Elsie stood in her sitting room and wrung her hands, she had to stop this, it was completely inappropriate. Cora was her employer, and more to the point Cora was a woman, albeit a very inviting woman, a woman who got what she wanted, a woman who wanted Elsie. The door opened behind her and before she turned she knew who it would be, She had known Cora would follow her. Elsie turned her head just enough to see Lady Grantham's slight figure closing the door nearly silently behind her, and decided to turn and face not only Cora but the matter at hand. Elsie made the decision to be formal, a decision she knew Cora would hate "My lady" she began, but Cora cut her off.
"Elsie, don't you dare. After what just happened between us don't you dare be formal with me."
"Cora" Elsie started again, she could hear the pain in Cora's voice, faint though it was, and knew she couldn't take that route. "Cora, this is… inappropriate at best. You're a married woman, this can only lead to-" again, she was cut off.
"Elsie Hughes, please do not deign to tell me what I already know. I know all of that, and I know where this has the possibility to lead, but unlike you , I seem to see more than one plausible outcome. The possible future you are choosing to ignore is the one in which you and I are very happy. Don't you dare tell me that that kiss didn't feel right, that you didn't feel every bit of the spark that I did."
"Of course I felt it!" Elsie hissed. She looked at the floor and took a deep breath inward "But should we give in to our every whim? Especially when it could lead us down a disastrous path?" Her eyes moved to Cora's and pleaded with her to understand, to stop pursuing this. Elsie knew that if Cora pushed her any further she would give in, even now her lips were aching for another kiss, for just one more caress from Cora's immaculate mouth. Elsie did not want to give in. Rather, she did not want to want to give in this was not how she had imagined the great romance of her life playing out, not at all.
Cora must have sensed, or maybe she simply already knew, how close Elsie was to the edge of her resolve because she moved forward swiftly and gracefully. Before Elsie knew it Cora's hands were on her face gently pulling her in for another kiss. Her tender touch sent Elsie's head spinning. Everything she had been taught told her it was wrong, but it couldn't possibly be; nothing so blissful, so heartwarming and passion igniting could really, at it's core be wrong. Elsie was no fool; she wouldn't let what might be a last opportunity go to waste. She opened her mouth just slightly, inviting her mistress in. Cora felt Elsie's resolve crumbling under her touch. She slid one lithe hand to the back of Elsie's graceful neck and held her firmly in their kiss.
Cora felt as though she could burst; the rush of emotions and sensations taking over her being was nearly too much to take. How long had she dreamed about this moment? How long had her stern, stoic housekeeper's voice sent a shiver through her? How many times had Cora imagined this very kiss, this austere beauty lowering the brick wall around her heart and letting her in? Elsie's lips were warm and inviting, her mouth tasted sweet. Cora felt she might be pushing her luck but the risk was worth it, she deepened the kiss. When Elsie continued to open up to her she allowed her tongue to stroke the inside of Elsie's lip.
Each new sensation Cora gave Elsie was a mind-opening experience; she had never thought such pleasure possible from a woman. Cora's tongue touched on her flesh so lightly. Without thinking, Elsie responded, her tongue reached forward to caress Cora's; this most intimate contact sent both women deeper into their own passion. Cora's hand moved from Elsie's neck to her shoulder while her other hand flew to her hair, pulling her in close. Elsie's hands, finally allowing themselves to move from her sides, reached for Cora's body. She slid her hands up her lady's back until she was past the bloody corset, where there was nothing but thin fabric between her hands and Cora's skin. Elsie gripped Cora tightly while the woman's tongue explored her mouth.
Cora pulled away from Elsie's mouth and began kissing a path down her jawline to the sensitive skin of her neck. Elsie began to breathe heavily, her heart was racing with the thrill of passion and lust. The softness of Elsie's skin, and the sound and heat of her breath were driving Cora mad with love and desire. She stopped kissing her newfound lover to whisper in her ear "Elsie, I l-" A loud crash from the kitchen sent the two women flying from each other's arms until they were more than a respectable distance apart.
Elsie felt very sobered by the sudden interruption; she was once again aware of just how foolish they were acting. Cora had her hand on her chest which was rising and falling dramatically in her panicked state. Her face had just begun to change from frightened to amused when Elsie folded her hands in front of her and said in her usual officious but not unkind tone "Is there anything else I can do for your ladyship?" Cora looked hurt and shocked, but her expression quickly changed to something Elsie couldn't identify. She responded "No, Mrs. Hughes, I believe that will be all for now" and swept out of the room, leaving Elsie alone and full to the brim with desire that she would never show.