Chapter 44

It was morning and Charles was currently kissing his wife senseless as he leaned over her. He groaned as his chest pressed down onto her breasts as he continued to ravage her lips. Elsie clasped his face firmly in her hands as she enjoyed this lovely morning smooch. Sometimes it was just lovely to kiss and cuddle, thought Elsie happily. The couple had enjoyed a wonderful night, with Charles fully enjoying his little treat after Elsie had certainly surprised him- as well as Richard and George- the previous evening. After a long, lazy embrace, they both rested happily on their backs against the pillows, Elsie holding Charles's hand and raising it to her lips, kissing it tenderly.

"Ummm Elsie Carson … last night was simply glorious …" Charles purred.

"It was rather wonderful wasn't it?" she said excitedly.

"You were amazing … oh goodness Elsie … you looked unbelievable … do you think we could get a photograph of you in that nightdress and stockings?" Charles asked seriously.

"No I do not! I can't have anyone else seeing me like that … and even if we bought a camera … the photography studio would have to develop them …" Elsie explained.

"Oh yes I had never thought of that …" Charles said disappointed.

"I think half the village seeing me was quite enough!" Elsie added.

Charles laughed, "Your face was a picture as we walked in …"

"Do you blame me? It hadn't even occurred to me that you might bring them back here …" Elsie said bemused.

"I thought you would be pleased that I had made friends … and they thought the idea of a swift nightcap was a good plan ... however we all got a little more than we bargained for …" Charles chuckled.

Elsie grasped a pillow again but rather than covering her face as she had last time, she sat up, bending her knees to her chin beneath the covers and cuddled the pillow as a sort of comfort blanket.

"How will I ever look them in the face again?" Elsie asked.

"My worry is that they will never be able to look you in the face again … their eyes will be drawn elsewhere …" Charles said, as Elsie thumped him on the arm.

"Ouch! Elsie … do you know how strong you are?" Charles asked, amazement in his voice.

"Oh get away with you ... I barely touched you!" Elsie smiled. Charles returned her smile cheerfully, he really did fall completely under her spell when she beamed at him.

"Elsie …" Charles began but then paused.

"Yes Charles?" she replied.

He began to run his hand up and down her leg slowly, over the covers.

"Do you think you could wear that outfit again for me?" Charles asked, his swagger of moments earlier had turned into bashfulness on hearing his own voice ask such a question.

Elsie smiled teasingly.

"Do you mean now Charles?" she asked, amused.

"Would you?" he whispered, raising himself over her again and kissing her sweetly on the lips.

"Why not!" Elsie laughed, as she returned his kiss, and then hopped out of bed, collecting the various garments that was strewn across the room. Charles beamed delightedly, realising that Elsie was no longer anxious about being naked, she was virtually dancing around the room. He leaned back against the headboard, folding his arms behind his head, as he contentedly watched his beautiful wife gather her stockings, nightdress, high heeled shoes and suspenders. He then watched as she headed for the door.

"Where are you going?" he asked, panicking, and hoping that she had not changed her mind.

"To the bathroom to change … I like to make an entrance Charles!" she grinned, giving her husband a wink as she left the bedroom.

I love my life, thought Charles.

######

"Elsie will you sit down … you will wear a hole in the carpet …" Charles smiled, watching his wife's excitement build as it neared 1 o'clock. She was pacing up and down their sitting room, glancing out of the front window every few seconds to see if she could spot their expected guests.

"I cannot help it Charles … this is the first time we have looked after little Lizzie on our own … and for a whole afternoon … I cannot wait!" she replied excitedly.

Anna and John were thrilled when they realised that Anna was pregnant. Charles and Elsie were still at Downton and Elsie could remember the smile on Anna's face as she stood in the housekeeper's sitting room and told Elsie the happy news. It had been a wonderful new beginning for the young couple, who had gone through so much. Their baby girl was almost one now and the Carsons had happily become surrogate grandparents to the little one; Elsie having a particular soft spot for her beautiful namesake. Anna had always been like a daughter to Elsie, and Elsie, having never experienced the joy of giving birth to a child, had been thrilled to enjoy every moment whilst supporting Anna through her pregnancy. She had even been at the birth. However, although Elsie was visibly excited to take on their grandparent duties this afternoon, Charles was also beyond thrilled to fill the role of Grandfather. The young couple, and Beryl and Daisy, made up the Carsons extended 'family' and each one of them was loved and cherished by Charles, just as much as by Elsie.

"Do you think they will like the cot Elsie?" Charles said nervously, as he stood to join his wife at the bay window.

"Oh Charles … they will think it is absolutely wonderful … it was such a sweet thought …" she said, reaching up to cup her husband's face in her hand and kissing him lovingly on the lips, and then a quick peck on the nose for good measure.

Elsie smiled with such love at her husband. She had been overcome when he had shown her the little cot that he had bought in the village. He had blushed as he had tried to remain so serious, explaining that he thought it would only be sensible to have a place for Lizzie to rest if she was going to visit more regularly. However, Elsie had spotted the pride and love in his eyes, the minute he had walked through the door. He had been so proud of his purchase, wanting to have a permanent place for Lizzie to sleep peacefully, and wanting her, even from this very young age, to always feel welcome in their home. Elsie has bought some beautiful blankets for the cot, and Charles had nipped into the village just this morning to buy a little teddy bear to add to their toy box for their much-cherished grandchild. Elsie smiled as she realised that in her mind, she always used the word grandchild; of course the term was not strictly true but it was certainly true in their hearts.

Charles had given up pretending not to be just as excited as Elsie and they both held hands, Elsie biting her lip, as they gazed out of the front window eagerly awaiting their little visitor.

A/N: Thank you once again for the wonderful reviews- I love them xxx