Elsie awoke with a start. The room was dark and it took her a moment to realize where she was. And who she was with. Sighing happily she gently stroked her husbands chest. She felt better than she had in days. Certainly things were not perfect between them, and they'd have a great deal to discuss. They would need to find ways to navigate illness without the same unpleasantness but she felt pride knowing her husband was just as devoted as she was. Despite them both having a momentary lapse.
As she stroked his chest Charles began making soft murmurs. She thought they were a product of ill-timed arousal however it became clear quickly he was in distress.
"Charlie, what is it? What do you need?" She asked sitting up now and gazing at her hurting husband.
"My pills, I need my pills." He said, wincing at every movement of the bed.
Elsie quickly got out of bed and began searching however since she'd not been the one caring for him she was unsure where to find the needed medication.
"Charlie, I'll…I don't know…I'll just run to the sitting room and see if Molly is still here. She should know where they are."
Charles gave a small nod as Elsie quickly left the room.
Her face was flush as she came into the sitting room and Molly was a bit startled, surely they hadn't…certainly not, she'd have heard some noise if they had. Certainly with Mr. Carson's back still in a state it would be most unwise.
"Molly, do you know where my husbands pills are?" Elsie said, a bit annoyed the woman was still in the house after all she had caused.
"Yes," she replied, going into the kitchen and returning a moment later with a tray, complete with warm soup, water and tablets. "He needs to eat with them, though he dislikes eating outside the appointed hour."
"Thank you." Elsie said taking the tray from Molly and turning to go back to Charles.
"Perhaps once you've given him his tray we could have a word. I feel we should speak briefly before I leave for the day." Molly said.
"I suppose we should. Give me a few moments." Elsie said silently dreading the impending conversation. She'd have to admit she over reacted, that she was jealous and insecure. None of those seemed appealing things to have to admit to a woman thirty years her junior.
"Ah, thank you darling but I only need the tablets." Charles said upon seeing the tray.
"You shall eat all of this soup as well." She said curtly.
"I'm really not-"
"Charles, things may be mildly resolved between us but I'm still not best pleased. I'm about to go have a chat with Molly about the events of the last few hours and the last thing I need is to be worrying about my troublesome husband. Now eat the soup and if I return and there is even a drop still in that bowl I shall tie you down like a rouge hog and force it down your gullet myself!"
With that Elsie turned and quickly left the room.
Molly was pacing in front of the fire when Elsie entered. They eyed each other for a moment. It wasn't until then that Elsie noticed how red and puffy Molly's eyes were. Certainly she understood what that meant, she knew she'd looked similar only a few hours before.
"Mrs. Carson-" Molly began, only to be interrupted by Elsie's hand.
"Nurse…Molly, I just want to apologize."
"Oh no, its me who should apologize-"
"No it isn't. I was jealous and vain and jumped to ill-founded conclusions. I'm sorry for my behavior and the unkind language I used towards you."
"Oh Mrs. Carson, I understand. This has happened to me before."
"Really?" Elsie asked in shock. Though inwardly she was somewhat relieved that she wasn't the only jealous wife in all of England.
"Yes, the last post I had was as a private nurse for a wealthy family in Coventry. It was a lovely place and I was very happy there. Until the mistress of the house got it into her mind that I was plotting to steal her husband. It all ended so dreadfully I ran away in the middle of the night."
"My word, how did you get a reference here if you left under such circumstances?" Elsie asked.
"Dr. Clarkson is my uncle." Molly said shyly.
"Ah, I see. And a good uncle to have too." Elsie said sympathetically. The poor thing had been through such a trial. And now Elsie felt guilty for adding to it.
"He was the one who encouraged me to be a nurse. I do enjoy it, truly but…I'd not anticipated this sort of thing happening. Uncle Richard recommended me to this post because he knew you and Mr. Carson were so devoted to each other…"
"Goodness, and all we've done is proven we are just as flawed as young lovers." Elsie said with a sigh.
"I'll collect my things and go. I can have another nurse sent tomorrow if you still require one. I would understand if you'd like to care for your husband now."
"I both would and I wouldn't." Elsie said, finally sitting down on the settee with a groan.
"But surely-" Molly began, taking the seat next to Elsie.
"While this has been an unpleasant situation I am not naive enough to think my husband will change his ways so quickly."
"He isn't that bad surely…"
"Has he been a peach to you this entire time?" Elsie asked.
"No, of course not. But I grew up with four brothers, I'm rather used to moody men."
"Ah, well I've stood by Mr. Carson's side for many years now and I know him well enough to know that while he does desire to change his ways occasionally, it takes a great deal of work. And frankly, for the state of our marriage I'm not inclined to be around as he adjusts."
"I suppose that is reasonable. I'll speak with Mrs. Crawley and see what other nurses can attend to Mr. Carson-"
"Would you not consider staying on?" Elsie asked incredulously.
"I…well I certainly would stay on but I just assumed after all this-"
"The afore mentioned unpleasantness has been cleared up. I doubt we shall have a repeat of the issue, I shall certainly do my part."
"Of course. If both yourself and Mr. Carson would like me to stay on then I am happy to do so."
"Perfect. I think though that with all that is happened it may be best if we continue with the latest plan, that is I shall stay at Downton for the remainder of Mr. Carson's recovery."
"Surely that won't be needed? He'd be terribly sad without you." Molly pleaded.
"What is it they say, absence makes the heart grow fonder. And truly another night on this settee would do my back in as well, then we'd have two unhappy patients. No, I shall pack a few things and return to my old rooms. I will call every day to check in on Mr. Carson's progress and I'll visit as often as I can. Once he gets the all clear from Dr. Clarkson I will return. I think it better for everyone sanity that way."
Charles lay in bed anxious. He could hear chatting from the other room but it was soft enough he couldn't make out what was being said. He was unused to eavesdropping and certainly disliked how inefficient it could be from ones sick bed. Finally he heard steps coming towards the bedroom and he checked his bowl of soup for any stray droplets, least he be force fed by an angry Scot.
He felt relief when Elsie appeared with a smile upon her face. Clearly the conversation hadn't gone as badly as she'd been expecting.
"Charlie my dear," she said taking a seat in the chair next to the bed, "how are you feeling?"
"Better, the pills are beginning to kick in. The question is how are you my dear heart?" He asked, unbothered by the term of endearment that had quickly escaped his tongue.
"I am fine but…I think it would be best if I went back to Downton for a few days."
"What?" Charles said, startled and panicking, had they truly not cleared this all up? Had their cuddle been for naught?
"I'm not leaving indefinitely. Just while you recover. I think it best. Molly will stay on during the day and the hospital will send someone at night."
"But I want you…" He said meekly, unsure how to convince her.
"And you shall have me again, when you are better. I know you feel bad for how you behaved, as well you should, but I am not innocent enough to think either of us will completely change our ways before you are healed."
"I will try-"
"And I appreciate that but this is for the best." She said.
"I shall miss you." He said, taking her hand and squeezing it.
"I shall miss you too love, but it won't be for long." She said pressing a soft kiss to his hand, "And just think what fun we shall have when we are reunited."
"When my back is healed." He said with a smile.
"When your back is healed." She said leaning in to press a chaste kiss to his lips.