Chapter 26
He had finally escaped from the Dowager and hurried back to the House. He did not know what had come over him, well actually he did; plain and simple jealousy. He could not remember the last time he had felt such envy towards another but as Mr Gerald had admired Mrs Hughes, the Butler had seen red.
He entered the servants entrance determined to put things right. He was stopped by the voice of a certain red-headed Cook.
"I would not go in there," she said, as he headed towards the Housekeeper's sitting-room.
"Why not?" he asked, his face one of panic.
"Because quite rightly she will rip your head off!" she returned seriously.
He rolled his eyes at Mrs Patmore's cheek but for once, he did not have the energy to respond. He stood silently for a few seconds, gazing at the door and trying to weigh up what he should do for the best.
"I need to speak to Mrs Hughes," he said finally, worry etched on his face.
"So be it … don't say I didn't warn you," she sighed, as she walked with a knowing grin into the kitchen.
He watched the retreating Cook and then looked at the door to Mrs Hughes's sitting-room with much dread. He could feel butterflies in his tummy as his nerves took hold. He took a deep breath and knocked on the door. When no answer came, he entered the room anyway.
"I don't believe I asked you to come in," she stated firmly.
My goodness she really is mad at me. He could see the fire in her eyes.
"Elsie, I need to apologise," he began.
"Oh? What for exactly? Shouting at me in front of half the Village or accusing me of encouraging Mr Gerald's flirting despite the fact that I only ever go in that shop to buy stamps!" she returned defiantly.
He looked mortified.
"For both … I never should have reacted like that Elsie. I am very sorry," he said solemnly, gazing at his fiancée with a loving yet sad expression.
Her heart thumped in her chest as she watched him. Damn and blast this man; why can't I stay angry at him? I really want to stay angry at him. He has behaved in a totally unacceptable manner. Yet as she looked at his worried, puppy dog eyes she found it impossible to hold onto her rage. Until the last few weeks she had never even heard Mr Carson say sorry. When he had upset her in the past he had never apologised. He would often try to make it up to her in different ways but he had rarely ever said sorry. Therefore, when he did apologise, it affected her greatly. He sounded so remorseful and his expression was so sincere.
"And why did you react like that?" she asked, the anger almost gone from her voice.
"I was jealous. I did not like to hear another man flattering you," he explained.
"But Mr Gerald? Seriously Charles ..." she sighed, smiling at the thought of the small, rotund Post Office Manager making her Butler jealous.
Mr Carson could sense Mrs Hughes was softening; relief began to filter through him as he smiled at her.
"I suppose I will have to get used to men flattering you now that I am marrying such a beautiful woman," he said smoothly, a teasing tone to his voice.
She shook her head fondly at him.
"You will still marry me Elsie?" he asked gently.
He was almost certain he had not ruined things irrevocably but he thought it was wise to check.
"Oh for goodness sake Charles, of course I will still marry you but you can't explode just because a man compliments me," she said wearily.
"I know that Elsie … I promise I won't react that like that again," he replied.
"Good ... you daft apeth! Who knew you had such a jealous streak?" she joked warmly.
"The Dowager said that all men are jealous fools at times ... it is part of our biology apparently," he replied seriously.
"The Dowager?" Mrs Hughes asked in confusion.
"Yes … I saw her in the Village as I was chasing after you. She surmised we had fallen out. She would not leave me alone until I had told her why I had upset you," he explained.
Mrs Hughes bit her lip to stop from laughing; she could only imagine how excruciating that conversation had been for her fiancé.
"What did you tell her?" Mrs Hughes asked in amusement.
"Only that Mr Gerald had been flattering you and I had lost my temper," he said guiltily.
Mrs Hughes continued to bite her lip. I do love this man, she thought happily.
"And did she give you any advice?" she asked.
"She said I should apologise profusely and not react so foolishly ever again," he said, as he expression turned to that of a scolded school boy.
"You are no fool Charles but I was quite stunned by your words … you surely did not think there had ever been something between Mr Gerald and I?" she asked.
His heart sank; how could he have ever suggested such a thing?
"Elsie no! Of course not. That was my jealousy talking. Of course I did not. I only wondered if perhaps he had always been so flirtatious with you?" he asked tentatively.
"He always gushes. He is full of flannel that one. He does it with all of the Village woman, not just me," she said truthfully.
"I don't like it," Mr Carson replied honestly.
"I had worked that out for myself … but I cannot have you reacting like that every time a man tries to butter me up. Just like I cannot give Mrs Robson at the Bakery a few choice words every time she asks me about that dashing Mr Carson," she teased, raising her eyebrows at him.
"She never called me dashing surely?" he asked in amazement, feeling a little bit pleased.
"She did … but I put her straight don't you worry," Mrs Hughes replied dryly.
He chuckled at that. His expression then turned serious.
"I hate disagreeing with you Elsie. It unsettles me greatly," he added, as he gazed lovingly at his fiancée.
"I know it does Charles but we would not be human if we didn't fall out occasionally … and we certainly wouldn't be us if we did not bicker. However, you never need to feel jealous … you are the only man for me," she said sincerely.
"How did I ever get so blessed?" the Butler asked with a warm smile, sliding his arms around her waist.
Mrs Hughes looked up at Mr Carson with a radiant smile, resting her hands on his chest.
"You must have been born under a lucky star," she replied.
A/N: I could not keep them angry at each other for long! Mrs Hughes always forgives him and he is rather sweet. Hope you enjoyed it x