I read a Chelsie this morning and my brain went haywire, lol. Hope you enjoy.
He sees it. He knows not everyone else does though; she hides it well beneath her housekeeper attire and demeanor. But he sees it. She is beautiful; perhaps not beautiful in the way of the ladies of the house, grand and glamorous but still every bit as beautiful. When she turns her eyes toward him glistening and twinkling he melts; it can't be helped. He loves her. He has for a long time. He's uncertain as to when it began. Love for her was something that simply grew in his heart while he wasn't looking. But when it blossomed he couldn't deny it.
She isn't doing anything special as he watches her just now, simply talking to Daisy. The girl's expression changes from sadness and hurt to a smile. She did that. Daisy nods happily as she speaks softly to the girl and they part. Daisy walks to the kitchen and she turns to move down the hall to her sitting room. He can't stop himself as he follows her, closing the door behind him once they are both in her room.
She turns and looks at him, questioning. "Mr. Carson?" Her voice betrays her surprise at his odd behavior.
He stands there, gawking. Words won't organize themselves in his mind so he gawks. She is so very beautiful to him that sometimes he just can't think straight. She tilts her head slightly, a shy smile forming on her lips and a slight blush coloring her checks. She knows what she does to him, he realizes. How long has she known? He wonders.
Her smiling countenance is changing to a worried one. He knows he needs to speak, say…something. Finding his voice, he takes a tiny step forward. "I thought…I wondered…" he can't finish; fear holds his tongue.
"You wondered?" she smirks at him.
Her smirk gives him courage. "I wondered if you might take tea with me tomorrow…in the village….away from here?" he manages.
"Tea? But surely…" she pauses, looks at him more closely and smiles. "That would be lovely," she says softly.
He feels as if his whole body is smiling. "Good…I mean, thank you…" he stumbles.
Her smile broadens. "Does this mean…no, I shouldn't…" She looks away, embarrassed.
Finding his courage and pushing aside his misgivings, he steps another step closer. "It means…I would like to…if it is alright, I'd like to.. for us to be…something more than butler and housekeeper… more than friends even." He grimaces at his awkwardness.
The brightest sunshine could not be any brighter than her face in that moment. "That would be very nice, Mr. Carson."
Suddenly he feels young again and so very, very happy. He swallows, digesting the surprise of her acceptance. "I…yes, I agree," he says before he turns to escape, unable to contain his excitement any longer.
"Oh, ?" Her voice stops him. He turns and looks at her expectantly. Mischief shines in her eyes as she continues. "Since you are in need of something to regain your bearing, I'll tell you that Daisy just informed me that Alfred is cooking again."
"What! A footman cooking?" he barks. Se very nearly chuckles in response and he softens immediately. "Thank you, Mrs. Hughes," he says as he turns and exits the room. Still, he fights the urge to dance down the hall as he returns to his duties.