Chapter 50

Elsie and Charles were sitting in their train compartment. They held hands as Elsie leaned into Charles's side, resting her head on his shoulder and allowing the movement of the train to soothe her. The compartment was crowded with passengers and that was just as well; there would be no opportunity for temptation. Charles rested his head on top of Elsie's as his eyes began to droop. Elsie could feel her husband resisting sleep; as he gazed adoringly at her, not wanting to avert his gaze for even a second, with a blissful smile on his face.

"You should rest Charles … you have been up half of the night …" she smiled, as she lifted her head and kissed his cheek.

"It is impossible to sleep when I have my beautiful wife so close …" he whispered, kissing her hair.

"Well just think what you will be able to do with your beautiful wife later ... if you are well-rested … I don't want you falling asleep on me before we ..." she began confidently but then became rather bashful as she found that she could not utter the words.

"Before we what Elsie?" he teased, caressing her hand and nuzzling her hair; happy to have his wife on the back foot for once.

"Charles Carson … you know what … now sleep!" she demanded, reaching up to kiss his nose and then snuggling back into his shoulder, her cheeks blushing pink.

She could feel Charles's chuckle against her hair as he finally drifted off to sleep. Elsie smiled happily to herself; she might not be able to utter the words but, my goodness, she was looking forward to putting those words into action.

######

"Oh Charles … I am so happy to be in London with you …" Elsie cheered, as she gazed in awe out of the window of their taxi.

They had just passed Buckingham Palace and were driving down the Mall. It was evening now and darkness had settled over the capital; to Elsie this made the sights of London every more wondrous, as they were all lit up and sparkling under the cover of nightfall.

"It's Nelson's column!" she cried, as the taxi made its way around Trafalgar Square.

Charles beamed with joy as he observed the child-like delight in Elsie. He took all of the monuments and palaces of London for granted; having visited London on a yearly basis for so many years. However, Elsie rarely ever got to see such sights and it was marvellous to see her so happy.

"Where is the hotel again Charles?" she asked, running her hand across his thigh and looking up at him with sultry eyes.

"It is just beside Tower Bridge Elsie …" he spluttered.

Good god, I am really not sure how I am going to last, Charles thought happily, as he allowed his hand that had already settled around her waist to drop a little lower. Elsie gave him a cheeky grin.

"Not far now then …" she added mischievously.

"No far at all …" he breathed, kissing her on the lips and giving her bottom a naughty pinch.

"And are you well-rested?" she asked, biting his lip between her teeth temptingly.

"Raring to go …" he breathed against her ear.

Elsie murmured in anticipation, raking her hands up his chest.

"Me too …" she whispered, as Charles almost choked; the fact that Elsie wanted him as much as he wanted her, almost made him topple over the edge.

Charles let out a long and happy groan.

######

"Charlie Carson as I live and breathe … it is wonderful to see you again …" the Hotel Manager hailed, as he walked across to greet Elsie and Charles as they entered the lobby.

"Elsie this is George Cromwell … an old chum of mine …" Charles said happily, shaking George's hand warmly.

"It is a pleasure to meet you Elsie … my, my … how on earth did Charlie win the heart of such a beauty?" he asked with a smile, as he kissed her hand.

Charles rolled his eyes cheerfully, knowing how charming his former colleague could be.

"Well … he was getting on a bit George and I thought it was about time he had a good woman to look after him …" she joked, as she reached up to kiss Charles on the cheek. Her husband chuckled happily.

"Oh my … stunning, sassy and Scottish … that is a deadly combination my friend … you are a lucky man!" George cried, swatting Charles on the chest and grinning broadly at Elsie. George continued to gaze at the Housekeeper, admiring her openly.

Charles coughed loudly to distract him from his attentions.

"Oh apologies … forgive me ... now ... have you been well Charlie? I haven't seen you for a couple of seasons …" George said amiably.

"I have been well … and you George?" Charles asked.

"Tip top ... thank you Charlie … running a hotel might be different from running a theatre … but I am loving every second …" he replied, as Elsie realised Charles must have known George from his singing and dancing days.

"How long have you managed this hotel George? It is very beautiful …" Elsie added, as she gazed around the ornate and magnificent foyer.

"Over ten years now Elsie … and I must say we are delighted to welcome you both this evening … and I have the Westminster Suite all ready for you …" he smiled genuinely.

Elsie couldn't believe her ears; a suite for her and Charles in such a grand hotel? This really would be a treat. Charles smiled at George gratefully; when the Butler had spoken to his friend this morning, George had been only too happy to help. This suite was vacant for the night and so George, as a favour to his friend, had organised for Charles to have this room completely free of charge. This was one of the perks of being Hotel Manager and he certainly owed Charles Carson many favours; in fact, George thought ruefully, he would probably have taken a very different path in life had it not been for this upstanding, loyal and honest friend in front of him. He owed Charles a considerable debt.

"Wonderful George ... thank you once again …" Charles said warmly, reaching out to shake his friend's hand. Charles could never have afforded such luxury, well certainly not such luxury when combined with their trip to Paris.

"No thanks needed old boy … now there is a light supper waiting for you in your room ... along with some bubbly and other refreshments … although I realise that you may have other plans for this evening …" he teased, as Charles and Elsie looked down at their toes in mortification.

"… breakfast will be delivered to your room at eight … and your taxi is booked for ten … and finally ... those items you required Charlie ..." George winked, handing Charles an envelope and giving the Butler a knowing look.

Elsie looked up in surprise; a taxi and what was in the envelope? There was still more to come? She looked at Charles in astonishment, as he smiled impishly at her.

"… if there is anything else at all that you need … and I do mean anything … please do not hesitate to let us know … we are at your service …" he finished, taking Elsie's hand in his once more and kissing it lightly.

"Thank you so much George … you are a treasure," Elsie smiled.

"My pleasure Elsie and it is delightful to finally meet you …" George smiled, as he asked his assistant manager, Mr Chambers, to show the couple to their room.

######

Charles was currently thanking the young manager and trying to get rid of him as swiftly as possible; Elsie was already inside their suite and her husband was exceptionally eager to join her. However, as Charles stood in the doorway to their suite, the door half open, it was proving very difficult to send the young man on his way. Mr Chambers was eager to inform Charles about all of the services the hotel had to offer and the Butler was listening patiently to this information, not wanting to be impolite. He could see Elsie as she sat on the edge of their enormous double bed, looking at him enticingly as she ran her hands across the extravagant, silk sheets. Charles could feel the heat rising within his body and his mouth was becoming very dry indeed.

Elsie giggled joyfully as she watched her husband use all of his self-discipline and good manners to continue to be courteous to the young man. She listened as Mr Chambers continued to list the many amenities at the hotel. He then began to outline the sights to be seen in the surrounding area. Charles attempted to halt his flow on several occasions with little success and the Butler continued to steal eager glances at his wife as she sat on the bed. Elsie noticed that every time Charles looked across to her, he was becoming more and more ruffled. As amused as Elsie was by the predicament Charles found himself in; she decided that perhaps her husband needed a little incentive to finally send the man on his way.

Therefore, knowing that she was out of sight of the young man at the door but perfectly in view of her husband, she began to unpin her hair. Charles caught sight of her actions and let out a long, pained whimper.

"Are you quite alright Sir?" the well-meaning but clueless man at the door asked.

"I am … but I really must …" Charles began, his words suspended as he watched agog as Elsie shook her head sexily, her lustrous, brown locks falling across her shoulders.

The dreamy look on her husband's face encouraged her to continue as she began to unbutton her blouse. Unfortunately for Charles, Mr Chambers took this silence as an invitation to impart more knowledge about the sights of London. Charles turned back to the man, complete irritation and disbelief written all over the Butler's face. Charles could no longer even hear his words as he continued to cast regular glances at his beautiful wife. Elsie removed her blouse and let it drift to the floor, giving Charles a wink. The sight before him was mesmerising as he gawped with sheer, unqualified lust at his wife; his eyes transfixed on her gorgeous breasts as they spilled out over the top of her basque. His eyes glazed over, as he rested his arm against the doorframe, shaking his head in elation at his stunning wife.

"We could book you an early morning river cruise if you would like and …" Mr Chambers continued. Why is this man still talking? Charles wondered, as he turned to look at him with incredulity.

Charles was no longer able to form words as he leant happily against the doorframe, the man outside still twittering away, as Elsie stood up from the bed, undoing the fastenings on her skirt, and wiggling her hips as the garment fell to the floor. She stepped out of it, and stood teasingly in front of her husband, smiling at him coyly. Any hesitations or fears she may have experienced previously regarding disrobing in front of Charles, were long since forgotten, as he gazed at her with such longing and such admiration, it quite took her breath away.

Charles was beyond aroused as his eyes ran upwards from Elsie's heels, to her stockings, to the pretty garter and suspenders, the lacy knickers and her basque, all encasing his wife's most irresistible, soft and exquisite body; a body that Charles needed to ravish without delay. The fact that his wife stood so daringly, in only her undergarments, with another man just yards away, only served to heighten Charles's lust. Elsie regarded Charles through fluttering eyelashes, delighted to be causing such a stir in her husband. She had never seen greater desire and yearning in his eyes, as he swallowed hard, smiling hungrily at his wife. Charles took a huge breath, trying to regain some control over his functions, before turning to face the young man at the door who was still talking without a pause,

"Goodnight Mr Chambers," Charles said, slamming the door shut without another care.

Elsie shrieked with laughter as Charles collapsed against the doorframe, his eyes never leaving his wife, a soppy smile on his face. Elsie walked slowly across to join her man, winding her arms around his neck as she pressed herself to him. Charles sighed blissfully as he cupped Elsie's frilly bottom, crushing her against his arousal so that she was in no doubt about his need for her. They rested their foreheads against each other, somehow controlling their hunger, both determined to savour every moment. As Elsie gripped his face with both hands, Charles slowly and deliberately took Elsie's lips in his, tantalising his wife with the most sensual, delicious kiss, full of promise for what was to come. As they finally broke from the kiss, gazing at each other tenderly and quite breathless with desire, Elsie ran her fingers down Charles's arm, taking his strong hand in hers and led her husband to bed.

A/N: Next chapter- the honeymoon continues. Please do keep reviewing and letting me know your thoughts xxx