A/N: This is a collaboration fic with Edward Carson. This will be a collection of short fics written from some Christmas prompts. This first story is written by me. Thank you for reading and go check out Edward Carson's other fics. They're an amazing writer and it's an honor to write with them.
Kindling
Elsie couldn't contain her smile, even as Mr. Carson left to finish the dinner service. Leave it to that man to drop such a proposal on her at one of the busiest times at the Abbey. And with Lady Edith run off as well. Such a stickler for doing things the proper way, and he out of the blue asks her to buy a house with him. A house!
She giggled as she remembered his awkward fumbling in her doorway as he gathered the courage for some great question. She had felt the serious consideration the question had needed from his suddenly grave face. She'd feared the worst for Lady Edith but even now, that concern was tempered by joy.
He'd asked her to buy a house with him. He'd asked her to buy a house with him!
She still couldn't believe it. They had been growing closer over the past few years, but this felt different. She has been slowly trying to drag Mr. Carson into the new century and maybe (if she were lucky) into a closer friendship. They'd always gotten along and it just felt right that their friendship kindled something more. But asking her to buy a house with him was more than she'd ever hoped for from Mr. Carson. Perhaps he wasn't as obtuse as he seemed.
Her smile faded. It had taken everything in her to keep from saying yes before he had stopped speaking. But she'd kept her head. As happy as she was to hear his idea, she knew it wasn't possible.
The red circle around next Monday stared out at her from her calendar. No. A house with Mr. Carson would have never been possible. But oh how she wished it were.
She smiled, remembering his words, and allowed herself to dream for a moment longer.