Now we've arrived at the end of this 26-step journey. Thank you for all of your reviews and support. I've enjoyed writing these stories; writing for prompts is an interesting exercise. I enjoyed writing standalone stories, and it was also fun to continue something from a previous chapter in answer to a later prompt.

Special thanks to kissman for writing all these excellent prompts!

Thanks to chelsie fan and kissman for the hemidemisemiquaver dare. That turned into one of my favorite chapters (Music).

Thanks to all others who nudged and dared me to continue certain stories and suggested ideas.

Zealous: a story about one or both characters getting carried away by their enthusiasm.

Season 5 spoilers

Mrs. Hughes knocked on Mr. Carson's pantry door. "Mr. Carson, can I have a word?"

He looked up from his desk and smiled. "Of course. Come in."

She closed the door behind her and approached him. "Mr. Carson, thank you for the lemon drops."

"You're very welcome, my dear," he replied.

"I'm a little concerned, though."

Mr. Carson frowned in confusion. "What do you mean? About the lemon drops?"

"Lemon drops today, chocolates the day before, and red roses the day before that! Mr. Carson, I do hope you aren't spending all of your savings on these things for me."

He rose from his desk and went to her, taking her hands in his. "I'm sorry if it's upset you, Mrs. Hughes. I assure you that I can afford these small gifts. I would not have bought them otherwise."

Mrs. Hughes smiled. "No, I suppose not. But you're spoiling me, Mr. Carson. You needn't keep bringing me treats every day."

"Oh, but I do, Mrs. Hughes," he argued. "I want to express to you how much I love you, by showing it as well as telling it."

Her smile grew and she laughed. "There is one way to show me you love me that doesn't cost anything at all."

"What is that?"

Mrs. Hughes rolled her eyes. "I mean you can kiss me, you daft man. We've been engaged for four days now, you know."

"Are you sure?" He questioned her with both his words and his eyes.

She smiled warmly. "Of course I'm sure," she murmured. Mrs. Hughes then removed her hands from Mr. Carson's grasp and tugged at his lapels so he would bend down closer to her. He willingly obliged and slid his arms around her waist as his lips touched hers for the first time.

The kiss was more overwhelming than either of them expected. Mrs. Hughes had been aware of a faint longing for the last few days and had wished he would kiss her, but it was nothing like what she felt now. Mr. Carson discovered feelings that had lain dormant for so many years had returned very suddenly. He was delighted to discover that he was not too old for this aspect of marriage. They kissed for a long time, but Mrs. Hughes broke this kiss and whispered in his ear. "You must be dreadfully uncomfortable, bending down like this." And before he could argue, she had pushed him into a chair, sat down on his lap, and started to kiss him again.

Mr. Carson did not resist her; he didn't want to. Soon they were doing more than kissing. They caressed each other with hands, lips, tongue, and even teeth. Mrs. Hughes was only vaguely aware when her hands untied his tie and started to unfasten his collar. Similarly, one of Mr. Carson's hands found its way to her stockinged ankle and it began moving slowly up her skirt. She panted in between kisses to his neck, but when his hand had reached the top of her stocking, she only held onto his shoulders and rested her forehead on his chest. She was far too distracted by what his fingers were doing to be able to concentrate on doing anything to him. He had not reached the ultimate goal, but Mrs. Hughes had never had a man's hand under her skirt at all, much less drawing little circles with his finger on the bit of her thigh just above her stocking. She almost let out a moan, but a knock came on the door.

They both sprang from the chair and tried to right their disheveled clothing. Mrs. Hughes could quickly shake out her skirts, but there wasn't time to fix Mr. Carson's collar and tie. In the second or two before the door opened, she tried to think of an excuse to give Mr. Molesley - for it was almost invariably he who interrupted them - as to why Mr. Carson's collar and tie were undone. All such thoughts flew from her head when Lady Mary Crawley stepped into the room. She gave a quick glance over the pair before her and closed the door firmly behind her. Doubtless, Lady Mary knew just what had been going on. Mr. Carson and Mrs. Hughes waited in silence. Mr. Carson couldn't decide if it was better or worse that they had been caught disheveled by Lady Mary rather than the usual Mr. Molesley, but her amused expression led him to believe that she would not betray them.

"Well," the young woman began, casting about for the right thing to say. "I know Carson to be a man of honor. I presume I can take this…" She gestured in their general direction. "...to mean that you have come to some kind of understanding." Lady Mary's words formed a statement, but her tone included a question.

"Yes, milady, but only recently," Mr. Carson spoke up. "It wasn't meant to be a secret, but we hadn't decided how best to tell the family and staff."

"You needn't worry, Carson. I will keep your secret until you are ready to tell it."

"Thank you, milady. Is there anything I can do for you?" he asked, relieved beyond measure.

"There is, actually," she told him.

"Would you like me to leave, milady?" Mrs. Hughes offered.

"That won't be necessary, Mrs. Hughes," Lady Mary answered. "I think this may concern you as well as Carson." Mr. Carson and Mrs. Hughes exchanged a glance, both feeling some trepidation. "What I've learned just now may give me the answer to my question. Carson, when Mr. Branson asked me to sing Christmas Eve, I noticed you were missing, and I wondered if anything was wrong."

Mr. Carson couldn't help smiling. "I'm sorry I had to miss your song, milady, but nothing was wrong. In fact, everything was absolutely right." Mrs. Hughes smiled at him.

Lady Mary smiled as well. "I think I understand. Well, I am glad to know that all is well."

"Thank you, milady," Mr. Carson replied.

She turned to go, but stopped and faced the butler and housekeeper again. "Carson, Mrs. Hughes, please don't take this as a lecture, but I think you'd better try to control yourselves. Either that or lock the door." Then she gave them a nod and left the room, closing the door behind her.

They stood in stunned silence for a half a minute or so, until Mrs. Hughes leaned against Mr. Carson's chest and began to laugh.

"That was not funny, Mrs. Hughes," he grumbled, though his arms wound around her.

"But she's right, Charles. We mustn't act like a couple of overheated youths when we could be interrupted at any time."

"We can always be interrupted here," Mr. Carson lamented.

"Then perhaps we ought to pay a visit to our new cottage," she suggested. "No one will be there to interrupt us."

His brow crinkled. "But Mrs. Hughes, what if we're carried away completely? Maybe we should just control ourselves until we're married."

"Mr. Carson," Mrs. Hughes began, blushing and looking everywhere but his eyes. "There isn't any furniture in the house yet. There is only so far we can go."

Mr. Carson blushed as well. "Yes, I think you're right."

"So shall we visit?"

"Yes." He spoke firmly. "Let's go tomorrow." Mr. Carson let go of Mrs. Hughes and she backed away from him slightly. "Now will you help me with this collar and tie?"

"Of course," she agreed, smiling. "I was responsible for disarranging it, after all."

Mrs. Hughes refastened his collar and handed him his white tie. She knew he could do that bit better than she could. He tied it quickly and went to look in the small mirror. She followed him. "You look marvelous."

He turned to her to thank her, but she was right at his elbow, so he found her much closer than he had realized. Without thinking, he bent and kissed her. Mrs. Hughes kissed him back and soon he was pushing her up against a wall.

"Stop," Mrs. Hughes whispered.

"What?" He couldn't quite hear her.

"Stop," she repeated a little louder, though reluctantly. "We have to stop."

Mr. Carson pulled away immediately. "Yes, you're right," he replied, trying to catch his breath. "I'm sorry."

"Don't apologize. I'm the one who started it."

He took a deep, steadying breath. "Tomorrow."

Mrs. Hughes nodded. "Tomorrow.

The end.

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