Chapter 49

A/N: I wasn't actually planning to update today, however your very kind and plentiful reviews for the last two chapters have spurred me on and I didn't want to keep you waiting any longer. Hope you enjoy x

Elsie and Charles were sitting happily, chatting to Anna and John. The band was taking a well-deserved rest and had been replaced by music played on a gramophone at the end of the marquee. The four were smiling happily discussing the earlier surprise musical performance.

"We obviously knew that James could play … and I am sure Mr Branson mentioned previously that he used to play the drums back in Ireland … but how on earth did you know that Mr Molesley had such a talent?" Elsie asked.

"Ahh … it is amazing what you find out when Mr Molesley has had a few whiskies!" John joked.

The foursome laughed warmly.

"Have you had a wonderful day Mrs Hughes?" Anna asked dreamily.

"I have Anna … it has been truly perfect in every way …" Elsie replied, squeezing Charles's knee as he kissed her hair.

Anna and John decided to attempt a dance; a slow number was being played and the Valet thought that he may just manage it. That left Charles and Elsie on their own for the first time since their dance earlier in the afternoon.

"At last …" Charles breathed, pulling Elsie up and onto his knee.

"Charles really … people can see …" Elsie smiled, as she scanned the marquee nervously.

"If a man cannot cuddle his wife on his wedding day then it is a poor show indeed …" he responded.

She giggled; draping her arms around his neck and smiling at her man; she had seen such a different side to Charles over the last three weeks. The buttoned-up, rigid and controlled Butler had been replaced by a much freer, relaxed and daring man. Elsie happily reflected that she loved both versions of Charles equally and she knew that he was really a wonderful combination of the two.

"I love you …" Elsie said, as she rested her head on his shoulder.

"I love you too Elsie … and I love this dress …" he sighed, as his hands graced her curves, enjoying the feel of the silk beneath his fingertips.

"Umm … you do seem to have a penchant for silk …" she teased, whilst continuing to look a picture of innocence, resting her head lightly on his shoulder as he hugged Elsie to him. Charles chuckled.

"I do … or rather I have a penchant for my beautiful wife wearing silk … I also cannot stop my mind wandering to what is underneath this silk … Mrs Patmore asked Anna to buy the appropriate underwear to go with this dress … I have been wondering ever since what that might look like …" he growled against her ear.

Elsie sat upright, staring in amused shock at her husband.

"Did Beryl announce that in front of everyone?" she cried.

"Yes! Mr Branson, Mr Bates and I didn't know where to put ourselves I can tell you … anyway … let's not get distracted from the aforementioned undergarments …" Charles whispered with a cheeky smirk. As Charles spoke, Elsie could feel his chest rumbling against her hand.

"You would like to know what I am wearing underneath my dress Charles?" Elsie asked, amused that her esteemed husband would ask such a thing.

"I would …" Charles replied, his breathing becoming more laboured.

Elsie hesitated for a second and then reasoned, what harm could it do? Therefore, she leaned forward and murmured in his ear,

"A very fetching cream, lace basque … a matching suspender belt and stockings, the frilliest yet smallest knickers you have ever seen and a garter covered in sweet silk bows and lace flowers …"

Charles let out a strangled growl, the like of which Elsie had never heard before.

"My god Elsie!" he roared, the heat rising within him at an alarming pace.

"What? You asked me to tell you!" she replied, giggling as she watched his astounded yet lustful expression; his eyes had turned a deep shade of grey as he seemed to lose control of his speech. Elsie then noticed Mrs Crawley and the Dowager walking across the marquee.

"Oh Charles … we are about to have company … I need to get up …" Elsie said pointing at the two women and making to move off Charles's knee swiftly.

"Elsie … you cannot get up …" Charles said, totally panicked, as he pulled her back down onto his knee.

"Charles! What are you doing? Let me get up!" she laughed, wondering what on earth had gotten into her husband. He would normally be appalled at the thought of the Dowager finding Elsie sitting on his knee. In fact, Charles would not normally sit down in her presence at all, even without a Housekeeper perching on his legs.

"Elsie you cannot get up …" he repeated. However, this time he stared down at his most sensitive area, hoping that this would help Elsie to understand.

"Oh!" Elsie responded, as she realised his predicament.

Elsie then began to giggle hysterically at his quandary.

"It is not funny!" Charles added, although the glorious sight of Elsie giggling with abandon warmed his heart and despite his discomfort, he could not help chuckling himself.

"Mr and Mrs Carson … we are going to leave now … but we wanted to wish you well before we left …" Mrs Crawley said, seemingly delighted to find the happy couple so entwined with each other.

Elsie and Charles smiled and thanked Isobel; both blushing at this unusual situation.

The Dowager looked at Charles with a perplexed expression; she knew that something was not quite right but she could not explain it; the Butler looked quite hot and bothered and, she wondered, why had he and Mrs Carson not stood up as she approached?

"Carson are you quite well? Do you have a temperature?" the Dowager asked seriously.

Elsie bit her lip to stop her laughter escaping.

"No … no … I am fine Your Ladyship … although my back is a little sore … I think I must have strained it whilst setting up the marquee … that is why I am sitting … to rest it a little … apologies … I would, of course, normally stand …" he murmured, using the first excuse that came to mind.

"A strained back … and for your wedding night as well … that is rather unfortunate timing … Mrs Carson will need you fully fit for this evening Carson!" Mrs Crawley teased, as Charles's eyes flew open in horror. The Dowager started to cough and splutter.

"Good gracious, perish the thought!" she said, as she trundled off across the marquee. Mrs Crawley bid her farewells and followed her.

Elsie shrieked, her withheld laughter bursting forth. Charles shook his head, still bewildered by Mrs Crawley's comment. Elsie then turned to her husband with a look of pretend concern,

"You don't have a bad back do you?" she asked, as Charles shook his head with a chuckle, beaming at his wife.

######

"What is the time Elsie?" Charles asked.

They had re-joined Elsie's family but had wisely decided to avoid any further intimate contact and so instead they enjoyed simply holding hands.

"It is almost quarter past four …" she replied.

"Is it really? Well then I must mention my last little surprise …" he teased.

"Oh my Aunt Els … you have found a good one here!" Elizabeth joked.

Charles and Elsie smiled in response, as the girls all leaned closer to hear what Charles had to say.

"What further surprise could you have possibly planned my love? Today has already surpassed my wildest dreams …" Elsie cooed happily.

"Oh well, perhaps I should cancel the honeymoon then …" Charles smiled smugly, delighting in Elsie's jubilant and amazed smile.

"A honeymoon! Charles Carson …you couldn't have organised that … not in only a few hours … and we are expected at the House tomorrow … you said that we would have our honeymoon at a later date and tonight we would stay at the Grantham Arms …" Elsie spluttered.

"Haven't you learned by now that you must ignore most of the silly things I say Elsie! Now we cannot go for too long as the party season is upon us … but His Lordship has granted us five days …" he smiled.

"Charles really?" she said, tears welling in her eyes once again.

"Really … now Anna and Beryl have virtually finished your packing but you might want to check and add anything else that you need … we need to leave at five …" he grinned, as Elsie shot up and out of her seat, planting a long, sweet kiss on his mouth, hugging Aileen and the girls, and then racing across the marquee.

She then stopped abruptly and turned towards a thrilled Charles.

"Charles … I still do not know where we are going?" she giggled.

"Ahh … I am keeping that a surprise my love … now go and get packed …" he smiled, as Elsie giggled, hardly able to contain her excitement.

######

"Have a wonderful time Elsie …" Beryl said, hugging her friend, as Thomas loaded their luggage into the car.

"Beryl … I cannot believe this is happening to me …" Elsie sighed.

"Believe it Elsie … and enjoy it … I am so jealous!" Beryl added and then immediately winced as she realised she had said too much.

Elsie gasped, smiling knowingly at her friend.

"You know … Beryl Patmore you know where I am going … tell me!" she laughed.

"My lips are sealed …" Beryl countered.

"Beryl! You must tell me …" Elsie giggled, as she held her friends hands.

"Never … sworn to secrecy!" the Cook responded.

Elsie groaned happily; the anticipation was too much. Where was Charles taking her? However, she knew better than to push her best friend any further. Charles wanted it to be a surprise and a surprise it would be.

"You look lovely by the way …" Beryl said, changing the subject.

Elsie looked down at her lilac blouse and dark purple skirt beneath her coat. They were very smart, even pretty, but they were much more appropriate as a leaving outfit than as her wedding attire.

"Thank you Beryl … I love you …" Elsie whispered, as she hugged the Cook one last time.

"I love you too, you old Scottish dragon … now don't wear that poor man out will you!" Beryl joked.

"I'll try not to …" Elsie laughed.

"Right then … we better be off … the train leaves very soon …" Charles announced. They had already said their goodbyes to the gathered friends and family.

The Butler offered his hand to his wife and helped her into the car. He climbed up beside her and the couple waved to their friends as the car pulled away from the Abbey. As Downton disappeared from view, Elsie cupped Charles's face in both hands and gave him a sweet, lingering kiss. He held her to his side; in the most gentlemanly fashion. He had learned his lesson from earlier and until they were at their hotel he would need to show some restraint. He playfully nuzzled her nose with his own and then kissed her forehead softly.

"You are very beautiful Elsie," he murmured adoringly.

"Thank you Charles … and I am sorry that I had to change clothes but the dress would have looked a little silly on the train …" she joshed.

"No apologies needed … you look stunning … and I presume some items of your attire remain unchanged …" he flirted, wiggling his eyebrows.

"Oh indeed … I only changed the top layer …" she teased.

Charles groaned as he rested his head backwards on the car seat, closing his eyes and attempting to do a wine inventory in his head to calm his thoughts. Elsie giggled as she watched her adorable man.

"Won't you at least give me a clue as to where we are going Charles?" she asked, stroking his chest and hoping to take advantage of his weak moment.

"But then it wouldn't be a surprise would it?" he replied, sitting up and kissing her hair.

"No … I suppose it wouldn't …" Elsie replied merrily, snuggling into his side and closing her eyes for the remainder of the journey.

As Elsie rested against him; Charles smiled blissfully. Today had been the best day of his life and he was so looking forward to his final surprise for Elsie. He reached into his inside coat pocket, checking for the hundredth time that he had everything. They would be staying for one night in London to break their journey and then … Charles lifted the hotel's telegram confirmation from his pocket … the Hotel Fountaine in Paris. He could hardly wait.

A/N: Well, if you going to create a fairy-tale wedding for our Chelsie, you may as well do it properly don't you think? However, for anyone hankering for a return to more realism; once Charles and Elsie return to Downton, things will settle down for our happy couple. Thank you for your continued reviews x