Good evening my dear readers…I'm back with the fourth chapter of 'Not Every Royal Wears A Crown' and we are starting to get a crasp of things finally. I will say, that in the next chapter you can expect answer on the telegram that Elsie received in the first chapter…But for now, please bear up with me as we travel towards new adventures… And please don't hesitate to leave me a review on what you think, thank you! Don't mind the typos! I hope you will enjoy. ;-)
Saturday 10th of July, Downton Abbey
"I shall see what I can do, Mrs. Hughes, but it's very confusing it all. We certainly could have done without all the fuss.", Lady Grantham said kindly.
The housekeeper had gone upstairs to discuss the coming wedding of Tom Branson and Lucy Smith. It was the plan for them to get married on August 16th, but the plan had been delayed upon the fuss that the Royal Family was going through now. And now the Royal Court has kindly asked for them to delay things until all was clearer, that is, until the princess have been found.
"That is truly kind of you, milady. I can see if I can delay the flower deliveries and I will have Mr. Barrow call the wine merchantry in Ripon, they should have it all covered.", Elsie explained, looking through the list in her hand.
"And what would we do without you, Mrs. Hughes?", sighed Lady Grantham."But you must talk it all through with Ms. Smith. It's her wedding alright. But I thank you, it was good of you to come to me with the problem first though, there is no need to stress the young couple too much."
"Of course, your ladyship. If that's all…?"
"Yes, thank you Mrs. Hughes."
The housekeeper thought they had seen it all when the King and Queen had come to Downton, but no. In that she was wrong. These days the Royals seemed to be meddling with all the everyday duties and everything beyond. Elsie nodded her head politely at Lord Grantham who came across her on her way to the green baize door. As she made her way back downstairs, she didn't have no choice, but think that everything would be so much easier without the class difference. But as the world is what it is, there would be no change in that area quite soon, Elsie sighed. She glanced to the kitchen, to see Mrs. Patmore in full swing on the lunch preparations and Daisy taking out a pan full of fresh baked pies from the oven. The smell of delicious berries filled the corridor and her sitting room, just before Elsie had the time to close the door behind her. With a heavy sigh escaping her lips as she sets down the thick list of wedding preparations form her hands; she sits down by her desk. The long days on her feet had started to feel, and a day off was these days a pleasure and not a necessity.
"Mrs. Hughes?"
Elsie turned to face Mr. Barrow, who was standing in the doorway, his hand still resting on the doorknob.
"Mr. Barrow, what is it? I was just going to go through the rotas for tomorrow."
"I heard from Mrs. Patmore me she would try a new recipe for Charlotte Russe tonight and she didn't care to inform me about it. I am not quite sure what wine I should serve with it.", the butler explained in quite a hurry.
Elsie knew there was still quite a lot of time for the dinner service, but she also knew better not to say that to him.
"And how can I help exactly?", it took her a moment before she knew for certain what he was asking.
"I was wondering if Mr. Carson was available so he could stop by and help me?"
"Oh, well. I don't think there is anything delaying him tonight. You only need to call to the cottage or send a hall boy over. I'm sure he won't mind.", Elsie smiled brightly, she knew her husband would love to help Mr. Barrow with the wines.
"I just thought I'd check with you first before interrupting Mr. Carson.", Barrow said.
"That was very considerate of you, Mr. Barrow. I thank you."
And he was off with a small nod of his head. The young and vicious footman had grown to be a polite and proud butler. Maybe things would get better for him in the future…It did warm the housekeeper's heart to know that.
Elsie turned back to face her desk, and the big amounts of work that was waiting for her. On the edge of the desk was lying a bunch of letters that she had received in the last week or so. She had been so busy that even reading a letter was too much…Sighing, Elsie grabbed the ink pen, which Charles gifted her two years ago upon hearing that her old one had gotten a bit…Well old, and started to fill in duties that would be waiting for her and her maids tomorrow. Little did she know, soon she wouldn't be doing that...
Two perfectly normal days later, 13th of July, Downton Abbey, the Carsons' cottage
Elsie waited patiently for her husband to open the locked door to their cottage. He was having a hard time getting the key into the lock, but she knew better than to push him when the tremors were especially bad. She would wait for him.
The kind and loving husband that Charles was, he had walked her home from the Abbey when the weather had proven to be rainy and the cool wind was blowing the trees and their leaves. They were both soaked wet from the rain, but none of them felt too cold, as it wasn't actually cold outside. When Charles finally managed open the door, he rushed her inside, to the warmth of their cottage. Elsie realised the fire was going in the sitting room. He does think of everything, Elsie shook her head at her loving husband.
"Let's get you out of that wet coat…", Charles mumbled as he helped her take off her coat and hanged it to dry.
"The weather is dreadful…Oh, I think this hat might be gone.", Elsie stated in agony when she took off her hat.
"Isn't that the new one you bought?"
"It is, but it was cheap. I knew it wouldn't last long.", Elsie explained."So, shall I go make some tea? I think we both could use some cuddling by the fire before going to bed?"
"That would be lovely.", he smiled and took off his coat.
She walked into the kitchen, taking off the pins from her hair and brushing her hand through the damp curls, while filling the kettle with fresh water from the tab. She would have to ask Charles to brush it out for her, Elsie thought. She took a small box of biscuits from the cabinet and laid it on a wooden tray. Soon they had a kettle full of warm tea.
Charles sat down on the couch and handed her a cup of tea.
"Thank you, Charlie.", Elsie smiled lovingly and took a sip of the tea.
Her husband turned back to the tray and grabbed a biscuit, quickly biting into it.
"My favourites.", he mumbled.
"I know. I thought we could use some cheering after that weather."
"And you are correct, as always.", Charles nodded his head and took another bite of the cookie.
Elsie had to smile at that. He knew how to make her blush…For a moment she was completely lost in thoughts, before her husband interrupted her;
"You should really take a break, Elsie. I hardly see you these days."
"Of course.", Elsie answered happily."And when I have a day off, you are usually off in the village, or so busy in the garden that you hardly have time to come eat."
Now she was chuckling. Music to his ear…
"Well, someone has to take care our garden."
"Your garden. I don't a have a saying in what happens there, my darling. And before you tell me 'Everything that is mine, is yours.', I know Charles. I don't mind. I rather like looking at you in your garden, behind our home."
He raised his eyebrows at that. Every word she had said was true, and they both knew it.
"Funny that is."
"Isn't it indeed?"
He gently kissed her lips, while caressing her left hand with his larger one.
"But what about a break, my dear? We could go to Scarborough for a weekend? I got quite a few good memories from there.", he said again.
"Who knew Mr. Charles Carson would be suggesting a vacation! Not me in fact. You are full of surprises, darling.", Elsie smirked."But I shall ask Lady Grantham about it. Not before the wedding though. You will have to wait for that."
"Oh, trust me…I will be waiting it with the utmost excitement."
With a kiss on her lips, they made their way upstairs to their bedroom. Where everything was theirs, and only theirs…
Who knew what was being set up upon their peace? Oh, but how could these perfect days with her husband change so suddenly, without any warning? Elsie Hughes-Carson didn't know the answer, not until the 14th of July…