A/N I am back. Sorry I skipped day 16 and 17 but yesterday was IMPOSSIBLE and I couldn't write a thing. Hope you enjoy this little silly ficlet. And thank you once again for all your wonderful reviews. They make me so incredibly happy.

Day 18 - SUMMER


The house has too many rooms. All of them are hot and stuffy. She has finished cleaning three of the upstairs bedrooms, has tried to air them but it is no use. Warm air from inside meets hot air from the outside. Opening the windows makes everything even worse.

Her uniform is uncomfortable. Black, heavy cloth, long sleeves, high neck. She sweats, cannot change into something lighter until later in the day. Three more rooms to take care of until she is expected to help in the library. Work as a head housemaid: it never ends. There is always something that needs to be done.

xxx

The tie is too tight. He has trouble breathing. But he cannot loosen it. An inappropriately dressed butler serving the Earl of Grantham would be scandalous. He has to deal with the heat just like everyone else. At least he has a room in the basement where it is a bit cooler than in the drawing room or the library. His pantry is his refuge, the only place where he can breathe in this summer heat. Unfortunately he cannot go there when his coat feels too warm, when sweat runs down his back. Changing into a fresh uniform is out of question until dinner is served. The butler has certain standards to maintain, a number of tasks to fulfill throughout the day. He cannot simply leave his position just because he feels uncomfortable.

xxx

All bedrooms have been taken care of and the library is at least a bit cooler than the upstairs rooms facing southwards. Together with the other maids she helps with and supervises the cleaning of the large room. Her gaze repeatedly falls on at the large french doors overlooking the garden. How nice would it be to open them, run barefoot across the green hills, down to the lake. There would be a light breeze, cool grass underneath her feet and the promise of a refreshing swim. But her day is not over yet.

xxx

The maids are in the library. She is by the windows, looking outside, wistfully, the duster in her hand forgotten. He opens his mouth, ready to reprimand her, shuts it, follows her gaze. The lake. The one place everyone wants to be today. He cannot blame her for daydreaming when he does the same. How wonderful would it be to plunge into the water, forget the summer heat and work for a moment. But the day is still long and it will end for him way past nightfall when it is too late to stroll about the gardens to the lake. A sigh, one more look out the windows, a quick glance around. Everything's in order. He can move on.

xxx

She knows he's in the room with them, sees his reflection in the window. He stares at her, thinks she does not notice. But she knows he often looks at her, secretly. When they pass in the corridor he turns around sometimes, during meals she steals a glance at the head of the table where he sits. Often she catches him looking away, caught in the act. It is something she should not be proud of. He is the butler, she is the new head housemaid. It is her first summer here. She has been in service long enough to know the rules, to obey them, to not make a silly mistake that will cost her the job. Maybe she is tempted, by that smile, that voice, those eyes but it does not mean she'll succumb to it.

xxx

Darkness, cooler air, a light breeze. Windows are open, the back door too. Collars are loosened, tails taken off, but top buttons stay close. Mrs Patmore has made some lemonade. They share the refreshing drink after upstairs dinner is served. There is time to relax a bit until everyone is send to bed. She has decided to go outside, left her apron and cap on the hook by the door. After a short walk across the yard, she takes the risk, does what she has thought of all day. No one will ever find out. In a dark corner she takes off her shoes and stocking, walks across the sandy pass towards the green, cold grass. What a wonderful feeling. She closes her eyes, enjoys how the grass tickles her feet, spins around in a circle. The lake is too far away but the meadows behind the house are just perfect for now.

xxx

It's her joyful laughter that gives her away. He can hear it from beyond the brick wall that surrounds the courtyard. He hesitates. Wants to follow her, has to stay close to the house, cannot be seen in the night alone with the head housemaid. Curiosity gets the better of him. He follows the laughter, soon sees how she is walking down towards the pastures, a spring in her step, laughter on her lips. She stops, looks up into the sky. He follows her example. There are stars everywhere. Such a beautiful sight. He cannot remember when he has last seen Ursa Major or Cassiopeia. Fascinated he stares at the sky.

"Enjoy the night, Mr Carson." He jumps, has not heard her coming. There is a bright smile on her face.

"You too, Elsie." That's all he can say before she walks past him, shoes and stockings in her hand. The night sky is no longer important. This is a summer day and night to remember.


TBC (oh oh, haven't checked for typos. I might jump in my tenses (past perfect, present perfect, past tense... etc.) sometimes. Hope I didn't...