A/N: A short update. There is a small time jump, and I will continue to move forward rather quickly to the wedding. At the moment, I feel I've milked all that I can from their engagement. Your reviews continue to shape the story. I always enjoy hearing what you think!

Chapter 29

It was a curious feeling, he noted, to be sitting beside his future bride, waiting for the first of the banns to be read. He looked about the congregation, noting which faces were attentive and which were not. He wondered idly how many of them would be shocked to hear of his engagement to Mrs. Hughes. He wasn't a fool. He had noticed, over the years, how certain men in the village paid closer attention to Mrs. Hughes than he thought strictly proper. She appeared not to notice, but he knew her better than that. Well, he could exercise his right of claim over her now, and the thought made him smile. No one could separate them now. He allowed his hand to rest lightly next to hers on the wooden bench. He looked at her out of the corner of his eye; she was fighting a smile. He forced himself to watch Mr. Travis instead. He could at least give the appearance of listening to the man.

*CE*

"I publish the banns of marriage between Charles Edward Carson of Downton and Elisabeth Mary Hughes of Downton.

This is the first time of asking. If any of you know cause or just impediment why these two persons should not be joined together in Holy Matrimony, ye are to declare it."

Charles felt a surge of pride as the words were read, and he listened for the surprised murmurs of the congregation. This was a meal they would dine on for weeks. Well and what of it? What did he care what they thought? He knew that Elsie in particular was respected and well liked in the village. He knew himself to be respected, though he allowed that few if any from the village could claim any special knowledge of him. He steeled himself to endure the inevitable throng of well wishers that would surround them both upon leaving the church. Well, it would please Elsie, and therefore it would please him. He let out a tiny sigh and Elsie looked over at him and smiled. She leaned into him conspiratorially.

"Don't worry, Mr. Carson. It will be less painful than you imagine." She winked at him, then rose for the final hymn of the service.

*CE*

He watched as the women of the village surrounded Mrs. Hughes, offering words of congratulations and some even hugging her. She looked so happy; he wished he'd gathered the courage to propose years earlier, but then he remembered her speech from a few days before and contented himself with the thought that they would be married soon enough.

Finally, the last of the women wandered off, and Elsie made her way back to Charles. He offered his arm and they began walking back to the Abbey.

"That wasn't so bad, was it?"

He smiled. "The men were a lot quicker to offer their congratulations and be off."

"You must admit our marriage to be an interesting bit of news, Charles. The women were eager for details."

"I hope you didn't provide them with any!"

"Calm down, Mr. Carson! Your honor remains intact. If I couldn't manage a flock of curious hens, I'd be a poor housekeeper indeed."

He patted her arm. "I am sorry, Elsie. I'm not used to being the object of attention."

"Rubbish. You were on the stage for several years. Weren't you an object of attention then?"

"That was different."

"How?"

"Well, that was a persona I adopted, a gimmick. It wasn't the real me."

"I see."

They walked along in silence. "I'm not accustomed to having a personal life, much less having it talked over down at the local." He stopped abruptly and turned to look at her. "You must understand. I'm not ashamed or embarrassed. On the contrary, I'm very glad to have a personal life with you." He smiled earnestly. "It's only that I've grown accustomed to well, to being in the background. I perform my duties outside the spotlight, as it were. Attracting attention to myself is the very last thing my training would permit me to do."

"I understand, Charles. Do you think it's any different for me?"

"No, I suppose it isn't."

"Well, we've made it this far. I daresay we'll muddle through the rest."

"Together?"

"Always."

"You've no idea the comfort that thought brings me."

"I might have some idea." Charles leaned down and touched his lips gently to hers. Now was neither the time nor the place to get carried away, but he felt he could risk a small show of affection.

Elsie accepted his kiss and did not press for more. They were on a public path on a Sunday morning and due back at the house in doubletime. She smiled up at him. "Shall we walk back together?"

"Always." Charles settled her in the crook of his arm, thinking he would never tire of the feeling of her trim and tidy figure so close to his. He smiled down at her, then led them along the path that would carry them home.