Forgetting herself Elsie walked out of her sitting room holding the gown in her hands, not thinking or rather thinking very hard but not about who might still be up and around downstairs. But of course Mr. Carson was still up and when he heard movement he hurried into the hallway to accidentally on purpose run into Mrs. Hughes, his thought that evening on nothing else.

'Good evening Mrs. Hughes.'

Elsie jumped and looked up. Shit, , of course he would be the one still downstairs and catching her off guard. Her being such a careful dragon she chided herself for being so giddy with love that she was foolishly forgetting everything else, like a highly smitten young lass sneaking out to meet someone.

'Oh , you gave me quite a fright.'

Normally Charles would apologise being the gentleman he was but his dulled senses and burning love for this woman left him saying the first thing that came into his mind. So very unlike him but then again so was drinking copious amounts of sherry on his own, late into the night.

'What's that your holding?'

'Oh er..' Elsie murmured looking down at her hands to give her some time to answer him. 'It's my night gown Mr. Carson, I, err, it needed some altering, mending.

'Right, well, it err it looks lovely.' Mr Carson said softly while stepping closer to Mrs. Hughes.

'Thank you, well time for bed, good night Mr. Carson.' She gave him a last look and upon seeing his troubled expression and smelling the alcohol on him decided to add, 'Sweet dreams.' Maybe Misses Patmore was right and he did love her but she would never know because Charles…well Charles would never…. She sighed and hurried up the stairs, no use in dwelling on that again.

Charles' eyes widened and a smile began to form on his lips but before he could say or do anything more he saw Mrs. Hughes was al ready halfway up the stairs. Alas another night wasted and there had so many of those al ready, it seemed unlikely it would ever change. And with that sober thought he began dragging himself up the stairs to his bed, his lonely empty bed.

Great houses like Downton would surely have had it's share of naughty dreams with all the people who had taking slumber there but it might never have had three people simultaneously dreaming such passionate dreams about the same three people. Cora dreaming of Elsie, Mr. Carson dreaming of Elsie and Elsie dreaming of Cora and, al though she wouldn't remember it come morning, dreaming of Mr. Carson as well as Cora.

Al three woke that morning feeling particularly good about the day. For Elsie and Cora the reason was the same for tonight was the night. For Mr. Carson it was less clear, he couldn't remember much of last night but has the distinct feeling something good has happened.

The day seemed to drag on, Cora couldn't find anything to do that kept her mind from thinking about Elsie, the Blue room and what might happen there tonight. The fact that her family, her husband let her be, not asking what she was up to or why it was she wasn't doing anything but sitting and staring into space left her feeling anxious today. She reasoned with herself that it was her guilty conscience and that nobody could possibly know what was going on in her head and that she really wasn't acting out of the ordinary.

Calming herself she decided quite abruptly to just go downstairs and find the woman that had her head so full. When you've got a tune stuck in your head and you simply cannot get rid of it the best thing to do is just listen to it. With this reasoning Cora went into the main hall found a mirror to quickly check her appearance and hurried down the stairs. She heard Elsie before she saw her and her heart beat even faster. Maybe this wasn't such a good idea.

'Milady?'

Cora turned her head, standing on the bottom most step of the stairs she saw Carson look at her with polite puzzlement.

'Ah yes Carson, I err, I was looking for Mrs. Hughes.'

Aren't we all, Charles thought wryly. 'She is with Misses Patmore I believe.' He said waving a hand in the direction of the kitchen.

Cora gave Carson a nod and headed to the sound of that wonderful alluring accent. If Mrs. Hughes was shocked or indeed pleased to see her, she didn't let on. Cora couldn't help but feel a little hurt at that but then again Cora was free to smile brightly at her if Mrs. Hughes would do the same it would be completely out of character and that certainly wouldn't do. Mrs. Hughes knew this of course and Cora calmed herself with the thought that Elsie was just cleverly playing her part, keeping up appearances.

'Afternoon ladies.' Cora smiled but the smile soon faded when she finally looked at her cook. Was that such a strange thing to say, oh god she didn't know how to act anymore, what to say.

Mrs. Hughes was quick to save her or so she thought. 'Good afternoon Milady…you wanted me?'

Cora was sure the see a little evil in the polite smile the formidable housekeeper gave her. Yes Mrs. Hughes, I do want you, as you very well know! Cora thought as Mrs. Hughes stepped away from Misses Patmore and motioned Cora to follow her to her sitting room.

'I can't close the door.' Elsie said softly when Cora followed her into her room.

'I know, I just had to see you.' Cora admitted going red at these love sick but honest words.

Taking in the expression on Cora's face Elsie smiled, such honestly, it might be the American in her but after years and years of waiting for people to say what they actually thought and meant it was a breath of fresh air. Elsie felt the longer she had been in England the more she started withholding the first thing that came to mind and speak in a proper, and in her option quite fake, way. Mr. Carson of course the master at this and being quite young when she came to Downton and eager to do a good job and fit in she had followed his lead and consequently lost her own voice little by little.

But not now, not here, not with her.

'I am so glad you did, I fear I am losing my mind a wee bit.' She stared into those big blue eyes. 'I miss you so much.' Elsie spoke in hushed tones ever aware of the inability of any privacy in these halls.

'Oh thank god.' Cora sighed. It was all she needed, not having a chance to speak privately for three days had her mind thinking all sorts but looking into Elsie eyes and hearing her say she missed her Cora felt her sanity return.

'Never doubt my love, I will see you tonight.' Elsie assured her with a radiant smile.

'I wish I could…' But at Elsie's worried look and tiny shake of her head she faltered. They smiled at each other. It needn't be said. Elsie gave Cora a nod and spoke at her normal volume. 'Thank you Milady, I think we've got that sorted now.'

The double meaning wasn't lost on Cora and she tried to think of something similarly clever to say but alas she wasn't quite as quick as her adversary.