Chapter 4
The downstairs staff continued to relax on the beach; it was such a luxury for them to be outdoors, enjoying the sunshine. They had a couple of hours left until they had to pack up and leave. The family were helping themselves to refreshments, so that the servants could have some time to unwind. After his initial reservations, Mr Carson was having a wonderful time. After their game of 'catch' he had walked to the ice cream stall with the other men, to collect ice creams for the ladies. He felt quite young and light-hearted as he walked barefoot across the sand to deliver these treats to Mrs Hughes and Mrs Patmore. He had taken such pleasure watching Mrs Hughes devour her ice cream. She looked so happy and content.
In fact, Charles realised, he had barely taken his eyes from Mrs Hughes all afternoon. He was completely charmed by the beautiful housekeeper with the Scottish lilt. She has the most gorgeous smile, he thought, as he stared for far too long at her lovely lips. She looked up and caught his eye.
"How are you, Mr Carson?" Elsie asked, good-humouredly. She had noticed that he was staring at her but did not mind one bit, she was very flattered.
"Well … very well Mrs Hughes …" he stuttered.
He continued to gaze at Elsie, completely captivated by her delicate, soft arms; she should wear short sleeves more often, he thought. He could see her tiny naked feet peeping out from under her skirt, as she held her knees to her chest. From his vantage point sitting beside her, yet being much taller than her, he also had a most agreeable view of her chest. He let out a long, shallow breath at this thought; the sea air really must be getting to him.
Many of the staff were now sprawled out, enjoying an afternoon doze in the sun. Others remained sitting and chatting, enjoying the gentle breeze. Charles wished very much to take Mrs Hughes for the afternoon stroll he had mentioned earlier but he was not quite sure how to instigate this, as they were surrounded by many prying eyes and inquisitive ears. It is simply two colleagues going for a leisurely walk Charles, for heaven's sake, just ask her. Therefore, with as much formality as he could muster, given that he was barefoot, his shirt-sleeves rolled up and his trousers now very creased, he said,
"Mrs Hughes, would you care to accompany me for a short stroll?"
Elsie smiled at her lovely Butler, "That would be very acceptable, Mr Carson."
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As they walked along the seashore, side by side, their fingers repeatedly brushed against each other. Every time they touched, Elsie felt a shiver run up her arm. They walked through the shallow water, enjoyed the feel of the waves lapping at their feet. Charles rolled his trousers up to keep them dry. He looks adorable, Elsie thought, as she grinned up at him. She was delighted to be spending time with the real Charles rather than the proper and disciplined Mr Carson. They walked along in companionable silence, feeling at peace in each other's company.
"We should do this more often," Charles said dreamily. He had never felt such bliss: the refreshing sea breeze; the cool water beneath his toes; a beautiful woman by his side.
"We should," Elsie agreed whole-heartedly.
"Thank you for making this such a lovely day, Mrs Hughes," Charles said earnestly, as they continued to walk.
"I didn't do a thing Mr Carson," Elsie replied.
"You tolerated me all day long for one thing!" Charles joked. Elsie stopped walking, and looked up into his endearing face. He was joking but she could see that there was a hint of anxiousness there. Surely, he did not think she simply tolerated him?
"Mr Carson … I adore spending time with you … your friendship means the world to me … it has been an utter pleasure to spend time with you today," Elsie finished most sincerely. Charles looked delighted.
"I also admire your friendship Mrs Hughes … you are the only person on earth who can see straight through my bluster … I have felt more at ease today, more content, than in such a long time and that is because of you … I feel at home when I am with you," Charles said truthfully. Elsie was very touched by those sentiments.
"Shall we sit down, Mr Carson?" Elsie suggested. They had walked for what seemed like miles, their friends now far out of view.
"Good idea," Charles said, as they both walked a little way back from the sea, to sit on dry sand. As before, they sat very close together, Charles with his legs straight out in front of him, resting back on his arms, and Elsie with her knees bent up to her chest. They sat in silence, looking at the sea and enjoying this closeness. It was Charles who broke the silence, with a fairly startling question,
"Mrs Hughes, do you ever want a man?" Charles asked, then panicked as he realised how terrible those words sounded.
"Oh my … I am sorry Mrs Hughes … that sounded awful … I did not mean it in that way at all … when I said want a man I didn't mean want as in … well … I simply meant … do you ever get lonely … do you ever think it would be nice to have a companion … oh dear … I am so sorry," Charles spluttered.
Elsie was highly amused by this outburst, if not a little flabbergasted by his initial question. She looked at Charles sweetly, stifling a giggle at his blushing and flustered complexion.
"In answer to your first question, Mr Carson, I do sometimes want a man … although that's not quite the way I would put it …" she said teasingly and then continued, " … rather that I sometimes think it would be nice to have a man at my side, to have his companionship and love," Elsie explained.
"Yes, yes, of course …" Charles added. He then decided to continue, realising he really could not say anything much worse,
"… and if you did decide that you … … wanted a man …" Charles said, having given up trying to find a better way of putting it, "… would a humble Butler stand a chance?" he asked, gazing with much apprehension, and hope, at Elsie.
Elsie looked at Charles, surprised but overjoyed by this question. She reached up to caress his face softly, stroking his cheek with her thumb,
"He would have a very good chance indeed," she said.
A/N: Hope you are enjoying this little summer tale. Please keep reviewing- I love to read them. Thank you very much to those who have reviewed so far x