lots of thanks to Pixie
To the Guest who left me a very nice review in Italian about "Elsie's Jealousy", I'm sorry I can't answer you privately, but know that I was very happy to read you. Grazie mille
Little boo-boo
1911
Mrs. Hughes walked briskly. She was behind schedule for the day, Mr. Carson was about to ring the gong for His Lordship, Her Ladyship. and the Misses to change for dinner. She still had bills to pay, and the housekeepers' schedule had to be revised because of the departure of Amelia, a servant who had preferred marriage to a life of service.
She walked quickly down the stairs, hoping to reach her study before the gong sounded. Her chatelaine rattled unusually loudly, and she descended as quickly as she could. Then her foot slipped on the edge of a step and she tried to catch it, but her ankle was at a strange angle. She felt a jolt of electricity from her foot to her brain, her leg didn't carry her anymore and she went down the five remaining steps with a deafening crash, unable to hold back the scream that contained her fear and pain.
"What a fool I am," she thought aloud, holding her ankle. She was in pain. She hoped that she would be able to get up again and that no one had witnessed her fall.
But the servants who had heard the housekeeper fall were obviously there. Anna burst out of the staff dining room, followed by Miss O'Brien, her ladyship's maid, Thomas the first footman, Mr. Watson, his lordship's valet and of course Mr. Carson, the butler.
"Oh dear, Mrs. Hughes, are you all right?" Anna almost shouted as she approached her.
Elsie was still trying to get up, but her ankle hurt far too much and as soon as she leaned on it, the electric shock came back.
"Yes Anna, it's nothing, just a silly fall. I wasn't paying attention, I was in a hurry and didn't look where I was going. Maybe you can help me get up, and move to my desk, my ankle still hurts a bit."
Anna took her hand and helped her to her feet. Mr. Carson had dismissed the others who had rushed to see Mrs. Hughes down and he found it very degrading. He had followed Anna and Elsie to make sure that she was all right, that she was indeed just a little sore, as she had told Anna so convincingly.
The young maid, gently helped her to sit up.
"Would you like me to take a look, Mrs. Hughes? "
"No thank you, Anna, you are kind. Can you move the chair closer to me so I can put my foot on it and maybe get some ice for my ankle? "
"Of course, Mrs. Hughes. "
She moved the chair closer as Mrs. Hughes had asked and walked out towards the kitchen, leaving the butler and housekeeper alone.
"Mmpf... Are you really all right, Mrs Hughes?"
He knew her well, he knew her by heart, and he could tell with certainty that she was in far more pain than she let on.
She didn't have time to answer him, Anna returned with an ice pack and handed it to her.
"Thank you, Anna, you may go. It's time for the gong, and the young ladies will soon need you to dress them. "
"All right, Mrs. Hughes, but if you... "
"Don't worry about me Anna, it's not the first time I've fallen, I'm not made of sugar. Come on, let's get to work young lady!"
She watched Anna leave, and waited until she could no longer hear the sound of her footsteps before allowing herself to close her eyes, and sigh in pain.
"Mrs. Hughes, you are not well at all. Shall I call Dr Clarkson and have him look at your ankle? "
"No, Mr. Carson. I'm still a bit shaken up from my fall and yes, my ankle hurts, but it's nothing that can't be relieved by ice. Now go ring the damn gong and let me finish my bills and my schedule."
She watched him walk out with some relief. When she was sure he couldn't hear her anymore, she clamped her hand to her mouth to muffle the groan of pain as she tried to put her foot down. She couldn't work with such pain. A bloody sprain! Time for a sprain, you stupid old girl!
She heard the gong ringing upstairs, the footsteps of the servants going upstairs to dress the Count, the Countess and the young Ladys, and she could hear the thud of the kitchens. She concentrated on these noises, it helped to ease the pain a little. She took the opportunity to apply the ice pack and had to hold back another groan of pain. She was going to have to look at the state of her ankle. But she couldn't even get out of her shoe, the pain was making her dizzy and she started to cry. Not hard sobs, but she let her tears flow freely as she sniffled and felt stupid.
"Mrs. Hughes? Are you all right?"
In no time Charles had closed the door behind him, knelt down beside her and taken her hand.
"Oh, I feel like a fool. Here I am, crying like a child who's had a boo-boo and is waiting for a magic kiss. The thing is, Mr. Carson, I'm in a lot of pain and I'd have to look at my ankle, but it hurts so much that my breath goes out every time I even think of touching it. "
She tried to dry the tears that continued to roll down her cheeks, still feeling ridiculous.
"Let me help you with that, Mrs. Hughes, will you? "
"What about the dinner, Mr. Carson? "
"I've warned Lord Grantham that I won't be able to provide the meal tonight, so Thomas will do it. Now, no more questions, I will, with your permission, take off your shoe and look at that ankle that's been bothering you, all right, girl? And if you behave, I'll give you a sweet. "
He tried as hard as he could to make her laugh, hoping very hard to get at least a smile. He was relieved to see that it worked. She gave him a nice smile through the tears that were wetting her cheeks and that she was still trying to dry.
"Is it possible? Charles Carson being so paternal with someone other than his beloved Lady Mary?"
Well, she was teasing him, so that was a good sign. He rolled his eyes, playing the outraged butler at the housekeeper's little dig, and began to undo the buckle on her shoe as gently as he could.
As he began to pull gently to remove it, he heard her take a deep breath and saw her fists, which were resting on her thighs, clench with force. He didn't know whether to continue or to stop and call the doctor, who was certainly more qualified than he.
"Mrs. Hughes, shall I go on? "
She did not answer, but nodded her head up and down, her lip caught between her teeth, the tears of pain still running down her cheeks.
He resumed his task as carefully as he could and Elsie's foot was soon free. She moaned, the pain rising again. She broke out in a cold sweat and the bloody tears wouldn't stop flowing. She hadn't cried in years, but now it was as if a valve had opened and everything, she'd been holding back was pouring out of her. And Mr. Carson on his knees in front of her trying to soothe her. Oh God, what a shame! Elsie thought.
Charles was now faced with a serious dilemma. Elsie's stocking... should he take it off? He didn't want to be unseemly or shock her by taking this kind of initiative. So, he stood there, the shoe in one hand, the other on the floor, helping her to keep her balance.
He cleared his throat, unsure of what to do.
Elsie must have understood his unease. She tried, in vain, to dry the tears that continued to flood her face. She leaned forward and pulled her petticoats up to her knees, revealing the stockings that clothed her legs. She reached for the fastener and undid it, then collapsed against the back of her chair breathlessly.
"You'll have to take it off yourself, Mr. Carson. "
"Very well," he replied in what he hoped was an even voice, troubled by the act he was about to commit.
He placed his hands on either side of her leg, on the edge of her stocking, and began to lower it gently. He pretended not to notice the milky skin that revealed itself to him as he lowered the stocking, not to feel Elsie's softness as he brushed his fingers against her, he pretended to ignore the smell of her skin, which invaded his senses.
"Mrs. Hughes, I've reached your ankle, you're going to be in pain when I get your stocking on here."
She nodded, she knew it, she wasn't stupid for God's sake!
She felt Charles' hand grab hers and he put it on her shoulder. She hadn't noticed that he had moved imperceptibly closer to her and was almost turning his back on her now.
"What are you doing, Mr. Carson?" she asked.
"When you feel the pain, you squeeze my arm, my shoulder, my jacket, whatever, but squeeze and breathe deeply, okay? "
"Okay. Thank you"
He wasn't looking at her, she couldn't see his face, and she would have liked to meet his eyes to give her some courage, but he hadn't turned to her when he'd spoken to her.
Charles was far too confused to look at her. He was speechless at her beautiful, muscular, strong, shapely leg, which smelled sweet and comforting, and his head was filled with images of that leg resting on his shoulder, her lying on his desk, while he...
"Um... I'm going to go now Mrs. Hughes, ready?"
He didn't wait for an answer, he removed her stocking as quickly and carefully as he could, trying to ignore the gasps of pain and Elsie's grip on his arm as she squeezed him tightly.
The ankle was blue, and very swollen, fortunately it didn't seem to be broken, but Elsie would have to rest for a few days. He was going to have to ask Anna to have one of the rooms in the basement fitted out for her to stay in, it would save her going up and down the stairs and she would be able to manage the paperwork and the staff.
"So how does it look? "
"I'm afraid we'll have to cut it off, Mrs. Hughes... Do you have an axe somewhere? "
"Oh, alas, I don't have an axe handy, perhaps Mrs. Patmore will have a chopper? "
"No, an axe would be quicker. Well, we'll wait until tomorrow, Mrs. Hughes. On a serious note, you've got a nasty sprain, you'll have to stay put for a few days, I'm afraid. Pass me the ice bag please. "
She handed him the bag mechanically, she still couldn't see her ankle but Mr. Carson had finally turned towards her a little so that he could look her in the eye and tease her with a laugh. She was grateful that he was taking it lightly, she knew he was doing his best to ease her, to make her smile and she liked the attention he was giving her.
"Aoutch!" she cried as he applied the ice to her ankle as her tears began to flow again.
"Forgive me, Mrs. Hughes. The bruise needs to deflate a little, the pain will go down and the ice will help you too. "
"I'll tell you what would soothe me, Mr. Carson, it would be a good double whisky. Oh, dear! But why does it have to be so painful? "
He watched helplessly as she tried to dry the tears that kept coming. He was still holding her leg with one hand, the other being busy putting the ice bag down gently. He noticed how soft her skin was, how much he wanted to...
He leaned over to Elsie's leg, brought his lips to it and placed a tiny kiss on her ankle. He didn't dare press too hard, the aim being to soothe her, not to hurt her more.
She gasped at the touch of Charles' lips on her skin. Had he really just kissed her there? It had been so furtive that she doubted it, but in doubt she hoped he would do it again, on her ankle and... why not elsewhere.
When he felt her flinch slightly, he thought he'd have been better to bite his tongue until it bled before making this monumental mistake. But she hadn't said anything to him. So, he remained on his knees, his left hand supporting her leg, his right the ice pack. He didn't know what to do. His back was still to her, and fortunately so, for he had blushed, feeling a little shame, a little boldness and a little excitement. The sensation, however fleeting, of her skin under his lips had had a great effect on him. If only she would give him a little sign that would allow him to continue...
He thought he was dreaming when he saw Elsie's toes reach slightly towards him. He didn't dare do anything, but when she lifted her leg while moving her toes again, he couldn't help but smile, and leaned back against her skin to kiss her again.
He kissed her ankle, skirting the ice pack. No sooner had he finished circling the bag, pausing for a few seconds to consider his next move, than Elsie's toes twitched again, demanding attention.
He smiled wider, and complied with unfeigned joy. He kissed the housekeeper's little toes with relish, and she wriggled a little under the tickle.
Once the pretty toes were full of kisses, Charles continued, moving up her foot, placing light or more intense kisses wherever he could. He passed the ice bag, redeposited a few kisses around and continued his ascent, he gently kissed her calf lingering a little.
She sighed.
He kissed her leg as he continued to cuddle her calf with his hands.
He heard her sigh a little louder. Then he grew bolder, continuing to kiss her skin, he directed his hands down her leg in gentle caresses, he reached her knee and took time to worship it, caressing it devoutly as his mouth attended to her leg and her less and less painful ankle. He could feel Elsie relaxing more and more under his caresses, so he didn't stop. He continued, he knew that if he moved up a little further, he could see the hem of her underwear, he might be able to venture even higher, continue to touch her, to kiss her. He moved his hands up, slowly, from her knee to her thigh and he felt her, right there, under his fingers, the lace of her panties. He didn't dare do more for the moment, contenting himself with caressing and kissing, moving up and down, letting himself be lulled by Elsie's sighs of well-being. Then he ventured a little further, slipped his fingers under the lace, kissed the edge, and she moaned, spreading her thighs unconsciously, wanting him here, begging for his mouth against her.
But he stopped, not wanting to take advantage of a moment of weakness in the housekeeper. He brought his hands down, still caressing her tenderly. The ice pack had slipped to the floor. He picked it up, repositioned it, and placed a few more kisses on it, letting her know that he knew, that he wanted it as badly as she did, but that he wouldn't allow himself. Not yet.
Then he moved away from her, pulled her petticoats down her leg to make her decent again, and finally looked at her.
Her eyes were shining, she was no longer crying, but breathing hard. She swallowed and ran her tongue over her lips, her eyes resting on Charles' lips.
He noticed, and yes he wanted to kiss her mouth too, he wanted to so badly. Maybe one day, when she was better, when she was with him for more than just comfort. Maybe he'll kiss her on the lips, and everywhere she wants his mouth.
He cleared his throat before he could speak.
"How are you feeling? "
"Much better, Mr. Carson, thank you. "
"Good."
He stood up, immediately turning his back to her, not wanting her to see the discomfort he was in.
"I'll have Anna prepare a room for you here, and we'll bring you there with everything you'll need to work while you rest."
He was about to leave the room but before he did, he wanted to tell her that this moment had meant something to him.
"I'm truly sorry you got hurt, but I've enjoyed taking care of you, and I'd like to continue to take care of your ankle if you'll let me... Elsie."
She waited a moment before answering, emotions running high in her head, she was almost afraid to understand what those words implied between them.
"I wouldn't want anyone else to look after my ankle, and your care has done me better than all the medicine in the world. So, I'm afraid I don't want to heal very quickly so I can enjoy your attention as long as possible. Will you come tonight...Charles? "
He smiled at her and nodded. He was about to leave but Mrs. Hughes' voice held him back for a few more seconds:
"What about my candy, Mr. Carson? You promised me a sweet if I behaved. "
He couldn't hold back the small laugh that passed his lips. He reached into the inside pocket of his jacket and pulled out a small tin box. As he opened it, he approached Elsie who was waiting with her hand outstretched and a smile on her face. He removed a mint from the box, took it between his thumb and forefinger and brought his hand up to the housekeeper's mouth, ignoring the outstretched hand. He was really towering over her, he was tall, and she was sitting...
She opened her mouth, looked up at him, to gently take the candy, and closed her lips on the two fingers that held it. The taste of him mixed with the sweet mint made her sigh with want, as for Charles, he was invaded by totally obscene thoughts as she teased his fingers with the tip of her tongue.
At last, she released him and he was able to leave the room, his heart filled with excitement at this new thing that was being born between him and his pretty housekeeper and the promise of an evening rich in discovery.
FIN
I am glad to be able to post this story just before Christmas.
I hope you enjoy it and that you will give me the pleasure of reading your reviews in return. It would be a great Christmas present.
I wish you a wonderful Christmas surrounded by your loved ones.