Old tales to tell, new feelings to live

Chapter 2 : The Persuasion

When Elsie Carson walked the path to their cottage after work she felt very tired. Preparations for the dinner party on Friday had already started. Many important guests would arrive for the dinner next weekend. Many things to plan, special requests to remember. One housemaid was sick and one of the hallboys had burnt his hand. Luckily not Albert. He was supposed to help serve at the table since Mr Molesley was not available.

Almost home, Elsie saw that there was very little light shining from the cottage. Highly unusual, since Charles always had a bright light on for her. And since they were planing to have dinner together, there was supposed to be at least a light from the kitchen. But nothing was to be seen.

She walked faster, fearing what the reason was for the difference tonight. Opening the door she called his name immediately. Not caring about her coat or hat, she made her way into their sittingroom. And there he was. Sitting next to the fire, only the flames illuminating the room.

"Are you alright?" she asked, a little afraid of the answer.

He looked up at her, "Sure I am. Why shouldn't I be?"

Only then did he notice that he was sitting in the dark, away with the fairies, and had been, for quite some time. He got up from his chair to welcome his wife back home.

While helping her out of her coat, he touched her neck slightly, feeling the little shiver that ran upon her skin when Elsie turned to him and said, "You scared me a bit. No lights on, so I thought something might have happened."

His answer was a soft kiss on her cheek. "I am fine," he said "Everything is fine." He took her coat and put it away. "I am that fine, that I am proud to tell that I prepared everything for your cooking already. All vegetables are chopped, a chicken broth cooked, we only need your secret ingredients to finish our tasty soup."

"Actually they are Mrs Patmore's secret ingredients, but I am proud to say that I am quite thorough with them now." Elsie smiled at him, earning Charles' smile in return. "But I am very happy and even more relieved to find you in a good mood," she added taking her hat off and putting it on the side table.

Charles inhaled sharply, then looked at her. Looking away again he asked, "Care for a glass of wine?"

Elsie was surprised. "Before dinner?" she inquired curiously.

"Sorry, only thought you'd like to join me," he said and right then Elsie noticed the empty glass on the table by the fire.

"Only if you're telling me what happened."

Charles opened the kitchen cupboard and took a glass out of it before he passed Elsie on his way back into his chair. Sitting down he exhaled, "He is coming back to Downton. Next weekend. Hoping for a lovely chat with an old chap - remembering the good old times."

Elsie had no idea what he was talking about until she remembered the letter that had arrived in the morning. She took a seat opposite to him, just like they had always done at the Abbey.

Pouring the wine into her glass he continued, "Charles Grigg is coming back to England." He looked at her and for a moment both were silent.

"I thought..." she started, but was interrupted.

"Yes. Me, too. I thought that he was gone for good too. With all his memories and stories to tell. Leaving me alone, finally. But he is not!" Charles said and took a large sip.

"What else is he saying? Must be something important in that letter that is upsetting you that much," Elsie commented.

"His possible, announced, upcoming presence alone upsets me," Charles said, his voice sharp. "Do I have to remind you of all the things he'd done. How happy I was when he finally vanished out of my life."

Elsie lowered her head and looked up at him, "I remember you two shaking hands, parting as friends."

Charles leant back into his chair, "I did it because I thought he'd be gone for good. That's all. And now he wants to stay here with us!"

"He wants what?" Elsie looked up at him, startled.

"Don't worry. Only for a night. He is going back to London. To stay with his sister who lives close to London. And on his way there he wants to make a short stop here and stay with us. Sharing memories of good old times he likes to remember so well," Charles' voice rose. "A time I wish to forget."

Elsie had a sip from her glass, "Well, it doesn't sound like a bad idea to me at all - the timing is perfect." she stated shyly.

Charles couldn't believe what she was saying. He was lost for words. "Don't do that, Elsie," he muttered shaking his head.

"Don't do what, Charlie?" she locked eyes with him, a smile on her face.

Charles got up, "I know exactly what you are going to do. You are trying to talk me into it. Giving him a bed here for the night. Telling me that having a good chat and company while you are working wouldn't be that bad."

Elsie's smile was now a smirk, " I'm happy you got my point so easily."

"No way! No way!" he turned away.

"Charlie!" Elsie put down her glass, got up and reached for her husband's arm. Leaning against his back she whispered to his side, "Her Ladyship told me that she would need my full attention next weekend. Maybe, I might have to stay at the Abbey over night." She felt Charles stir. "I would be more than glad to know that you are with company when I am away working. I know it's not the perfect choice you'd wish for...but since he's asking..."

Charles turned to face his wife and Elsie continued, "Tell him that you don't want to talk about the old days. Ask him about Ireland, how his sister in London is doing. There are so many things you can talk about, Charles." She took his hands in hers. "It means a lot to me that you don't feel alone when we can't be together."

Charles looked down at her and said, "You just sound like Lady Mary to me there."

His words filled the silent room with atmosphere. Elsie was shocked and her face showed it all over. "What? Lady Mary?"

A warm smile appeared on Charles' face. He took her hands to his lips and kissed her knuckles. "Such a bright mind and a persuading voice. The both of you. How could I deny a woman anything when she's talking like this?" He kissed her hands again and then lowered them. "Although I have to admit that your soft touch, the smell of your hair," he almost whispered placing another kiss near her ear. "And your enchanting lips - where all these loving words are coming from - are much far more seducing... much more intensifying than those of the blessed Lady Mary."

With his last words Elsie was sure about where his teasing was headed and what his intentions were. However she didn't want to give in easily. But before she could reply he finished his speech with a lingering kiss, wrapping his arms around her, holding her tight.

And Elsie wasn't thinking of Lady Mary anymore. Nor was Charlie of Charles Grigg.