Chapter 4
"May I have a word in my pantry Mrs Hughes?" he asked formally.
The staff had already begun to disperse following breakfast, to carry out their morning duties.
"Yes certainly Mr Carson," she replied just as properly.
The two walked side by side down the corridor, not an unusual sight at all in the halls of Downton. However, what was unusual was the abashed, yet radiant smiles of the two when Mr Carson closed the door behind them. It was the first time they had been alone since the previous evening. For a couple of seconds neither spoke.
"Mrs Hughes … I hope you are well?" he asked eventually.
"I am Mr Carson … very well. And you?"
"Very well also," he responded quite seriously.
She laughed lightly at the two of them; their usual ease with each other had disappeared and in its place an unfamiliar atmosphere had emerged; unfamiliar but not uncomfortable, she thought.
"I tried very hard not to give anything away at breakfast," she joked, aiming to lighten the mood.
"Oh so did I … although I fear I was less successful than you," he conceded with a small grin.
"It'll do the staff good to see you happy … not that I am suggesting that you …"
"I am happy Mrs Hughes, very happy," he interrupted, exhaling a long, contented breath.
She also allowed her shoulders to drop as she relaxed on hearing his tender words. She watched as he looked to her with a hopeful gaze.
"May I hold your hand Mrs Hughes?" he asked shyly.
He had taken her hand boldly the previous evening as they walked through the hallways. However, in the cold light of day, his courage had deserted him and he did not wish to dishonour Mrs Hughes in any way.
"Of course you may Mr Carson," she replied sweetly, holding out her hand to him.
He took her hand reverently in his, smiling as he noted how his huge paw enveloped her delicate fingers. He was delighted when Mrs Hughes responded by stroking her thumb reassuringly across his hand. A thought crossed his mind in that moment, that he could achieve anything at all with this wonderful woman at his side.
"Are we still planning to tell His Lordship this morning? I had wondered if perhaps we should keep the news to ourselves until the new year?" she offered, as they continued to hold hands.
"Yes I had the same thought, so near to Christmas doesn't seem ideal does it? However, after my performance at breakfast, I think we should stick to our plan … I would hate someone to work it out before we told them officially. I want to do things properly, as you certainly deserve," he explained.
Mrs Hughes felt a flutter in her stomach at his words and rewarded him with another devoted smile. She wasn't sure what had thrilled her more: his tentative admission that he couldn't trust himself to keep his happiness contained or that her dear man was at pains to do things absolutely correctly, out of respect for her?
"Well then, should we tell him together? Or would you rather speak to him alone?" she asked.
"As the news very much involves us both, I think we should speak to him together, don't you?" he queried.
"I do … I just wasn't sure if you would prefer talking to him man to man," she teased.
Mr Carson chuckled happily at her joshing.
"I think perhaps this particular conversation needs an intelligent, lovely woman to help things along," he responded.
Mrs Hughes blushed under his compliment, not used to him offering such warm praise.
"Well, I will try my best to find you one before you meet His Lordship," she responded, deflecting his praise with humour.
Mr Carson laughed heartily, shaking his head at her modesty.
"I have a request," Mrs Hughes added hesitantly.
"Yes?" he asked, his eyebrows rising inquisitively.
"May I tell Mrs Patmore first? I know you'll think it very improper Mr Carson … I realise Lord Grantham should be the first to hear … but as soon as we have informed him, we'll have to inform the staff immediately … lord knows nothing stays secret in this House for long and if we don't tell them straight away, someone will find out, and then before we know it the whole of the County will know our news … I couldn't bare for her to hear the news along with the rest of the staff … and I know she can be a bit loud at times and quite excitable … but I will ensure she doesn't tell a soul … I promise," she finished, quite out of breath, having raced through her explanation before he had a chance to object.
"Anyone would think I was stuck in my ways at times Mrs Hughes … of course you can tell her," he smirked, squeezing her hands.
"Oh thank you!" she gasped.
Mrs Hughes had to instantly calm herself as she realised she had almost reached up and kissed his cheek in gratitude. She pulled herself together and squeezed his hand instead, as he beamed at his future wife.
######
"Is everything alright? You were like a cat on a hot tin roof at breakfast?" Mrs Patmore said, as she followed the Housekeeper into her sitting-room.
"Yes, I am fine … I just need a word," Mrs Hughes replied, closing the door and turning to look at her friend.
"I have some news but before I tell you, you must promise not to breathe a word of this to anyone … not to anyone Mrs Patmore," Mrs Hughes added with further emphasis.
"Oh dear lord above, you're not ill again?" the Cook asked with great concern.
"No, no, nothing like that … it's not bad news … do you promise? It is very important that you promise,"
"Yes I promise, of course I promise. Now tell me … before I spring a leak!" she demanded.
Mrs Hughes snorted with laughter; her friend's turn of phrase was unique. The Housekeeper steadied herself and said as calmly as possible,
"Last night … Mr Carson asked me to marry him." Her voice wavered as she said this out loud for the first time.
The screech that immediately escaped the Cook's mouth resonated throughout the entire downstairs. Mrs Patmore's hands shot upwards to cover her mouth in surprise.
Mrs Hughes laughed lightly, her eyes a little watery, as she looked at the flabbergasted expression before her. As the Cook lowered her hands, her jaw hung open.
After a few seconds, a soppy smile began to slowly appear on Mrs Patmore's face.
"Well slap me with a wet fish and call me queenie!" the Cook exclaimed, her eyes glistening with emotion, as she leapt forward to hug her friend.
The two rarely shared such affections, despite their undoubted fondness for the other, but this was a historic occasion and more than worthy of an embrace. Mrs Patmore hugged Mrs Hughes fiercely, eventually leaning backwards, her hands still resting on her friend's shoulders.
"Oh dear, look at the sight of me, but I am that happy for you Mrs Hughes," the Cook chuckled, embarrassed that she was so teary.
"You haven't even asked me if I said yes …" the Housekeeper joked.
"I don't need to ask … you've loved the bones of the man for years, of course you said yes!" she returned.
Mrs Hughes rolled her eyes at the Cook; feeling a little flush reach her cheeks as they both knew this to be true.
Both women let go of each other, laughing gently at the state of themselves. As they gathered themselves, Mrs Patmore looked meaningfully at the Housekeeper.
"I wish you both every happiness Mrs Hughes … I cannot think of two people who deserve it more," she said, feeling genuinely moved to hear such good news.
"Thank you," the Housekeeper smiled, biting her lip to keep control and so glad that Mrs Patmore was the first to know.
######
"Oh Mrs Patmore … how can I help …" Mr Carson began as she walked into his pantry. However, he paused as he observed the knowing look on her face; Mrs Hughes had obviously spoken to the Cook.
He gulped and cleared his throat as he stood nervously, not sure what to say.
"Mr Carson, I promise that I shan't say a word to anyone else … but I did just want to say two things to you …" she began.
He nodded.
"Firstly, I am over the moon for you and Mrs Hughes, I rarely admit such things but … you both mean the world to me ... and I wanted to offer my congratulations …"
Mr Carson was very moved by her sentiments. He looked down at the floor as he felt quite overwhelmed. When he finally looked upwards he could see that Mrs Patmore's eyes were glistening; oh dear god, she's not going to cry is she? I really am very poor at dealing with tears, I need Mrs Hughes for that, he panicked.
"Thank you," he managed.
"… and secondly, that woman would lay down her life for you so don't you ever hurt her or you'll have me to answer to … and I have access to a very large meat cleaver!" she finished with a smile.
Mr Carson let out a snort of shocked laughter. However, the Cook's glare let him know that she was serious.
"I promise you Mrs Patmore, I will never, ever hurt Mrs Hughes," he pledged sincerely.
"Good," she smiled, as she turned to walk out of the door.
As she opened the door, she paused. The sounds of the hustle and bustle from downstairs could be heard; housemaids chattering as they went about their work, the clinking of glasses and china as the footmen passed by with trays. Mrs Patmore turned to face him, looking a little nervous. She spoke softly, none of her usual bolshiness was evident.
"I am proud of you Mr Carson. You did a wonderful thing last night, truly wonderful. I know what an enormous step proposing marriage must have been for you and I am very proud that you took that step," she said, before bustling out of the door, wiping tears from her eyes.
Mr Carson stood, gaping at the open door, feeling incredibly touched.