrs. Hughes was the lady in question?"
"Come now, Carson! I've known you since I was a young man and I've lived under the same roof with you both for more years than I care to admit. And let's not forget that Cora is rather inquisitive, as were all of my girls. Not much happens in the house without someone knowing."
"But I assure you, milord, that nothing has happened between Mrs. Hughes and myself. I've not spoken to her about any of this. I had hoped to seek your permission, to find out what your thoughts on the matter might be before I approached her. I should not like to speak for her, but I am hopeful she would be agreeable to allow me to court her."
Robert surveyed the nervous man before him and had to work hard to suppress his grin. "And should Mrs. Hughes be agreeable and things progress, have you given any thoughts to the future, Carson? Would you be leading our housekeeper astray with this courtship?" Robert couldn't help but tease the man just a little, though it was not in the least mean spirited.
"I can assure you, sir, that if we are allowed to court, the household and our duties would not suffer in the least, and Mrs. Hughes would have nothing to fear from me in the way of her reputation or propriety."
"Mr. Carson, all women need someone to show a bit of interest every now and then, preferably in a manner that is not entirely proper."
Carson cringed as the familiar voice and words came rushing back to his mind, though every word of what he'd said was true. He had no intentions of putting even the slightest blemish on her reputation or stepping over the boundaries. However, the boundary lines would be something they would decide together, should she be agreeable to his affections and attentions. He was snapped from his musings by the voice of his employer calling his name.
"Carson? Carson? Goodness, man, I didn't mean to upset you. I was only having a bit of a lark." Robert patted the butler's arm and smiled. "I wish you and Mrs. Hughes only the best, and I hope you will keep us informed of any important developments."
"Thank you, milord. I appreciate your understanding in this matter."
"Nonsense, though I do have a feeling that if I had not agreed one of several things would have happened. One, you would have abided by my decree, been miserable, and when my actions were discovered, my wife and daughters would have made me more miserable than you. Two, you would have forged ahead and I would have lost the household a butler and housekeeper, resulting in a very unhappy wife and staff, hence securing my unhappiness. Or three, you would have kept silent on the matter and guilt would have claimed my conscious until I couldn't stand it any longer." He gave Carson a smile. "Fortunately for both of us, we don't have to worry about any of those other options. I'm very happy that you have decided to pursue Mrs. Hughes. She's a lovely woman."
"She is, sir, and she is my very best friend. I will admit, though, that I have no idea what her thoughts on the matter might be. I suppose I shall find out when we return to Downton Abbey."
"We can't have you on pins and needles that long, Carson. The Season is coming to an end anyway. I'm sure we can manage with Barrow for a few days. Send a telegram or phone Downton and have him return on the first train tomorrow. He'll have all day to pack, and so will you. You can take a few days for yourself. Go home and speak to her. Get things settled on that front. I'm sure a happy butler and housekeeper would be much more agreeable than a nervous butler and a confused housekeeper."
"Thank you, milord. I will never be able to repay your kindness, but I will never forget this."
"And this family will never be able to repay the kindness you've shown us or to thank you for all the things you do to make our lives enjoyable. Good luck, Carson. I hope to return home to Downton to hear good news from you."
With a spring in his step that Carson hasn't experienced since his early days of courting Alice, he returned to his office downstairs. He had an important phone call to make, a letter to write, bags to pack, and a train to catch the following day.
A/N: If you've made it this far, THANK YOU for reading! I hope you'll take a moment to leave a review. This story will be little snippets of time for Charles and Elsie, showcasing their courtship. Who knows what will happen? Suggestions are always welcomed. ^_^