AN: A big than you to everyone who has read and/or reviewed so far, I wasn't expecting such a reaction. Well, here's chapter two now (Carson's POV this time). I hope you'll like it.

Disclaimer: I'm neither Lord Fellowes, nor an ITV representative, so it must mean I don't own any of the characters.

Charles Carson, butler of Downton Abbey, was pacing back and forth in his pantry, unable to decide what to do next. It had been an odd week. First, the fair had come to Downton , which made everyone giddy and less productive than usual, affecting the standards he was so resolute to maintain. Then, it came as a surprise to him when Elsie declared she would be going as well-not because she considered her too uptight for such activities, but simply because she almost never went into the village without asking him to accompany her.

Nevertheless, the butler didn't dwell too much on that thought, that is until Thomas announced in the corridor, for everyone to hear, that he was right when he said Mrs Hughes 'was looking sparkly-eyed.' Charles hastened to reprimand him, but this time, it was not the footman's words that disturbed him, but the possibility of them being true.

Elsie could indeed have a suitor: she was beautiful and incredibly witty. He loved her Scottish accent, her ability to find a balance between the stern housekeeper and a mother-figure for the younger members of staff, her laugh (although he rarely heard it), her capacity to convey a lot through a simple glance, her gracious movements, accompanied by the sound of the keys she carried at her waist…He loved her.

After decades of being co-workers and then friends, Charles had gotten so used to the housekeeper's presence that it was impossible for him to imagine a situation when she wouldn't be by his side at Downton. Yet that situation seemed so very close to reality recently, and it made him excessively miserable. For him it was the last straw when she said she wanted to have a word. 'This is it' he thought. 'I just came here to tell her what candlesticks I've chosen for tonight and now she is going to tell me she's leaving.' When he sat down, Charles felt as if he would soon experience the greatest loss of his life.

Just as he suspected, she started talking about her farmer. Directly to the point…her straightforwardness and no-nonsense attitude were other things he loved about her. He couldn't take it anymore; his jealousy got the better of him and made him express his hopes out loud:hopes of Joe Burns being old, ugly and unlovable. His heart sank when Elsie contradicted him, firmly stating that Joe was still a nice man. From that moment on, Charles felt he had lost everything, and therefore had nothing more to lose by asking the question that had been torturing him: 'And he proposed again and you accepted?'

Dreading the answer, the man thought he misunderstood Elsie's reply. But the look on her face made him realise it was true: she hadn't accepted. She wasn't leaving Downton. If he were younger and more foolish, he would have jumped out of his chair and wrapped his arms around the woman he loved, but his present reticence prevented him from doing so. However, the sadness in her eyes haunted him for the rest of the day, and increased his wish to comfort her.

By now, she would have finished all her chores and could probably be found in her parlour, unless she had decided to retreat in her room early. Charles eventually had to admit he couldn't possibly go to bed himself without telling her what was on his mind, and made his way to her parlour. He could see that the lights were on, therefore she was definitely in. Knocking hesitantly at first, he received no reply, so he knocked louder the second time, and the door opened slowly.

He could tell he had startled her, but was unable to say anything. The speech he had prepared in his head was suddenly lost to him. They were standing very close to each other and she was breathtakingly beautiful. She had always been beautiful to him, but the thought of losing her had intensified everything for him, including her features.

The butler had probably been staring at the housekeeper for quite a while when she finally cleared her throat and spoke. 'Err…Mr Carson, is something wrong? Would you like to come in for a cup of tea?' She looked at him expectantly. He entered, closed the door and sat down, forgetting to mention whether he wanted tea or not.

'I just…wanted to say that I for one am very glad you're staying. Downton wouldn't be the same without you.' I wouldn't be the same without you…he thought of adding, but his words had already sounded selfish enough, in his opinion.

'Oh, I think Downton would manage very well without me.' she sighed. Now that just wasn't true! 'Mrs Patmore and Miss O'Brien would have free reign, resulting in disaster, no doubt. The young ones would have no one to look up to, Thomas would be more arrogant than ever. And I…I would be terribly lonely. I'd miss you.'

AN: Please make my bad week a bit happier by leaving a review.