This was the Italian guests last week at Downton. It was late in the evening and once again the grappa was flowing and the music was playing. Elsie and the doctor stood quietly in the corner, all eyes on them. Mrs. Hughes had made quite a stir with the Italian doctor. They were the talk of Downton. Though she tried to conceal this new friendship, the attempt was fruitless. No one could hide anything in the big house for too long. Charles was not the only one who seemed concerned either. With Lady Edith's help, Lord and Lady Grantham had done a full background check on the gentleman that seemed so keen on their housekeeper. Lady Mary would not even glance in her direction. The staff even seemed to be more distant with their leader. They possibly thought her hypocritical. Going against her own rules by carrying on with a gentleman. The attraction between them was there, but it had been an innocent and proper friendship. They had become good friends.

Charles' world was turned upside down. Of course it was completely of his own doing, or rather not doing. His regrets have haunted him daily these past weeks. These terrible long weeks without his Elsie. He had felt her absence sharply. Like the cut of a knife. He knows now his best times were with her, and he missed everything about her. Her smile, her eyes, the smell of her skin. He longs to hear the sound of her strong Scottish lilt taking over after a long hard day. It has been torture watching her with that man.

reached his hand out to her as the music picked up the pace. A blush crept over Elsie's face. "No. I couldn't possibly do that. I don't know the dance."

"It is the tarantella. I will show you, just follow my lead. " They joined the others already dancing. A boisterous group of lively Italian men and women.

Charles was leaning up against the doorframe watching the whole thing unfold. This man who seemed a bit too interested in dancing with his housekeeper. Elsie did look beautiful tonight. Her hair was looser than normal, and swept to the side in a very attractive way. He even noticed she was wearing a bit of color on her lips and cheeks. He had never seen her like this before. He knew that it was for her new doctor friend. She wore a beautiful deep red blouse and dark blue skirt that hugged her firm bottom and strong thighs. The doctor took Elsie's hand and started to sway to the music. He smiled at her as he lifted her arms over her head, bringing them closer together. Showing and telling her to snap her fingers, while moving her hips and bottom. Elsie to her surprise was enjoying herself. It felt freeing. She wasn't sure if it was from all the grappa or just the excitement of dancing with such a handsome man who seemed so obviously interested in her.

Charles still watched Elsie. Her beautiful dark hair slowly freeing itself from her pins, a curl trailed down the back of her elegant neck, another escaping around her face. Her cheeks glowing and a smile on her face. She looked fresh and young. He watched her move and sway with this man, her full breasts bouncing gently, swinging seductively, her hips slowly gyrating, how he would like to make those hips move in the dead of the night, in his bed, her underneath him or on top. He always felt guilty when he had these lust filled thoughts of his friend. His oldest and dearest friend. But he did, and he told himself it was just what men did. Yet tonight he wanted her so badly, and watching her move with this man so sexually. It just enraged him and filled him with a jealousy he could feel to his core. He felt the strongest need to make it known she was his. But she was not. Those lines were never crossed between them. No matter how badly he wanted to.

She thought the doctor seemed to be enjoying himself. He had usually held himself very proper indeed. But now, dancing with her, he was watching her, catching her crystal blue eyes with his and smiling. He was very handsome indeed she thought as she stole glances at him. His tall muscular body swaying, she so wondered what he looked like under that shirt. How the muscles of his shoulders would ripple down his arms and chest. She could see them when his shirt pulled tight as he danced. His dark hair, graying at temples tousled now from the dancing. He did make her feel lustful. But didn't all men that resembled Charles. Tall, dark, and handsome. That is how she had always liked them, since Charles came into the picture. The only difference was, this man seemed to want her back. The music stopped and everyone was smiling and laughing. They applauded the musicians and the group started back up. It was a tango, she knew this. Had seen it before in films and magazines. Much too glamorous for a lass from the hills, she thought. She turned quickly,trying to make her escape and Paolo carefully took her hand, spinning her back into his strong arms. He was so strong and steady, kind and careful. He smiled down at her mischievously and she felt a vibration of lust throughout her body. This man certainly did something to her. She felt safe as he slowly glided her around the floor staring into her eyes. When the music stopped he still held onto her.

"Thank you so much for the dancing, Ms. Hughes." Paolo spoke, his accent thick and sultry.

"It was my pleasure, Dr. Conti." Elsie said blushing. Her chest rising and falling from the dancing and her own nervousness.

"If I may be so bold as to say it, the pleasure was truly all mine." He stared into her eyes as he spoke. "I don't mean to be so forward Ms. Hughes, but please call me Paolo."

"Well then, doct..um Paolo, you should call me Elsie." She smiled back at him, her lashes covering her eyes.

"I would like that very much Elsie." He said pausing. "It is very warm in here, would you care to step outside for a moment?"

"I was just thinking that myself. But perhaps you could go first and I could follow. I just..just don't want to give anyone reason to talk." Her Scottish lilt whispering.

"But of course. I understand completely. I will see you in a moment." He said as he looked around to make sure they were not being watched, then took her hand and brought it to his lips.

Oh but they were seen. Charles was livid. He could feel the steam coming off his body. Doctor, or not. The nerve of that man coming into Downton and attempting to seduce his housekeeper. It was deplorable. But was it really, he thought. Hadn't he wanted to do that nearly every day since she arrived here. Hadn't he wanted to dance with her, kiss her hand, kiss every inch of her body. What was coming over him? He knew he cared deeply for Elsie Hughes. Valued her in his life, respected her, thought her his equal and partner. She was his friend, his confidant, the person he turned to for advice and reassurance. The closest relationship of his life. Why was this man trying to come between them? More importantly, why was she letting him? He glared at the doctor as he walked by, then headed out the back door.

Elsie saw Charles watching her from his spot up against the wall. Of course he wouldn't have joined in on the festivities. He was much to proud and dignified to have a little fun. To dance and find some merriment. He was glaring at Paolo now as he walked by him on his way out. She could see Charles had a large glass of grappa and would be feeling the beverages effects by now. He did look rather upset. Not out of jealousy, but from her dancing and the attention she was receiving. She had been down that road so many times, she prayed she would never want to hope for that again. Quit wishing that he would one day look at her with love and longing. They would get so close to something, then he would push her away again. The would touch, then he would scold. They would share, then he would berate her. She knew he did it to protect her because he did not feel the same for her, because he would never feel for her as she did him. Before the thoughts could break her and turn her into a million pieces , she picked up her glass and headed past Mr. Carson to the back door, not once looking at him.

He watched her walk with her head lowered. She was so close she brushed by him as she went through the doorway, them headed outside through the backdoor. After that man...

He was frozen, then looked around to see if anyone else had noticed. She was housekeeper of Downton Abbey for Christ sakes, not some Jezebel of a housemaid looking for a quick romp and good time. How dare she do this to him! Take off with the first man that showed an interest in her. But he knew that was not true. There had been others that wanted her. That awful Joe Burns, that dared to propose to her. The occasional grocer, farmer, or visiting servant. Dr. Clarkson himself couldn't seem to keep his eyes off his fellow Scott, and it irked Charles to no end when he showed up at the house. The truth was, Elsie Hughes is a very beautiful and kind woman. He should have known this day could come. He just never imagined it would.

Elsie hesitated for a moment before pushing the door open and heading outside. She walked towards her new friend. His back to her, his head looking up at the stars. She stopped next to him, wrapping her arms around herself to stop the chill of the night air.

"Hello Elsie." He said softly, turning to smile at her. "It is beautiful tonight, as are you."

"Ohh, don't bother with that. I know I'm nothing to look at, I'm ..."

"Oh but you are." Paolo said grabbing both her hands and turning her towards him. "You are a very beautiful woman." He said reaching up to touch her hair. "Elsie these past few weeks have been wonderful. You have made me feel things I never thought I would again. When I lost my dear Sophia I had never thought I would find another woman that I could feel something for. I am very fond of you Elsie Hughes. You are beautiful, smart, funny, and I would be happy just to sit and talk with you all day. Your accent drives me wild, my Scottish rose." He laughed a little and smiled as he said this last part.

Elsie giggled, pulling back from him. "Well, you are certainly quite forthright in your affections tonight Paolo. But perhaps," she said, turning serious. "It has something to do with the grappa. Shall I just forget what you said and we will sleep on it? I wouldn't want to make any mistakes with our new friendship. Would you?"

"I am perfectly myself, Elsie." He said sweetly, putting his hand on her cheek as he leaned down into her and pressed his lips to her own. It felt so good to her. She had longed for this intimacy, maybe not from this exact man. But the thoughts of Charles fled her mind as Paolo crushed his luscious lips into hers, parting them with his tongue. As his hands worked their way around her back pulling her into him, her arms slid up his muscled chest to hold his shoulders. She was lost in the moment, electricity racing through her body. She heard a loud bang of the backdoor and pulled herself quickly from his arms.

"Oh...Um..Yes, Dr. Conti. The stars are lovely tonight." She muttered trying to cover the scene to whomever it was that just came out.

"Certainly Mrs. Hughes. I feel like I can almost touch the heavens tonight." He said, looking at her instead of the stars.

She can feel the heated blush throughout her body. Then hears the interruption of their visitor. "Uhh hmmm. I hope I'm not intruding on something. I just wish to speak to Mrs. Hughes about some matters of the house." Charles says gruffly, his frustration showing on his face.
"It seems like great importance." The good Doctor offers. " Let me excuse myself. Goodnight Elsie." He says bowing to her and winking. "I meant every word I said." He leans in and whispers quietly.

Charles feels like he will explode and attack the man when he hears him call her Elsie and sees him lean forward and whisper to her. His nails dug furiously into the palms of his hands. The familiarity enraged him. He knows instantly what he interrupted when he looks at Elsie. Her lips swollen and lipstick smudged. He hair coming undone, curls framing her gorgeous blushing face. The top two buttons of her blouse undone. A fire is raging in him. Hot, feral, anger and something else.. Lust and desire. A need to claim her and make her his. She is his.

Elsie sees the rage building in Charles. His strong fists clenched tightly at his sides. She knows he knows what they were doing. She feels somewhat smug, excited for him to see her like this. To see her as woman, a sexual creature with wanting...who was wanted. She watches him as he moves towards her slowly. She is nervous now. Certainly he'd never harm her in any way, but the look on his face was not like any she'd seen before. "Mr. Carson?" She tried saying curtly, but it came out shaky and questioning.

He stands over her now. Too close for innocence or proprieties sake. "I can see I interrupted something Mrs. Hughes." He says glaring down at her as she held her eyes to his, unwilling to break or bend under his obvious attempt at dominance.

"Perhaps you were, Mr. Carson." She says haughtily, rolling the r of his name seductively, causing Charles lose his senses completely.

His hands move to her, his fingers gripping firmly onto her waist pulling her closer to him. "Was he holding you like this?" His voice, deep and slow, filled with a passion he was fighting hard to restrain. Elsie not taking her eyes from his, gasped in shock as he pulled her close. "Was he touching you like this?" Charles bends to whisper in her ear as one hand slides up from her waist and gently cups her breast his thumb rubbing gently across her already taught nipple, while the other lowers to her round bottom, squeezing as he presses her into the growing buldge in his trousers. Elsie moans, her breathe becoming ragged under his touch. A need she had never known taking over her whole body. Charles pulls his head up to look at her, to see the passion and heat between them. He needed to see it in her eyes. Wanted to see the fire that was searing through his whole body reflected back at him. His lips came crashing down on her, the years of holding back slipping away with every caress of the hand, deep moan, and thrust of the tongue. She kissed him back with the longing she has held inside her for too many years to count. Their lips touching, opening, their tongues pressing into each other. Her teeth catching hold of his bottom lip and tugging gently. Her hands slide up his solid chest around his shoulders, her fingers running through his hair. Tears of love, pain, and confusion starting to fill her eyes. Charles pulls back from her, his voice thick with lust asks "Does he make you feel the way I just did?"

The weight of his words crushed her. Only Charles could cause her such desperate shattering emotions. And this was a game to him. He was trying to win her. He only wanted to keep her here. Keep his perfect precise world in order. Change was not welcome by Charles Carson, and she knew his fear of it caused him to react the way he did. She turned her back to him, holding her waist and hunching over in grief. Her hand moving to her mouth to cover the sobs coming from her chest. Her feet quickly carrying her away into the dead of the night.