Elsie and Charles walked downstairs, smiles on their faces, the family behind them. All the staff stood upon seeing them, still unaware of their position.
"Mr. Carson, Mrs. Carson, what are you doing here?" Mrs. Patmore asked, surprise on her face.
"We were invited them, Mrs. Patmore," Robert said, a happy smile on his face. "They are the Duke and Duchess of Eland," Robert told them. The staff, shocked, then all stood to attention.
"Oh please. Don't do that. Nothing about us has changed except our position," Elsie told them. They all nodded and relaxed, smiles on their faces.
The Carson's and the family spread out around the table, chatting. Mrs. Patmore, Anna and Bates had Elsie and Charles in a corner, questioning them.
"Why didn't you tell us?" Mrs. Patmore asked, sadness in her voice. Elsie and Charles looked at each other, sighing.
"We didn't know how to tell you. We had just found out the night before, so we were still processing the information. Part of the reason we're here now is to tell you," Elsie said. They nodded, happy with that explanation.
"What's it like?" Anna asked, curiousness in her eyes. Elsie smiled and Charles chuckled.
"Busy, that's for sure. We're still setting up Eland. We have a lot do, but we're managing," Charles told them.
"Do you have a house in London?" Bates asked, grasping Anna's hand in his.
"Yes, just down the street from Grantham House actually. We'll be going down for the season," Elsie said. They smiled and continued talking about the goings on at Downton.