Chapter 36
"Five more minutes," Charles murmured happily, as he tightened his hold on his wife who was attempting to get out of bed.
She was snuggled against his chest, tucked under his chin.
"Charlie, it is nine o'clock and Mrs Baxter and Mr Molesley will be here at one," she explained.
"Els, that's four hours away, there is plenty of time," he replied, as he nuzzled her hair and caressed her back through her nightgown.
"Well it would be plenty of time if I'd cleaned the house yesterday evening as I'd planned but my husband distracted me and so no cleaning got done at all," she teased.
"Yes but it was a very pleasant distraction I hope," he returned cheekily.
"Ummm ... it was very pleasant Charlie, very pleasant indeed," she flirted, as she reached upwards and ran her hands through his unruly hair. She kissed him soundly.
Charles allowed his hands to wander to the hem of her nightgown, as he began to lift it higher.
"Charles!" she shrieked happily, as she pushed him backwards and away from her.
He grumbled loudly, reaching for her again.
"Honestly Charlie! I really must get up ... if only to have some breakfast ... I never did eat that soup," she exclaimed, as Charles looked at the full bowl of soup still resting on the coffee table and then gazed at his wife smugly.
She slapped his chest lightly, motioning for him to get out of bed.
"Come on then my fiery Scottish lass. I will make you some scrambled eggs on toast," he conceded.
She smiled happily as they both got out of bed, their old bones creaking and groaning as they rose. Before he could get any other ideas, she ushered him to the door.
"And I'll have some bacon too!" she shouted after him.
He chuckled as he made his way downstairs.
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"It sounds like things are going very well Mrs Baxter, as I knew they would. You are obviously an excellent Housekeeper," Elsie said kindly, as the four sat at the dining table enjoying a beef casserole and a selection of home-grown vegetables from the Carson's vegetable patch.
"I am certainly enjoying the role Mrs Carson but my predecessor was particularly remarkable and so I have big shoes to fill," she said meaningfully, as they all smiled.
"You have a much calmer temperament than your predecessor ... she was known to even scold the Butler at times," Elsie joked.
"Oh yes, he was terrified of her by all accounts," Charles added.
Mrs Baxter and Mr Molesley had never seen the former Butler so jovial and relaxed. Mrs Baxter had always known he had it in him, particularly when he was near the former Mrs Hughes; she had seen how they gently and respectfully teased each other, even before they were married. However, she enjoyed seeing this even more relaxed man and she supposed that the fact he was in his own home and sitting beside his beloved wife meant that he could let his true personality shine. Mrs Baxter wondered if she and Mr Molesley would be any different if they were ever to get closer. Her cheeks coloured a little as that thought passed through her mind.
"More wine Mr Molesley?"
"Oh, yes please Mr Carson," the younger man smiled warmly.
"Have you been to the theatre lately Mrs Baxter? I remember you always had a fondness for a good play whilst we were in London," Elsie asked.
Charles withheld a smile; he could sense a change in direction from his wife and he knew that it would be with only one purpose.
"I haven't Mrs Carson but you are correct, I love to visit the theatre. I haven't had much time lately unfortunately," she smiled.
"You'll get some time when the family go to Scotland in a couple of weeks though surely?" Elsie replied.
Charles watched in wonder as his wife weaved her spell.
"Yes I should think so," Mrs Baxter replied.
"And you are on your summer break Mr Molesley, for the next few weeks as well?" Elsie asked lightly.
Charles nearly choked on his casserole.
"I am yes Mrs Carson, it will be nice to have a little free time for a change. I am not used to it," he said, as they all agreed.
"Charles, did you say that there were a couple of Noel Coward plays expected at Ripon Theatre Royal in the next few weeks?" Elsie asked innocently.
Charles paused for only a moment, before entering into the spirit of things.
"I did Elsie yes, I plan to take you to see at least one of them," he said warmly.
It was true he had briefly mentioned it at some point, he had come across an advert in his morning newspaper.
Mrs Baxter looked down at her plate, and scooped another mouthful of food.
Elsie stared determinedly at Mr Molesley. He caught her gaze and looked puzzled as the former Housekeeper nodded her head silently towards Mrs Baxter. Charles could not help but enjoy the fact that despite his wife's not so subtle hints, the other man seemed oblivious. Suddenly, in a spark of understanding, Mr Molesley exclaimed,
"Oh!"
Mrs Baxter's head shot up to gaze at the part-time teacher, wondering why such an outcry? Mrs Baxter watched Mr Molesley gulp and then look back towards her predecessor. Elsie smiled at Mr Molesley encouragingly. He took a deep breath. Did he dare?
"Mrs Baxter, may I escort you to one of those plays?" he asked formally, without further preamble.
A surprised yet delighted smile appeared on her face.
"You may Mr Molesley," she replied shyly but happily.
He too had a soppy grin on his face.
"Well, I think that calls for some apple pie," Elsie pronounced.
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Elsie sat upright on one end of the settee later in the evening, with Charles lying flat out, his head on a cushion on Elsie's lap. Their couch had been one of their biggest luxuries when they furnished the cottage; Elsie was determined that they would have a comfortable settee to relax on in the evenings as neither had had any such thing during their years in service. It was money well spent as they both loved it.
Elsie sat with one arm resting across Charles's chest and with her other hand she caressed his hair and face. He lay with his eyes closed, not quite asleep but in a drowsy bliss, enjoying the attentions of his wife. She was more than happy to let him doze as she enjoyed the tranquillity of the two of them sitting in silence, the heat from the fire making the room cosy and warm.
As she sat, Elsie thought of Mrs Baxter and Mr Molesley and hoped that they would eventually find happiness together. She had set them on the path, she hoped, but she certainly did not intend to interfere any further; that was up to them. She smiled lightly wishing that perhaps someone had intervened many years ago with Charles and her but then she knew deep down that the two could only truly be together when the time was right. She played with the unruly curl at her husband's forehead as she reflected on how blessed they were; despite Charles being almost asleep, he had a lovely smile on his face as his head rested on her knee. Her thumb stroked back and forth on his chest and his hand rested on hers. She was consumed with love for her husband as she looked down at his joyful and handsome face. She bent to softly kiss his temple. He stirred contentedly and then soon settled again.
"I love you Charlie Carson," she whispered, leaning forward again to kiss his hair sweetly.
She continued to lovingly stroke his face and hair as she rested back against the couch, closing her eyes and drifting off to sleep.
A/N: Thank you very much for the lovely reviews for this fic. They are a joy to read and I appreciate you taking the time to send me your thoughts x