"Oh Charles." Elsie whispered softly looking down at the ground, fighting back tears.
"You horrible woman." Charles said quietly to Millie as the congregation began to disperse. "I don't know how you managed that but I will fix it here and now." He said getting up and making his way to the reverend. He was stopped several times by eager handshakes, which, try as he might, he could not completely ignore. Millie followed closely behind him, smiling the entire way.
When Charles finally reached the front of the church Lord Grantham was talking to the reverend.
"I don't mean to interrupt Reverend but there has been a grievous error. I am not planning on marrying Ms. Wilson, and I'm thoroughly upset that you would make such an announcement without consulting me."
"Well," stuttered the reverend, "I spoke with Ms. Wilson, then Lord Grantham informed me as well that the two of you were to be married. Ms. Wilson seemed in rather eager I should make the announcement as soon as possible."
"What! M'lord?" Charles said turning to Lord Grantham.
"May I speak with you for a moment Carson." Lord Grantham asked, Charles politely nodded and they two men walked over to the corner.
"I had asked Ms. Wilson to discuss this matter with you but it appears she did not. I presume you know that she is in trouble."
"How do you know that my lord?" Charles asked, horribly confused as why Lord Grantham would have an interest in the local baker. Then realization dawned upon him. "Lord Grantham, surely not-"
"No!" Lord Grantham said, angry at the conclusion that had been made, "of course not Carson. I love my wife and would never do such a thing. But I must confess the accursed deed took place under my roof. Lord Allen was visiting us a few months ago. It seemed he had gotten a young woman in London in trouble and needed somewhere to be away from the limelight for a bit. His wife and children were with him so I assumed he would stay out of trouble. Unfortunately Cora had the wonderful idea to have Ms. Wilson prepare a fancy dessert for them as a treat, well it seems Lord Allen took a fancy to Ms. Wilson and now…well now once again I must deal with it."
"Why can't Lord Allen deal with it himself? Surely he can offer Ms. Wilson more help then I can." Charles said, grasping at anything to be free of the woman.
"Lord Allen is an insufferable man more attuned at causing trouble then doing anything remotely responsible. Besides if this were to get out it would shame both Lord Allen and his family but mine as well. I housed a man no better then a common rake, I am just as much responsible for his behavior as anyone else. I ordered all the maids to be watched closely but somehow…well somehow I let something slip past me. When Ms. Wilson came to me she told me that you had courted her and that she had wanted to marry you but was afraid you were unsure of marrying so late in life. I told her you'd always been splendid with children and had mentioned before you left your wish to marry and enjoy retired life."
"I did say that sir, however if you recall I had made it clear I wanted to make the decision."
"Do not be pert with me Carson. I understand this is a bit of a shock but I'm sure it will all turn out. Fatherhood is a wonderful thing."
"That it may be, however I have no desire to be a father, at least not at this point in my life. I'm tired sir, I enjoy sleeping in in the morning, I like my afternoon naps. I watched your children grow and it was lovely, and sir if I were twenty years younger I would not let this opportunity pass me by but I'm afraid at this point in my life I must. I also…" he trailed off.
"Yes?" Lord Grantham asked in a chirped tone.
"I've fallen in love." Charles said sheepishly.
"See, then the two of you can be happy together."
"No, not with Ms. Wilson."
"What!? You were courting her only a few weeks ago, surely you cannot be that fickle Carson."
"I am not fickle sir, the woman I love now has been the same woman I have been in love with for twenty years. Elsie, Ms. Hughes that is has had my heart all these years though she has never been interested in a romantic relationship and I discouraged such thing while still under your employ. When we retired I asked her if she would allow me to court her and she said no. Then Ms. Wilson showed up as was very kind and well…I suppose I thought that if I couldn't have the woman I wanted then I would settle for the next best thing. It was until she kicked me aside for Dr. Clarkson that Ms. Hughes came to her senses and we have been quietly courting. I have asked her to marry me and she has agreed. We were going to wait a while to publish the banns, so you see sir I cannot marry Ms. Wilson." Charles said.
"Well that is rather a spot but…I'm sorry Carson you must marry Ms. Wilson, or if you cannot, convince her to leave quietly. I will be happy to give her some money but this matter must be resolved in some manor. My family and Lord Allens will face ruin."
"M'lord, would you really make me choose between the family I have so faithfully served and my own happiness?"
"It gives me no pleasure to do so but I must."
"Then you are not the man I thought you were, sir." Charles said, standing tall, his chest puffed out, desperately hoping to steel himself until he got home.
"You sir should remember I am your landlord, and I can kick you out onto the streets at a moments notice. Fix this Carson, in any way you must. I will not allow that woman to ruin the lives on many over ruining the life of one. Besides, she's rather a pretty woman and a good baker, you might find you enjoy life with her."
And with that Lord Grantham walked past Charles. Charles stood stunned for a moment when Millie came waltzing up beside him.
"Hello future husband." She said sweetly taking his arm.
"You will not get away with this." Charles said, pulling his arm away from her and walking towards the exit looking for Elsie. Surely she would be upset at this development, he had to tell her the truth and convince her it would all be okay. But as he got to their seats he saw she was gone, he made it outside just in time to see her running into the inn, her hands over her face.
A/N: Sorry for the delay, I've really no excuse except life gets in the way sometime. I don't really think Lord Grantham would be as cruel here as I have made him but alas it is needed to keep things moving!