A/N: Thank you for the reviews- it is always fantastic to read your thoughts x
Chapter 36
"Cheers!" Elsie said, as she clinked glasses with Beryl and Anna.
"I could get a taste for this champagne!" Anna giggled.
The three women were in the guest bedroom at Crawley House. Elsie was still in her dressing gown but the other two women were already dressed for the wedding. Elsie was sitting in front of the mirror, as Anna placed her glass down on the bedside table, and continued to style Elsie's hair. She had decided on a softer style than usual; gone were the tight, pinned curls, instead her hair was pulled back into a loose chignon. It was classic and feminine and made Elsie look years younger. Anna was now placing tiny diamond hair pins into her hair to give a touch of glamour. Elsie's make-up was simple but stunning; charcoal eyeliner created smoky eyes, some pink rouge on her cheeks and deep plum lips.
"You look radiant, Elsie," Beryl said.
"Oh, thank you. I must say, despite not wanting a fuss, I feel a million dollars!" Elsie laughed.
"And so you should, Mrs Hughes. You look beautiful, and Mr Carson will not be able to take his eyes off you!" Anna smiled.
"Well, I don't know about that but I really do like my hair and make-up Anna, thank you so much," Elsie said, swivelling her head towards the mirror to see her hairstyle from all angles.
"Right, shall we get you into your dress?" Beryl asked.
Elsie nodded. She had chosen a timeless dress, in ivory satin; the bodice was nipped in at the waist and the neckline was V-shaped and edged with the finest beading and lace, respectable but tempting. The long satin sleeves were also embroidered with lace, in the design of tiny roses and thistles, to symbolise Charles' English heritage and Elsie's Scottish roots. It had a long, full skirt that flowed to the floor to complete the elegant design. It was a beautiful dress and was perfectly suited to her years.
As Elsie stepped into the dress in just her corset, stockings and suspenders, Beryl and Anna gently lifted the dress onto her shoulders and then fastened the tiny hooks into place. The dress skimmed Elsie's body perfectly and displayed her hour-glass figure exquisitely. Elsie never usually gave much thought to her clothes, and rarely wore make-up, as Housekeeper it was simply unnecessary and not appropriate, but today, on her wedding day to Charles, she felt as stylish and graceful as any of the ladies she was used to serving.
Elsie turned as she heard sniffles, only to see Beryl and Anna in tears. She looked at them questioningly and Anna answered,
"You look so stunning," Anna sobbed.
"Charles may well pass out when he sees you!" Beryl added, whimpering.
Elsie giggled, "Come here!" as she walked towards the women, reaching out to give them a warm hug.
"No!" Beryl suddenly shouted, "Don't crease your dress!" she finished. Elsie returned her arms to her side, shook her head good-humouredly and instead gave them both a kiss on the cheek.
"I can't thank you both enough for everything you have done for me, and I don't just mean being here today and getting me dressed … … I mean always being here for me and supporting me," Elsie said sincerely.
"It is our pleasure Elsie," Beryl replied.
"It certainly is," Anna added.
"Well then, let's raise a toast to many more happy years of friendship," Elsie said as she raised her champagne flute once more.
"To friendship!" Anna and Beryl said together.
######
"On damn and blast! Damn and blast!" Charles shouted. John Bates entered his pantry.
"Can I help you Mr Carson?" he asked.
"This retched tie is faulty! It is faulty Mr Bates! What am I going to do? I can't marry Elsie without a tie!" Charles cried.
"Mr Carson, of course it's not faulty. Let me try," he said, as took hold of the offending garment and tied it with ease almost immediately.
"Oh ... it seems to be working now!" Charles said, exhaling slowly to try to calm his frayed nerves. Mr Bates, Charles' best man, smiled warmly at the groom. They were both in full morning dress with Charles wearing an Oxford grey coat and waistcoat with cashmere grey trousers.
"Mr Carson, how about we get a little fresh air?" Mr Bates suggested, he could see how jumpy the Butler was.
"Yes that may be wise, Mr Bates," Charles said as he followed him out of the door.
The two men sat on the bench, looking across the gardens of Downton. As Mr Bates looked across at Charles, he could see him fidgeting and tapping his fingers anxiously on the seat.
"What if she changes her mind Mr Bates? What if Elsie decides she doesn't want to marry an old grump like me?" Charles said panicked.
"Mr Carson, there is more chance of Thomas marrying the Dowager Countess than there is of Mrs Hughes standing you up!" Mr Bates joked. Yet Charles, did not smile.
"But I have made her wait so long … so many wasted years … I don't deserve her Mr Bates, I really don't," Charles stated.
"Well I have to disagree Mr Carson, I cannot think of two people who deserve happiness more. Mrs Hughes loves you Mr Carson, that is plain to see. She wants to be your wife and I know you will be exceptionally happy together for many, many years to come," Mr Bates assured.
"But … … what if I make a poor husband? I have never been married … … I don't know how to be a good husband," Charles said worriedly.
"Mr Carson, there is no real secret. You simply need to love and cherish Mrs Hughes, to care for her always, and to make her always feel special … and from the twinkle in her eyes over recent weeks, I don't think you'll have any problems at all!" Mr Bates said cheekily.
Charles finally laughed, feeling some of the tension ebb away. He had wanted Elsie for so long; the thought of having her as his wife made him deliriously happy and it was difficult for him to accept that he was worthy of such joy.
"Yes Mr Bates, I believe you are right and I simply need to accept that I am a very lucky man and enjoy every second!" Charles grinned.
"Good, well let's go inside and have a whisky to toast your good luck!" Mr Bates said.
######
As Anna and Beryl fussed around Elsie, they heard a light tap at the door,
"May we come in?" Mrs Crawley said from outside in the hall.
"Of course, I am quite decent!" Elsie jested, regretting it immediately as Lord Grantham followed Mrs Crawley into the room. He smiled and said,
"I'm glad to hear it Mrs Hughes or Mr Carson would probably clobber me!"
The women laughed. Elsie had been extremely touched when Lord Grantham had asked if he could have the honour of giving her away. She would never have dreamt of asking his Lordship, and had planned on asking perhaps Thomas, given that Mr Bates was already Charles' best man. However, Lord Grantham had insisted and she had been delighted to accept. He stared at Elsie with much admiration,
"You look an absolute vision Mrs Hughes … … very beautiful indeed," he blushed, not used to paying such personal compliments to his Housekeeper, particularly surrounded by a group of women who looked at him so warmly.
"Thank you Lord Grantham. You look very handsome yourself!" Elsie said, wondering with shock where that comment came from, she would put that down to wedding day jitters. His Lordship had the good grace to laugh.
"Well then ladies, our cars await, shall we get going?" he asked.
######
Charles sat at the front of the Church, with Mr Bates alongside. Behind him, sat Lady Grantham, the Dowager Countess, Lady Edith and Lady Rose. Across the aisle sat his colleagues and friends from Downton: Daisy, Thomas, Alfred, Jimmy and the others. The other pews were filled with friends and acquaintances from the village. Charles had calmed somewhat and the whisky had certainly helped. It was a highly unusual situation for him, to be at the front of the church with attentions focused on him, rather than sitting at the back as a servant and in his 'proper' place. He would ordinarily have been filled with unease, however the fact that he was sitting here, waiting for Elsie to arrive to become his wife, filled him with the most wonderful joy and anticipation.
Charles heard a cough behind him. He didn't turn until he heard a further, more determined cough follow the first. When he turned, he was gobsmacked to see Lady Mary standing before him. She beamed at him and said,
"Someone told me there was a wedding Carson and you know how I like a good wedding!"
"Lady Mary … how on earth? You were in Scotland … you have come all of the way from Scotland?" Charles asked, stunned. He had never expected Lady Mary to be at his wedding, despite very much wanting her to be there. She meant so much to him.
"Of course I have Carson, I would not miss this wedding for the world .. to finally see my dear friend married to the woman he loves … I can't think of anything that would make me happier," Lady Mary said, her voice cracking. It had been only a short time since her own wedding and events since had turned her happiness into tragedy.
"It means so much to me that you are here Lady Mary. I know this cannot be easy for you. I am very grateful," Charles said, choking on his words, as the emotions overtook him.
"It is my pleasure," she said, leaning forward to give him a peck on the cheek. She patted his arm and then sat down to join her family.
Charles sat back down too. He looked at his pocket watch; Elsie should be here at any moment. He could not wait to marry his beautiful girl. He could no longer hide his delight at the thought of marrying Elsie, he grinned from ear to ear as he sat and waited. He thought of spending the rest of his life with her, waking next to her each morning and falling asleep with her in his arms each night. He also thought of the many things they could get up to throughout the night but then he forced those thoughts to the back of his mind; such thoughts would not be appropriate now! However, he could not wait for that either! He turned to Mr Bates, a beaming smile on his face. Mr Bates returned that smile, genuinely happy for Mr Carson, a man for whom he had the utmost respect. He observed as Charles looked at his pocket watch again,
"She'll be here Mr Carson, don't you worry, she'll be here!" Mr Bates assured.
######
Beryl, Anna and Mrs Crawley had headed off to the Church in the first car, with Elsie and Lord Grantham travelling in the second. The two sat, looking out at the village, as they made their way to the Church.
"Are you ok Mrs Hughes?" Lord Grantham asked.
"Perfectly," Elsie replied and she meant it. She was a little nervous of course; this was a significant event, something she had longed for, for years. It was a huge step to get married, to devote herself to another, particularly at her age, as she was used to her independence. However, marrying Charles would be bringing so much more to her life; she knew that, until she had fallen in love with him, she hadn't really lived at all. He made her complete.
As she looked out at the passing cottages and shops, her eyes suddenly fixed on the Grantham Arms.
"Stop!" she said loudly, as the car screeched to a halt.
"Is everything well Mrs Hughes?" Lord Grantham asked, concern and confusion tinging his voice.
"Yes, fine … sorry about that … I just … just … would you mind if I … hopped out of the car for a moment?" Elsie asked, knowing this must sound like a bizarre request.
"Hopped out? Mrs Hughes, where on earth are you planning to go?" Lord Grantham asked, completely perplexed.
"To the Grantham Arms!" Elsie stated.
"Do you need a drink?! I don't think the pub will be open just yet," His Lordship offered, thinking to himself that perhaps the housekeeper needed some Dutch courage.
Elsie smiled, "No, no. I don't need a drink … there is just someone I need a quick word with," Elsie said vaguely. She knew her behaviour must seem very peculiar.
"Now? Are you sure you need to speak to them now? Mr Carson and the entire congregation will be waiting," Lord Grantham explained.
"Lord Grantham, I know this must seem odd. I am afraid this is a private matter and I cannot explain but I can assure you that there is nothing to worry about, it is just something I must do … I will be very quick," Elsie added.
Lord Grantham whilst confused, could see how determined his Housekeeper was. He knew Mrs Hughes well enough, after all of these years, and so he knew that if this was important to her, then she must have good reason.
"Very well Mrs Hughes. Would you like me to come with you?"
"No need, Your Lordship, this is something I need to do for myself," Elsie said, as she opened the car door and stepped down, smiling reassuringly at his Lordship.
He watched her as she strode towards the public house, and disappeared inside.
######
Charles was starting to grow anxious again. It was customary for the bride to be late but he had thought Elsie would be here by now. He looked at his pocket watch again, and then turned to glance at the back of the Church, still no sign. Beryl, Anna and Mrs Crawley had arrived 5 minutes ago. They said Elsie and Lord Grantham were close behind. What on earth could have happened? All sorts of horrifying thoughts flashed through Charles' mind. Maybe there had been an accident? Maybe Elsie had had second thoughts? He looked at his watch again. Please god Elsie, please god hurry up, he thought.
######
"We are not open!" Dorothy Felton shouted, her back turned to the door as she heard someone enter. She was scrubbing the bar surface and at first, did not even turn around.
"I don't really care whether you are open or not- I want a word with you Mrs Felton," Elsie said, controlled anger in her voice.
Dorothy turned immediately, flummoxed, as she realised who was standing before her, and in her wedding dress.
"I don't want any trouble," the Landlady said, obviously very rattled.
"Well, you should have thought of that before you leapt on my fiancée!" Elsie said adamantly.
Dorothy took a huge gulp. This Scottish woman looked like she wanted to kill her! She started to speak but Elsie instantly hushed her.
"This won't take long Mrs Felton … I have a wedding to go to. Let me just make one thing clear …" Elsie said, steely determination in her voice as she continued, " …if you ever come near Charles again, my wonderful, honourable Charles, if you ever so much as look at him again, I will seek you out, drag you outside, and personally tear you limb from limb! Is that understood?" Elsie screamed. Dorothy looked terrified by the force of that assertion. However, her cockiness soon rose to the surface once more.
"Yes … yes …quite clear … for heaven's sake it was only a bit of harmless fun …any one would think you were worried he might enjoy it …" Dorothy said smirking, deliberately trying to wind Elsie up. Elsie saw red, and lifted her hand, moving it swiftly towards the other woman's face. Dorothy cowered as she predicted the impact that was about to come her way. However, just as Elsie's hand was an inch from the other woman's face, she stopped, her hand freezing in mid-air. Dorothy was breathing heavily. Elsie shook her head with a wry laugh,
"You are not worth it … I am so much better than that ... ... and I have a wonderful man waiting to marry me," and with a smile, she turned and walked out of the pub.
######
As Charles sat counting the seconds on his watch, even Beryl and Mr Bates were starting to panic. Where on earth was Elsie?
Then a few moments later, the church organ started to play, and the wedding march began. The Congregation stood, as did Charles, in total and utter relief. He turned to look towards the back of the Church, where he caught a glimpse of Elsie, his beautiful Elsie, linking arms with Lord Grantham. Her face lit up as she glowed at Charles. He was astounded, never before had he seen anyone look quite so breath-taking. It was like the world had stopped turning as Charles and Elsie locked eyes, feeling like no-one else existed in that moment, overwhelming love filling their souls.