I do not own Downton Abbey or these two characters, if I did they would be together by now.
Elsie Hughes had just finished getting ready to leave Downton Abbey, when there was a knock on her door. She opened it to reveal a melancholy looking Charles Carson. She stood back to let him in then turned, and looked him in the eye.
"You're ready to go then?" He queried. She nodded gently.
"We're just waiting for the car, then we'll be off," Charles gave her a sad look.
"You don't have to go you know. You could stay here. The family will give you a cottage on the estate," Charles looked her, hope in his warm eyes, and a pleading tone to his deep voice. Elsie shook her head.
"No I need to leave. I just need to get away from all this. Away from the house, from the family, from the staff, away form..." Elsie trailed off, but they both knew what she had been about to say. She needed to get away form him. From everything he represented. Charles looked down.
"Mrs Hughes, there's something I have to tell you. I should have told you years ago,"
"Mr Carson, please don't do this,"
"If I don't tell you now, I never will..."
"Please don't say anything. Just leave it as something that was never said. Something wonderful that was never said," Elsie stopped Charles before she said the words she both longed and dreaded to hear. The words that would make her change her mind, make her stay at Downton. Charles nodded, then stepped towards her. He place a hand gently on her cheek, then leant down and pressed his lips softly against hers. Both pairs of eyes flickered shut as they deepened the kiss. They broke apart and he straightened up.
"Shall I escort you to your car Mrs Hughes?"
"Just to the door Mr Carson, just to the door," He nodded then turned and opened her door, allowing her out first. They walked towards the servants door and stopped in the doorway.
"Will you write?" His soft sad tone sent a twinge of regret through Elsie's heart.
"Only if you write back," Charles smiled slightly, although Elsie noticed it didn't quite meet his eyes. Then he leant down and placed a light but lingering kiss on her lips.
"Goodbye Elisabeth Hughes,"
"Goodbye Charles Carson,"
Then she turned and walked to the car, climbing in beside a smiling Beryl Patmore. Then the door was closed behind her and she was lost from view. As the car pulled away down the driveway, Charles stood watching it until it was lost from sight. Then he turned and went back inside, closing the door behind him.
Thank you for reading the next chapter will be up soon. Did anyone spot the spooks moment?