Chapter 10
"Are you sure I can't come with you Mr Carson?" she asked for about the fifth time.
"I am sure Mrs Hughes … there is no way you are going out in this weather, I won't allow it," he said firmly, his tone brokering no argument.
She would normally have felt her hackles rise at such a tone but following their enchanting dance in the kitchen, she found she was unable to think of Mr Carson in anything but the most favourable way.
"I won't be gone long; I just need to get to that hut out back to collect some more wood for the fire. I don't want us to run out during the night," he said more softly.
"But the snow is coming down so heavily Mr Carson … you'll freeze," she added worriedly.
"Please don't worry about a thing Mrs Hughes … I won't have time to freeze … I'll be there and back before you know it," he said reassuringly, reaching out to give her hand a gentle squeeze.
They had both become more and more tactile as the evening progressed; it seemed so natural to both of them and yet before this evening they had only ever enjoyed the briefest of touches. Mrs Hughes gave her Butler a beautiful smile.
"Well, you do look rather fetching I must say … in your pyjama bottoms, vest, boots and coat!" she teased, still holding his hand.
"I knew you would find me irresistible in this outfit," he joked, and then almost exploded with impropriety when he realised what he had said.
As he stood coughing and spluttering, his cheeks blushing a lovely shade of pink, Mrs Hughes bit her lip in amusement; thinking not for the first time that evening how adorable he was.
She reached up and gave him a quick peck on the cheek to calm him. Mr Carson looked surprised yet delighted.
"Very dashing," she whispered, with a cheeky smile.
Mr Carson gazed at her soppily; thinking that he had never set eyes on a more exquisite woman in his entire life.
"I promise I won't be long," he breathed, his voice a little hoarse.
"And don't you dare follow me ... not under any circumstances …" he added.
Mrs Hughes pretended to look shocked.
"I know you too well Mrs Hughes … now stay put," he winked.
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Where on earth is he? She worried. She had his pocket watch in her hand, he had been gone fifteen minutes. He said he wouldn't be long. Calm down Elsie for heaven's sake, she chided herself. He has probably just had trouble getting to the hut; the snow is now very deep. She was sure he would be back soon.
She paced up and down the small sitting-room, trying to remain calm. Another ten minutes had passed. Oh dear god, where is he? She panicked. She looked out of the small window in the kitchen, towards the hut where the logs were kept. However, she could not see a thing; only sheets of white snow falling heavily. What if he has fallen? What if he has hurt himself? I need to go and find him. I know he said to stay indoors but I need to go and find him.
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Mr Carson was out of breath, having scooped about four feet of snow away from the door to the small wooden hut with his hands. He finally got the door open and was grateful to see plenty of dry logs inside. He picked up as many as he could carry, kicked the door shut with his foot and made his way back to the lodge. The snow was heavier than ever and if it hadn't been for the candle flickering in the window of the lodge, he would never have been able to make his way in the right direction. He was absolutely perished as he arrived back at the lodge, relieved to get back inside and into the warmth. He dropped the logs to the floor as he bolted the back door behind him.
"I am back Mrs Hughes … sorry it took longer than I expected. You have never seen as much snow as was in front of that door …" he muttered, removing his coat and gloves.
He wandered through from the kitchen to the sitting-room to see Mrs Hughes but was startled to see that she was not there. She must be in the bedroom, he thought.
"Mrs Hughes … you should be in the sitting-room in the warmth …" he smiled, anticipating a response.
When no response came his heart skipped a beat; oh dear god, she wouldn't have? He hurried to the bedroom; she wasn't there either. He raced to pick up his coat, throwing it back on as he ran to the back door. That infuriating woman must have followed me. I told her to stay inside, he blustered. He then realised that he hadn't seen her on his way back to the lodge. Terror gripped his heart. She must have gone in the wrong direction; she could be far away by now. The weather was dangerous; she shouldn't be out there. He flung open the door and raced out into the woods.
"Mrs Hughes? Mrs Hughes can you hear me? Mrs Hughes?" he bellowed, himself blinded by the snow.
"Mrs Hughes? Mrs Hughes?" he continued.
This cannot be happening, he panicked. I could not live with myself if anything happened to her.
"Mrs Hughes?" his cries were becoming more and more hysterical.
Mr Carson frantically looked left and right, hoping to spot her.
"Mr Carson I am over here … I am over here," she shouted.
"Oh my goodness … keep talking Mrs Hughes, I can't see you …" he replied, thanking god that she was alive.
"I am over here … I can see you Mr Carson … keep walking …" she shouted calmly.
Finally he spotted her, sitting on the snow in just her coat, shoes and, he presumed, the pyjama top underneath.
"What in heavens!" he shouted, as he neared her.
"I think I have twisted my ankle … I can't walk on it Mr Carson," she explained.
He picked her up off the ground in one fell swoop, holding her high in the air as if she was as light as a feather.
"Are you alright?" he breathed, gazing at her lovely face.
"I am fine Mr Carson … just so glad to see that you are ok … I thought something had happened to you, I was worried … you were gone so long," she gasped, as her arms linked around his neck.
"You were worried," he said ironically, shaking his head fondly, as he smiled at her.
Mrs Hughes smiled back at him.
"I think we both were," she replied, as they rested their heads together. He kissed her forehead once more, so tenderly. She felt so safe in his arms.
"And what happened to not leaving the lodge under any circumstances?" he asked, raising his eyebrows as he walked with her in his arms.
"I didn't leave for twenty five minutes Mr Carson but then I panicked … I thought you might have fallen or hurt yourself … I came to save you …" she giggled happily at the ridiculousness of her words; she had come to save Mr Carson but it was he who had ended up saving her.
"Do you think you'll ever do anything I say?" he teased, as he walked back towards the lodge carrying his most precious darling in his arms. Her head rested blissfully on his shoulder.
"I doubt it," she smiled, as she snuggled even closer to him.
She felt his laughter rumble through his chest.
A/N: Thank you once again for all of your lovely reviews x