Sorry that it's been a while since I updated this, but I've let myself be distracted. There is only one more chapter to go after this one. Thank you for sticking with me.
Disclaimer: Don't own them. If I did they'd make up in the blue bedroom after every fight.
Elsie gnawed on the end of her pencil, unable to concentrate on the invoices. She should probably check on the progress of the laundry maids or perhaps the scullery maids, but she didn't dare be away from her sitting room when Charles came for her. He had slipped down while the family was in the midst of breakfast to inform her that his Lordship wished to speak with both of them immediately following his meal. He had no idea what the reason was for the request and had to return before they could speculate. She was left alone to worry about the summons and couldn't shake the feeling that something was very wrong. It was her Ladyship that should be discussing household matters with them, and it was rare that both of them would be needed. Her thoughts raced over their activities of the past couple of months. Was it possible that Charles and she had been found out? She thought they'd been excessively careful. Far more careful than they had been years ago, but still, it was possible that Charles or she had been wanted at just the wrong time. Glancing up at the clock she saw that time was now apparently standing still because she was certain that the minute hand had not moved from the time Charles had spoken to her until now.
Finally after what seemed an eternity of waiting, Charles rapped on her parlor door and leaned in to speak to her, "His Lordship will see us now in his study."
She stood and took a deep breath, smoothing her hand over the front of her dress and touching the familiar weight of the keys at her side. Charles gave her a reassuring smile that she tried to return. At least this time, no matter what might happen, neither of them would allow a separation to occur again. She knew beyond any doubt that she had loved, did love, and would love only this man. What's more, she knew that he felt the same for her. The security of knowing that fact gave her complete and total peace. They had survived the worst that life could bring them and still had found love with each other again. A mere job would never be enough to cause them harm.
She followed Charles up the stairs, but he stopped at the top and caught her hand to draw her to his side. He watched her anxiously for a moment, "I don't know what his Lordship wishes to speak with us about, but I do want to tell him that we intend to be married."
"Do you think that is really for the best?" she asked, still wondering what kind of work they would be able to find and mentally reviewing her meager savings once again.
"Else, I've already made the appointment with the registrar," he answered patiently, "For the best or the worst, it's time. I do think it would be for the worst to try to keep this secret."
"I trust you," she said simply and squeezed his hand warmly
Charles opened the door to the study and bowed to allow Elsie to enter before him. She felt his knuckles brush the back of her hand as she passed.
They crossed together to stand before the desk where Lord Grantham was reviewing his correspondence. He glanced up to acknowledge their presence briefly and then returned to the letter he was reading. Taking the time to finish, he sighed deeply, folded the letter and laid it carefully on the desk before him. Elsie knew this trick well. She had used it herself to put young housemaids on edge before taking them to task. It was surprisingly effective, and she found her nervousness increasing exponentially as she waited. Just when she was ready to break down and confess to every wrong she'd ever done including the apples she'd stolen from a neighbor's yard when she was seven to all the details of every encounter with Charles for the past few months, his Lordship spoke.
"Mrs. Hughes, you worked at Holbrook House at one point, I believe," he said.
It was not a question, but Elsie answered anyway, "Yes, sir, many years ago."
"I remember meeting you there," he said, smiling gently, "I believe my valet introduced us."
She could barely keep her mouth from gaping. He had given no indication over the four years that she had worked here that he remembered that time. She had been sure that it was such a minor encounter for him that he had put it completely out of his mind. A quick glance at Charles told her that he had thought the same thing.
Charles spoke, "That is correct, sir, but I fail to see…"
Lord Grantham cut him off with a wave of his hand, "Carson, did you really think I would forget your maid 'with the Scottish accent and temper to match'? Sometimes I think everyone believes I am a complete idiot."
There was really nothing to say at that point so they both remained silent with their gazes fixed forward.
He sighed heavily and rose, walking to the window and looking out for a moment before turning back to them. "I did not mention our previous meeting before, because until recently I did not believe that it mattered," here he paused for a moment and then fixed his gaze on Elsie, "Did you come here because of Carson?"
She made a decision in that moment. If she was going to be sacked anyway, she would not cower. Turning her eyes to meet his squarely, she said, "I did not, sir. When I came, I did not know that he was here."
"And once you knew?" he asked, not turning his eyes from hers.
Her gaze faltered for a moment as she remembered those first months. Her voice wavered slightly, but she doubted that anyone but Charles could have made it out, "I decided to remain despite his presence."
His Lordship lifted his eyebrow at her choice of words, "Despite?"
Charles broke in at this point and stepped forward slightly, almost imperceptivity inserting himself between Lord Grantham and herself. She smiled inwardly despite the tense situation. He really was going to have to get over this protective streak. "Sir, there were things that happened years ago that caused a separation between Mrs. Hughes and myself. Blame was placed unfairly."
Lord Grantham looked up sharply, "But that is no longer the case."
Charles hesitated for the barest moment, "No, sir, it is not."
"How long?" he asked quietly but in a voice that would allow for no dissembling.
"Just over five months, sir," Charles responded, squaring his shoulders as well.
His Lordship gave a quick nod, "Just before Christmas, then. I thought so. What do you intend to do now?"
Charles glanced at her for the briefest moment, seeking her permission. She inclined her head slightly to grant it and he said, "We intend to be married, sir. I believe I spoke to you about that many years ago."
"You did," he said, "but then you were a valet. Now you are a butler."
"Yes, sir," Charles said and Elsie could hear pain in his voice. He would be devastated to leave Downton after everything the family had done for his mother and Mr. Jerkyns.
His Lordship continued as though he hadn't heard him, "A married butler and housekeeper is quite a different thing. It's not unheard of at a country house, but it has never happened at Downton."
Elsie couldn't tear her eyes away from Charles and the muscle that tensed in his jaw. His hands clenched behind his back.
"I see, sir," Charles was saying quietly, "I shall place advertisements right away."
"Advertisements? For what?" Lord Grantham asked, surprised.
Charles looked at him patiently, "For replacements, sir."
"I don't see that we need to resort to that," he said, looking at Charles sternly.
Charles continued to explain patiently, "If you don't wish me to advertise then I shall begin inquiries among some of my acquaintances. Perhaps they will know of someone suitable. I'm sure Mrs. Hughes can do the same."
"No," Lord Grantham said, "I don't think you need to make inquiries. I'm sure that suitable replacements will present themselves given time. Until then, Mrs. Hughes and you can continue in your current positions."
"But she will not be Mrs. Hughes," Charles said tightly, and Elsie could see his shoulders stiffen and sense the tenseness indicating that he was about to lose his temper, "A date has been set."
Lord Grantham faced Charles squarely at this point, "Mr. Carson, you know as well as I do that appearances are the most important thing at a home like Downton. I would never wish it to appear that I have a married butler and housekeeper, but I see no reason that things can't continue, with some minor changes perhaps."
Elsie spoke now, not fully trusting Charles to moderate his tones, "Sir, do I understand that you would wish us to continue here as butler and housekeeper, but not change the date of our marriage?"
"I would never ask you to change a date as important as that, Mrs. Hughes," Lord Grantham said quietly, "but I am asking that you remain here until suitable replacements are found. I would prefer if you retain the fiction of Mrs. Hughes and Mr. Carson until we find those replacements." He fixed both of them with a steady, knowing look before continuing in a lighter tone, "I must say, though, that you do a poor job of hiding your feelings. All the girls think you've been secretly in love for ages."
Charles spoke carefully then, and Elsie was grateful to see that his tone was calm and even, "You do not wish us to delay our wedding. You do wish us to remain until suitable replacements are found, but you do not wish us to advertise or make inquiries to find suitable replacements."
"An excellent summary, Carson," Lord Grantham said dryly, "I'm glad to see that we fully understand each other."
Charles was speechless and surprised enough that it showed. Then Lord Grantham stepped a little closer to speak in a stage whisper intended primarily for Charles but which Elsie overheard easily, "Next time you wish to secretly marry my housekeeper, please do remember that I have friends in Ripon. I am the local magistrate, after all."
Charles reddened and nodded slowly. Lord Grantham stepped back and addressed them both, "The family will be away beginning two weeks from Tuesday. I am sure that you, Mrs. Hughes, would like to visit family, and Carson, I trust you have someone or other you could arrange to visit as well. That should fit with your date nicely."
They spoke together, "Yes, sir, of course. Thank you."
"Very well, then, you are excused."
~C~C~E~
Charles opened the door for Elsie and followed her down the stairs in a daze. As he reviewed the conversation they'd just had with their employer, he tried to convince himself that it wasn't all a dream. They could be married and remain here. His Lordship had known of their renewed relationship almost from the first it seemed. Charles blushed as he hoped that he hadn't guessed the extent of their renewed relationship. He doubted his Lordship would be quite as forgiving if he knew that Charles was determined to work his way methodically through every room in the house, and a few of the closets. Considering how well his Lordship had treated them, he almost felt a little guilty about that plan. Almost. A smile threatened to break through, and he forced his face into a stern mask. Elsie guided him wordlessly to her sitting room and shut the door firmly behind him.
He caught her in his arms and lifted her to his lips in pure joy; his future wife and his always love. There would be nothing to separate them now. She smiled against his lips and laughed into his mouth. He pulled his head back to look at her questioningly. She answered his look, "He knew. We've been trying to be so careful and all this time he knew."
He narrowed his eyes at her and inclined his head, "Perhaps. Or perhaps he found out about our appointment with the registrar and thought back over the past few months."
"Mmmm," she hummed in agreement and laid her head on his shoulder, "Odd that he remembered that one meeting from so long ago."
"Well," Charles smiled against her forehead, "I did talk about you quite a bit and inquire regarding his views on married servants. As he pointed out, he is not a complete idiot."
"I don't know that I care what he is as long as we can be together," she whispered, tightening her hold on his waist.
Charles started to think of practical matters. "You'll need a bigger bed."
"Why will we use my room?" she asked, "Yours is bigger."
"You'll need to stay on the women's hall to protect your girls from dangerous influences," he said, teasing.
"Like you?" she asked, teasing tone evident.
"I have no desire to influence any woman but one, and I have no doubt she will keep me very busy; exhausted in fact," he sighed.
"Speaking of that one woman," she said, teasing tone slipping from her voice, "where did 'Scottish accent and temper to match' come from?"
He released her and stepped back toward the door, plotting an escape, "Now, Elsie, you'll admit you were a bit sharp with me at first."
"Only because you were a bit fresh with me," she said, eyes narrowing dangerously.
He put his hand on the doorknob, "A bit. Um, I think that I need to check the wines for tonight. I'm not sure if I've done the pairings yet."
"We'll have to discuss this later," she said as he opened the door to step out.
Not wanting to let her have the last word, he shut the door firmly again and leaned down to kiss her thoroughly, "We will discuss this later, and I will show you just how fresh I can still be."
He stepped out before she could answer and knew that he would have a Scottish temper to soothe tonight thankfully accompanied by that delightful accent as well. Somehow the path he was about to take seemed like the most exciting thing in the world.
Reviews are welcome as always.