Chapter 10 – Silver
She marched him back to her sitting room, closing the door firmly behind her. He turned to say something and she stopped him, "No, don't say a word Charles Carson. You will apologize to Mr. Barrow and you will do it today."
"I will do no such…"
"I didn't say you could talk Mr. Carson." He took a step back, slightly afraid of the diminutive woman in front of him. The term Scottish Dragon had never been more accurate than in this moment. "Compliments of your botched announcement this morning most of the staff think you only asked me to marry you so you wouldn't have to be alone in your dotage."
He took a step toward her, "Elsie, you know that's…"
"I am still talking Mr. Carson." His head dropped, "As I was making my rounds, trying to remind myself why I love you I overhead several members of your staff having that exact conversation. Before I could chastise them Mr. Barrow stepped in and did the job for me." She paused, needing to catch her breath, "He informed them they should be so lucky to be loved the way you love me."
He watched the tears roll down her cheeks and was instantly sorry. Taking a tentative step toward her, he reached for her hand, "I will apologize the minute he returns. I shouldn't have lost my temper."
She looked up at him with pleading eyes, "I know you don't like him, don't like what he is. But in spite of everything, he defended us, defended you when he had nothing to gain from it. I can't help but wonder if we have failed him somehow."
"I don't think you have failed him but perhaps I could have done more, could do more."
She wiped her eyes, "We won't be here forever Charles. Someone will need to replace us and I can't imagine you want it to be Mr. Molesley."
He shuddered at the thought, "No, definitely not. What can I do Elsie? I'll do anything."
Wiping the tears from her face, she smiled weakly at him, "Well it's Thursday and since I've given Thomas the afternoon off, someone will need to polish the silver."
"I'll have Molesley and Andy take care of it."
"No, I think you should do it. It will give you ample time to figure out a plan for making amends with Thomas."
He started to argue but one look at her face told him it would do no good. He nodded, "As you wish."
As he turned to leave, she gently took his hand, "Charles, for the record, I never believed you asked me to marry you to have a companion."
"But the others do."
"Let them, we know the truth." He squeezed her hand gently then left her office. He was no longer angry but deeply sad.