A/N: Thank you for all of your reviews- I am quite overwhelmed by them. I couldn't fit everything I wanted to happen at the ball into one chapter and so this is just a taster- there will be much more to come x

Chapter 10

Mr Carson was in his pantry, updating his wine ledger before going to get ready for the servant's ball. As always, he would start the evening by dancing with Lady Grantham, as Mrs Hughes danced with His Lordship. He remained concerned about Mrs Hughes. She had not been herself of late and although she had reassured him that she was fine, he was not totally convinced. She had admitted feeling out of sorts and lonely but he was sure there was something else, something that she had told Lord Grantham and not him.

"Penny for them?" Janet smiled, as she entered his pantry.

"Sorry?" Charles was broken from his daze.

"Your thoughts? You looked deep in thought Mr Carson," Janet explained.

"Oh I was yes …sorry," Charles said.

"No need to be sorry … can I help?" Janet asked.

"No, thank you …" Charles rebuffed.

Janet was getting increasingly fed up that things did not seem to be going anywhere with Charles. They had flirted a little. She had kissed him two or three of times on the cheek, occasionally stroked his arm. They had enjoyed a cup of tea together a few times but that was it. She could see he was attracted to her and so she hoped perhaps the servant's ball would provide a turning-point to get their relationship really moving. She had chosen a fantastic dress to catch his eye. However, now he was keeping her at a distance again. She gave Charles a glare, at this latest snub.

"… I am just worried about Mrs Hughes, that is all … I think she has something on her mind but she won't talk to me," Charles said. There was no way he would give Janet any more information than that. He knew how private Elsie was and she would hate to be discussed by other staff.

"My goodness Mr Carson, do you ever talk about anything else? You virtually mention Mrs Hughes in every sentence. She is a grown woman, whatever it is she will be fine," Janet added curtly.

"Yes, I am sure she will Janet but she is my dear friend and I cannot help but worry …" Charles said tetchily.

Janet realised that she needed to at least pretend she was sympathetic to keep Charles on her side,

"Yes … yes of course Mr Carson … I am sorry … it is to your credit that you are such a good friend to her … however, she is a strong woman and I really do think she will be fine … " Janet said, more kindly.

Charles smiled, "Yes I am sure you are right … and she did seem happier this afternoon … I just wish she would talk to me … she always used to … she seems to be retreating from me lately … she doesn't seem to want to confide in me anymore … she prefers to confide in others …"

Janet smiled inwardly, she was glad to hear this as she was tired of hearing about this blasted woman. However, of course she didn't say this to Charles; instead she tried to be understanding,

"Well to be fair to Mrs Hughes, it can't be easy for her to speak to you …" Janet began.

"What do you mean by that? I am very easy to speak to!" Charles retorted.

"Yes of course you are … I just meant that for Mrs Hughes it must be difficult to speak to you … in fact it is probably easier for her to speak to anyone but you …" Janet further explained. She wasn't sure why he was looking so shocked, surely he knew.

"I don't understand what you mean … Mrs Hughes is my dearest friend … why on earth would it be more difficult for her to speak to me rather than anyone else?" Charles asked, totally confused by Janet's words.

"Isn't it obvious?" Janet asked.

"No … it's not obvious at all …" Charles said, baffled.

"She is in love with you! She isn't in love with anyone else!" Janet said, totally exasperated.

Charles stumbled where he stood, having to hold onto his desk to steady himself. He stared at Janet open-mouthed, completely floored by what she had just said,

"Janet … why … why … why would you say such a thing? Mrs Hughes is certainly not … she is certainly not in love with me! My goodness Janet, how dare you say such a thing!" Charles stammered.

"Mr Carson, of course she is! Don't tell me you didn't know? Honestly, you should see the way she looks at you … she must find it so hard that you don't feel the same and … " Janet continued.

"Janet stop right there! Please never repeat such words again … you … you have no right to say such things … such untrue words … Mrs Hughes and I have a close friendship … that is all … she certainly isn't … she just isn't … and such false assertions are very dangerous indeed …" Charles finished, quite out of breath.

"Mr Carson I am sorry … I didn't mean to upset you … I thought you knew but … if you are sure that what I have said is not the case … then I apologise and shall never repeat such words again … I am sorry, " Janet said kindly.

"Yes … yes … ok … yes … well thank you Janet … and I probably overreacted … I was shocked by your words … I know you did not mean any harm …" Charles said, as he attempted to gather his thoughts.

"I certainly did not Mr Carson … now I am going to go and make myself look beautiful for the ball … I will see you in the staff dining hall with the others at about 7.00pm?" Janet said, flirtatiously giving his arm a gentle stroke.

"Yes … yes Janet … I will see you then," Charles managed as she left his pantry.

His head was spinning with a thousand thoughts and his breath was still hastened. He slumped down in his chair trying to make sense of what Janet had said. Of course Elsie was not in love with him, the idea was preposterous, he thought. She was far too good for him and there was no way she would be interested in him in that way, she had only ever shown him friendship and support, nothing more. Charles also had only ever thought of Elsie as a friend, he thought. She was so dear to him, it had never entered his head that there could be anything more between them, their friendship was perfect the way it was. Well it had been perfect, Charles thought ruefully. Something was not quite right of late but he would not dream of thinking of Elsie in that way. Not that she isn't an attractive woman, Charles reflected. She certainly is, very much so; she is also intelligent, kind, fiercely loyal and very funny. Charles smiled broadly, she really did make him laugh … and she was as fiery as anyone he had ever met! She would get furious with him sometimes, he smiled happily. She was quite perfect really, Charles concluded soppily and then he got flustered again, as he sat at his desk. There was definitely no way Elsie was in love with him and he certainly did not have romantic feelings for his dear friend, definitely not, Charles told himself firmly.

######

"Oh my goodness Beryl! Do you have to fasten that blasted thing so tightly?" Elsie squealed as Beryl stretched her corset to the next hook.

"No pain, no gain!" Beryl smiled.

"I can barely breathe!" Elsie responded.

"You'll get used to it … and anyway … you want to look fabulous don't you?" Beryl reminded her.

""Fabulous yes … but I don't want to pass out!" Elsie joked.

Anna had already completed her hair, even Elsie had to admit it did look very nice. It was very different from her usual style; gone were the tight, pinned curls, and in their place was a sleek, twist updo with Elsie's beautiful brown hair styled to perfection. It looked so glossy and opulent and Elsie felt so glamorous. Anna had also applied her make-up- something Elsie rarely wore. Elsie's dress was made from a deep cerise silk, and so her make-up reflected that with lots of rich tones and deep pinks. Her hair and make-up alone made her look 10 years younger, Anna thought.

"You really do look beautiful Mrs Hughes," Anna smiled, almost teary.

"What ... in this?" Elsie joked, looking down at her tight-fitting corset and undergarments. Anna giggled.

"Well yes, certainly, but I meant your face!" Anna laughed.

"Right, now let's get you into that dress!" Beryl said.

The dress was the most extravagant thing Elsie owned. She had never expected to wear it; she had been given it a few years ago by Lady Grantham to thank her for organising a particularly successful garden party. Yet, it was so splendid, so exquisite, that she really did not think that she would ever have an occasion to wear it. She normally relied on a black dress for the servant's ball, certainly she would wear a slightly more fancy black dress than her normal wear but nothing like the dress Beryl and Anna were now holding up in front of her. As she admired the dress, she was nervous that it was too revealing, she had not flashed this much skin in years- if ever!

"Are you two sure this dress isn't too much? It's not too risky … a bit too revealing?" Elsie said hesitantly.

"Nonsense! You are going to look unbelievably gorgeous Elsie. You have the figure for it- why not show it off!" Beryl said confidently.

"But that's just it Beryl … I don't really have the figure for it anymore!" Elsie replied.

"Mrs Hughes you most certainly do … I would give anything to have your …." Anna paused, trying to find the words, suddenly feeling embarrassed about what she was about to say.

"Oh … she means your breasts! She would love to have your wonderful cleavage!" Beryl shrieked and both Anna and Elsie dissolved into shocked giggles at Beryl's forthrightness.

"It's true!" Anna squealed through her laughter.

The ladies fastened Elsie's dress, ensuring every hook was secure. Elsie then turned around to face them to be met by gasps from her friends. Anna and Beryl both grasped Elsie's hands, tears filling their eyes.

"You look so wonderful Mrs Hughes," Anna said, the emotion catching in her throat.

"You do Elsie … you really do," Beryl said, with the most joyous expression on her face.

"What are you two like, weeping like babies!" Elsie said light-heartedly but actually very touched by her friends' reaction. She gripped their hands tightly.

"Thank you so much Anna, Beryl … I am so grateful to you … I feel … well I feel rather wonderful!" Elsie beamed, glancing in the mirror to her side.

"You look wonderful Elsie, you will truly be the most stunning lady at the ball," Beryl added sincerely.

Elsie giggled, shaking her head, "I'll hardly be that Beryl but thank you for the sentiment … I do feel like a princess!" Elsie said.

"She's right Mrs Hughes, you will take everyone's breath away when they see you tonight and I mean everyone's breath away …" Anna said emphasising the 'everyone', with a tone that both Beryl and Elsie understood.

Elsie shook her head good-naturedly. It was the thing that she didn't dare speak about with her closest friends. She knew full well that they both wanted her and Charles to be together; they wanted it almost as much as she did. However, Elsie realised this was never ever going to happen and therefore she could see no need to discuss this with them, to acknowledge the painful predicament she found herself in; she did not want Beryl or Anna to have to worry about her. She knew Charles did not desire her; he was not in love with her. However, it would be lovely if he at least noticed me tonight, she thought; if he at least thought I looked nice. Elsie then thought of Janet, she would look stunning in her dress, there was no doubt. I will be lucky if Charles even notices I am there, she thought despondently.

"Elsie … we seem to have lost you there …" Beryl said, trying to lighten the mood, knowing full well what thoughts were occupying her friend's mind.

"Sorry … I drifted off for a moment … " Elsie said, with a smile. Anna and Beryl gazed at their friend warmly, holding her hand with such love and care. They both fervently believed that Charles would come to his senses, despite their faith wavering somewhat with the developments between Charles and Janet. Certainly, given the way Elsie looked tonight, if Charles wasn't interested, another man certainly would be, Beryl thought excitedly; she longed for her friend to be cherished.

"You'll be fighting them off with a stick tonight Elsie!" Beryl joked.

"Oh … I am sure … I'll not know who to dance with next!" Elsie jested back.

"I am telling you … your dance card will be full tonight!" Anna said.

Elsie smiled again at her friends; they were certainly a boost to her confidence. She looked at herself in the mirror. The dress really was beautiful. It rested just off her shoulders and was shaped into a low-cut V-shape at the front, showing an enticing amount of décolletage; still appropriate but certainly more adventurous than Elsie would ever normally wear. It was made from the most stunning cerise silk, tightly fitted around her chest and nipped in at the waist. The silk was decorated with subtle beading around the neck, and at the edges of her long sleeves that were fitted to cover her slender arms. What made this dress even more different from her usual style was that instead of flaring out from the waist, it was designed to glide tightly around her hips and derriere, dropping to the floor in a straight and more modern style. It stopped a few inches from the floor; just enough to give a glimpse of Elsie's matching, high heeled shoes. It showed off every curve and asset and Elsie looked ladylike yet sexy.

"I love you both, you do know that," Elsie said, as she smiled at her friends once more. She wasn't one for overt affection but sometimes you needed to tell your loved ones just how much they meant to you, and this was one of those times.

"We love you too Mrs Hughes," Anna said warmly.

"We certainly do … you old Scottish Dragon!" Beryl said, light-heartedly. All 3 women chuckled together, with Elsie swatting Beryl on the arm.

"Right, time to go and meet the rest of the staff … then we can all head up to the ball together," Elsie smiled.

######

Mr Bates, Thomas, Alfred and Jimmy were all in the staff dining room waiting for the others; as were Daisy and Ivy who looked delightful in their evening dresses. There was great excitement and anticipation for the ball; it was the highlight of the year for many staff. It was a chance to enjoy the splendours, even for one night, that the family and the richer classes enjoyed all year long. They did not have to serve and could relax and enjoy themselves, with the finest wines, a wonderful orchestra and marvellous dancing. All of the staff made an effort to look their best.

Mr Carson arrived, looking handsome and regal as always.

"Who are we waiting for then?" Charles asked, pushing his conversation with Janet to the far reaches of his mind.

"Anna, Mrs Hughes and Mrs Patmore are on their way … and there's Janet of course," Mr Bates said flatly. He cared deeply for Mrs Hughes, she had always been so kind to him, and that coupled with the fact that his wife never stopped complaining about Mr Carson and Janet, meant that he was well and truly against the relationship himself as well. He wouldn't dare not be against it- Anna would kill him!

At that moment Janet walked into the kitchen,

"Ta-da!" she said, as she twirled on the spot. Charles smiled at her.

"What do you think Mr Carson? Do I meet your approval?" Janet said, fluttering her eyes at Charles.

"Yes lovely Janet … all of you ladies look most lovely," Charles said embarrassed to be put on the spot like this, as he turned and smiled modestly at Daisy and Ivy also.

Janet looked put out that Charles had not been more effusive in his praise. She walked across to Daisy and Ivy and stood beside them. The staff all then heard laughter coming from the corridor, knowing that the remaining 3 ladies were on their way. Beryl and Anna entered the dining room first, as Mr Bates, ever the gentleman, complimented them both. Mrs Hughes then followed them into the room, feeling a little embarrassed to be dressed up so fancily; perhaps this was a bad idea, she thought. However, that notion was immediately quashed as she looked up to see the faces gazing back at her. Whilst Anna and Beryl stood excitedly and proudly at the side of the room, the other staff beamed with astonishment and delight as Mrs Hughes stood before them.

Elsie felt very self-conscious as she stood but was surprised and thrilled to notice the jaw-dropped expressions of the young men in the room as they unashamedly admired her. Jimmy even gave her a wolf-whistle and Thomas said she looked stunning, with Alfred nodding in agreement with Thomas's compliment, unable to find any words as he realised how gorgeous his superior was. She heard shrieks from Daisy and Ivy as they literally jumped up and down with excitement, exclaiming how beautiful she looked. Elsie truly did feel delighted. However, there was one person who hadn't yet spoken and it was his view that she wanted to hear more than any other. She looked up, catching his eye and smiled tenderly at him. Charles beamed back at her adoringly, took a huge gulp of air, and said,

"You look an absolute vision Mrs Hughes, just breath-taking."

Elsie's heart skipped a beat and her radiant smile lit up the room.