Chapter 53

A/N: This chapter is a little longer than usual to thank you for your patience. Hope you enjoy and thanks as always for your support x

"Is this whole cottage just for you two?" Becky asked, a little perplexed as she was used to living in a House with many people.

"It will be … Charlie and I still live at the big House where we work but by the end of the year we will live here … and we have a bedroom just for you Becky, so that you can come and visit us often," Mrs Carson said joyfully.

The three stood in the sitting-room, Becky's eyes wide-open as she looked around the room.

"My own room? Here? But I already have a bedroom," Becky said, her face full of wonder.

"Yes Becky … but now you have your bedroom at Abercorn House and a bedroom here … for when you stay with us … we hope you'll like it," Mr Carson smiled.

The cottage was to be a bed and breakfast for the next few months; however the Housekeeper and Butler had indeed decorated one of the smaller upstairs bedrooms with Becky in mind. It was the one room they had decorated themselves, full of love and excitement for Becky's stay. The other rooms had been painted by tradesmen employed from the Village.

"So I have two bedrooms now? Oh my goodness! Wait until I tell Sylvia, she'll not believe it!" Becky gasped happily, as Mrs Carson stroked her sister's face.

"Well, shall we go and see it? Get you settled in …" Mrs Carson beamed, very happy to see her sister so excited.

"Yes let's …" Becky replied, skipping out of the sitting-room and straight towards the stairs.

"She knows her way around already," the Butler said, feeling very pleased as he put his arm around his wife.

######

"That is my beach!" Becky gasped, as she looked at the framed photograph on the wall.

"It is … we thought it would make you feel at home," Mrs Carson smiled.

They had found the photograph in the bookshop at the railway station, the last time they had visited Lytham St Anne's.

"And yellow is my favourite colour!" she smiled, as she gazed at the lemon-coloured walls, and the white bedspread with embroidered yellow flowers.

"We know … and Becky, this lampshade is made from shells from the beach," Mr Carson added proudly. He had found the lamp himself, in a small bric-a-brac shop in Ripon. He had immediately thought of Becky when he had seen it.

"Real shells?" she asked, staring at the lampshade as if she were looking at the crown jewels.

"And we have some of your favourite story-books …" Mrs Carson said, pointing to a small shelf by Becky's bed.

"Just William …" Becky cried, a wide grin on her face as she spotted the front cover.

"… and Doctor Doolittle."

The younger woman looked beside herself with excitement.

The Carson's had decorated the room tastefully, it would still be suitable for their bed and breakfast, and yet all of the little touches for Becky made the room special; along with the picture of Lytham St Anne's, the shell lampshade and the storybooks, there was also a bowl of cowrie shells, some notepads and pencils for when Becky wanted to practice her writing or draw pictures and, in prime position on top of the chest of drawers, a framed photograph of the two sisters as girls.

"Essie that's us!" Becky exclaimed, pointing to the photograph.

"It is … when we were bairns," the Housekeeper replied, hugging her sister to her.

All of the little touches could be stored in the attic until the Carson's moved in properly but they had not wanted to wait to make Becky feel at home.

"I love it," Becky called, snuggling into her sister's chest.

"Good, because we love you," Mrs Carson replied, kissing the top of Becky's head.

"Yes we do," Mr Carson said, a wobble in his voice as he stepped forward and wrapped his arms around both sisters, overcome to know that this beautiful little family was now his.

######

The three had enjoyed an early dinner of a lovely stew and a huge slice of apple tart, kindly prepared in advance by Mrs Patmore. Mrs Carson was relieved that she did not have to attempt to cook after their train journey and the tiring, emotional day. In fact, even on a relaxing day she would not have been very confident at cooking! She planned to learn as much as possible from the Cook in her remaining time at Downton but there had not seemed much urgency as yet and so she could still barely cook a thing. Therefore, the stash of pre-prepared meals in the cool box from Mrs Patmore was a welcome relief. After dinner, the three had gone for a stroll along the riverbank and fed the ducks. This had proved the highlight of Becky's day as she ran along the bank, throwing great chunks of stale bread into the water for the ducks. She had more energy than either of them, as they chuckled, pacing to keep up with her. As bedtime approached, she had excitedly made them both read several stories to her. She clutched her tummy in fits of giggles every time the Butler put on a silly voice as one of the characters. Eventually, after a lovely day, Becky had drifted off to sleep.

######

"Do you think Becky might let us have a little lie-in?" Mr Carson chuckled, as his wife lay across his chest.

The sun had just begun to filter through the curtains.

"Umm … I hope so …" she mumbled sleepily, stretching out her arms, and placing a brief kiss to the top of his chest.

"Our first morning in our own cottage," he murmured, cuddling his wife closer.

Despite her hazy state, she propped herself up on her elbow and gazed lovingly at her husband.

"I could not be happier Charles, waking up in my own home with the man I love and my darling sister along the corridor. I am blessed," she said, placing the sweetest kiss to his lips.

Despite the tenderness of this kiss, the Butler felt a flush of heat rise to his cheeks, as he felt his wife's breasts graze his chest. He pulled his wife more firmly down to him and returned her kiss more deeply. One of his large hands slid down to cup her bottom, massaging the softness as his other hand wound into her hair and he deepened the kiss. It had been over a day since they were last intimate and the Butler realised with some pride that they had never gone this long since the day they had married. He gently turned his wife over onto her back, as he traced his fingers from her ankle, up her calf, to her thigh. His kisses moved to the soft, creamy skin of her neck as he groaned longingly against her skin.

"Charles … we really shouldn't … Becky … what if she hears us …" she gasped, although her husband was gratified to note that her hands never once loosened their grip on his back.

"She won't be awake yet … we can be quiet … I love you Elsie …" he murmured groggily, lost to the passion he felt for his wife, as he began to slide her nightgown from her shoulders.

"Mmm Charles …" she purred, as he began to kiss a path from her neck to her breasts.

"I drew you both a picture!" Becky announced, as she entered their bedroom without warning.

"Becky! Good morning!" the Housekeeper shouted, her voice much higher than usual as she somehow disentangled herself from her husband, and grasped the bedcovers around her chest.

Mrs Carson smiled warmly at her sister, and despite her rosy cheeks she hoped she appeared normal. Mr Carson sat upwards too, his hair all mussed and his breathing a little laboured but he too was forcing a smile towards the younger woman.

Becky scrunched her face as she looked at the pair.

"Essie, what was Charlie just doing?" she asked, utterly intrigued but smiling happily.

Oh dear god, how much did she see? the Housekeeper wondered. She decided to try to distract Becky, hoping she might lose interest in her line of questioning.

"Doing? We were just sleeping … now … would you like egg and soldiers for breakfast Becky? And perhaps some cocoa?" Mrs Carson asked eagerly.

"Yes please Essie … but you weren't sleeping … he was lying on top of you and his head was right there," she said, as she walked across and sat on the bed beside her sister, pointing directly to the Housekeeper's chest.

Mr Carson gulped anxiously, now feeling like an utter cad for putting his head 'right there' whilst Becky was staying under their roof and also wondering how on earth his wife was going to explain his behaviour. He felt like a randy teenager caught out by his parents, as he bit his lip nervously.

"Oh I see, you mean just as you came in the room," Mrs Carson said, stalling for time, as she tried to think of a simple and acceptable explanation.

Despite the embarrassment of this situation, Mrs Carson could not help but stifle a giggle as she looked at the pleading yet horrified expression on her husband's face. He looked so shamefaced.

Please come up with something Elsie, he thought.

"Well, Charlie wanted to show me that he loves me and so he was giving my heart a little kiss … just there," Mrs Carson smiled, pointing to her chest with one hand and stroking Becky's face with the other.

Becky looked at at her sister thoughtfully for a second and then gladly accepted this explanation, immediately focusing back on her picture.

"Do you like my drawing?" she asked, snuggling into her sister's side, as Mr and Mrs Carson both exhaled in relief.

"Perfect," the Housekeeper smiled, kissing her sister's temple as she giggled at her husband over the top of Becky's head. He managed a relieved laugh as he shook his head with a grin. Lucky escape, he exhaled.

######

Breakfast had gone by without event, and they had spent the morning sitting outside in the spring sunshine, playing peg solitaire and drinking lemonade. Becky had also drawn at least six further pictures; all now proudly pinned to the walls of the Carson's kitchen. They had enjoyed a picnic lunch of sandwiches, apples and cheese, sitting on a blanket in the garden, and now all three were lazing happily in the sitting-room awaiting their visitor, as the wireless played soft jazz music in the background. A knock on the front door roused them from their blissful haze.

"I'll get it," Becky declared, as she shot up and ran to the door.

Mr and Mrs Carson followed her as quickly as possible, knowing it must be Mrs Patmore but aware that it could be anyone, even a stranger, at the door. However, they were no match for Becky's speed as the younger woman opened the door with a great big smile.

"Hello, are you Mrs Patmore, Essie's friend?" Becky asked excitedly.

"I am … but you, my chicken, can call me Beryl," the Cook replied affectionately.

"Oh thank you … I am Becky, Essie's sister … and I have my own bedroom," she declared, quite seriously.

"Do you now? Well aren't you lucky. You must show me your bedroom before I go," the Cook replied kindly.

"I will …" Becky replied enthusiastically, instantly taking a shine to the warm-hearted Cook, as she reached out and took Mrs Patmore by the hand, leading her into the House.

Mr and Mrs Carson smiled, as the two walked past them to the sitting-room. The Cook gave them a little wink as she passed.

"Beryl … did you know that Essie and Charlie kiss on the lips?" Becky began innocently, chatting away to her new friend as the Housekeeper and Butler joined them in the room.

"Do they now? Well that must be a bit sloppy …" the Cook replied, pretending to twist her face in disgust, yet biting back a smile.

Becky and the Cook settled on the settee, still holding hands. Mr and Mrs Carson laughed lightly at this comment but both began to blush, as they stood by the fire.

"I know!" Becky giggled, delighted to have found an ally who also thought kissing on the lips was yucky.

"And this morning, in their bedroom, Charlie was lying on top of Essie and kissing her heart … right by her boobies …" Becky cried, lying back against the cushions in fits of giggles.

Mrs Patmore shrieked with laughter too, as they both lay back against the settee enjoying this wonderful moment. Mrs Carson snorted with shocked laughter, as she held her hands to her cheeks. Mr Carson looked very unsteady on his feet, as if he might well faint on the spot.

"Oh Becky … you and I are going to have so much fun …" the Cook replied joyfully, through her tears of laughter.

As the Cook caught a glimpse of the Butler and Housekeeper, jaws dropping open and beetroot red with mortification, she hugged Becky to her, and shrieked more happy tears.

A/N: Please review if you have time. I'll update every evening now until we end at 60 x