Charles awoke a short time later to an empty bed. Sitting up and dressing he began to formulate in his mind what he would say to Lady Mary. How on earth could he get her to understand the depths of his love for Elsie without telling her...well without telling her anymore then she needed to know. What if she prompted him to explain himself, what if she inquired how far the relationship had evolved. He certainly could not tell Lady Mary they were bedmates, Elsie's honor would be tainted and he'd never be able to look at Lady Mary in the eye again. Perhaps she would take his word quickly and swiftly and not question him further, it was his only hope. He spent a quick prayer to God for strength as he left the bedroom and began his day.

"Where is Ms. Hughes?" Charles asked walking into the kitchen.

"She just left Mr. Carson, said she had a errand of the utmost importance this morning." The young kitchen maid said while fixing Mr. Carson his usual plate.

"Ah, yes, well...um." He stuttered, coughing slightly at the shock of how quickly Elsie worked. He only hoped kindness would prevail on the parts of both parties, he shuttered to think what Elsie would do if Millie wouldnt see reason.

Elsie knocked several times on Millie's door before she finally answered. Elsie was not one to appreciate being left waiting, the fact that this action came from her bitter advisory did not go unnoticed to Elsie either.

"I'm not open yet Ms. Hughes, I'm afraid you will have to return later." Millie said, trying to close the door in Elsie's face, not suspecting how quickly the former housekeeper would lodge her foot in the door.

"It is not a tart or pastry I have come for Ms. Wilson. I've come to speak with you in regards to a private matter." She said plainly, trying to keep the bite from her voice until the right moment.

"A private matter? That sounds rather important, I hope it isnt in regards to my future husband." Millie said coyly, still trying to shut the door in Elsie's face.

"It is in regards to Mr. Charles Carson, a man who will most certainly not be your husband at any point in the future." Elsie said sharply.

"Ah, that is not for you to decide Ms. Hughes."

"I'm not leaving until you let me in, so we can air our dirty laundry here in your doorway or in your sitting room. Which ever you would prefer Ms. Wilson."

"You may come in for a few minutes but I warn you. I'm with child, it would not do well to upset me." Millie stated enjoying the quick look of shock on Elsie's face at the revelation.

Bugger, Elsie thought to herself, perhaps I should have let Charles speak to me.

"I wont take but a few moments of your time." Elsie said.

Millie finally relented opening the door and walking to her sitting room quickly. Neither sitting, nor offering Elsie a place to sit Millie stood in the center of the room with her arms crossed in front of her.

"Mr. Carson will not be marrying you Ms. Wilson, the matter is simple. I'm sorry if you've gotten yourself into some trouble but Charles will not be the one to fix it for you."

"How do you know it isnt him whose gotten me into trouble?"

"Charles is a man of honor and integrity, if he was the father of your child he would certainly take responsibility, but he is no more likely to bed you then he is the Dowager Countess of Grantham."

"Goodness what a horrid image that is. But alas Ms. Hughes, your delusions of the kind of man he is are very much mistaken. Charles will be father to my child and my husband, we will live happily here together while you wither away into the bitter old woman you are destined to become."

"Watch your tongue you vile creature. Charles Carson and I are in love, we have been for the better part of twenty years. If you attempt to pursue this matter and make such a kind and loving man, whom I may remind you you tossed aside a short while ago for a better catch, pay for your indiscretions I will personally ensure that you are sorry every day for the rest of your nature life."

Millie's face fell, the confidence she had been displaying broke and her head hung down, looking at the floor tears began to well in her eyes.

"I think I understand now. He cant marry me because he's going to marry you."

"Yes." Elsie nodded, a bit concerned at the sudden change in Millie.

"I thought...I didn't think that the two of you were…if I had known. My God I'm ruined."

"You were already ruined, I suggest you find the father of your child and seek him out. He's much more apt to help you then Mr. Carson."

"He's such a good man, Charles. I would have made him a wonderful wife. I could give him things you'd never dream of." Mille said, her tears falling.

"But you couldn't have loved him as I do. Now let us consider this matter dropped. We will explain to the reverend that he got his information wrong and this Sunday he will read the banns for my wedding, not yours."

"Does the legitimacy of my child mean nothing to you?" Millie said finally looking Elsie in the face.

"It pains me more then anything to see a child suffer but it is quickly becoming a new world. Perhaps a kinder one."

"Please leave Ms. Hughes." Millie said turning suddenly and walking up the stairs.

"Fine, I will see myself out." Elsie said seeing Millie walking away from her.

Once she was outside Elsie felt as though a weight had been lifted from her shoulders. All would be well, she and Charles would live happily ever after. If only Elsie could have heard the sounds coming from Millie's home as she walked across the street, back to the man she loved, she might have heard the terrible crash that would steal her happiness from her.

"Charles, what are you still doing here? I thought you were going to Downton?" Elsie said walking into his office.

"I decided to wait and see what happened with Millie, no need to expose ourselves to Lady Mary if we needn't."

"Well, you are a lucky man as I have sorted everything out with Millie. She understands now that you will not be marrying her, instead you will be marrying me."

"And she took it well?" Charles said timidly.

"I wouldn't say well, there was a bit of crying involved but I believe she got the message in the end and we need not fear her."

"You are a miracle worker." Charles said appreciatively standing up to take her in his arms.

"Do you have a slip of a paper and a pen?" Elsie said, stepping away from his slowly. Returning to his desk he took out a small note pad and a pen setting them on the desk before her. She quickly took the pad, writing something quickly then taking the paper and folding it up.

"Read this in exactly ten minutes." She said pushing the paper into his hands and quickly departing the room.

Charles paced in his office, looking at his pocket watch every half minute waiting until he could finally open the paper. Then finally on the exact second in which ten minutes had passed he opened the paper.

Reading quickly his mouth dropped.

Charles, by the time you read this I will be upstairs in your bed naked. Please hurry. Love Elsie

Like a shot Charles ran from the room with a silliest grin on his face.

A/N: Should we skip the Mness and continue on with the plot or have a brief layover?