Chapter 7
A new day dawned and Charles rose from his bed feeling hopeful, yes hopeful. He may have made an utter mess of his declaration of love to Elsie but she had kissed him on the cheek and demonstrated once again how much she cared. The Butler, having tossed and turned half the night as he considered the dilemma he found himself in, had decided on a plan; as out of practice as he was, he was going to try to woo Elsie Hughes as she deserved. His mind was still full of worries: Would she be appalled by his advances? Would he ruin their friendship? Would a changing relationship threaten their positions at Downton? Yet, since he had held her hand at the beach, he had known that things had irrevocably changed and he was determined to look to the future and not to allow his apprehensions to hold him back.
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Elsie turned as she heard a knock on the door. She was surprised to see Charles standing with a tea tray in his hands.
"Mrs Hughes … you have working very hard this morning … I thought you might appreciate some tea …" he said, with a broad smile.
Elsie remained mystified about their exchange the previous day; however this was a welcome development.
"Mr Carson that is very kind of you … it is not your responsibility to be serving me tea … however I appreciate it very much …" she beamed warmly, as he set the tea tray on her desk.
She noticed a small bunch of lilacs on the tray. Charles spotted where her gaze lay.
"Oh … they are for you as well Mrs Hughes … just a small token of my thanks …" he smiled, blushing deeply.
"They are beautiful Mr Carson … whatever have I done to deserve such thanks …" she asked genuinely.
"Umm … well … you put up with me for a start Mrs Hughes … I know I am extremely exasperating at times …" he replied honestly.
"Extremely …" she replied with a little smirk.
He chuckled happily, knowing that they were back on track if she was teasing him.
"Well … I must be going … enjoy your tea …" Charles smiled.
"Will you not join me Mr Carson?" she asked hopefully.
"I would love to Mrs Hughes but I am meeting with His Lordship in five minutes … umm … however … if you are free … I mean to say … if you would like … for an hour or so this afternoon …" he stumbled.
"Yes Mr Carson?" she asked, trying not to build her hopes too high. She watched as he clenched his fists at his sides and took an enormously deep breath.
"Would you accompany me for a walk around the gardens? It is a lovely day …" he asked nervously, biting his lip as he waited for a response.
"That would be delightful Mr Carson …" Elsie smiled.
"Huh … uh ... delightful …" Mr Carson repeated soppily, as he walked out of the room with a spring in his step.
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Elsie, keep calm, she told herself; he may simply intend this to be a walk between friends. However, he had never in her twenty years at Downton asked her to accompany him for a walk, and to the best of her knowledge, he had never asked any other woman to go for a walk with him either. Despite feeling quite ridiculous to be making such a fuss, she had decided to change her outfit and dress up a little. It would not hurt to be looking a little nicer than usual she reasoned. Therefore she was wearing a pretty lemon blouse, with short sleeves, and a new, long black skirt that revealed a glimpse of her ankles and calves. She had pinned her hair slightly differently, it was a little looser than usual, and had added a hint of rouge to her cheeks and a trace of pink to her lips.
"Well … look at you Mrs Hughes … and where are you off to all dressed up?" Beryl asked from the doorway, smiling at her friend.
"Oh Mrs Patmore … I am not dressed up … heavens …" Elsie responded, trying and failing to hide her excitement.
Beryl simply looked at her knowingly, until the housekeeper spoke again.
"Alright … I am a little dressed up … is it too much? Do I look absurd?" Elsie asked anxiously.
"Well … I don't yet know what occasion you have dressed up for but I would hazard a guess that a certain strapping Butler is involved … and you certainly look pretty as a picture …" Beryl grinned.
Elsie giggled, he certainly was strapping!
"Yes … he has asked me to accompany him for a walk …" Elsie said happily.
"A walk … the racy devil …" Beryl replied with a broad smile. Elsie rolled her eyes but could not help but giggle.
"Mrs Patmore …" Elsie began and then paused, nervous about what she was going to admit to her friend.
"Yes?" Beryl asked.
"I think Mr Carson is courting me … I think I am being wooed …" she giggled elatedly, her cheeks blushing with the thought.
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They had walked for a few minutes in blissful silence. Elsie had been thrilled when he had offered his arm. It was a warm summer's day and this was a little moment of paradise, Elsie thought happily. As they walked out of view of the House she had leaned in closer to Mr Carson as she rested on his arm. Charles had noted this subtle change and was more than pleased to have Elsie resting so snugly against his side. He had forsaken his usual jacket and had ventured outside in simply his shirt and waistcoat. Elsie too had altered her appearance; although with far greater effect than him, Charles thought cheerfully. He rarely saw her in a colourful blouse, and a short sleeved blouse at that. She looked so pretty. As he gazed down at Elsie, he was bewitched by her beauty. She looked so lovely and carefree as they strolled towards the stream that trickled through the grounds of the Abbey.
Elsie looked upwards and caught him gazing at her. He looked flustered as she smiled tenderly at him.
"Is everything ok Mr Carson?" Elsie asked with a smile.
"Yes … yes … certainly …" he answered, and gave a short cough to cover his embarrassment.
They reached the stream; it was quite a bit wider than Charles remembered. They both stared at the water as it flowed past their feet. Charles could certainly stride across the water, there was even a couple of rocks that would act as stepping stones, but for Elsie it would prove much more difficult.
"I may have to take a running leap …" she giggled.
Charles laughed but had an idea; although he began to get rattled as he realised it might sound quite presumptuous and forward. He gave another brief cough to clear his throat and then said,
"I could help you across Mrs Hughes … if you will permit me …"
Elsie beamed at her Butler; he looked so adorable when he got flummoxed.
"That would be most appreciated Mr Carson …" she replied.
"Right then …" Charles said, seemingly trying to prepare himself.
Elsie had thought that he would take her hand and perhaps try to guide her across the rocks to the other side. Therefore, she was astounded when Charles picked her up, clear off the ground, and held her securely in him arms. She quickly wrapped one arm around his neck and rested the other on his front. She gulped as she enjoyed the feel of his warm body through his shirt. Without thinking, she gently stroked his chest, and he rewarded her with the biggest smile. Elsie immediately stopped herself when she realised what she was doing, blushing furiously. Charles continued to smile and held her as if she was as light as a feather, as he walked easily across the stream, reaching the other side with no hesitation. Charles knew he should now lower Elsie to the ground but he had no wish at all for this beautiful woman to leave his arms.
Elsie became flustered as she remained in his arms, noting his arm wrapped tightly around her back, and the other beneath her legs. Her face was so close to his and he lovingly, rested his forehead against hers. She could not resist, her hand that had lain on his chest, rose slowly to caress his face as she gazed devotedly into his lovely brown eyes. He gave the most contented sigh as she continued to tenderly touch his face. Elsie was quite lost in this moment; feeling so cherished in his arms. As she stroked his face she was mesmerised by her love for this man.
Charles was in heaven; as if holding Elsie was not wonderful enough, she was now caressing his face with such warmth. He knew it was very forward to take her in his arms, however he had genuinely thought it was the safest way to get Elsie across the stream. Yet now, he simply could not put her down. Her beautiful face was so close to his that he could smell the lavender scent in her hair. He found that he could not resist a moment longer. It was Elsie's turn to sigh as he began to kiss her cheek, still holding her so lovingly and protectively in his arms. He continued to place tiny, fond kisses on her cheek, under her chin and then down her neck. Elsie gripped Charles more firmly, murmuring in pleasure as he kissed and caressed her neck more eagerly; both of her hands now held him firmly at the nape of his neck, as she wound one hand up into his soft, luscious hair. His hair had become more tousled in the fresh air and he looked so handsome.
Charles pulled her body against him closely as he basked in the feeling of holding this divine woman and kissing her so tenderly. He wanted so much to kiss her lips and before he could act on this thought, he felt Elsie cup his face in both hands and bring her lips to his. She kissed him softly at first, and then deepened the kiss, delighted when she felt him return her kiss with such passion. They both kissed and teased each other's lips, pouring every ounce of love into this embrace. Charles's hands were holding Elsie in the air, holding her snugly against his chest, but Elsie's hands touched his face, slid across his chest and then wound around his neck to pull him in closer.
Eventually, both a little out of breath, they pulled apart, resting their heads together and smiling jubilantly at each other. They both allowed their breathing and heart rate to calm as they smiled and laughed gleefully. A thought then occurred to Elsie, as she realised that she was still being held aloft by Charles and his arms must surely be getting very tired.
"Mr Carson … do you think you should put me down?" Elsie giggled.
"Never …" Charles responded with a smile, as he gave Elsie another sweet kiss.
A/N: Thank you for the reviews as always- they are such a boost to me x
