A/N: This chapter is mostly just a lot of fluff. But fluff is good after all the angst I've put you through ;-) . Thanks again for the lovely reveiws!

"It's so good to see you up and about." Beryl smiled at her friend as she sat the tray down that she'd brought in with tea and biscuits. "I've brought your favorites," she told Elsie as she handed her a biscuit.

Elsie hummed her pleasure when she bit into the chocolaty goodness. "You've put more chocolate in," she murmured.

Beryl nodded as she handed Elsie a cup of tea. "I did. I thought you deserved a bit more after what you've been through."

Elsie coughed a bit and scowled then took a small sip of her tea. "Now if only this bloody cough would go away."

"I'm just happy to see you up and about." Beryl stared down into her tea. "I was so worried. I," her voice cracked and she shook her head.

"I'm okay, Beryl." Elsie told her friend gently.

Beryl nodded and sniffed into her handkerchief then looked up at her friend. "I've grown quite fond of you."

"And I've grown quite fond of you. You saw me through a very frightening time in my life. I couldn't have made it without you, Beryl."

Beryl smiled and wiped at her eyes. "Where is your sister?"

"Fia went with Isobel to do some shopping in Ripon. I was only able to convince her to go when I told her you were coming to spend your day off with me."

"It's good for her to go out. She's a lovely lady, your sister. Nothing like you though."

Elsie blinked and looked down into her tea. Biting her bottom lip, she swirled the amber liquid about, wondering if she should tell Beryl what Fia had told Richard and Isobel.

"Elsie? Did I say something wrong?"

"No, Beryl. It's just that there are things you don't know about me."

"Things that cause you to have nightmares?"

"Yes." Elsie nodded. "Did you ever hear me at Downton?"

"I did. Came to your room a few times."

Elsie blinked in surprise at that and looked up at her friend. "You did?"

"I did. Calmed you so that no one else would hear and then went back to my own bed."

"Why did you never say? I always woke up and wondered what had happened."

"I never said because I knew you would be embarrassed." Beryl shrugged. "Your past was none of my business."

"It is something you should know. It wouldn't be right for the others to know and not you. Not when you've known me the longest."

"I only knew Mrs. Hughes. I haven't known Elsie any longer than Richard or Isobel."

Elsie smiled at her friend making the distinction. "Well, now that you know Elsie, she has a few things she needs to tell you." The smile fading from her face, she fidgeted with the biscuit on the napkin spread across her lap. "My past isn't a very nice one, Beryl. I," she bit her lip. "Fia and I only share a mother. I, we," she closed her eyes in shame. "I'm the product of a rape."

Beryl gasped and sat her cup down as she stood and moved to Elsie's side. "Oh Elsie. There's no shame in that. At least not your shame." Tilting her head when Elsie looked up at her. "But your father made it your shame, didn't he?"

Elsie nodded. "He wouldn't believe Mam when she tried to tell him what happened. He thought that she'd stepped out on him. I was always the stain on his good name."

"And he beat you and mistreated you. Didn't love you." Beryl caressed Elsie's cheek. "Your mother never loved you like she should. Only your Fia."

"How did you know?"

"I only guessed. I'm so sorry, Elsie. I understand your reaction to the treatment of Ethel's baby better now."

"I saw myself in the wee one."

"I know that now."

"My da was a horrible man, Beryl. I know that I was remembering things while I was feverish. Did you hear the things I was saying?"

"I did."

"Our baby brother was born too soon because Da beat Mam. She died that night along with the bairn. Fia had always protected me as best she could, but as time went on after Mam's death, Da got worse. One night he was so drunk and so angry," Elsie swallowed and closed her eyes, her hand gripping Beryl's. "If Fia hadn't stepped in, he would have killed me. She knew that. She told me to run to the neighbors and ask them to take me to our grandparents. Mam's parents had always loved me and doted on me to make up for the lack of it from my parents. I didn't do what Fia told me to at first because I knew Da would hurt her, but she yelled at me and made me go. She stayed behind and let Da beat her while I ran off. She sent word to Grandda not to come, not to take her away." Opening her eyes, Elsie's tears ran down her cheeks as she looked at Beryl. "She was protecting me again. She knew that Da would come after her and find me and she knew what would happen if he did. She stayed with Da until her husband came along. She left with him and never looked back. I didn't see her for several years. Not until she wrote to tell me she'd married and was happy."

"But her husband doesn't like you." Beryl commented.

"No. Duncan hates me, but I've never blamed him. He knows what Da did to Fia."

"But Elsie, you were just a little girl. He can't possibly hold you responsible for your father's actions."

"It's because of me Fia stayed."

"Doesn't he know everything?"

Elsie shook her head. "He won't listen when Fia tries to tell him."

"Fool he is then."

Elsie wiped at her face and blew her nose then took a sip of her tea and snarled. "Cold."

Beryl chuckled slightly. "Let me go pour it out. We'll get you a fresh cup."

"Thank you." Elsie squeezed her friend's hand. "Now you know Elsie."

"And it doesn't change a thing. Just explains things about the woman that always seemed a bit of a mystery."

EEE

Richard smiled as he walked into the sitting room and found Elsie asleep on the settee, Beryl reading in the arm chair by the fire. "Hello, Beryl," he whispered.

"Hello." Beryl quietly returned the greeting. Standing, she motioned for him to sit down. "I'll go make you some tea and check dinner."

"You didn't have to do that, Beryl."

"I know, but she fell asleep and I needed something to do." Beryl winked at him as she left the room.

Richard chuckled and shook his head as he sat down. Watching his wife sleep, he sighed in contentment. She was well enough to be out of her bed, though not strong enough to navigate the stairs by herself, which had been a bit of a tussle this morning. His smile widened when he thought of her fussing at him in the Gaelic, using words that he'd not heard in a long time, and only ever in a pub. Her temper had been in rare form this morning and he'd loved every minute of it. So had his sister-in-law.

He rolled his eyes.

She'd been of no help at all after helping Elsie to dress.

Seeing Elsie's eyes flutter open, he smiled. "Hello, Lass," he greeted her softly. "How was your day?"

Elsie hummed as she sat up and stretched a bit. "My day was good with a bit of an exception."

"Oh?"

"I told Beryl about me."

"Oh, Lass." Richard breathed as he moved to sit beside her. Caressing the hair from her cheek, he smiled when she looked at him with a perplexed look on her face. "What is it?"

"I," she bit her lip. "I don't know. It's just that when you touch me," she shrugged and began to chew on her bottom lip.

"Ah." Richard scolded gently as he tapped her lip with his finger. "You'll mar that lip if you don't stop. Adorable as that habit may be."

"Richard?" Elsie whispered his name as she stared into his eyes. "When I was sick did you…I thought I heard you…" she stopped and frowned before taking a deep breath and plunging in. "Did you tell me you,"

"Did I tell you that I'm in love with you? Is that what you're asking, Lass?"

"Yes." She nodded, her eyes still holding his.

"Yes, I did. And I'll tell you again." Richard reached up to caress her cheek. "I'm in love with you, Elsie Clarkson. I know that you probably won't ever let yourself fall in love again, and I understand. I just want you to know that I'll love you enough for both of us."

"Shh." Elsie hushed him. "I don't know if I'm in love with you, Richard, but I know that something is happening. Just be patient with me."

"I won't rush you. And I don't ask for anything, Elsie. That's not why I told you." Leaning forward to press a kiss to her forehead, he pulled back and sighed, "I only wanted you to know that someone else loves you because you've had so little of it in your life. You deserve all the love I can give you. That's all. Nothing more."

Elsie felt tears in her eyes and sniffed as she clasped his hand. "You're a dear sweet man, Richard Clarkson."

Richard shrugged. "No. Just a simple man who happens to find himself in love with his wife." He smiled and handed Elsie his handkerchief. "Blow your nose and dry your eyes before Beryl comes back and beats me for making you cry."

Elsie laughed at that and shook her head. "She wouldn't beat you when she learned the truth."

"No, I suppose she wouldn't." Richard sniffed the air. "Did she make dinner?"

"Yes, she did. I told her she didn't have to, but she said she needed something to do while I napped."

"It smells wonderful."

"I should hope so." Beryl said as she came into the room. "Dinner is done and ready whenever the two of you are. I'm going to head home now. Don't want to be out after dark."

"I can call for a taxi to take you home, Beryl."

Beryl waved her hand. "No. I'm fine walking home."

"I insist, Beryl. It's gotten colder."

Beryl rolled her eyes. "Doctors."

Elsie laughed at that and Richard looked at her with a grin. Shrugging, she shook her head. "I didn't say anything to her."

Beryl frowned. "What are you two on about?"

"You explain while I go call for a taxi." Richard squeezed Elsie's hand before standing up and leaving the room.

Beryl raised her eyebrow as she looked at Elsie. "And just what was that?"

"The laughing?" Elsie asked knowing full well that wasn't what Beryl meant.

"Elsie Clarkson."

Elsie sighed and looked down at her hands. "He's in love with me, Beryl."

Beryl smiled as she moved to sit down beside Elsie. Patting her hands, she studied her friend's face. "And how does that make you feel?"

"A bit afraid." Elsie admitted quietly. Looking up at Beryl, she turned her hand and squeezed the warm one resting on hers. "I don't know if," she bit her lip.

"But Elsie, it's different this time." Beryl smiled at her and lowered her voice. "He's already confessed to loving you."

"Oh Beryl." Elsie sighed. "I don't know what's happening, but maybe I'm falling in love too."

"Just let it happen, Elsie. Richard Clarkson is a good, fine man who isn't afraid to show you how much he cares."

"I asked him to be patient with me."

"And I'm sure he will be." Beryl squeezed her hand. "I'll see you next Thursday."

"Thank you for staying with me today, Beryl."

"No thanks needed. That's what friends are for." Beryl winked. "I expect to hear some more about your blossoming romance next week."

"Oh!" Elsie huffed as she smiled at her friend. "Insufferable woman!" she called after her.

"That's why you love me!" Beryl called back, smiling up at Richard as he helped her with her coat. "You take care not to hurt her, Richard Clarkson." She turned serious as she pinned her hat on.

"I promise, Beryl. If I hurt her, I give you permission to beat me."

"And don't think I won't."

"Don't think you won't, what?" Fia asked as she and Isobel came in. "A taxi is outside."

"That'll be mine." Beryl told them. "Richard will explain. Goodnight."

"Goodnight, Beryl. See you next week." Isobel told the woman then turned to look at Richard as he shut the door. "So? What was she talking about?"

Richard looked at Fia. "I told Elsie."

Fia smiled and nodded. "And Beryl warned you not to hurt Els or she'd beat you."

"I actually told her she could if I did."

Isobel frowned. "Would you two kindly care to fill me in on what it is you're on about?"

"Richard is in love with Els." Fia answered.

Isobel's eyes widened then a grin appeared on her face. "You devil."

Richard blushed a bit. "It just happened. I didn't set out to fall in love with her, I only wanted a companion."

Isobel reached out and touched his arm. "Richard, it's alright. Being in love is much better than just a companion."

Fia nodded. "Much better." She winked at him. "I know my Els. She's probably already falling and just not sure."

"Hey!" Elsie's voice echoed in to them. "Did you forget about me?"

Fia laughed as she hurriedly took off her coat and hat. Picking up the packages she'd brought in with her, she walked to the sitting room. "Keep your knickers on, Els."

"Fia! For heaven's sake." Elsie hissed.

Richard looked at Isobel and couldn't help but chuckle. "Would you like to stay to dinner? I'm sure Beryl's fixed enough."

Isobel shook her head. "No. I'll be going. My motor is waiting. I'll be over tomorrow to visit."

"Fia! What in the world were you thinking?" Elsie's voice drifted out of the sitting room.

Richard's eyebrows shot up at the words that followed the question. "Oh. What in the world did Fia buy on your trip?"

"What did she say?" Isobel asked instead of answering, the look on Richard's face making her curious.

"It isn't proper talk for a lady to hear." Richard whispered.

Isobel laughed and shook her head. "I'll be going. Goodnight, Richard." She winked at him just before opening the door. "Maybe one day you'll see just exactly what it was that Fia bought."

Richard blinked in surprise at Isobel's parting words then shook his head as he closed the door. He'd been right when he said that he didn't think he could handle the Hughes sisters.

Crazy women.

Then he smiled.

He really had only wanted a companion when he asked Elsie to marry him, but he'd gained so much more. A wife he loved, a new sister, and two women who were becoming great friends. He was sure the four of them were going to be a combination that got him into all sorts of trouble.

"I've always loved a bit of trouble," he mumbled as he went into the sitting room to see what all the fussing was about.

Life was good.