A BIG thank you to my buddy and muse, HappyHeart :). You are the best! Thanks for all the help and encouragement.
Disclaimer: Not mine, only wish they'd were...
Elsie woke to the sun shining in from the small window of her room. It was going to be another hot day, she thought. Luckily, this morning was her half-day off. She had plans to take some letters to the post, then drop off several of her Ladyships items for special mending. She got up and dressed in her lightest clothing. Today she would forgo her corset and wear a brassiere and smaller knickers. She had purchased them on a whim after the ladies upstairs had begun to shed their corsets. She had not yet had the courage to wear them, but with it being so hot and her being away from the house most the day, she decided it would be perfectly fine. She put on the silky peach undergarments and looked at herself in the mirror. She felt quite exposed, not much more than a handkerchief covering her personal bits. She drug her hand across her soft stomach and still firm, bottom and thighs. The stairs were a blessing in disguise, she thought as she looked at her attractive form. Too bad she would never have anyone to show it to, she thought. She quickly scolded herself for being such a girl. She was in her late fifties, for God's sake! When would she drop these ridiculous fantasies, these silly hopes of being loved. And of course not being loved by just any man. She wished for the love of Charles Carson. Her partner, her confidant, her closest friend. She shook the ridiculous thoughts from her head, as she pulled a french blue blouse and navy skirt from her closet. She dressed quickly, then began to pin her hair up. She left the dark auburn curls looser than usual, then put a little color on her lips and cheeks. She gave herself one last look in the mirror. She thought she looked quite pretty indeed. Perhaps it would be a fine day after all. She grabbed her purse and headed to her sitting room to gather her letters and basket full of her Ladyships clothes.
She took off after bidding farewell to Mrs. Patmore and Daisy. "Please be sure to let Mr. Carson know I will not be back before luncheon." She asked as she waved goodbye and set off for the path to the village. The morning soon turned hot as Elsie arrived at the post office. She mailed her letters, one to her sister, one to her nephew, and one to Joe Burns. She still wrote to Joe on occasion, knowing he was alone and without family. She wanted him to know she still cared for him and knew he was a good man, even if he wasn't the man for her.
She stopped off at the tea shop, ordering herself a cup of tea and plate of sandwiches. Several townspeople stopped to inquire of her or wish her a good day. She was greeted with a smile and a tip of the hat by many gentlemen this fine morning. Perhaps she was looking lovely today. It brought a little spring to her step and a smile to her face as she headed to drop off the rest of her things. She left the dressmakers shop after dropping off her Ladyships things and set off for home. It must be getting close to luncheon and she still wanted to stop off at the lake to feel the cool water on her legs. It was a luxury she rarely afforded herself, but the heat of midday was becoming almost unbearable.
Elsie walked slowly back to Downton. Being alone on the road she began to sing a song close to her heart. It reminded her of her home in Scotland, and of course, it made her think of Charles.
My love is like a red, red rose
That's newly sprung in June
My love is like a melody
So sweetly played in tune
As fair art thou my Bonnie lass
So deep in love am I
And I will love thee still my dear
Though all the seas gone dry
She hummed and sang as she walked along the road back to Downton. She came to the path that would take her through the fields to the lake and she turned and joyfully took off across the bright sun-drenched fields. She happened upon a lovely patch of wild strawberries and bent to pick a few. The sweet flavor exploded in her mouth and she soon found herself filling her empty basket full of the tasty treats. She would bring them home to Mrs. Patmore. She was sure she would whip up something lovely with sugar and cream. The sun beat down on her as she picked the fruit. Since she was alone with not a soul in sight she unbuttoned several buttons on her shirt, partially exposing her new silky brassiere. She undid her cuffs as well, rolling up the sleeves past her elbows. The warm breeze felt good against her bare flesh, as did the suns rays. She took off her hat and placed it in her purse, then pulled several pins from her hair, letting curls escape around her face, and down her back. She felt young and free, like a child out berry picking for her mother. She began to sing again as she bent over the patch picking the luscious red fruit.
My love is like a red, red rose
That's newly sprung in June
My love is like a melody
So sweetly played in tune
As fair art thou my Bonnie lass
So deep in love am I
And I will love thee...
Elsie stopped singing suddenly. Realizing she was not alone, she raised her head and looked straight into Charles Carson's shocked face...
...
Charles walked the path back to Downton. He had run a quick errand this morning to pick up some essentials for Mrs. Patmore. She told him that she had just missed Mrs. Hughes and was desperately in need of said items, and could he please run into the village and collect them for her as the girls were all busy preparing for the dinner guests tonight. He obligingly agreed and headed off, happy to be in the sunshine on this beautiful summer day. Mrs. Patmore watched him leave, a sneaky smile spreading across her face. She knew he would run into Elsie. She also saw that Elsie was looking especially lovely this morning. Maybe Mr. Carson would notice as well.
The heat of the suns rays soon had Charles pulling off his jacket and carrying it over his shoulder. He walked in silence, listening to the birds and the rustle of leaves as the warm breeze swept through them. He looked out upon the bright fields of Downtown, watching the grass bend and sway with the wind. Just as he was passing a tall oak, he glanced to his right to see a beautiful woman bending in the strawberry patches. Her dark curls fell over her face and shoulders. Her forearms bare, her blue blouse hanging open as she bent revealed a beautiful round chest encased in lovely peach silk. He could not tear his eyes away from her. She was by far the most lovely thing he had ever set eyes on. Then she began to sing, the words he did not know, but the soft Scottish lilt caressing his ears was far too familiar. He saw that it was her as she pulled a handkerchief from her purse and pressed it across her brow and cheeks, she slowly moved to her chest, opening her shirt slightly more to wipe across the top of her full round breasts. His thoughts and body betrayed him as he tried to keep his calm and control. He could feel his pulse quicken, and slight tightening in his trousers. He could not look away.
He continued staring at her, the shock of the beautiful woman's identity startling him to the core. She raised her head, and her blue eyes widened. Her full lips stained red from the juice of the berries, parted in surprise, her hair hung seductively around her face and shoulders. Elsie's shirt hung brazenly open, the cleft of her bosom peeking out from the peach brassiere. Charles could not pull his gaze away, or even speak. For moments they stood there just staring at each other in shock. Charles realized his mouth was hanging open and he cleared his throat. "Good afternoon, Mrs. Hughes." He said giving her a questioning look, his eyes glancing down to her chest.
Elsie looked down and her hands flew up to her blouse quickly buttoning as fast as her fingers would move. "Mr. Carson. I thought I was alone...I did not expect anyone to be out from the house today. I apologize for my state of undress." She said as her hands went to her hair, pinning her wild curls back into place. "I hope I didn't shock you too much?" She added smiling slightly, her cheeks and chest flushing in embarrassment. "I just stopped to pick these lovely berries for Mrs. Patmore, and I'm headed to the lake just now. Would you care to join me?"
The need to be with her, to spend some time alone with the beautiful, mysterious creature he just witnessed was overwhelming. "Yes, Mrs. Hughes. I think I'd like that very much." Charles went to her bending to pick up her berry filled basket and purse. "Allow me." He said, then smiled as he offered Elsie his arm.