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Make sure you've read the second chapter before this one; when I posted it, was experiencing issues with email alerts.

Enjoy x

TO LOVE, TO CHERISH, AND TO OBEY

A couple of days passed. Gradually Mr Carson and Mrs Kent got used to each other and found a rhythm in their work to suit them both. Mrs Kent wasn't trying to hide how much she admired the prominent butler and showered him with compliments every day. His amplified pride made him more unbearable to be around for other people, especially his wife… She only got to greet Mrs Kent in the mornings, the assistant was always gone by the time the housekeeper came back from work.

Meanwhile, everything was as usual at the Abbey - apart from one jaw dropping surprise which made Mr Hughes' day a tad brighter.

"You will never guess what!" Mrs Patmore stormed into the servant's hall, where Mrs Hughes was reading her book and the Bates' playing cards by the fireplace.

"What?" The housekeeper looked up from her book, with her mouth open, to see the cook, towering in front of her, with a triumphant smirk on her face.

"Her ladyship is fine with us leaving for a little trip."

Mrs Hughes started blinking bewilderedly, her mouth still open.

"In a couple of weeks, they are planning to visit the Hexhams and then go straight down to London. Nobody will be needed in the house, and they are ok with taking Daisy down to London."

"My my…"

"She even offered to pay for the tickets." Mrs Patmore whispered; she didn't want to shout about that. "As long we promise it's the last holiday this year apparently." She snorted.

The cook kept talking, sharing her ideas excitedly, while Mr Hughes was ineffectively trying to interrupt her.

"I wouldn't get so excited if were you…" She finally managed to get Mrs Patmore's attention. "Mr Carson is not a fan of the idea." She stated and inhaled sharply in frustration.

"What? Why?" Mrs Patmore asked.

"He said the idea was foolish" She rolled he eyes. "And he is too busy with his precious memoirs."

"Why didn't you tell me?"

"I didn't think her ladyship would ever agree…" She sounded defensive. "I guess we will have to wait until next summer, and once these memoirs are finally done."

Mrs Patmore couldn't believe her ears. "Since when do you give up so easily?"

"What do you mean?"

"Before you married him, you had him wrapped around your little finger, you'd say jump and he'd say how high! You could have got him to ride a unicycle and juggle while doing it! And now?"

Mrs Hughes clicked her tongue in shock. "You know that's not true…" She whispered angrily, her face getting red. "And moreover, it's to love, to cherish, and to obey, and NOT to love, to cherish, and to trick into doing whatever you want him to do!"

Her face turned even redder when she heard Anna's quiet giggle from the corner of the room - a giggle that she tried to conceal by covering her mouth but didn't succeed. At that the cook couldn't hold it in any longer either and immediately burst out laughing. After a second, Mr Bates joined with a hearty chuckle, and in the end so did Mrs Hughes…

"We can still try, don't you think?" Mrs Patmore suggested in a soft voice, after she'd calmed down a bit.

"We can try, yes, but don't get your hopes up." She agreed finally.

…

When Mrs Hughes opened the doors to their cottage, she was surprised to hear laughter from her husband's study. Mr Carson and Mrs Kent were still working.

When he saw his wife with a confused frown on her face, Mr Carson go up from his seat. "I'm afraid, we were so engrossed in our work, we completely forgot what time is was." He stated proudly.

"I am free all evening, Mr Carson, I am happy to stay longer today, we really got into the flow." Mrs Kent smiled at him, and he nodded.

"What about dinner?" Mrs Hughes suddenly posed in an almost inaudible question.

"I don't mind eating later." He declared. "And you are welcome to dine with us, Mrs Kent."

"I wouldn't want to impose." The assistant replied shyly.

Without a word, Mrs Hughes turned on her heal and busied herself in the kitchen, while the other two continued working.

After some time, the housekeeper started becoming a bit impatient. She kept switching between trying to distract herself and trying to distract them.

Finally, Mrs Kent got up and started packing up. However, it didn't seem she was leaving just yet. "You must be so proud of your husband, Mrs Carson." She turned to her. "His works are practically genius."

"I'm glad to hear that." Mrs Hughes noted as calmly as she could with her teeth clenched.

"I'm only sorry his talents weren't discovered sooner. But I'm sure he was as great a butler as he is a writer."

"Indeed, he is a man on many talents." She raised eyebrows at her husband, teasing him. He started coughing to cover his discomfort, swiftly got up to interrupt their awkward exchange and walked Mrs Kent toward the door and out.