Chapter 35

A/N: Here is the latest. Alas, the weekend is upon us yet again, though it looks to be rainy here. I can't promise that I'll get any writing done, but I will certainly try. Thanks for all the lovely reviews and plot bunnies! You've given me a great deal to consider!

Charles shook his head. Whatever had come over him? As though he didn't know the answer to that question. He'd never thought of himself as a passionate man. He'd been charmed by Alice, but not enthralled by her. He could admit it now: his pride had suffered more than his heart at her betrayal. Losing Alice was not the source of the pain; it was having lost her to him that had stung. He had been scrutinized and found wanting. He sighed. That hadn't been a pleasant time, but it had, along with that other nasty business with the money, spurred him to return to Downton and resume his career in service. He'd found it very rewarding, being part of a different kind of show, more legitimate, but no less theatrical than his days on the boards, but still he smarted. A man of his ability and stature, losing the affections of a worthy young woman to a man like Grigg.

Elsie had called it an open wound, and he acknowledged her power over him by making peace with the dreadful man. A sort of peace, anyway. Later, as he reflected over the whole ordeal, he'd realized that he'd used his memories of Alice as a shield against his feelings for Elsie, feelings that had arisen almost from the very moment she'd arrived at Downton and had grown and deepened with every moment spent in her company. He smiled as he thought of her then; her hair had been a richer, deeper red and she'd been as slender as a reed, not that he begrudged the natural and very appealing filling out she'd done over the years. His hands and face warmed at the thought of how she felt in his arms, under his hands, pressed against him. No, she had only become more beautiful to him over the years and now he could finally show her, in word and deed, the secrets of his heart. But to have had a very private moment interrupted by Mrs. Patmore! He was humiliated. Perhaps he was not accorded the status of a gentleman, but that by no means prevented him from exemplifying its ideals. He was the gentleman; it was his responsibility to protect his lady, not to expose her to embarrassment or to have her character called into question. He chuckled wryly. He thought he knew enough of Elsie's character to correctly imagine her response to his musings. He could just envision the look on her face.

"You look quite pleased with yourself."

He pondered the question for a moment. "I suppose I am."

"What's brought this on?"

"I should have thought you would say I always look pleased with myself."

"You generally do."

"Then what is so special about today?"

"Perhaps I should have noted that you look especially pleased with yourself. What is it that you've accomplished today that gives you such a look?"

"I expect you would know better than anyone the cause of my pleasure."

She closed her mouth in a thin line, yet she could not hide the sleek, catlike pleasure that the truth of his words gave her. She nodded briskly. "Yes, well. I should be getting on. I've work to be doing." She bustled out the door, but not before giving him a small half-smile. He sighed, leaned back in his chair and closed his eyes briefly.

*CE*

"Had a nice rest, Mr. Carson?"

He jolted awake. "What?"

"I asked if you'd had a nice rest."

He scrubbed his eyes. "What time is it?"

"Not to worry. You've plenty of time before the dinner gong. Care for a cup of tea?"

"No, no thank you, Mrs. Patmore. I'm sure I'll be right as rain in a few minutes. Perhaps a short turn in the gardens will restore my equilibrium."

"Perhaps Mrs. Hughes could join you? Only I'm not so sure whether she is as good at restoring your equilibrium as she is at disturbing it."

Mr. Carson frowned at her. "Mrs. Patmore, I must-"

"Now, now, Mr. Carson. No need to get all hot and bothered. I daresay you've had enough of that for one day." Mr. Carson made to interrupt her, but she held up her hand. "Don't fret, Mr. Carson. I'm that happy for you, truly I am. I just can't help meself." She stepped further into his pantry and lowered her voice. "Many's the time I thought to say something to one or the other of you. It's as plain as the nose on your face, but you both are the most stubborn pair in all of Yorkshire. Humph. All the Empire! But it's done, now, finally, and I'm that glad you're able to enjoy yourself. It's taken you an age, Mr. Carson, and even now I'm not sure what's prompted it all, and I don't want to," she added quickly, recognizing he was about to erupt into one of his tirades. "I only mean to say that I now I tease a bit now and then, and you mustn't take it seriously. She's a lovely woman, is Mrs. Hughes, for all those times I scolded her. And you're a good, kind man, Mr. Carson, always looking out for us, always taking care. It doesn't go unappreciated." She sighed dramatically and let her shoulders down. "That's all I came to say, really."

Mr. Carson, not usually at a loss for words, found himself speechless. "I…I…" He laughed unexpectedly. "I find I don't know what to say, Mrs. Patmore, so I'll just say thank you."

She smiled brightly at him. "You're welcome. I'll be off then. Dinner won't cook itself." She turned toward the hall, took a few steps, then turned to face him again. "I realize I can't compete with Mrs. Hughes, but I might be able to find something almost as tasty for your pudding tonight." She laughed as she took in his flabbergasted expression. Oh, Beryl, she admonished. You'll give him an apoplectic fit if you keep on like that. She laughed aloud. Poor bloke. He'll be a wreck come Thursday if we don't take it easy on him. Going straight back to work after the wedding breakfast. Hmph! Perhaps I'll have a word with Anna. She certainly has Lady Mary's ear.