Chapter Two
I have to say you guys are the best fandom out there. Your support is overwhelming. Thanks for making me feel so welcome.
On her second trip below stairs Elsie Hughes was no longer hiding her smug expression. She was quite proud of what she had just accomplished. Now to put her plan into action.
At the foot of the stairs she made a point of shaking her skirts. She knew it would make the keys which seemed a permanent part of her make more noise than usual. If she was honest, she didn't really think he needed the extra noise. A small part of her suspected he knew when she was around just as she knew when he was. But one couldn't be too careful when plotting something this delicate.
Her steps were extra crisp, making sure her heels struck the hard floor with a slightly sharper touch. She made it almost to the edge of his pantry then turned neatly going back into her sitting room. She went behind her desk and pretended to rummage about as if she was looking for something. Actually, she was waiting.
The wait wasn't long, within seconds there was a polite tap at her door. Looking down she bit the inside of her cheeks to hide the smile. There was something delightfully reassuring about the predictably of Charles Carson, "Mrs. Hughes, if you have a moment?"
She looked up feigning exasperation, "Just Mr. Carson, I've only now returned from a meeting with her ladyship and I've several things to complete."
"I trust everything is alright."
Smiling tightly as if he had insulted her, "Why wouldn't it be?"
He took a small step back, silently admonishing himself. Why did he always do this to her? He only wanted to make sure she was OK, he hadn't meant to imply anything. He always seemed to step into it when he talked to her, "I am sorry Mrs. Hughes; I didn't meant to imply anything. I simply wanted to let you know I will gone for a few days. Mr. Barrow will be filling in for me."
Softening her expression to draw him further into her parlor, "Perhaps I should be the one asking if you are well Mr. Carson."
He took two long strides into her office. The only thing separating them was her desk, "I didn't mean to make you worry Mrs. Hughes. His lordship has asked me to oversee a few repairs at Grantham House. I'll be leaving on the first train. It shouldn't take more than a few days I imagine."
Picking up several pieces of paper, the ones she had been pretending to look for, she stepped around her desk so she was just in front of him, almost but not quite invading his personal space. She smiled up at him, "Well I am glad there is nothing wrong with you Mr. Carson. Would you, by chance, care for company on the train in the morning?"
"No Mrs. Hughes, I have made the trip to and from London by myself many times. I assure you I am not in need of company."
Turning on her heel she moved to leave her office. At the door she turned to him, "Thanks for letting me know. It's just her ladyship has asked me to go to London to do a thorough inventory of the house. I thought it might be nice to have a bit of company on the train not to mention someone who knows his way around London to escort me to the house. However, I understand you wouldn't want my company. I'll simply take the later train. I'm certain I can make my way to the house alone."
With the words still ringing in the air, she left her sitting room leaving him standing with his mouth agape. It took him several seconds to register what she'd said to him. He hadn't known the company she was suggesting was herself. He couldn't think of many things he wanted more in life than several uninterrupted hours alone with Elsie Hughes. Unless it was several uninterrupted days alone with Elsie Hughes. He swallowed deeply trying to clear his head of the unsavory thoughts flitting through his mind. His hand reached for his waistcoat tugging lightly on it.
One last deep breath calmed his thoughts. It was then he realized she was no longer in the room. A last tug on his waistcoat and he hurried from her sitting room in search of her.
