Chapter 11
Then …
"Why am I taking the afternoon tea to the Library Mrs Cooper? You know I don't mind hard work but surely that is the Footmen's job?" Elsie said, already run off her feet with her other chores.
"The truth is Elsie, the Dowager Countess frightens the life out of them. She has bitten the head off most of them on previous visits ... therefore I told them you would help serve tea, just this once," Mrs Cooper explained.
"She can't be that bad surely?" Elsie reasoned, having never come across the Dowager before.
Since Elsie had worked at Downton, the Dowager has been staying with her daughter in London. Elsie had heard a rumour that the Dowager didn't much like her daughter-in-law, apparently she thought Americans were rather vulgar.
"Let's just say she's an acquired taste," Mrs Cooper replied tactfully.
Here goes nothing then, Elsie thought, as she headed upstairs with the tea tray. She was relieved to see Mr Carson waiting in the Library. He would serve the Dowager and Lady Grantham; Elsie simply had to deliver the sandwiches, cakes and scones to the side of the room.
"A maid serving tea Carson? Have we suddenly gone all European? Where are the Footmen?" the older woman enquired.
"They are otherwise engaged Milady and therefore Elsie, our Head Housemaid, is assisting this afternoon," he replied.
Mr Carson spoke evenly yet he was not happy at all to see the Footmen shirking their responsibilities. He would have words with Mrs Cooper when he returned downstairs, she should never have authorised this. He agreed with the Dowager, a maid should not be serving afternoon tea, traditions must be upheld.
Elsie was not sure what to do; she was meant to be seen and not heard. However, she had been referred to directly and so she turned and gave a respectful nod of the head to the Dowager.
"Elsie? I haven't seen you before have I?" the older woman asked haughtily.
"No Milady. I only joined Downton recently," she replied politely.
"I see … and a Scottish maid at that … Downton really is becoming quite cosmopolitan, a Scot, an American … whatever next Carson?" the Dowager exclaimed, amusing herself greatly.
Lady Grantham shook her head lightly as she sipped her tea. She hoped that one day she and her mother-in-law would have a more comfortable relationship.
Elsie's eyes opened wide at this remark, as she walked back to the sideboard to collect the empty trays. I am hardly from Mars, she muttered. She hadn't meant for anyone to hear her comment but the Butler caught it. He remained straight-faced but his eyes brightened. He was pleased to see that Elsie wasn't intimidated by the Dowager, as the Footmen seemed to be. I am not sure Elsie would be intimidated by anyone, he thought to himself.
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Now …
"Will you calm down!" Elsie said, rolling her eyes at her husband, as she pinned her hat in place.
"I am calm," he declared.
"Oh really and that's why you've changed your tie three times," she said, raising her eyebrows and daring him to claim otherwise.
"It's not right Elsie, we shouldn't be having tea with the Dowager," he stated, panic all over his face.
"Charles, I know it is a little unusual but the old dear obviously misses you. And with Mrs Crawley visiting Mr Branson in Boston, she will be particularly lonely. Its very kind of her to ask us to tea," Elsie smiled, trying to reassure him.
Elsie was trying to remain positive; however her husband's anxieties were beginning to annoy her. It is hardly my idea of a perfect afternoon, she thought, but I am trying to make the best of it.
"It is kind and anyway, who says she misses me. I am sure she misses us both," he said.
His wife gave him a quizzical look. They both knew that whilst the Dowager respected Elsie, it was Charles who she had a soft spot for. As Elsie looked at her husband and observed his worried puppy dog face, her irritation dissipated. She reached up and kissed Charles on the cheek.
"And who wouldn't miss this lovely, handsome man?" she teased, kissing him again.
Charles picked up on the teasing, beginning to relax at last.
"I am quite irresistible, aren't I?" he returned.
Elsie laughed gloriously, fastening her coat.
"You are, I'll never know how I held out for so long," she exclaimed, as Charles chuckled happily.
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Then …
"The Dowager does not like her salmon sandwiches with cucumber, she thinks it rather common," Elsie said tiredly, as she strode into the kitchen with the returned plate of sandwiches.
The Head Housemaid was trying to remain professional but lord knows the Dowager was driving her to her limits.
"Give them here, I'll pick the cucumber out … the old bat will never know," exclaimed Mrs Patmore.
Elsie giggled at the Cook's cheek. She wouldn't dare publicly make such a remark about a member of the Family. Although she may think it.
"Knowing the Dowager, she may know … could we perhaps make her some new sandwiches Mrs Patmore?" Elsie asked, not wanting to take any risks.
The Cook looked at her sympathetically, knowing that Elsie was facing the Dowager's disdain because the Footmen were too scared to go anywhere near her.
"Go on then, you ladies can have these later," Mrs Patmore smiled, pointing at the offending sandwiches.
"Thank you Mrs Patmore, thank you," Elsie breathed.
Ten minutes later, Elsie ascended the stairs; salmon sandwiches, without cucumber, in hand. She gave these to Mr Carson at the side of the Library, with a weary look. He bit back a smile.
"Finally, I thought you must have gone to catch the salmon yourself Edna," the Dowager crowed.
Elsie opened her mouth as if to speak and then closed it again, not wishing to waste any more energy. Edna! The woman is unbelievable.
"It's Elsie Milady", Mr Carson corrected gently, as he offered her the new plate of sandwiches.
"Is it? Oh well, thank you Carson," she smiled sweetly.
Elsie watched this exchange from the side of the room. No doubt who the Dowager's favourite is then, she smiled.
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Now …
"You don't approve of Mr Talbot do you Carson?" the Dowager smirked, as the three chatted about Lady Mary and her husband. The young couple had been married a year now.
The former Butler took a deep breath, about to offer a defence when the Dowager began to chuckle.
"Don't worry, I don't particularly approve either but Mary seems happy, perhaps we really are two old relics now Carson? The young of today probably haven't even heard of Burke's landed gentry," she declared.
"I would think not Milady but I do have my wife to drag me into the modern world," he teased, smiling at Elsie.
"Quite right. Actually Mrs Carson, I wish to ask you a favour," the Dowager began, somewhat apprehensively.
"Yes Milady?" Elsie asked.
"I may well be going sentimental in my old age but there is a play showing in York that I would like to see, for old times' sake. I last saw it with my late husband. I would usually drag Isobel along with me, certainly none of the rest of my family would appreciate it, and I wondered … would you care to accompany me?" the Dowager asked, knowing that the former Housekeeper was as well-read and intelligent as any of her acquaintances.
Elsie was astonished by this request; the Dowager was asking the former Housekeeper to be her companion for the evening. Not a servant, a companion. Also, if Elsie wasn't mistaken, there was a hint of uncertainty in the Dowager's voice. For all of the Grand Dame's bluster, she only had one true friend and that was Mrs Crawley. The play obviously meant a great deal to her and Elsie was flattered that the Dowager would ask her to go along. The prospect of an evening in the Dowager's company was a far from relaxing thought but Elsie would not dream of rejecting such a well-intentioned offer.
"I would be delighted to accompany you Milady, I look forward to it," Elsie replied warmly.
We have come a long way, Elsie reflected. The Dowager looked relieved and very pleased. Charles gazed at Elsie proudly, knowing how much the Dowager must think of his wife to make such a request.
A little while later, as they were leaving Dower House, Charles whispered to his wife,
"I think the Dowager may have a new favourite."
She playfully slapped him on the chest.
"Get away with you!" she exclaimed, rolling her eyes with a smile.