A/N Thank you for your kind reviews, favorites, and follows. I appreciate your sticking with me and showing your support. I won't give up on this story. New chapters may not happen frequently or regularly, but I promise I won't abandon the story. I'll continue updating as I'm able. Your patience and loyalty are much appreciated.
Having telephoned Lady Grantham and secured her enthusiastic assurance that Miss Hughes would be most welcome to resume the position of housekeeper if she wished, Mr. Carson presented himself at Miss Hughes's lodging the next morning. He was greeted by the landlady, Mrs. Collins, who asked him to wait in the sitting room while she fetched Miss Hughes. After a moment, Mrs. Collins returned with Miss Hughes and excused herself to offer the other two some privacy.
Miss Hughes took a seat next to Mr. Carson on the settee. Miss Hughes looked nervous and eager, and Mr. Carson spoke as soon as Mrs. Collins was out of earshot. "Should you wish it, Mrs. Hughes, you would be most welcome to reclaim your post. Lady Grantham asked me to give you her kind regards and to ask you to return with me if you are so inclined."
Miss Hughes brought her hand to her mouth, and her eyes welled with tears. "I still can hardly believe it," she said.
"But you're pleased?" Mr. Carson asked her. "You'll come back with me?"
She left out a short, huffing laugh of relief that quickly turned into a broad smile. "Of course I will!" Mrs. Hughes declared.
"Well!" he cried, clasping his hands together and allowing a smile to bloom fully on his own face. "It's settled then!"
"I suppose it is," she agreed. "I haven't told Mrs. Collins yet. I didn't want to say anything until I was sure. But I'll have to tell her now – and I'll have to ask her about my rent that's past due. She's been so very kind to me."
"Shall I leave for a moment so that you can speak to her privately?" Mr. Carson asked.
"No, that won't be necessary," said Mrs. Hughes. "I'll go and ask her to come in here so we can talk." She stood and went to the kitchen to get Mrs. Collins, and the two women returned. Mrs. Hughes sat back down next to Mr. Carson on the settee, and Mrs. Collins occupied a chair opposite them.
"Mrs. Collins," began Mrs. Hughes, "you've met my friend, Mr. Carson, here. He's the butler at my former place of employment, Downton Abbey, in Yorkshire, and he's brought me some good news. As it happens, the countess, Lady Grantham, finds herself in need of a housekeeper, and as you know, I'm in need of a job."
"Well, that is good news!" Mrs. Collins concurred with a smile. "I'm pleased for you. And you've accepted the position?"
"I have," Mrs. Hughes informed her.
"So you'll be leaving, then," Mrs. Collins surmised. "I can't say I'm happy you'll be gone, but I wish you well."
"Thank you. I know that I'm in arrears on my rent, and I'd like to arrange to send you the money out of my wages once I'm settled," Mrs. Hughes offered.
"Oh, it's not that very much," the landlady pointed out. "You've more than covered your room and board with all your help round here – the cleaning and mending and cooking and errands!"
"I've only tried to be useful," Mrs. Hughes demurred.
"Well, you've done that and more!" stated Mrs. Collins emphatically. "But when will you leave?"
"Today, I'm afraid," Mrs. Hughes told her. "I'm to return with Mr. Carson."
"So soon! Well, then, don't let me keep you. I'll make some tea while you pack your things, and you and Mr. Carson can have some before you leave. Go on, then!" Mrs. Collins made a shooing motion with her hands, and Mrs. Hughes went up to her room to gather her things.
As soon as Mrs. Hughes was out of the room, Mrs. Collins turned back to Mr. Carson. "Mr. Carson, I'm very fond of Miss Hughes, and I'd like to be sure she's taken care of. She's … not had it easy."
"I know," said Mr. Carson. "She's told me the whole story. Mrs. Hughes is very dear to me, too, and I can assure you that she'll be well looked after. The earl and countess are kind people, and Mrs. Hughes has many friends among the staff and in the village. And I consider her welfare my personal responsibility."
Mrs. Collins seemed satisfied with this and nodded. "Very good. I'm glad to hear it."
"Now about her rent ... I don't know how much is owed, but will this be enough?" Mr. Carson pulled a bank note from his wallet and handed it to her.
Mrs. Collins's eyed widened. "Mr. Carson, this is hardly the Savoy! This is far too much! And besides, what I said was true: Miss Hughes has more than made up for her rent by helping me here." She tried to hand the money back to Mr. Carson, but he refused to accept it.
"I insist," said Mr. Carson firmly. "Mrs. Hughes has told me you've been kind to her, and I'd like to acknowledge that and to thank you in some way."
Before Mrs. Collins could argue further, Mrs. Hughes returned with her belongings.
"If you're ready, then, Mrs. Hughes, we should be off," Mr. Carson suggested, standing.
Mrs. Collins rose from her chair. "But I didn't even have the chance to make you some tea!"
"That's all right," Mrs. Hughes assured her. "We'll have some at the station or on the train."
"Well," said Mrs. Collins, approaching Mrs. Hughes, "I wish you every happiness, my dear."
Mrs. Hughes set down her bags and grasped Mrs. Collin's hands. "Thank you for all your kindness. I'll send along the rent money as soon as I'm able."
Mrs. Collins objected. "You'll do no such thing! It's been taken care of – and then some." She indicated Mr. Carson by looking sideways at him and inclining her head in his direction.
Mr. Carson at first looked down sheepishly, then coughed and quickly interjected. "Right, then. We should be off. We wouldn't want to miss the train." He picked up his own small bag and the larger, heavier of Mrs. Hughes's two bags, and after some final pleasantries, Mr. Carson and Mrs. Hughes found themselves walking to the train station.
Before they got very far, Mrs. Hughes stumbled a bit. Fortunately, she didn't fall, but they both stopped walking.
"Are you all right?" Mr. Carson asked, concerned.
"Yes, thank you. I've been clumsy; that's all. The sidewalk is uneven, and I lost my footing," she told him.
"Here. Allow me." He was already carrying his own bag and the larger of her two bags, but now he took her smaller bag from her and held it in his hand with his own bag. Though he was now heavily laden, he offered her his arm, and she took it. He proceeded slowly, for her sake.
"Mr. Carson," said Mrs. Hughes after a few minutes. "About the rent money … You didn't need to do that, you know."
"I wanted to do that. Only … I hope I haven't overstepped or offended you," he worried.
"No, of course not. But I don't know how to repay your kindness."
Mr. Carson stopped walking and turned towards Mr. Hughes, who was forced to stop also. "My kindness?" he asked. "I could spend a lifetime and still never deserve all the kindness you showed me during the years we worked together. Tending to me when I was ill, making sure I ate well and stayed warm, mending my clothes, running errands in the village for me, tidying up my pantry, calming me when I was angry with a mischievous hall boy, insisting on the plant in my pantry … " He looked deeply into her eyes to emphasize his next point. "Your example has made me a better man, Mrs. Hughes, and I'm grateful for it."
"I … I don't know what to say, Mr. Carson."
"You needn't say anything, Mrs. Hughes. Just come home with me."
She smiled at him, and he smiled back. They continued on to the station.
A/N So there we have it. It was a short update, but they're officially on their way back to Downton. Stay tuned for more!
I know that I've lost some readers along the way, due in no small part, I think, to my infrequent and unpredictable updates. But please know that I really am grateful for those of you who have stuck with me. Thank you.