Chapter 2
A/N: Thanks for all of your reviews for the last chapter. It means the world to have such lovely support for a fic and reviews are the only way of knowing if people are enjoying it x
Now …
They sat outside in their small but well apportioned garden, enjoying the early autumn sunshine. Despite winter fast approaching, the weather was still mild. It was one of their favourite things to do in retirement, to sit outside in their garden chairs, with a glass of wine and a good book. They could while away hours sitting in the garden, enjoying each other's company and reading silently together. Charles was currently reading Moby-Dick, whilst Elsie was enjoying Pride and Prejudice for the umpteenth time.
"I don't know how you got through this Elsie, it is not an easy read," Charles said, looking across to his wife with a pained expression on his face.
Elsie chuckled lovingly at him.
"No it isn't Charles but it is worth persisting, I promise. I found the language challenging at times … it was almost Shakespearean … but it is one of my favourite novels of all time. I know you'll love it … eventually," she smiled.
Charles returned Elsie's smile. Her intelligence was one of the many things he loved about her. She was his intellectual equal in every way. If not my superior, he added modestly in his mind. He had married a woman who was as wise as she was beautiful, who stimulated his mind, as well as his body. Elsie was a woman who thrived on discussion and debate and was never afraid to disagree with him. In fact, she disagrees with me a little too regularly, he thought, a fact that actually pleased him greatly. He nodded to her, trusting her judgement, and resolutely focused back on his book. He was determined to get through it, his face furrowed in concentration.
The former Housekeeper gazed at her husband, an amused smile on her lips. He was such an intelligent man, and the fact that he respected her intelligence made her love him all the more. Many men would prefer a subservient wife but thankfully not Charles. As she continued to stare at her husband, she noted his handsome roman nose and his glistening, silver-streaked hair and eyebrows. Charles was wearing a light blue shirt and a sleeveless, V-necked jumper and dark blue slacks. Despite nearing seventy he was still a very attractive man. Not to mention kind, loving and thoughtful, Elsie thought tenderly.
"I do love you Charles Carson," she said, not being able to keep that thought in her head for a second longer.
He looked towards his wife, a devoted smile on his face. He reached across to take her hand in his, bringing it to his lips and kissing her fingers lightly.
"And I love you Elsie Carson," he replied, giving her a small wink and keeping hold of her hand as he returned to his book.
She stroked his fingers gently, lifting her book with her other hand, and feeling very blessed as she continued to read, holding hands with her husband.
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Then …
"Mrs Cooper I have ... oh I do apologise, I did not mean to interrupt," Elsie said, as she stood in the Housekeeper's doorway, looking towards the Butler and Mrs Cooper who were seated, sharing a pot of tea.
"Not at all Elsie, how may I help you?" the kindly Housekeeper asked.
Mrs Cooper was in her mid-sixties, almost twenty years older than Mr Carson. Elsie had observed their relationship first hand over the last week and she could see how much they respected each other. It was not quite a motherly-son relationship but it was also not simply a professional relationship between peers. Mr Carson demonstrated the kind of respect for Mrs Cooper that one should for an elder, despite him being the more senior of the two in terms of his position. The tender, older woman had been Housekeeper at Downton for almost 15 years, whilst Mr Carson's had been Butler at the Abbey for the last 6 years, and first footman before that. Elsie had grown very fond of Mrs Cooper in her short time at the House. Their personalities were very different, Elsie was as feisty as Mrs Cooper was gentle, the younger woman as forward-thinking as her elder was traditional, yet they both shared a warm, honest heart and a conscientious work ethic that put most others to shame. Elsie was sharper, more intelligent and well-read than the older woman but they both shared a no-nonsense common sense.
Despite these differences, Mrs Cooper could not have been more generous in her support and tutelage of Elsie. The Housekeeper admired the younger woman's spark and intelligence, feeling that, at the turn of the century, a different breed of Housekeeper was needed. It was clear to Mrs Cooper that the young maids of today were more independent, less inclined to work hard and more tempted by the opportunities of the modern world than ever before. She knew that it would be soon time for a change in the leadership of the female staff, and she felt that Elsie Hughes was just the woman to take the helm. The Housekeeper had slowed over the last couple of years, with her maids and the Butler taking up some of the slack. It was nearing her time to step down and, if all worked out as planned, Mrs Cooper hoped to retire in the next year or two.
"We have finished the guest rooms Mrs Cooper and so I wondered, rather than the maids being idle until lunchtime, if we should begin a full inventory of the linens? I know we were going to leave this until the Season but perhaps we can get ahead of ourselves?" Elsie suggested, not wishing to undermine the Housekeeper but realising, even after a week, that Mrs Cooper needed to expect more from her maids.
Elsie was a fair leader, she believed hard work should be rewarded. Yet, as far as she could see after only one week in post, the maids were used to taking an inordinate amount of time over the most simple and mundane tasks. Much more should be expected from them in her opinion.
"If you feel that can be accomplished Elsie then certainly go ahead, thank you," Mrs Cooper replied happily.
"Thank you, and apologies again for the interruption Mrs Cooper, Mr Carson," Elsie smiled.
Mr Carson watched as Elsie strode out of the door. He had barely spoken to the new charge since her arrival the previous week. There was little reason for the Butler to speak to the maids, even the Head Housemaid. He left the management of the female staff to Mrs Cooper. Yet, he had observed her interactions on many occasions. She was professional at all times and had an innate presence which made her a natural leader. She was not as overtly warm as the current Housekeeper but he wondered how much of this was due to her being new to the role and determined to establish herself with the maids. The fact that she was still in her thirties meant that she also had to work harder to establish her seniority, given that many in her care were not that much younger than her. Yes, he thought wistfully, if she does become Housekeeper, working alongside Elsie will be an entirely different prospect to working alongside Mrs Cooper.
"Elsie is certainly proving her worth," Mrs Cooper said, breaking the Butler from his thoughts.
"Uh-hum … good, that is very good to hear Mrs Cooper," he said formally.
"Yes, she is a very capable young woman …" the Housekeeper added.
Mr Carson nodded and took a further sip of his tea.
She is very pretty too, Mrs Cooper thought to herself, smiling at the unknowing Butler.
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The staff were sitting at the servant's table and the usual chatter could be heard around the room. Elsie noted that Mr Carson almost always conversed with Mr Gerard, Lord Grantham's Valet, at meal times, whilst Mrs Cooper tended to talk to her maids or Miss Jameson, Lady Grantham's Lady's Maid. Mr Gerard was in his mid-fifties and he and the Butler seemed to have similar interests in literature. The general chatter had quietened and Elsie could hear snippets of their conversation about a recent novel they had both enjoyed.
"I must say, I have some sympathy with Lord Monmouth's dismay with his grandson's liberalism," Mr Gerard said, as Mr Carson murmured in agreement.
"Well I don't …" Elsie said, not being able to stop herself.
The majority of faces at the table turned to look at her, Mr Carson and Mr Gerard did not look amused. No-one else ever interrupted their discussions about literature.
"Did you have something to say Elsie? I can't imagine you are a particular fan of Disraeli," Mr Gerard said patronisingly.
Elsie decided in that moment that she really did not care for the haughty Valet at all.
She steeled herself, knowing that she would have to respond.
"Not a particular fan Mr Gerard, I prefer William Morris. However, I have read Coningsby and I thought Lord Monmouth's treatment of his grandson was appalling, although it did allow Henry to become a self-made man, rather than be handed such privilege by birth, which in itself is a good thing in my opinion," she countered, her cheeks flushing pink, knowing that everyone was gazing at her.
Mr Gerard looked astounded that a woman, a Housemaid no less, should have read such political texts. However, the man to his right looked suitably impressed, despite not sharing Elsie's more liberal views. Mr Carson was a traditionalist and he worried about modern advances. He believed absolutely in the established, social hierarchy, believing that all people should know their place. However, he was not sexist; he had known too many capable women in his time to hold any such nonsensical notions.
"Have you read any other works by Disraeli Elsie?" Mr Carson asked, genuinely interested; this was the first time he had asked her anything about herself since she had arrived.
"I have read all of his works Mr Carson," she answered plainly.
"All of them," he repeated with respect, a telling glance towards the Valet.
"Yes, although I must admit, I found them rather dull," she added, before returning to her stew.
Mr Carson raised his eyebrows. He would never admit it of course, but he had found them rather dull as well.
A/N: A little review would be lovely if you have the time x