Mrs. Hughes goes back in for a checkup and after talking a bit, she and Dr. Clarkson end up having a little impromptu picnic on a bench in the village. Carson is in town picking up supplies and sees Elsie with Dr. Clarkson. The Dr. and Elsie are laughing, smiling, and having a great time. His heart clenches a little and his mind races. What is going on? Why are they together? What do you think? :)
Elsie returned back to Downton grinning. During her check up with Doctor Clarkson his stomach had rumbled loudly much to his embarrassment and her amusement. Checking the time she had realised that she had missed luncheon at Downton, causing Doctor Clarkson to suggest a picnic. She had agreed readily and they had left the hospital together clasping a bag of food each. Although neither of them noticed the nurses giving them suggestive glances.
She opened the door, hung up her coat and was immediately run into by Anna.
"Sorry Mrs Hughes," She said blushing and trying to gather the linens in her arms.
"That's quite alright Anna. Just be more careful next time," She replied, too happy to scold her. Anna nodded, smiled and then went outside to hang the linens to dry. Elsie carried on to her pantry, but was stopped by Mrs Patmore before she could enter.
"I think you'd better have a word with Mr Carson," The cook whispered urgently. "He came back from the village in a foul mood and hasn't left his pantry since," Elsie felt the blood freeze in her veins as she nodded absent-mindedly. Charles had been in the village. Could he have seen her and Doctor Clarkson together?
Elsie knocked on Charles door and waited for him to admit her.
"What?!," She flinched at Charles angry voice. He sounded furious. She entered the pantry, locking it behind her and turned to face him. His hair was ruffled, like he had been running his hand through it multiple times, his face was red with anger and his eyes were rimmed with red proving he had cried.
"Is there something I can help you with Mrs Hughes?" He asked icily, causing Elsie to flinch.
"Charles pleaseā¦." She murmured.
"What! I go into my village and see my wife having a delightful picnic with the village doctor, and you expect me to be civil about it?!"
Elsie flinched at the horribly sarcastic tone to his voice. She met her husband's eyes and saw not anger, but hurt and disappointment.
"Charles. I promise you, it wasn't like that," Charles stood and moved round his desk and stood in front of her grasping her upper arms.
"Then please tell me darling. Why? Why were you having lunch with him?" Elsie looked into her husband's sad brown eyes, and then leaned up and pressed her lips to his gently.
"I missed luncheon and so did Doctor Clarkson. So we decided to have lunch together. It was just a friendly thing Charles. There was nothing malicious going on. And anyway Doctor Clarkson is in love with Mrs Crawley,"
Charles jaw dropped open and Elsie giggled.
"Well, I hope his intentions are honourable," Charles huffed.
"Well yours certainly weren't. Seducing the head housemaid then marrying her as soon as she became housekeeper is hardly fitting for a butler," Charles glared at her then pulled her into a deep and loving kiss.
"Have I made you happy Elsie? Truly?" He asked when they broke apart.
"Yes Charles. I'm happier than I could ever be with another man. Doctor or no doctor," Charles smiled, placed a hand on his wife's cheek and leaned down to show her how happy she had made him.
This oneshot is based off a prompt by monajo7 on tumblr.
