Daisy's knocking on her door was an especially rude awakening this morning. Elsie's dreaming had been so blissful. She dreamed Cora had snuck up to her room; there were soft whispers and tender touches. Her mouth kept insisting that Cora should leave but her body embraced her. She was ecstatic that dream Cora had refused to listen, had kissed her and stroked her, told her she loved her. They had been naked, not making love exactly, just bare to each other and wrapped in one another's arms. The dream had been so very warm in every sense, but now the day's responsibilities faced her. She would see to the continued happiness, comfort and wellbeing of Cora and her family and all the while remain untouched. It was a strange life she led, surrounded so closely by so many people and never touching anyone. It was only recently that this began to bother her. Today, in particular, Elsie longed to be touched.

Elsie dressed and began to pin up her hair, just as she was finishing she heard another knock at the door. She opened it to see Anna looking worried. "What is it, Anna?"

"It's miss O'Brien, she's feeling very ill, and she's as white as a sheet." Elsie knew where this would lead right away but that didn't mean she wouldn't try to think of a way out of it. She sighed deeply

"You'd better send for Dr. Clarkson… and I don't suppose you'd see to her ladyship and let me take over your responsibilities with the girls for the day?"

Anna looked very nervous at the idea of dressing Lady Grantham. Elsie didn't push it, she felt stupid to have asked. "No, I'll see to her ladyship, it makes much more sense that way."

Anna only nodded and went off to fetch Thomas or William to send into the village.

Breakfast passed in a haze, Elsie was not very aware of anything except the bells ringing, signifying each member of the family waking up. Her heart thundered in her chest with every ring. Logically she knew that Cora would be the last to rise, she always was, but still with every bell Elsie's heart felt like it might burst through her chest.

Cora woke to find herself alone in the bed as usual; Robert would be downstairs in the dining room by now. She rang for O'Brien to bring her breakfast tray and reclined on the bed while she waited. After a few minutes the door opened and Cora's heart leapt into her throat. The surprise rendered her speechless. This was cruel, Cora almost felt indignant. Why was Elsie bringing her breakfast? Where was O'Brien? If she wasn't allowed to love Elsie she could not be asked to face her first thing in the morning. Elsie gave her a strained smile and explained her presence while she set the tray over Cora's lap. "Miss O'Brien is quite ill this morning, milady. I'll be looking after you until she feels better." Cora just stared at her for a moment, taking in the full complexity of what she was saying. She was certain that her face gave away her every emotion, she didn't feel strong enough to stop it.

"Have we sent for the doctor?"

"Yes we have, my lady, I understand Thomas is on his way back with him as we speak."

"Oh good. I do hope it's nothing serious." The two women didn't break eye contact through the entire exchange. Elsie folded her hands in front of her and dutifully asked, "Is there anything else, M'lady?"

"No, Els-" Cora was mortified. How could she let that slip? "Mrs. Hughes" she amended "thank you."

Elsie shut the door behind her and let out a breath that brought up a rush of emotions on its way out. She took in an even deeper breath in attempt to reign them back in. It helped. A bit. But after last night's dream the chances of her banishing all guilt while helping her ladyship dress and undress seemed very slim, very slim indeed. Cora had used her first name again, perhaps they could still be friends. Surely Elsie could control herself in such a situation; she could feel very good about being friends with Cora, surely.

Cora's mind was reeling. What kind of sick cosmic joke was this? The woman she was trying not to be in love with, the woman who had turned her down was now going to be dressing her, was now going to be undressing her. This was cruel. She could cry. She would cry. She wouldn't eat her breakfast, but she would cry.

Some time later the bell was rung again and Elsie braced herself to return to Cora's room. When she walked in she noticed that the tray was untouched. She didn't mention it. Cora sat her vanity, watching Elsie in the mirror and looking very much like she wanted to say something. She said nothing. She merely stood up to be dressed. Elsie saw that Cora had already put on the first layer of her underthings, she was somewhat thankful for that. She helped Cora into her corset and the air was thick with unspoken words as she laced it up. She succeeded in not touching her lady's skin though she could think of nothing else. Being so very close to Cora in such an intimate situation after a dream like Elsie had had that morning was a true test of her strength.

Cora stood silently as Elsie tied her corset. She had no idea how she should be acting. She caught a glimpse of Elsie's face in the mirror as she turned away to pick up the dress; her eyes lingered, for just a second, on Cora's back. Cora's heart fluttered at the thought of what that might mean. She told herself not to get excited, but she couldn't make herself listen. With a much lighter heart she let Elsie help her into her dress, the whole time her mind was racing with possibilities. Once the last of the buttons was done up she sat at her vanity and Elsie began to fix her hair.

Cora's hair was like the finest black silk. It was truly an indulgence to run her fingers though it. As she pinned each curl into place she lamented containing such beautiful locks. Cora was so lovely with her hair down; Cora was lovely always, but especially with her hair down… especially with her corset off. She placed the last few pins in Cora's hair and absentmindedly traced her index finger down the nape of Cora's neck.

Cora's eyes fluttered shut at the sensation of Elsie's finger on her skin for the first time. Her touch was so light but the trail it left set a fire in Cora's skin; she felt that tiny touch resonate throughout her body. "Will that be all, Milady?" came Elsie's voice.

"Yes, Mrs. Hughes. That will be all." Cora's voice was barely more than a breath. She made up her mind in that moment; she would never give up on Elsie Hughes, not so long as there was breath in her body.