21

"What do you think it will be like?"

"What?"

"Returning to Downton."

He felt her smile against his chest. "Well, we certainly won't be lying abed all day!"

He chuckled and stroked her hair absently. How was he to keep from touching her when they returned to the abbey? Making love to his wife was different, private. He certainly wasn't worried about ravishing her in the servants' hall, but he was concerned about absentmindedly reaching for her arm, stroking her fingers as he read the paper.

"Charles?"

"Hmm?"

"You're not worried, are you? You don't regret-"

"Regret?" He cupped her cheek. "I've never been happier in my life."

"But the family-"

"You're my family, Elsie. You and Becky."

"Oh, Charles," she breathed.

"You can't possibly imagine I've gone off you already?"

"Already? You make it sound a possibility."

"Never," he rumbled. "Only I've been thinking."

"About?"

"About how difficult it may be to return to work after our blissful honeymoon." Elsie looked at him expectantly. "I find I enjoy, more than I anticipated, the freedom to hold your hand, to put my hand at the curve of your back, to embrace you." He sighed. "I won't be as free to do those things while we're working."

"No, you won't." She smiled up at him. "You'll have to save those impulses for when we're alone. Truly alone, my dear."

"I feel I've already saved so many impulses where you're concerned. A few days in York is hardly enough time to give into them." He trailed his fingers along her shoulder. "How shall I ever manage back at Downton, knowing I've the right to hold you, but being unable to?"

"We'll manage as we've always done, Charles. Together. Certainly there won't be opportunities during working hours to indulge, but it will make our time alone the sweeter."

Charles leaned down to kiss her. "I love you, my darling." He kissed her again. "And if I understood you correctly, it is right and proper to make hay while the sun shines?"

Elsie smiled, a brilliant, beautiful smile that took his breath away. "I knew you'd get there in the end."

A/N: Thank you for reading and reviewing. Your reviews really do make my day.