Elsie didn't sleep a wink that night, afraid of what might happen the next morning. Around eight o'clock she got up, changed into her uniform, and walked down to the kitchen to find that Charles was already there. He smiled at her, and placed a hand on her waist.
-Don't worry; you will have her in your arms again.
-Be careful Charles, you are the only thing I have left. I don't want anything to happen to you.
-Look at me Elsie. I promise you that I will come back with her in my arms.
She smiled at him and kissed him lightly on the lips. He held her close to him and felt her warm lips through his shirt. Lord Grantham entered the kitchen to find the couple. He watched them for a minute and then knocked on the doorframe. They both turned to see him and separated.
-It's time to go Carson.
-Of course m'lord.
Charles turned back to Elsie and kissed her one more time.
-I promise you Elsie that we will have Jane back. And in case something happens remember me as your husband. Nothing else but that.
She nodded and walked with them to the door. They got into the car and drove away, leaving Elsie on the door. She followed the car with her eyes until she couldn't see them then she closed the door and walked back downstairs.
Charles drove to the center of Yorkshire to the address the kidnappers had given them. He parked and turned the engine off.
-Carson, here you have the money. Be careful, and as soon as you have your daughter run back to the car. I will be here waiting for you.
He nodded. He walked through the alley until he saw the broken sign the kidnappers had written about. He took a couple of deep breaths and looked around. The alley was dark, a place he wouldn't have wanted to be in his worst nightmares. He waited until he heard a voice.
-I assume you are Carson.
-Yes. I have the money, where's the girl?
-The girl is alright, but you are giving me one more thing.
-What?
-There's a woman in Downton, pretty young girl, which is not married. I believe her name is Edith.
-Lady Edith for you.
-Well, if they want the girl back you have to give me the money and the woman.
-For what do you want her?
-To marry her.
Charles blood froze in his veins at those words.
-Never!
-Then please, say goodbye to the little girl.
-No! Don't do anything to her. How much time do you give us?
-You have until tonight.
Charles run back to the car and Lord Grantham's heart stopped at the thought that they might have killed her. Charles sat on the car and closed his eyes.
-Carson?
-We have a problem.
-What problem?
-They want the money and Lady Edith.
-Want her for what?!
-To marry her m'lord.
Lord Grantham looked at Charles and saw the look of fear in his eyes.
-We'll go home and talk about this.
-We have until tonight to decide m'lord.
-Alright Carson.
They drove back to the house and as soon as Elsie heard it she run from the library to the entrance. She opened the door and saw the car. She saw Lord Grantham and Charles getting out of it, but there was no sign of Jane. She looked at Charles and saw the look on his eyes.
-I'm sorry Elsie.
-Where is she?
-We should talk inside.
The three of them walked back to the library. They sat on the couch, all of them, Lady Cora, Lady Mary and Lady Edith. Carson told them what the kidnapper had said and waited for Lady Edith's reaction.
-Papa, if that's the only way, I'll do it.
-But you can't do that m'lady. You still have so much life to live.
-But your daughter too Mrs. Hughes. And she deserves it more than I do.
-No! You can't do that m'lady!
-That's enough Mrs. Hughes!
-I'll do it.
-What?!
Anyone could believe what Elsie had just said. Charles looked at her, shocked.
-Elsie, you can't do that. You are already married to me!
-I would do anything for my daughter. And if I have to do this to save her I will. Do you know how to contact them?
-Elsie, think of what you are saying. You can't.
-Charles Carson, I'm her mother, and I'm going to do this even if you don't approve of it. And I ask you again: Do you know how to contact them?
-I suppose we would have to go and tell them.
-There's no need Carson.
Everyone turned to see the man that had just entered the room. He wore a grey suit and a grey hat. He took it off and looked at them with his green eyes. He groomed his moustache with his fingers and smiled at them. He walked to the couch and placed one of his hand on Mrs. Hughes's shoulder.
-It's okay if I don't get Edith; Mrs. Hughes is alright for me.
-How on earth did you get here?!- Lord Grantham stood up from the couch.
-That doesn't matter Lord Grantham. Just prepare the wedding unless you want to wake up tomorrow to find the dead body of your little Jane in your bed.
-Please Lord Grantham. - Elsie looked at him with pleading eyes.
-Alright. When do you want to get married?
-Phone the priest, we are going to the church now.
He took Elsie by one arm and carried her out of the room. They walked to the car and waited for the rest to come down. After a few minutes all of them got inside their cars and drove to the church. As soon as they got there they found a group of men in front of it, with a little girl.
-Mum! - Jane tried to run to her mother, but one of the men stopped her.
-Mrs. Hughes, let's get inside; I don't want my future wife to get nervous and tell the priest that she doesn't want to marry me.
She smiled at Jane to calm her and walked inside, followed by the family. She walked to the altar, and turned to look at Charles. A few tears fell from her eyes, and she quickly turned around so they wouldn't see them. The priest placed himself in front of the bride and groom and looked at them.
Charles stood up and walked to the back of the church, and slowly approached Jane. No one saw him.
-Jane. - He whispered, getting the little girls attention.
-Daddy, why mum is doing this?
-There's no time for that. The police are coming. As soon as you hear me shout "everyone to the floor" you have to throw yourself to the floor okay?
The little girl nodded and smiled at her father. Charles stood up and looked at Elsie, who was trying to fight the tears that were threating to fall from her eyes. There was a slight knock in one of the windows and Charles turned to see the sergeant. He nodded and took a couple of deep breaths.
-One, two three. EVERYONE TO THE FLOOR!
Almost everyone threw themselves to the floor, except Elsie and the kidnappers. The sergeant broke into the church and pointed at the men of the grey suit with his gun. No one deared to move.