Chapter 13
A/N: Thank you for your continued reviews- I love to receive them!
Elsie ran her hand across Charles' chest whilst he nuzzled into her hair, kissed her forehead and pulled her in close. He ran his hands up and down her back, feeling her curves, and rested one hand on her bottom, squeezing it and murmuring with pleasure. Elsie gave a quiet moan, as he caressed her bottom and ran his other hand along her side, stroking the side of her breast gently. Their bodies were pressed snugly together, with arms and legs intertwined and Elsie moulded perfectly into Charles' body. Her lips softly kissed his neck as he sighed with pleasure.
"Mmmmm Charles", Elsie whispered blissfully.
"Oh my Elsie. My beautiful Elsie," Charles purred contentedly.
At that, they both sprung apart with alarm. Both wore expressions of absolute horror and panic as the reality of what had just happened dawned on them both.
"Oh my god Mr Carson! What happened? What happened to the pillows? How did we … … How did we end up on the same side of the bed? Together? We were apart when we went to sleep. I don't understand how this could happen … …". Elsie was filled with absolute terror. She had woken from what she thought was a wonderful dream. A dream in which she was curled up tightly with Charles, caressing his chest and covering his neck with tiny kisses. Only to find that she actually was caressing and kissing him! It wasn't a dream! Oh dear god, what must he think? He must think I am a wanton woman with no standards at all, she thought. A woman who has just thrown herself at a respectable man.
Charles felt numb. He couldn't even respond as Elsie spoke and he just sat gaping at her with fear and dread in his heart as she questioned him. His breath had shortened and he was hyperventilating. How could this have happened? He was meant to be a gentleman. He should have been protecting Elsie's honour and instead he was fondling her, holding her tightly, kissing her, touching her. Oh my goodness he had pressed up against her so intimately. He was ashamed of his actions. How could she ever forgive him? He felt disgusted with himself. But he had thought he was dreaming. He often had dreams about Elsie and in those dreams his mind often dared to dream about what he couldn't do in reality. He dreamt of holding her in his arms, kissing her passionately, fulfilling his desires. But to actually wake to find himself acting on those desires.
"I am so sorry Mrs Hughes. I know that no apology will be enough but I am so very sorry. The last thing on earth I would ever want to do is take advantage of you. I respect and care for you so much and I had no intention of doing anything but sleep in this bed. I don't know how it happened. I really don't. I was asleep. We were both asleep and then I woke and well …"
Elsie could see the remorse written all over Charles' face. He looked terrified and she was sure her own expression matched his at that moment. She needed to reassure him. There was no way at all Charles would ever act inappropriately deliberately. He was the most honourable and trustworthy man. She needed to rectify this mortifying situation.
"Mr Carson, you have nothing to apologise for, please believe me when I say I do not hold you responsible at all. No-one is responsible. We were both asleep. I am really not sure at all how this happened but I do know that it was not your, or my, intention to act as we did. I can only think that in our sleep, we somehow got close and … … well we are human beings and perhaps it was only natural that whilst we were sharing the same bed … perhaps we … perhaps … oh I really do not know what I am saying …", Elsie said totally perplexed.
"Thank you for that Mrs Hughes. I promise whole-heartedly that it was not my intention to compromise you in this way. But nevertheless I have done that and I really do not know how you will ever forgive me", Charles felt like his heart would break in two.
"Mr Carson, please. There is nothing to forgive. Please believe me as I could not bear it if this … this incident … ruined our friendship in any way. You are my best friend. I could not endure to lose that friendship", Elsie said.
"You will never lose that friendship Mrs Hughes. I will always be here for you. You are my dearest friend also", Charles spoke with such sincerity yet when Elsie looked in his eyes he looked so hurt. They had to get through this. She had to make things ok as she realised if this was not resolved fully now, it would fester and cause nothing but worry and awkwardness later.
"I am very glad to hear that Mr Carson. Now, let's put an end to these glum faces. The world has not ended. Two friends, whilst fast asleep, had a little cuddle. Friends are allowed to hug each other. No harm came of it. In fact, truth be told, the bit I remember was rather lovely, so let's not allow this to get out of hand. The last 24 hours have been extremely testing for us both. Is it any wonder that whilst finally asleep, we sought out a little comfort from each other?" Elsie could see that he was already feeling more relaxed.
"Well, when you put it like that Mrs Hughes, I think you are quite right. The events of the last day would have put a strain on anybody and so if we have acted a little out of character, whilst not even fully awake, then no-one could be surprised at that", Charles added further reassurance to Elsie's argument. They had just about convinced themselves that things would be fine.
"Good. That's that then. Nothing more to worry about", Elsie said emphatically. Both smiled in relief and Elsie continued, "So, how about we get dressed and make our way back to Downton?" she asked.
"That would be wonderful Mrs Hughes". Crisis over, Elsie thought.
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Thankfully the train journey back to Downton had been uneventful. They arrived at the station with little fuss and were both grateful that no further mention had been made about the events of the last few hours. Yet, privately, Elsie and Charles had thought of nothing else. Charles could not stop thinking about how wonderful it felt to embrace Elsie and her words, her words kept resurfacing in his thoughts: she had said it had felt 'rather lovely'. Could Elsie have enjoyed the intimacy they had shared? No, do not be silly Charles Carson. She thinks of you as her 'best friend' and nothing more. Elsie too kept thinking about the sensations she enjoyed as Charles enfolded her in his arms, the strength of his hands as they roamed her body. She felt so safe with him. Yet she also remembered the look of horror on his face at the realisation of what had happened. No-one who had feelings for her would look so aghast, surely? Anyway, despite their reflections, they both were able to at least try to put the events in Ripon behind them. It was back to Downton, back to normality.
They arrived at the servants entrance and as they were about to enter, Elsie turned to Charles and said,
"Well Mr Carson, I am certainly glad to be home".
"As am I Mrs Hughes, as am I".
"And no-one will ever know what we went through!" Elsie said this with humour and a smile but there was real meaning behind her words. She was reassuring Charles that what had happened in Ripon would be their secret, no-one would ever find out from her.
"No-one at all", Charles agreed, also understanding the real meaning of these words. They smiled and entered the servants hallway. Mrs Patmore, was walking down the corridor to greet them.
"Mr Carson. Mrs Hughes. How lovely to see you both. I trust you are both well. You must have many interesting stories to share with us from your visit?" Mrs Patmore said, with a twinkle in her eye.
"No, no, Mrs Patmore. Nothing interesting at all. Our train broke down and we were stranded. Other than that, nothing to tell", Charles said with assurance.
"Oh well that's a shame. I had hoped there might be a few tales to tell. Not to worry. I will catch up with you later Mrs Hughes", and with that Mrs Patmore walked back into the kitchen. 'Phew!' Elsie thought; that was painless. She had thought Beryl might have asked more questions than that.
Elsie and Charles both turned to head upstairs to their respective bedrooms. Both paused when they heard, from behind them, Mrs Patmore speak again,
"Oh, I almost forgot. A Mr Jameson telephoned earlier. He wanted to let you know that he had found a pair of spectacles in your room. He wasn't sure if they were yours, Mrs Hughes, or Mr Carson's!" Beryl added, with utter delight and glee in her voice.