Chapter 28
A/N: Thank you again for following and supporting this story. I thought it was best to end it whilst people were still enjoying it rather than when people got bored! I may well come back to this fic at some point as it has been a pleasure to write- perhaps I'll do a 'One Night at Christmas' over the festive period. I'll also certainly write more Chelsie fics in the future but for now I'll take a little break from writing and continue to enjoy reading all of the wonderful Chelsie fics out there x
Since they had arrived back at the House they had barely had a moment to themselves. It was straight into work as they reviewed everything that had happened in their absence and set about preparing for the dinner that evening. Their first opportunity to see each other was at the staff dinner table that evening; Elsie was already standing behind her place as Charles entered. He bid the staff 'Good Evening' and then as everyone else settled into their seat; he dared to glance at Elsie. The radiant smile that greeted him was almost his undoing; he actually felt like he might dissolve into a puddle on the floor. He grasped his chair to steady himself as he tried with all of his might to contain his happiness.
Elsie watched as his eyes lit up; her darling man trying to maintain his composure. They had not told a soul about their engagement yet, except for Mrs Patmore, but Elsie really did not know how they would keep this to themselves for two minutes let alone for the next few hours. She sat down and watched out of the corner of her eye as Charles also took his seat.
"Are you well Mr Carson?" she asked quietly, trying not to look at him. She picked up her glass and took a small sip of water to give herself something to focus on.
She heard his breath catch in his throat.
"I am well thank you Mrs Hughes and how are you?" he replied, as measured as possible, and looking straight ahead down the length of the table.
She bit her lip to hold back a giggle; this felt ridiculous, neither was looking at the other and they were having the most stilted conversation. A few hours ago they had been smooching in the woods! She scoured the table to ensure that no-one was paying any attention to them. She then turned to him.
"I have never been happier in all of my life," she whispered sincerely.
He turned to her then; his eyes filled with love. She gazed tenderly at her man and he reached under the table, out of sight from the others, and took her hand in his, stroking her fingers.
"I am going to speak to His Lordship this evening Elsie, I don't think I'll last until breakfast …" he whispered in return, a mischievous grin on his face.
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"Well I cannot pretend I am not surprised Carson because I am … but I am absolutely delighted for you, for you and Mrs Hughes," Lord Grantham smiled, still quite astonished by the news that his two Heads of Staff planned to retire and become man and wife.
"Thank you Milord … that is very kind of you," he replied.
His Lordship fleetingly wondered if anyone else in his family knew that Mr Carson and Mrs Hughes had feelings for one another; he was pretty sure that they didn't, although it would not be the first time that he was the last to know something. As he looked at the man in front of him, the man who had served him and his family so loyally for decades, he was ashamed to admit that he didn't know Charles Carson very well at all. Yet now, as he thought about the man, rather than the Butler, he could see an inner contentment that he had never noticed before.
"You seem happy, Carson," Lord Grantham said gladly.
Charles was a little surprised by this statement, despite its truth.
"I am Milord, very happy," he responded simply but earnestly.
Lord Grantham nodded with a smile.
"And therefore I believe I would be wasting my time if I tried to persuade you and Mrs Hughes to stay on as Butler and Housekeeper after you married?" he asked, already knowing the answer.
"You would Milord. It is time for us to retire. I have been very honoured to serve your Family, very honoured indeed, but I wish to devote my remaining years to Mrs Hughes, she deserves nothing less," he said tenderly, embarrassed to hear his own voice cracking with emotion.
Lord Grantham couldn't help but be affected by the sincerity of his Butler's words. He was not sure how they would cope without the two respected Heads of Staff but he knew that he could not argue with such endearing sentiments.
"Quite right Carson, quite right."
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"Oh what wonderful news!" Anna exclaimed, rising from her seat at the table.
The young Lady's Maid embraced Mrs Hughes, thinking that good news was very much welcomed after the last few months.
Most of the staff were sitting around the table, reading, relaxing and chatting before bedtime. Charles and Elsie had decided to tell them now as they knew that once Lord Grantham told the Family, the news would spread through the House like wildfire.
Charles was accosted by many handshakes, as he watched his future wife enjoy hugs from Anna, Daisy and Miss Baxter. The atmosphere of genuine joy at the news was very touching to them both.
"It's so romantic … proposing in the middle of a snowstorm!" Daisy said wistfully, giving Charles's arm a gentle squeeze.
The Butler blushed a pretty shade of pink under the slushy smiles of the women in the room.
"He's a real smoothie our Mr Carson, under all of that bluster!" Mrs Patmore added, as everyone giggled.
Even Charles had the good grace to smile, shaking his head fondly. Elsie laughed happily.
"Congratulations Mrs Hughes, Mr Carson … that is good news," Mr Barrow said softly.
Charles looked at the Under-Butler warily, never fully trusting him, but Elsie was more willing to accept his words with good grace.
"Thank you Mr Barrow, that is very kind," she smiled.
"The Abbey will never be the same again … it is the end of an era …" Mr Bates added.
"It is indeed …" Anna agreed, as she reached out and held Elsie's hand. She wanted to express, with this small gesture, how much she would miss the Housekeeper; her rock. Elsie gave Anna a loving wink.
"What's all this then? " Mr Molesley asked, as he entered the dining hall.
"Mr Carson and Mrs Hughes are retiring and getting married," Miss Baxter explained cheerfully.
"Never … when did that happen?" he responded unwittingly, as everyone laughed with joy.
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Lady Mary descended the stairs. It couldn't be true? Carson would never leave Downton, leave her? And surely she would have known; she would have noticed if Carson, her supporter and confidante, had feelings for Mrs Hughes? She thought perhaps her Father had been mistaken and this was an agreement of companionship, rather than love.
She reached his pantry; it was gone eleven but she knew that Carson would still be downstairs. The corridor was silent, the rest of the staff had already retired for the night, but his door was slightly ajar and she could see the light filtering through to the corridor. She peered through the gap, about to knock, when the sight before her stopped her in her tracks. Mrs Hughes held Mr Carson's face tenderly in her hands, as she stood on tiptoes. The Butler's arms were around the Housekeeper's waist, as he kissed her lips softly but meaningfully, murmuring sweet words between his caresses.
Lady Mary could not take her eyes from the pair, as she watched them in each other's arms. They finally paused their kisses, continuing to gaze at each other with total devotion.
"How on earth did an old grump like me win the heart of such a beauty?" he asked, a quirk of a smile on his lips, as his forehead rested lightly against hers.
Elsie giggled warmly, as she continued to caress his face.
"Well you are a very good kisser Charles … and you do look quite gorgeous in a tailcoat," she joked, as Charles took her lips between his teeth teasingly, kissing her briefly but passionately.
"Ummm … I love you Charles," she sighed contently.
"And I love you buttercup," he beamed, kissing her sweetly on the nose.
Lady Mary gulped back her tears, as she observed the purest love she had ever seen. Her Butler truly was in love, and whilst she would miss him dearly, she could not be happier for him.
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A little while later, Charles was sitting in his arm chair in his pantry with Elsie curled up on his knee, sleeping softly against his chest. His kissed her hair, as he held her closely, enjoying the stillness of the House at this hour and the warm, contented feeling of holding his beautiful angel in his arms. He smiled broadly as he ran over his plan one more time. Earlier in the evening, Lord Grantham had insisted that the Butler and Housekeeper should choose any cottage on the Estate for their retirement; he would hear no argument, maintaining that it was the very least he could do to repay their years of faithfulness. Charles had gratefully accepted, meaning that his savings could now be spent on other things.
His plan was to travel to Ripon in the morning and his first purchase would be a beautiful engagement ring for Elsie. For his second purchase, he would need to speak to Mr Jobling, one of the tenants on the Estate. Many years ago Mr Jobling had purchased a small property from Lord Grantham; a small property that, whilst not large enough to make a permanent home, was the perfect setting for a night or two away, perhaps even for a winters break. Charles smiled jubilantly as he cuddled a dozing Elsie to his chest. He could not wait to surprise her with the deeds to their very special lodge.
The End.
