A/N: Hope this chapter reaches you safely as the site would not allow me to upload it earlier today. Thank you for your support as always x

Chapter 37

"Will you stop fussing with your tie!" Elsie gently scolded as they walked side by side along the path to the Abbey.

"I am not fussing, I simply want to be presentable that is all," Charles replied sensibly.

Elsie stopped walking and stared at her husband with a wry smile. He stopped a second later when he realised his wife was no longer beside him.

"Charlie Carson you are always presentable! Goodness me, you'd wear your suit and waistcoat in the bathtub if I let you," she teased.

Her husband had been on pins and needles all morning, knowing they were going to Downton. He had preened and fretted with his hair, polished his shoes until he'd almost worn them through, changed his suit at least twice and was now repeatedly straightening his tie as they neared the House.

On hearing his wife's comment he exaggeratedly rolled his eyes at her. He knew she was having fun with him.

"There is nothing wrong with wanting to be smart and well-presented," he pronounced solemnly.

She beamed at him.

"Indeed there is not, my love," she said tenderly.

She chuckled kindly at him; her darling husband who was always so well-groomed and dashing. Elsie had always known he was a handsome man, long before they had married. She had seen many a maid, even a house guest, turn their head to appreciate the striking Mr Carson. His presence could be felt as soon as he entered a room. His size and height contributed to this but it was his commanding authority that really caught people's attention. Followed by his beautiful face and eyes, Elsie thought, smiling to herself.

"Come along then, we don't want to keep His Lordship and Her Ladyship waiting," she added.

The two began walking again, Elsie linking Charles's arm this time to try to soothe him. She could tell he was unsettled.

"I wish I knew why they'd asked to see us," he said, for the hundredth time that morning.

"We'll know soon enough," Elsie replied calmly, with a relaxed smile.

Charles smiled down at his wife as they walked. He wished he had Elsie's temperament. She was always so level-headed; he didn't think anything would faze his wife. She could be met with a tidal wave, an earthquake, a bomb going off and a falling star and she would simply take them all in her stride and cope admirably. He knew in part her serenity today was because Elsie did not view the Family in the same way that he did. She respected them of course, cared for them even, but she did not hold the Family in the same reverence as he did. Despite having left the Abbey almost eighteen months previously, he would always feel a sense of devotion and duty to them. Even though first and foremost I am, and always will be, devoted to my Elsie, he reminded himself happily.

As they approached the Abbey, Charles made to turn in the direction of the Servant's entrance but Elsie tugged him back towards her without a word.

"Elsie no!" he gasped, when he realised her intention. He sounded as horrified as if Elsie had suggested dancing naked across the Village Green.

"Charles Carson, don't be ridiculous. We are no longer servants and we have been invited for tea as His Lordship and Her Ladyship have something to discuss with us. We'll look ludicrous if we pop up in the Great Hall having ascended the back stairs," Elsie explained.

Elsie would always view herself as a servant and the downstairs staff remained some of her most cherished friends. Elsie, of course, often visited the Abbey to see Anna or Daisy, and in those instances she always used the Servant's entrance. On this occasion, however, they were meeting with members of the Family and so she would feel silly to arrive via the Servant's staircase. A place we no longer even have any right to be, she also thought rationally.

"Elsie, we cannot go through the front entrance. We really cannot," he said firmly.

"We can and we will," she replied just as firmly.

They had stopped walking again and gazed defiantly at each other in a very tense stand-off.

Charles looked at his wife in exasperation. The silence between them seemed to last for hours. He could see that she was not about to give in.

"Elsie, have you lost your mind?" he finally declared loudly.

It was Elsie's turn to roll her eyes; her husband could be so dramatic.

"No Charles, I have not lost my mind. In fact, my mind has never been clearer. The Family have invited us to the Abbey. We are no longer their Servants. They will expect us to arrive at the front entrance. Therefore, we are going to walk over to that door and ring the bell. Easy as that," she proclaimed.

Elsie began to walk away from Charles, only turning back towards him to state,

"... and if you allow me to enter that door on my own, you'll be on the couch for the next week!"

Charles's jaw dropped open at Elsie's final statement. She had never before made such a threat. He told himself that she was probably only joking. Probably. Or maybe she was so enraged that she would actually follow through with such a threat. A large part of him wanted to call her bluff; he rarely ever won an argument with Elsie and he felt very strongly about this matter. In his opinion it was highly inappropriate for them to enter through the front of the House. He had never done so. Whilst he knew that they were both held in high regard by the Family, he also believed in the existing social hierarchy and class structure. Servants, or even former servants like us, should not be marching through the front doorway of the Abbey, he thought rather hysterically. He decided that he would hold his ground whatever the consequences. He could be just as stubborn as his wife. Yes he was sure of his decision now. Well, I am almost sure, he panicked, as his wife walked further and further away from him.

Elsie continued to walk towards the House. She had not meant her threat at all, she had only been teasing. She would never make him sleep on the couch, certainly not for a week; she would miss her lovely daft husband too much. As she continued to walk alone towards the Abbey, she regretted her silly threat, although as she reflected further, she began to get annoyed that it had not worked! She had been sure her husband would yield. What on earth is he making such a song and dance about? What does it matter what door we use? And surely he won't allow me to arrive at the House on my own? she reasoned, with growing anxiety as she reached the door. Well, I am not caving in now, she thought determinedly and therefore, without looking backwards, she took a deep breath and rang the doorbell.

As the door opened, Elsie smiled as Mr Barrow came into view.

"Good morning Mr Barrow," she said warmly, her mind whirring as she tried to think of an explanation for why she and her husband were arriving separately.

"Good morning Mr and Mrs Carson," he replied respectfully, as Elsie looked to her side to see her husband standing tall.

A/N: Thank you for your wonderful reviews, including those reviews from guest reviewers who I cannot thank personally. I hope you are still enjoying this little fic. I realise it's very gentle and mild compared to some of the wonderful fics out there but hopefully we can all also enjoy some gentle Chelsie fluff x