Humphrey began working again a few days later. He was still distracted and not exactly his same interfering self, but the black cloud was gone, and Jim thought that was least an improvement. But there was a tension between the two of them that was new. Bernard was the first to comment on it.

"Prime Minister, I hate to ask, but is there a problem between you and Sir Humphrey?"

"What? No, what do you mean?"

"Well, you seem to both be walking on egg shells, so to speak, with each other. Of course, I realize that you might want to be careful, but he seems to be being short with you, too."

"Oh, it's nothing, Bernard. I'll broach the subject with Sir Humphrey."

"What subject is that, Prime Minister?"

"Elisabeth. Send him in, won't you, Bernard?"

Sir Humphrey peeked in the door if the Prime Minister's office with something like his old smirk. "Prime Minister, you wanted to see me?"

"Yes, please sit down, Humphrey. I have something to tell you."

"About the pay increase for teachers, perhaps?"

"No, about Elisabeth."

Humphrey froze. "Prime Minister, I hardly think this is the time or the place –"

"She told Annie that she behaved very badly when you drove her home from dinner, and that she hoped you would forgive her for it."

Humphrey sputtered, "Wh-what!?"

"That's what she said, and I thought you should know that we didn't mean her to –"

"That's not what happened at all!" Humphrey exclaimed. "I am to blame. I – "

"Well, she thinks she insulted you. Whatever happened, I'd suggest you go talk with her."

Humphrey tried to muster up an indignant reply, but found that he simply could not. He held onto the back of one of the chairs as if he was trying to keep from falling.

"There is nothing to say, Prime Minister. I am simply an old man who …" he shook his head. "Good evening, Prime Minister." Humphrey walked out slowly.

Jim sighed. "So that's what he said. Are you going to talk to Elisabeth tomorrow?" he asked Annie that evening.

"Don't worry, dear." Annie patted his knee. "Sometimes these things take time to work themselves out."

Elisabeth found herself at the Appleby's front door, several nights later, not sure what she should do. Annie had told her everything about Sir Humphrey, including the death of his wife, how he had been devoted to her, and his belief that he was to blame for the incident in the car. Incident! It was the most amazing thing she had felt in her whole life! How could he blame himself for that?

She rang the doorbell. "Yes?" the butler answered.

"Could you please inform Sir Humphrey that Miss Reed is here?" she asked.

"Won't you please come in, Miss Reed, while I inform him?"

"No, thank you. I'm not sure that would be appropriate," she stated. The butler looked puzzled. "As you wish," he said, and closed the door.

It opened almost immediately again. Humphrey was without dinner jacket or tie. Nicer, if not actually more relaxed, thought Elisabeth. She wet her lips nervously for her apology.

"Elisabeth?" Sir Humphrey looked at her incredulously. "Why won't you come in? Please, I insist." His eyes pleading, she let him take her by the hand.

"I was not sure you would want me in your house, Sir Humphrey, after I took advantage –"

"You did nothing wrong, indeed! It was I –"

"No, no, please Sir Humphrey, I know now what I did was wrong. I, too, know what it is like to lose someone close." Tears swam in her eyes as she explained.

"We were to be married, but he died shortly after we became engaged. And I hated it when people would try to 'set me up.' I didn't know what Annie had in mind –"

"Of course you didn't, my dear!" Humphrey said reassuringly. "Please, come and sit down in the study." He led her to a chair, and handed her a sherry.

He sighed, tired, and looked into her eyes. "I never for a moment thought you had done anything improper. I simply must, however, ask your forgiveness for my moment of weakness. It was inexcusable, and not at all a reflection on your character. I really don't know what came over me."

His smile got more nervous, and his speech faster. "An old man like me…"

He reached for his collar, feeling like it was constricting his throat. Now it was his turn to blush. He had been thinking about her for days, and now could not deny what he knew very well.

"It is only fair of me to tell you…" he bowed his head again. Just spit it out! He yelled at himself. "I understand that you don't –"

Elisabeth stood quickly, and faced him, unbelieving what she was sure his heart was saying. Her head swam again, from the sensations of an over warm room and an aching heart.

He caught her up in his arms, protectively, and looked deep into her eyes.

They were very close. Both of them were breathing hard, and being pulled closer by some inexplicable force.

Humphrey closed his eyes. She was here, and he could no longer deny that he wanted her. He kissed her deliberately this time, waiting for her to pull away. She didn't, and he pulled her tightly to him, kissing her as she should have been kissed long ago.

He whispered in her ear shakily, desperately, "Please, Elisabeth, I need you."

Elisabeth's voice caught, breathless. Her fingers brushed his hair. It was electric. "I'm not going anywhere."

He led her through another door that opened into a bedroom. Humphrey kissed her almost forcefully, shaking with desire. Elisabeth's fingers worked at the buttons on his shirt….

The morning light streamed through the windows. Humphrey drank in the sight of this lovely creature who actually had been willing to spend the night with him. Her eyes fluttered open. She smiled sweetly.

"Good morning," he said with a smile.

"Good morning." Elisabeth's smile turned to nervousness. "I'm not sure what else to say."

"Nor I. Let us start with, Would you like some breakfast?"

"What will your servants say?"

Humphrey paused. "I think they'll be delighted." He was thoughtful. "I have not been myself lately." His smile was rather self-depreciating.

"I hope you don't think I took advantage of you, Sir Humphrey."

"No, and I think you, perhaps, should drop the Sir, don't you agree?"

Elisabeth blushed again.

"I have not felt like a man, or even a human being, in quite some time." He said softly. He stroked her cheek, her hair. "I thank you for changing that, no matter what happens. But that is up to you. You are a young women, and I –"

Elisabeth felt her throat constrict. "Please, Humphrey, let me stay."

He was overcome with an emotion. Gratitude? Lust? Or was this love?

He leaned over and kissed her again, forgetting about breakfast.

A/N: Is this the end? Tell me your thoughts!