Just realized I haven't been marking the timeline. This and the last chapter happen 3 weeks after Charles and Thomas visit the farm.

Charlie 5 weeks

"I always knew I loved you more than you loved me, but I never thought you'd do this to me." Joe's voice quietly breaks as he desperately holds back his tears.

Elsie takes one final look at Charles. It may be the last time she ever sees his face which is now a mixture of panic and regret. "Mr. Carson, I think it may be best if you go now." He nods his agreement and makes a swift exit with straw clinging to his backside.

"Well go on then, explain." Joe has put the ball in her court. He knows firing back is more her style of argument and she has not had time to formulate a stance.

"We kissed yes, but it was our first and only – more of a goodbye if you will." A quick glance and he doesn't seem to be buying it even if it is the truth.

"I don't know what you want me to say Joe!" It all comes pouring out of her now "I thought I loved him and I thought I had one last chance to entertain a distant dream before I became your wife. But if you need to know the truth, the real truth, there was nothing behind that kiss once it happened. No sparks, no declarations of love – nothing. Anyway, with Peter running about you can hardly say you're pure."

"Ivy was my wife, you know that's different."

"Aye, she was your wife, but think about what you said at the table. 'I've been avoiding your hand for years' 'you finally got your lass' You've been coveting me since the day I left and Peter heard every bit of that."

"But I never sought you out did I?!" There is a fire in his eyes now "He's been planning how to get you back with that toff up at the big house ever since he came here the first time!"

"And why would you think that?! I've known Charles Carson for twenty-five years and he is not a plotter."

"I know it because Thomas told Peter so! He wants you, Elsie, even after I announced our engagement, he still wants you. And then he goes and does… that. There's no honor in him."

It stings. The Charles she knows is nothing but honor and honesty and propriety, yet kissing a woman betrothed to another is none of that.

"I want you to break this off with him Elsie, for good – if you still love me. I want to give you and Charlie a home and a family, and all that is under attack if you keep a friendship with him."

She swallows hard around the lump in her throat. In all this emotion with Charles and Joe, she almost forgot about her Charlie. Everything she does now is for him, and if it means putting aside Charles for the rest of her days so Charlie can have a loving home, then she will have to draw the line in the sand between him and her.

"Okay Joe, I promise you Charles and I are through. I'll find a way to tell him so he knows exactly where he stands."