I didn't want this to be as long as it is, but whatever. It is what it is. That's why it took me so long to update, it just kept going and going.

A Charlie That Came To Dinner

Elsie told him she left her with the Burns family when Charlie was just three months old, and she didn't see her again until she was already walking. She told him how she liked to play with and brush Elsie's hair when she was really little—but she grew out of it quite quickly, Elsie told him, once a boy called Peter dressed her in his own clothes. "She much preferred being outside, anyway," Elsie had told him. Charlie would take her around the farm to meet all of her favorite animals. The cows she was especially fond of. "I would always come back to Downton with my dress and hair either covered in dirt or mud. I tried to always keep clean, but I could never say no her. I remember Anna asking me about it once..." Elsie slowly started drifting off to sleep as she spoke of their many adventures while Carson remained wide awake—and soon the sound of the wind and rain outside, and Elsie's soft snores, echoed in his head.

He recalled those times she would return from her half day in dirt or mud. Not enough to worry anyone, but enough to make them all wonder. And she hardly lied about her whereabouts to the house: "I was visiting some friends at a farm," she would say, and that would be the end of it. How could he be so daft? It was all right under his nose.

Elsie let out a rather unpleasant snore beside him, and he turned his head to watch her. It must have torn her up inside not telling anyone. She said she didn't even tell Ivy or Joe—though they must have suspected.

No matter how hard Carson tried to sleep, he just couldn't. There were too many things occupying his mind. He tried focusing on the sound of the rain hitting the window to ease into a gentle slumber. But when the wind and rain ceased outside, Carson simply listened to Elsie snore until the sun rose from the earth. He thought of Charlie mostly while he lied awake, waiting for Elsie to open her eyes, so they could start the day.

They took the earliest train they could. The station was packed, filled with people who looked just as disheveled as they did. They managed to get tickets for the nine o' clock train, but the carts were full and they couldn't find any seats together. He found a seat for her first. And before he left to find a seat for himself, he asked her to remove the ring he gave her. It fit so perfectly on her finger—he was surprised it fit; he thought they might have take it somewhere to be adjusted. Carson felt horrible telling her to remove it—after all, it was her right now as his wife to wear it—and the face she made when he said it just made him feel even worse. But if Lord Grantham found out before they told him... he would feel betrayed. And she understood that. She removed his ring and he placed it back in his coat pocket.

Carson found a seat in a cart filled with elderly women, who reeked of gin and cheep perfume. He avoided conversation, and merely spent his time looking out the window at the landscape around him. The women mostly spoke of gossip and scandal. And fortunately for him, they had no interest in Carson whatsoever. "The girl had been married once before," one of them had said.

Another huffed in response, while the woman beside Carson openly laughed at the comment. Carson shifted closer to the window. "And that husband had died under mysterious circumstances, if I recall correctly. It certainly makes you wonder..."

It started to rain again as they pulled into the station. Carson, the dignified man that he was, helped the women out of the cart, and then went on to find Elsie. He found her in the crowd cooing at a small child sleeping in his mother's arms.

They walked to the house together in the rain, mostly silent. He thought to put his arm out for her to hold onto, but there were too many people about and gossip had a way of spreading around Downton like wildfire.

The arrived to a suspiciously quiet house. Normally a few men would be outside trimming the grass, and the chauffeur would definitely have the car out front for His Lordship. They entered the kitchen courtyard—Miss O'Brien and Thomas stood near the door. Thomas had a cigarette while Miss O'Brien held a letter. They were whispering about something, but they quickly stopped once they caught sight of Carson and Elsie.

Miss O'Brien looked at them with raised eyebrows. "Welcome back," she said snidely.

"We were betting on if you'd even return," said Thomas, blowing smoke in Carson's direction. "His Lordship's been wondering where you two snuck off to."

Carson felt a twist in his stomach as he scolded the two for their remarks. He never liked the nasty games Thomas would play, but he was still good at his job. And Miss O'Brien was one of Her Ladyship's closest confidants, no matter how wicked she behaved downstairs. They seemed unfazed by Carson's speech, however. He felt his stomach twist even tighter as they entered the house—Carson lightly patted the ring in his pocket to make sure it was still safe before he went inside the house. It was never going to be easy, he knew, but at least Elsie was beside him—and Charlie somewhere in the house. Still wet from the rain, they went up to inform His Lordship of their arrival.

"WHAT IN GOD'S NAME IS WRONG WITH YOU, MAN?" His Lordship's voice boomed in every room of the house—even downstairs could not escape his wrath. "THE BOTH OF YOU? WHAT WERE YOU THINKING?"

"Milord, I... I sent a telegram—"

"I WOULD EXPECT THIS SORT OF THING FROM THOMAS—OR MAYBE EVEN MRS. PATMORE—BUT YOU, CARSON?"

"Milord," he tried again, "there is a perfectly reasonable explanation. I sent you a telegram—"

"For heaven's sake! I'm not speaking of the bloody rails, Carson," he said bluntly. He huffed, and he turned his attention to the window. After a long moment he turned back to them and he continued: "Mr. Murray was in Bradford yesterday," he said, and Carson's heart sank. Elsie's cheeks turned a slight shade of pink. "He tried to get your attention, you see, but the crowd was too loud..."

"Milord—"

"Ah, but he saw you again," continued Lord Grantham, "ENTERING A HOTEL ROOM. DOWNTON ABBEY'S BUTLER AND HOUSEKEEPER, TOGETHER!" He slammed his fist onto the wooden table, and Elsie jumped slightly at the noise.

"We're... we're married!" The words came flowing out as he fumbled for the ring in his pocket. In his hurry he dropped the ring, and it rolled towards Elsie. She picked it up and placed it on her finger. "We went to Bradford to marry, milord. I wanted to tell you, but..." He trailed off, glancing at Elsie.

Lord Grantham stopped for a moment, startled at such news, before turning away. "Miss O'Brien has already informed Her Ladyship of your affair, Carson. Married or not, such behavior is... unacceptable."

"Miss O'Brien...?" said Elsie. She turned to Carson, a look of worry on her face. How much did that dreadful woman know? Did she know about Charlie?

"Her Ladyship wanted to face you herself, but I wouldn't allow it," said Lord Grantham. He huffed again. "I want you both out of this house immediately—I don't care where you go, but you can't stay here."

Carson felt a terrible pain boiling in his stomach. That was the plan, wasn't it? To leave Downton after they returned from Bradford? But Downton Abbey was his home... His own choices led him to this point, and he must take it with grace. He betrayed his master and now he must be punished for it. After glancing at Elsie, he took a quick breath and stood straighter than he had been before, like the butler he once was. "There is one last bit of detail that I think you should be made aware of—"

Lord Grantham raised his hand to stop him. "I don't want to hear it, Carson. Mrs. Hugh—er, Carson. I only want you gone."

"I can only say that I'm sorry, milord," Elsie said after a quick moment, and Lord Grantham bowed his head. "I wish I could say I regret it, but I don't..."

To Carson's surprise, nor did he. "We'll leave as soon as we gather our things," he said softly.

They exited the library and quickly they made their way downstairs. Elsie would fetch Charlie and get her packed while Carson packed his own things. He wasn't a man who cherished many things, but cleaning out his room would be difficult. He was hoping for more time. The whole village must know by now—he hated to think how the Dowager thought of him now. He brought shame onto the great house of Downton Abbey, and there was nothing he could do about it. He only hoped it would stay out of the local papers, for His Lordship's sake.

All the servants, except Thomas and Miss O'Brien, stood waiting for them in the kitchen. The crowd of them was quite shocking but not surprising. "Is it true?" Anna asked, looking mostly at Elsie. "Are you really leaving?"

Elsie looked flushed and she could hardly look at the maids. Carson cleared his throat; he would have to take charge and there was only one place to start, he knew. "Mrs. Hughes and I are now married," Carson announced, and he ignored their slight gasps. "This means we will no longer hold the position of Butler and Housekeeper..."

"So, that's it, then?" asked William. "You're just gone?"

"I'm afraid so, William," said Elsie with a bow of her head.

"It isn't fair," said Anna, and Mr. Bates beside her nodded his head. "Let me speak with Lady Mary. I'm sure—"

"There will be no interfering with His Lordship's decisions, Anna," said Carson firmly.

"It was Thomas," muttered Mr. Bates. "I caught him speaking with His Lordship last night. He probably plotted with Miss O'Brien."

It was no one's fault but his own, Carson knew. After a long moment of silence, Gwen stepped forward. "Congratulations—on the wedding, I mean, Mr. and Mrs. Carson," she said.

And Elsie smiled sweetly at her. The other servants followed her lead in congratulating the newly married couple.

"We can help you pack," suggested Anna after it had gone silent again.

The crowd quickly dispersed as Anna and Gwen guided Elsie back up the stairs. Carson searched for Charlie in the crowd. To his disappointment, he could not find her. Daisy and Mrs. Patmore stood together, but Charlie was nowhere in sight.

"Erm, Mrs. Patmore," he began cautiously. Charlie's parentage was still unknown to everyone, even to His Lordship. "Where is the scullery maid?"

The chef squinted at him, but it was Daisy who spoke: "She's run off, Mr. Carson."

Carson felt his heart sink. "Run off...?"

"Yes, Mrs. Patmore was yelling at her—and she just turned her heel and left out the servant's door. No one's seen her since," said Daisy. "Honestly, I think she's my hero for it."

"Good riddance, I say," said Mrs. Patmore, getting on with her work. "Did you know she brought a snake into my kitchen?" Elsie told her about that last night—except he thought it was lizard.

Carson's legs became numb as he ascended the steps again to find Elsie. He found her alone in her room. His face must have revealed his worry, for she placed a comforting hand on his arm.

"Anna and Gwen told me," she said in a whisper as if he she could read his mind, "but I think I know where she's gone off to..."