Chapter 14

A/N: Apologies for the short chapter. I will update again soon x

Charles arrived back at Downton with a happy heart; he did not know what his future held but he knew that he loved Mrs Hughes and he would do everything within his power to win her love. He was desperate to tell her that he had ended things with Alice. He hoped she would be pleased. He walked immediately to her sitting room, and without knocking, he entered the room.

"Mrs Hughes I have some news …. oh I am very sorry …" he stumbled, as he stared disbelievingly at Mrs Hughes and Lady Mary.

"Mr Carson … Lady Mary and I were just finalising the arrangements for the birthday celebrations next week … was there anything I could help you with?" she asked, biting back a smile as she watched the shocked expression on his face.

"Oh no … no … it is quite alright … I apologise for the interruption …" he continued to stumble.

"That is quite alright Carson … we will forgive you just this once … although it might be courteous to knock next time ..." Lady Mary joked.

Charles began to cough and splutter as he looked down at his feet, embarrassment taking over him.

"Oh … and did you not wish to tell Mrs Hughes your news?" Lady Mary asked playfully.

"News?" he asked.

"Yes … you said you had some news," Lady Mary explained.

Elsie watched as Charles reddened, his cheeks flushed as red as a beetroot. She presumed his news must have something to do with Alice; she knew he had met with her this afternoon. She recalled his excited face as he entered her sitting room and so she was hopeful that his news was good news. As she smiled adoringly as her discomfited Butler, she realised she needed to jump in to save him. She stood up from her chair to stand by Charles.

"I am sure the news was related to household matters Lady Mary … we won't bore you … now Mr Carson ... I will catch up with you in a little while … why don't you leave us to it …" she said kindly, with a little wink.

Charles smiled gratefully at Elsie, knowing that she had saved him from an interrogation or worse still, from offering a fumbling, humiliating explanation to Lady Mary. She returned his smile and gently touched his arm, motioning for him to make his escape. He did so but not until he held her gaze for just a second or two longer than was seemly. Lady Mary noticed this and smiled happily, realising that she was not entirely surprised to see the Butler regarding the Housekeeper so affectionately. It made perfect sense.

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A little later that afternoon, Elsie went to look for Charles but found his pantry empty. She looked at the clock on the wall, realising that he would be upstairs serving afternoon tea to the Family. As she stood in his pantry, she cast her eyes around the room. She smiled and noted all of the signs of Charles. His wine decanters, his books on the English aristocracy, his fountain pens lined up in order, his wine ledger in pride of place on his desk. The room even smelled of his cologne; it was distinctly Charles. She sighed contentedly, happy to be in this space. She looked up at one of the paintings on the wall, having never noticed this before. It was a scene from the Yorkshire Dales.

"It is just outside Harrogate … where I was born …" his voice boomed from behind her.

She turned swiftly.

"Oh Mr Carson I didn't mean to … what must you think … I … well I came to look for you …" she breathed, not quite sure why she was so nervous.

"No need to explain Mrs Hughes … I am delighted to see you …" he grinned broadly. She returned his smile.

Yet the silence that followed made him anxious and he began to get flustered, not sure of what to say. This was the first time that they had been alone since he had kissed her. He blushed at that thought. What on earth had come over him to pounce on his dearest friend in such a way? It's simple really, he thought happily, I love Elsie and I want to be with her more than I have ever wanted anything in my life. He looked up into her eyes and was pleased to see warmth shining back at him, although if he was not mistaken Elsie also seemed a little ruffled.

Elsie continued to stare at Charles. She felt a little disconcerted, realising that this was the first time they had been alone since the kiss. She had always felt so relaxed in his company previously but now she felt her heart race as tingles ran up and down her body. Had he sorted things with Alice? Was she free to love Charles Carson? Could she allow her heart to take that risk again? As she gazed into his eyes she was thrilled to see such tenderness and affection.

"I won't be seeing Alice Neal ever again," he blurted. Not the most tactful conversation starter but he wanted her to know.

"Won't you? And how did she take that news?" Elsie asked, trying to hide her delight and imagining an irate Alice.

"Not well … truth be told … however I explained that we would only ever be friends … Mrs Hughes … she means nothing to me … I don't think I ever truly loved her ... even forty years ago ... and I really do not know why I ever agreed to meet up with her again …" he offered.

"Perhaps curiosity? You had not seen her in almost forty years … and you did think she was dead until two weeks ago …" Elsie said, smiling at how ridiculous that sounded.

"Yes I did!" Charles chuckled.

Elsie giggled too. She wanted so much to reach out to him, to hold his hand or to stroke his face; just to touch him. It had taken all of her willpower to end their kiss. She needed to be sure of his feelings before they proceeded; she was already sure of hers. However, that did not alter the fact that she wanted to reach out and kiss him in this moment; she had wanted that virtually every day for the last twenty years and today was no different. No man had ever affected her equilibrium quite like Charles Carson. He made her laugh, he made her furious and he made her go utterly weak at the knees. He was such a tall, handsome man and his voice was so deep and rumbling. He struck terror into many of the downstairs staff with his superior manner and yet she knew that Charles was a gentle giant; a cuddly teddy bear who hid his kindness and compassion under layers of propriety and tradition.

Elsie held her breath as Charles reached forward taking her hand in his. She could feel her heart flutter as he began to speak,

"The truth is Mrs Hughes … the woman who makes me happier than I ever dared dream … the woman who holds the key to my heart … she has been at my side … as my best friend … for two decades ... I was just too foolish … too blind … to realise it …" he smiled, as tears welled in his eyes.

Elsie gasped with joy as a single tear, like a sparkling diamond, rolled down her cheek.

A/N: Hope you are still enjoying this – please do review x