I often wondered what Mrs Hughes's thoughts were when the Dowager wanted to see her regarding Ethel so this was born.
"Mr Carson! Shouldn't you still be in the drawing room?" Asked Mrs Hughes standing up from her seat in the servants hall where she was finishing her cup of tea.
"Mr Branson's brother has requested beer, Mrs Hughes, do you know where Mrs Patmore keeps it? It doesn't stay in my Wine cellar as usually the family doesn't drink it." He replied with a vague air of disapproval. She glanced at his face sharply, something was bothering him and it was something more than a spoon out of place.
"Mr Carson, you know as well as anyone that I manage the store cupboard. Come with me and I'll unlock it for you. " As soon as she had the door unlocked she pulled him inside and closed the door.
"Mrs Hughes what on-" he blustered
"Pour the beer, while you tell me what's troubling you. And before you can deny it" she stopped him putting her hand up "I know that something is. So out with it at once!"
"You do know I love it when you get feisty Mrs Hughes" He winked at her while filling a flagon with ice
"Try and change the subject one more time Mr Carson and I'll be right side more than feisty!" She shot back with a smirk on her face.
"The Dowager wants to see you in the hall. I don't know why, but she does" He sighed heavily.
Mrs Hughes gasped and clutched at her chest "Charles...you don't think she's somehow found out about us do you?"
"I don't see how she would have, though I do admit the thought had crossed my mind. There's not much she can do really, we are married" he replied thoughtfully
"Not...not much she can do? Charles Carson have you lost your mind? SHe could have us turned out on our ear, jobless and no reference faster than you can say Downton abbey!" Mrs Hughes exclaimed, striding forward and accidently standing on Mr Carson's foot.
"Ouch! There was no need to take your feistiness out on my poor toe" he said, balancing dramatically on one foot but grinning to let her know he wasn't really hurt.
"I'm sorry!" she said slightly hysterically, wringing her hands and biting her bottom lip.
Carson carefully put down the beer he had poured and gently took her hands in his own
"Elsie, we are married. If we have to leave downton, we leave downton. I have enough saved to provide us with a comfortable retirement and I would rather have you by my side than work at Downton." He said, while caressing her hands with his thumbs "Now, we've kept them waiting long enough so we best go up." he gently said after she'd nodded.
Half an hour later he came down after seeing Mr Branson to his room to find her waiting in his pantry.
"Well? Do we still have our jobs?" he teased as he closed the door behind him
She shot him an annoyed glance before flopping into a chair
"Yes, she only wanted to discuss Ethel. You shouldn't joke Charles, she could have found out. You know she's capable" she said glancing up him looking worried
"I meant what I said earlier, even if we were fired or wanted to leave we could. We could afford a nice little cottage with a small garden and we'd never have to hide our relationship again." he said, kneeling down next to her.
"Oh Charles" she whispered, trying to stop the tears of happiness escaping, and reaching out to stroke his cheek before kissing him. Pulling back she said
"I know I'm not as young as I used to be but I'm not ready to retire yet, I love it here."
"Elsie! I wasn't implying you're old!" he exclaimed "but I agree, I don't want to retire just yet."
She chuckled slightly before pulling him close again.
"Have I told you today that I love you?" she asked softly
"I believe you told me this morning, but its always nice to hear" he teased slightly
"I love you"
"I love you too" he said before she kissed him again
Will beg for reviews :)
