Authors Note: Told you I'd continue this! THANK YOU SO MUCH for the warm welcome in Carson/Hughes fanfic land! 3 I'll try and update this every day - it will be difficult but I try.
Chapter 2 – DAY 2
Everything was in order, impeccably so. For a long time he had not been as pleased with the work of his footmen as he was today. They were finally getting back to the grandeur and style he had so painfully missed for the past few years when he had Thomas and James, then only Mr Molesley to do the work. Andy was a blessing.
The only thing that needed his skilled hand was an out of place menu card and a chair that stood an inch too far away from the table. Otherwise, the dining table looked splendid. He had taught his footmen well. With a proud smile he walked around the room to check the arrangements one last time.
In only four weeks he would look at a similar table setting: at his own wedding. It required the same meticulous planning he applied when he prepared the dining room for the family. Everything needed to be in perfect order for their special day and meet his high standards. Provided that he was able to convince his future wife that a small wedding reception was indispensable. His Lordship had even offered to pay for it but after all Lord Grantham had already done for Elsie and him, Charles could not accept the generous offer. In his eyes, it had to be the other way around: he should hold a small reception for their friends and the Granthams to show is gratitude. They were truly blessed to work under such a supportive and understanding employer. And Charles felt that without a proper wedding party, they would disregard that kindness and generosity.
Elsie disagreed. They were not on one side in this matter. And he hated that.
Out of the corner of his eye, he spotted one more menu card that looked out of place. An ink blot had ruined it. Carefully he took it out of its holder. He had to write a new one and have Andy or Mr Molesley replace it as quickly as possible.
With a deep sigh he ripped the card in the middle and scattered the pieces into the fireplace. Then he left the dining room and slowly descended the stairs. With each step, the pride he had felt earlier while looking at the splendid table and thinking of his own wedding, faded. His head was suddenly full of thoughts and scenarios and an unwanted anxiousness took hold of him. He had never experienced such a thing before.
Charles stopped in front of his pantry, his right hand resting on the doorknob. He could not turn it. What if Elsie would never agree to have a wedding reception at all? What if this was only the first argument in a long line of disagreements? They had had their small fights before: about household matters, rights and wrongs in the training of young, inexperienced staff. Never had one of their quarrels (and he even enjoyed these sometimes) involved and affected their own future and their own lives. Had he made the right decision when he proposed to her? Maybe they were not meant to be together as lovers (the word caused his chest to tighten with that pleasing, tingling feeling he so often experienced when he thought about their life as a married couple).
The doorknob underneath his hand felt cold to the touch, unreal. Yet he could not turn it and disappear into the safety of his pantry. Instead he was rooted to the spot, staring into the distance. A kitchen maid passed by, busy with fetching ingredients for Mrs Patmore's dinner. Andy came out of the servant's hall, eating an apple.
"Was everything alright? Upstairs I mean, Mr Carson?"
He turned his head, suddenly aware that someone was talking to him. "Yes, Andy. Thank you." He forced his lips to form a small smile before he finally opened the door.
Maybe they should reconsider the date for their wedding, think it over one more time until they were back in agreement.
tbc
(a short one, I know. But chapter three and four will be a bit longer)