A/N: Thank you so much for your continued support x

Chapter 53

"Charles Carson, will you slow down. Charles!" the Housekeeper exclaimed, as she followed her husband into his pantry.

The Butler spun around to face his wife, his cheeks flushed and his breathing laboured.

"Elsie, I'm fine!" he snapped.

"You are far from fine! You've been running around this house like a mad man all morning!" she responded just as tetchily.

"I have not!" he said petulantly, somewhat affronted by being described as a 'mad man'.

"You have!" she bit back.

They stared at each other in silence for a moment, both equally exasperated.

The Housekeeper then forced herself to take a steadying breath, realising that this quarrel was becoming increasingly petty. She turned around and closed the door to ensure that they could not be overheard.

"Charles, I just don't want you to make yourself ill, that is all," she said more softly.

The Butler recognised his wife's genuine concern and instantly regretted his earlier tone. He reached forward to take her hands in his, rubbing his thumbs across her fingers to offer some comfort.

"I am fine Elsie, really. I know things have been a little frantic of late but I am fine," he replied with a loving smile.

Things have been more than frantic, she thought. Lord Grantham's health scare had shaken the entire household, particularly her husband, who had been rocked by the shocking events at the Family dinner. The plan to open the House to the public had exacerbated her husband's stress levels further and added to this, the gradual reduction in staff meant they were short of several footmen and maids and very likely would lose an Under-Butler at any moment, given Mr Barrow was currently looking for employment elsewhere. This reduction of Staff was happening in grand estates across the country of course, however the difference at Downton was that her conscientious husband was determined to somehow maintain the same standards despite having half the staff of ten years ago.

"Charles, you are doing too much. Things need to change, things can't be like they were before, and you have worked such unreasonable hours over the last couple of weeks. Charlie and I have hardly seen you," she said gently, hoping by mentioning his family her husband might finally realise that he needed to slow down.

"You both see me here, at the House," he tried limply, although he knew that it must have been over week since he'd arrived home to the cottage before his wife and son had gone to bed.

"It's not the same. We miss you Charles," she smiled, reaching up to kiss her husband on the cheek. She didn't want him to feel guilty, she just wanted him to see that things needed to change, for the sake of his own health and his family.

"I miss you both too love and I'll slow down, I promise," he said, gathering her in his arms and holding her to him. He held her snugly, nuzzling her hair and whispering sweet endearments. The very last thing he wanted to do was to cause her concern.

The inevitable knock on his pantry door broke them apart; the Housekeeper taking a step backwards to ensure an appropriate distance, as she shared a loving smile with her husband.

"Come in!" he shouted.

"Apologies Mr Carson but the wine delivery has arrived," Mr Molesley explained.

"I'll be there momentarily Mr Molesley," Mr Carson replied solemnly.

"I'll see you later," the Housekeeper said happily, a beautiful smile on her lips.

"I'll look forward to it," he replied tenderly.

The Housekeeper rewarded her husband with a further kiss on the cheek, before walking out of the door, feeling so much happier than when she'd entered the room.

He waited until his wife had left the room before he raised his hand to his chest. Damn and blast, he muttered, as he felt the annoying pain that had been plaguing him on and off for the last week.

######

"Pa, are you coming home with us?" Charlie asked excitedly, as the Butler walked into the Housekeeper's sitting-room, wearing his coat, hat and gloves.

Mrs Carson was buttoning her son into his little overcoat, as she also looked up at her husband in delight. She was already dressed to leave.

"I am indeed, Mr Barrow is serving dinner this evening," he smiled, feeling very pleased with himself to have made his son and wife so happy.

Charlie cheered with joy, before being scooped up and hugged by his father.

"And I thought we could even walk into the Village and collect some fish and chips as a treat … umm, if that's alright with you Elsie?" he asked, hoping that he hadn't spoiled any dinner plans.

"That is fine with me Charles, sounds perfect. Now, come on then little tinker, let's get your gloves and scarf on you before we go anywhere," she said kindly, as the Butler lowered Charlie to the floor.

The little boy could hardly stand still as his Ma finished dressing him for the cold weather outside; he was so excited to be going for fish and chips with his Ma and Pa. His parents laughed at their little bundle of joy as he hopped about.

"Right then, go and say good night to Aunt Beryl and then we'll be off," Mrs Carson smiled.

Charlie nodded and then dashed off to the kitchen to find the Cook.

The Housekeeper reached upwards and held her husband's face in her hands, drawing his face down to hers to give him a lingering kiss. As she stepped backwards from this embrace, her husband smiled soppily at her.

"Now, what did I do to deserve that Mrs Carson? Not that I'm complaining, of course," he grinned cheekily, drawing her back towards him, his arms circling her waist as he rested his forehead against hers.

"You are coming home with your Family and I love you very much Charles Carson," she whispered, reaching up on tiptoes to kiss her husband's lips again.

He made a contented rumbling noise, as he kissed her back with some vigour. He really had missed this.

"Urghh! Kissing again!" Charlie sighed, with an exaggerated roll of his eyes, as he walked back into the pantry.

They broke apart, chuckling at their son.

"Right, first one to the yard gets the largest fish and chips!" she joked, knowing how much Charlie loved his food.

The little boy cheered and raced out of the room.

'Hopefully the fresh air will tire him out,' she whispered, as she followed her son out of the room, glancing backwards flirtatiously to her husband.

'Oh, I do hope so,' he murmured, as he caught up with his wife and patted her bottom. The Housekeeper laughed in delight.

A/N: Please do leave a review if you have time x