Chapter 14
Another first for our lovely couple.
They ate in silence, enjoying the side to side jostling of the train. Charles found it hard not to stare at her. The only way he could keep his focus so as not to embarrass himself was to focus solely on his plate and the food she'd prepared for him.
As she finished, Elsie looked carefully at Charles and was surprised to see he'd eaten everything on his plate. Hiding a smile she looked over at him, "Would you like some more Mr. Carson?"
He shook his head, "Oh I couldn't. I wouldn't want to short us."
Taking his plate she stood, "Don't be silly, Mr. Carson. Mrs. Patmore has packed enough for a week away. Plus she arranged for more to be delivered in the morning. I don't think we'll starve if you have seconds."
Looking up at her focusing solely on her eyes, a broad smile on his face, he nodded, "In that case Mrs. Hughes, I will have seconds."
Elsie moved to the basket and began adding things to his plate. She reflected on their brief period on the train. She wasn't sure what had happened but he seemed more relaxed. Perhaps being more relaxed might make her next question easier.
Turning back to him she handed him the plate. She waited until he started eating, "Mr. Carson, I was thinking." She paused, taking a deep breath. He looked up from his plate and smiled, "It's just, since it will just be the two of us for the next few days, perhaps we could call each other by our given names?"
He stopped chewing looking at her in surprise. His heart beating so loudly he was certain she could hear it. How had he not thought of what they would call one another? He'd thought of her as Elsie in his head for so long. He wondered how her name would feel on his lips.
"If you don't want to Mr. Carson, I'll understand."
Swallowing the bite in his mouth, almost whole, he choked a bit before forcing it down. "No, Mrs. Hughes…Elsie. I'd like that."
Smiling she nodded, "I'd like that too…Charles."
Her brogue seemed to deepen as it caressed his name. A shiver of excitement rushed through him. He didn't want to lose it, "Elsie, perhaps, that is if you don't mind, we could continue to use our given names, when it's just the two of us? Regardless of where we are?"
She hadn't expected him to be as accepting of her plan. A frisson of an emotion she couldn't name ran through her. Twice he'd made her feel quite unsteady. She wasn't sure what had happened to him last night but something had changed.
Panic filled him when she didn't respond. Perhaps he had pushed too hard. Maybe she was just suggesting the name because they would be alone. Perhaps she only intended to dispense with the formality while they were in London. "Elsie, Mrs. Hughes, I'm sorry if I was too forward."
She stepped forward, her hand reaching out to him touching his lightly. "No, Charles, I was just surprised you were so amenable to the idea. I would like very much if you would call me Elsie, when we're alone."
Gazing into her eyes he couldn't help but smile, "Good, I like when we are in agreement Elsie."
Realizing she was touching him, she moved to take his plate. She returned his smile a flush of color spread across her cheeks, "So you've told me Charles." She lifted the plate slightly, "Would you like some more?"
Placing a hand on his stomach he shook his head, "I've had more than enough. Thank you."
She dusted the crumbs from their plates out the window, "I've told you. There's no need to thank me Charles, all I did was fill a few plates. Mrs. Patmore did all of the hard work."
He watched her economical movements. She seemed somehow less comfortable when he complimented her. He knew partly it was her way, to deflect compliments. Then he wondered if it was her way or if she was just so uncertain of his compliments. Had he somehow made her doubt her own abilities?
"Elsie." He waited until she looked at him, "Mrs. Patmore might have packed the basket but I suspect it was your idea."
Looking away from him she smiled, biting nervously on her lower lip, "It was at that." She turned away putting the plates back into the basket. "Though, I didn't expect her to put together quite this much."
"Elsie, thank you. It was a brilliant idea."
Sitting beside him, her eyes locked on her hands grasped tightly in her lap, "Thank you Charles."
"For what Elsie?"
"That was quite possibly the nicest compliment you've ever paid me."
His heart fell as her words filled the carriage. He had done this to her. "Perhaps while we are in London, I can remedy that Elsie." They settled into a companionable silence as the train continued its path to London.