The raging storm outside fit Elsie's mood as she paced the bedroom floor late that night. Supper had not at all gone the way she'd planned. Instead of getting engaged to the man who saved her from a life on the streets, they had argued about Charles. Was he Elsie's lover? Did he show up to steal her away? Had she already given herself to him? Was Joe so insecure that he could not believe she remained a good girl in her time away from Scotland and hadn't lain with a man? Before Charlie came along she may have considered it, even hoped for it with the man in question, but now Charles had proved himself to be stuffy and pompous and everything the rest of the staff whispered behind his back. Frustrating thoughts of him filled her head that night instead of a night filled with peaceful wedding dreams and Elsie needed to do something about it if she wanted to exorcise the demon that was Charles Carson from her body.

Checking on a sleeping Charlie one final time, Elsie tiptoed down the hall to Joe's room. The door opened and closed with a low creaking sound that failed to disturb the sleeping occupant. I must be positively mad to be doing this. A misread sign can have Charlie and I out on the stoop before daylight. But she knew what Joe wanted, what all men wanted, and it was less about marriage than it was what married people do at night – and what better way to convince him, and her, that Charles was nothing to her. Adrenaline rushed through her body as the cool night air prickled at her skin when she dropped her dressing gown. There she stood, uninvited in a man's bedroom, the bed he shared with Ivy for so many years, ready to give in to life's most primal urge she'd suppressed for years. Creeping closer, she was disappointed to find there was no soft, boyish look to his face – another area where her romance novels had failed her. Joe sleeping was simply Joe sleeping. Pulling back the covers, she slid into bed unnoticed till she shuffled closer, wrapped her arm around his waist and spooned against his form.

"Elsie! What on earth are yeh –" Elsie pressed a finger to his lips to silence him before they woke Charlie, or worse yet, Peter.

"I know you worry about the relationship between Charles and me. If you had asked about me wanting him months ago, you'd be correct in your suspicions. But we never made it past friends," she kissed him once "and I've never wanted him the way I want you."

Love or untruth? Elsie wasn't sure what she was feeling for Joe or Charles lately, but the two were completely separate in her heart.

Joe simply turned and looked at her for a moment through sleepy eyes. The seconds ticked away painfully slow, and though he didn't throw her out of his bed or his house, the longer he went without speaking, the more foolish she felt for committing this unwelcome act. Back out now and find a new place to live tomorrow. He'll never want me now that I've exposed myself as the tramp he believed. Casting her eyes away from him she began her retreat with her tail between her legs when she felt his hand steadying her hip. Pulling her closer, he pressed a lazy kiss to her lips. It was no different from his previous kisses, it was quite mediocre if she was honest, but the idea alone of kissing Joe in bed was incredibly erotic.

Excitement pooled at her center as Joe pulled at her nightdress and deft fingers found their way to her slick folds. He slid along her entrance gathering her essence and began rubbing small circles against the lovely little nub she herself rarely touched out of shame. An electric shock jolted through her body and her hands needily grasped at his beard. Rocking her hips, she ground against his fingers begging him for more, more what she wasn't sure until a solitary finger entered her forbidden cavern. Sparks flew before her eyes as he stroked the sensitive flesh inside her, and she couldn't help but wonder why she had waited so long to experience this bliss, couldn't help but wonder what this would be like with thicker, pristine fingers stroking her center and her hands caressing smooth cheeks that smelled of aftershave. Her thoughts became jumbled when a second finger joined the first and created a fullness within her that both satisfied her and had her craving more. A throaty noise escaped her as her body shook and shuddered in euphoria.

Coming down from her high, Joe rearranged them so her back was held close to his front, his arm wrapped protectively around her middle and his nose buried in the softness of her hair. They rested in silence for a moment, listening to nothing more than the sounds of night.

Joe was the one to break the silence. "This mean you'll finally marry me?" his voice trailing off listlessly.

I have to now, don't I? "Aye, you'll finally get me down the aisle." she replied, her voice quavering beyond her control.

"Arite. We'll talk more t'morroah. Go ta sleep now Els, go ta sleep." He smiled through closed eyes and immediately fell into a deep slumber.

It was barely dawn when Charlie's crying woke Elsie. Confused, she looked to the left side of the bed where Charlie's cot usually stood. Oh right, she looked at Joe who was still snoring lightly next to her last night happened. I'm no better than a whore now. Sliding out of bed as quickly as she could without waking Joe, she grabbed her discarded dressing gown and padded back to her room to soothe Charlie before the wee lad woke the whole farm.

In the kitchen with a perturbed look on his face sat Peter, she knew the boy rose and ate early by himself, but at dawn? What if he heard last night? She knew she wasn't exactly Peter's favorite, didn't expect it being the woman her father pined for before his mother, probably suspected his father carried a torch for her while he was still married. Her heart sank a bit thinking about last night and the announcement to come, their engagement would likely cause a riff between father and son. Perhaps she best work on becoming the boys friend, it wouldn't do to try and assert herself as mother to a man just out of his shorts.

Setting Charlie's milk to warm on the stove, she eyed the porridge Peter had prepared himself. No better way to work to the heart than through the stomach. "I can fry up some rashers for you if you'd like, I think we have a few bangers as well."

"No thank you Ms. Hughes," his voice was brusque "I'll be heading out now." And just like that Peter pushed the last bit of his porridge away and left Elsie alone in the kitchen with a little more doubt on her mind.

Trying to get more sleep would be pointless with all this buzzing about in her head and outside the sun had turned the sky into a stunning blend of yellows, oranges and blues. There was never time and watch the sun rise at Downton, and it had been ages since she took time to relax and enjoy the simple beauties nature offered. Case settled then, she decided. Careful not to make a noise, Elsie dragged the rocking chair from her room to the front of the house where she would rock her nephew in the morning air and clear her mind from her worries. That was the plan, except… laying on the doorstep, covered in morning dew, was a parcel wrapped in brown paper. A gift from Thomas no doubt, he had been absolutely smitten with Charlie after all.

With Charlie carefully resting in one arm and the package sitting securely on her lap, she tugged at the string. Inside lay a fuzzy teddy bear and a long, white christening gown with lace and embroidery and matching bonnet, the very kind she dreamed of splurging on for her only nephew, her only chance at being a mother. A tear escaped her misty eyes, something of this quality must have cost Thomas a pretty penny, much more than a young footman could afford.

Running her fingers over the fine fabric, she noticed a slip of paper tucked into the gown. The note read I don't like it when were not on the same side. - C. Carson

*Back at Downton*

"Good morning Carson, how is Mrs. Hughes getting on? Did she accept my tenancy?" Robert asked, accepting a plate from the butler at the buffet.

"Good morning m'lord. Mrs. Hughes is getting on quite well and I'm afraid she did not accept the tenancy; she prefers life in the highlands it seems."

"I understand completely. I don't believe living in Buckingham Palace itself for years could ever replace Downton as my home."

Charles drew in a hesitant breath; ought he tell his lordship everything that transpired? It had been something he wrestled with the whole train ride home, but if he wanted Lord Grantham's help he would need to explain the whole truth.

"What is it Carson?" His lordship stopped and locked eyes with Charles midway through plating himself some scrambled eggs.

Before he could get a word out, Lady Sybil bounded in with her usual bright face and accepted her plate with a peck on the cheek.

"It's nothing to trouble you with now, m'lord… Although perhaps I might be able to discuss something with you and Mr. Murray later?"