Elsie bustled about the kitchen trying to cook breakfast while ignoring the cramping in her stomach. Being 50 she thought she was past that point in her life, but her monthlies were no longer monthly and if she did marry Joe, she didn't want to worry about caring for another child. Deep down she knew she was using him, and it left her with a melancholy feeling as she looked at Joe who was sat at the table feeding Charlie a bottle of cow's milk. That had been the reason why she'd chosen the farm to raise her nephew. It was safe with plenty of cows, chickens, sheep and vegetables around and Joe had found Peter's old crib and clothing in the loft. Everything on a farm was available to you if you were willing to work for it. She placed a plate of eggs, rashers, fried tomatoes and mushrooms and toast in front of Joe with an absentminded kiss on top of his head. It was innocent enough, the kind a mother might do to her children, and the man had smiled at the loving gesture when he handed over her bairn. Perhaps this is what love really is? Maybe it's not fervent passion like in the romance novels. Maybe it's working hard together and getting on with life with a good man at your side.
It had been almost two weeks since she wired Downtown and she hadn't heard a peep from anyone. If nothing showed up by the end of the week, she'd have to bite the bullet and head home herself to take care of matters. Home. In her dreams she was still in Yorkshire working day and night to ease the life of an Earl and his family.
"We still have to sort out the christening." Joe's voice snapped her out of her daydream.
"That we do. Have you found Peter's christening gown yet?"
"It's no good no more. Moths found it and turned it into a doily."
Blast. "Baptizing Charlie in a beautiful white gown should be my responsibility as his aunt."
"He's a wee lad, we can rustle up the money to buy some cloth if you really want. If not, I'm sure one of the neighbors will find it in their hearts to donate one. Little Charlie can even go in his Sunday best if he has ta." The comment was a fell blow to her pride. Paying for Becky's care had left her with little spending money while working at Downton, but she never struggled for the smaller expenses of life. That's life on a farm though. Love, community and poverty. "But now that you bring the matter up, how do you intend to bring up Charlie? People round here know you and Becky, and they will start to talk if they haven't already. I want us to be on the same page if I have to clear up your good name someday."
They both knew people were already talking. Gossip runs rampant when an unmarried mother moves in with an old beau.
"Well I don't want to tarnish Becky's name, but I don't want to tarnish mine either; and acknowledging Charlie as mine will lead people to be suspicious of you." She worried her lip a moment "Suppose you think people might believe she started a relationship of sorts… with a man like her? People here know she is capable of forming strong friendships."
"That's stretching a lie pretty thin Els. She's got the mind of an innocent child."
The kitchen fell silent, both searching for a solution that allowed them to raise Charlie in a respectable family. The bairn in question had finished his bottle and needed to be burped.
Now finished with his breakfast, Joe burped, wiped his mouth with a napkin and searched for his wellies. Elsie smiled inwardly at the similarities already forming between Joe and Charlie. "We can think about this for a bit, but we won't have much longer to fabricate a story that sticks." He said.
"I know, I know." Everything was so overwhelming between the farm, Becky, Charlie and her money woes. She hadn't a quiet moment to plan in weeks and it was beginning to take its toll.
"Just so you know," he stopped and looked at her with sincerity written all over his face "I wouldn't care what they think if you bring me into this. I'm already acting father to him and you his mother. Why not let the chance we never got be our story?"
Was it Joe's offer to ruin his name and play father to a child that wasn't his or just a release from weeks of building pressure? Tears streamed down Elsie's face and Joe crossed the kitchen to wipe them away before pulling her into a strong embrace. Quiet comfort was what he offered and what she needed then as Charlie squirmed between them. With one hand Joe cupped her cheek and drew her lips into a tender kiss.