It was almost evening before the house returned to even keel after the upset of the police interviews.

Charles and Elsie had stolen a moment away from the frayed nerves to talk in his office.

"His Lordship has given his blessing?"

"Not exactly." Charles allowed. "He wasn't best pleased that we told him after the fact, but he is too distracted by other things to bother about us right now."

"That does not sound very positive." Her brow knit in consternation.

"He said he could not stand to lose either of us and we won't discuss any changes until we return to Downton. If we can show in the next few weeks that our marriage does not affect how we perform our duties, it will go a long way towards convincing him we can both stay on and maintain our usual high standards."

"That's about the best we could have hoped for." Elsie observed. "How did your interview with the police go?"

"I can't think why they even bothered. They asked me almost no questions, but just wanted a writing sample. They weren't very well prepared though; they had to borrow a pen from His Lordship's desk."

"That's odd; it was the same with me and still did not have a pen, though my interview was after yours. Wouldn't they have already had the pen by then?"

"You would think so." Charles agreed.

"Did you notice anything funny about the pen?"

"I did notice that it was not His Lordship's preferred brand. I assumed it to be a gift that he keeps as a spare at Grantham House."

"That pen was Mr. Barrow's." Elsie told him. "I recognized it. He's had it for years. He bought it after his first London Season, flashed it about, showing off."

"You are certain it was his?"

"Absolutely certain. I remember it clearly. It was the year after he joined us, let's see, it must have been 1911."

"Why would it be on His Lordship's desk? For that matter, why would the police make such a fuss about it?"

"Maybe it's evidence. Maybe they found it in Sir Richard's office and no one recognized it."

"That would not prove anything. He has already admitted to being there. He was seen by Sir Richard's secretary."

"I don't know, then. It's just awfully strange. You don't think he actually killed James, do you?"

"He is either innocent, or he is the most gifted actor of our age."

"You should be a good judge of that." Elsie heard Her Ladyship's bell ring. She kissed Charles quickly and ran off to dress Lady Grantham for dinner.

-00-

"Is it true, Mrs. Hughes?"

"Is what true, milady?" Elsie hedged.

"About you and Mr. Carson?" Cora raised her eyebrows suggestively.

"Yes, milady. We are sorry that we did not seek your permission beforehand, but…"

"Oh, never mind that. His Lordship was miffed, I think, but I am so glad to know that Carson has finally made an honest woman out of you."

Elsie blushed. "You seem to have the wrong idea, milady. Our relationship has been purely professional until only a few short weeks ago."

"Oh, it has been professional. You both are consummate professionals, but it has not been purely professional." Lady Cora insisted. "I notice each season how much his temper improves when we decide on our return date to Downton. He loathes being away for so long, and it isn't the house that he misses."

Elsie was gratified to hear that he missed her. "We both hope very much this will be the last Season we are parted."

"I'm sure arrangements can be made." Cora admired herself as Elsie styled her hair. "In fact, I have begun to question the wisdom in maintaining two housekeepers."

"To be fair, milady, you do have two houses."

"A caretaker could look after Grantham House when we are not here. The planning of Lady Rose's ball went so smoothly with you. Mrs. Butte never seems to grasp exactly what I want."

"Mrs. Butte is very competent, milady, and I understand she needs this job very much. I do not know if I could be comfortable displacing her."

"That is very kind of you, but it does seem the perfect solution. At any rate, we won't think any more of it until next Season. We must focus on getting through all this horrible Barrow business."

"Agreed, milady."

-00-

"You were very quiet at dinner, love." Charles noted, holding his wife in his lap in the butler's office. After the rest of the staff had gone up, she had snuck back down to meet with him.

"Her Ladyship offered us her congratulations."

"I should have anticipated His Lordship would tell her. If she tells Rosamund, our cover shall be blown."

"I think talking to me about it was enough." She lay her head gently on his chest and sighed pensively.

"Did she say something that troubled you?"

"She did. She was talking about bringing me to London next Season."

"Isn't that what we want?" Charles wondered. "I don't plan to come to London without you ever again."

"The problem is, it would mean making Mrs. Butte redundant."

"I hadn't considered that. That does seem terribly unfair to the poor woman." Charles admitted. "We would give her the very best recommendations. I am sure she could find another position."

"This one suits her so well. You said she had a mother and daughter to care for and a son who is a handful."

"Love, many of the families have already consolidated their country staff and their city staff. It is not fair to ask Lady Grantham to maintain two housekeepers if she does not wish it. I am sure they would let her stay on in the offseason as caretaker."

"Her pay would be much reduced. I am not comfortable with the notion of running her out."

"Which is one of the reasons that I love you so much." Charles hugged her closer. "Let us worry about Mrs. Butte another day. At this moment, I don't want to consider anything but my beautiful wife."

Elsie put aside her present concerns and lost herself in Charles' amorous embrace.

Lucille did not want to listen to their giggles and moans, so she removed the glass from the door. It was very late. The rest of the staff had gone to bed. The house stood empty and still, save for the happy couple in the next room. She quickly retreated from the sounds of their licentious activities. On the stairs, Lucille paused to listen to the night. The halls were now blissfully silent. She drank in their dark calm with deep breaths. A voice told her the time had come.

Thomas sat up as he heard the key turn in the lock.

TBC…

AN/ Sorry for the cliffhanger (no, I'm not). The next chapter will be along tomorrow.