A/N: Not a great chapter, but we are building towards some better chapters.
"What?" Anna said shocked, wiping the tears from her face and pulling back to look at Elsie.
"So you see, I do know how you feel." Elsie said, resting her hand on Anna's cheek, as tears began falling down her own face, finally letting herself weep for her dead child.
"Why does Mr. Carson know?" Anna asked.
"Well he had a right to, he was the father," Anna let out a gasp, "and he's my husband."
"What?!" Anna said in shock.
"Yes, well, we've not lived like a man and wife since it happened. You see Mr. Carson and I, well, after the baby died we pulled away from each other, the person I loved most in the world became the person I couldn't be alone with even for a minute. It ruined our happiness, grief can do so much damage Anna. Promise me you wont pull away from John, you two need each other during this time."
"Oh Mrs. Hughes, I cant face him. Not now, I wanted this baby so badly, and he did too and…I've let him down." With that Anna began to cry again. Elsie pulled her back into her arms, laying Anna's head on her chest, trying her best to sooth her.
"Oh Anna, you've done nothing of the sort. These things happen, they are terrible but they sometimes happen."
"Are you and Mr. Carson still married?" Anna asked.
'Technically yes, though you'd never know it. Why don't I tell you about how it all happened."
"Okay," Anna said, stifling the sound her sobs were making.
"Well it all started the very first time he touched me."
23 years earlier…
Elsie rounded the corner at break neck speed, she knew she oughtn't move so fast but she'd just gotten the wonderful news, she was to become housekeeper! After years of being head housemaid, waiting for the old bat to finally retire it had happened. Turning the final corner to into the servants hall she had run full body into Charles Carson.
"Oh excuse me Elsie! I didn't see you coming." He said.
"Oh I'm sorry Mr. Carson, that was my fault entirely. I wonder, may I have a word with you in your pantry?"
"Of course" he said, stepping aside and following her into the room. Once the door was closed she turned to him with the most excited expression on his face.
"It seems Charles, I wont be able to sneak up on your anymore, starting next week I'll have a large pile of keys attached to my hip!" She said, beaming with excitement.
"Truly!?" He said, moving towards her.
"Yes! The old bat is finally going to retire!" She said giggling with glee.
"Careful there Els, it might not be long before someone starts calling you an old bat."
"Oh don't spoil my fun Charles," she said in mock indignation.
"Well congratulations Elsie, you deserve it. But remember, its lonely at the top. Your friends today certainly wont be your friends tomorrow." He said in a much more serious tone.
"Will you still be my friend?" She said, looking up at him pleadingly.
"Of course I will! Nothing would change that." He said smiling. The happiness of the moment overwhelmed her and she rushed forward putting her arms around his neck in a fierce hug.
He was completely stunned, and it took him more then a moment to realize what was happening. That he was holding a woman, or she was holding him, and very tightly. He put his arms around her, returning the hug, drinking in the wonderful scent of her hair, now just under his nose. The feel of her body pressing against him was proving to be a bit more then he could handle, her perk, firm breasts pressing into his chest, her hips pressed against his. He'd dreamed of being this close to her many nights, though his dreams involved less clothes and much more moaning. Suddenly he felt himself begin to respond to being so close to her, and after a moment of feeling something pressed against her hip she realized what it was and pulled away.
"I'm sorry Charles, that was overfamiliar." She said, pulling back, trying desperately to keep her eyes on his face and not let them wander.
"No, please don't be sorry. I'm sorry to have ruined it. But congratulations all the same."
"Thank you." She said smiling at him. "If its alright with you I'm going upstairs to rest, I've still got several more hours of my half day to enjoy."
"That sounds like a good plan, I'd love to get in bed if I could," a double meaning struck him, "Not with you I mean…well not that you aren't lovely but…I didn't intend to…oh bugger-"
"Perhaps you ought to stop talking." She said with a giggle.
"Yes, I suppose that would be a good idea." He said with a slight smile.
"I will see you at dinner." She said and with that she turned and left the room. He walked back towards his desk, sitting down he instantly remembered the state he was in and stood back up. Well damnit, he thought, I truly wish she hadn't mentioned bed.
Elsie was tired from all the excitement, bouncing around the house like a teenager had cost her all her energy. By the time she reached the top of the stairs, she couldn't wait to climb into bed. She swiftly took her clothes off and climbed under the covers completely naked. Laying there she couldn't help but think of Charles, his body pressed to hers had been marvelous. It had been years since she'd been touched by a man, she'd pushed physical desire to the way side but suddenly it was back at the surface. The feel of Charles hard length against her had reawakened her desire. He was a handsome man, and from the feel of him earlier very well endowed. Perhaps now that they were on equal plains they could extend their relationship to more physical things. It was clear from this afternoons encounter that he wanted her, and the slickness between her thighs told her she wanted him as well. She'd heard before of arrangements senior members of staff had made amongst themselves, it seemed logical. After all he was a man, and she was a woman, what would be the harm of enjoying what they could offer each other.