The Acquisition of Memories- Chapter 16: Bright Young Things

A/N: If you are interested in the music mentioned in the description of the play in this chapter- do follow the links left in the last chapter (15-Stepping Out). It will give you a feel for it all.

Disclaimer: JF owns the fictional characters in this piece and I have let them out to play with a few historical persons, now deceased. I mean no offence to either JF's creation, nor the real-life people mentioned in this piece (all now deceased), or their relatives and friends who knew them, either now living or dead. I hope it will be seen that I have treated them all with the respect they all deserve.

Regards,

BorneToFlow

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Charles and Elsie maintain a silent and circling conversation of thinly veiled yet controlled desire throughout the remainder of the play. Elusive glances. The subtle movements of a fingertip across the silver latch of a purse. The stroking of flawless carnation petals into already precise position. The smoothing of floating silken skirt over the top of a thigh. The brisk clip and tug of a jacket cuff. The jostling of a fine silver chain, the watch hidden in a waistcoat pocket. The delicate smoothing of a lock of hair behind the crescent of an ear. The curl of a finger beneath a high starched collar and white tie. Each exchange brings thrilling new sensations of the body to be mastered and manipulated into another parry that will elicit a new, much-desired response from the other.

The second act of the play builds in nonsense and general joie de vivre towards a raucous finale of 'The Swiss Miss'. The Astaires astound the crowd again with their musical and dancing prowess, all culminating in a ridiculous and low skilled romp of arm-in-arm bicycle styled marching to an oompah beat in a large circle around the stage. They build up momentum as the crowd claps its approval with an ever-hastening beat until the orchestra calls a rapid halt just before the players fall to the ground in feigned exhaustion. The crowd roars its approval, and the spectacle is repeated twice more before the players take their bows and leave the stage. Even the Prince of Wales and his brother are on their feet, and the whole crowd quickly follows suit. The crowd stomps and cheers for the players return, not wanting the night to end. And so the ensemble appears again, this time for a group round of the silly circling march. In amongst this encore the loud shout for Lady Be Good! carries to the stage and the crowd picks it up and starts chanting it as they clap out the syllables- wanting a reprise of their favourite number. Lady Be Good! Lady Be Good! Charles and Elsie have never heard such a din before, and even they are caught up in the beat of clapping hands, tapping feet and broad smiles.

Fred and Adele Astaire smile sheepishly and shrug resignedly as the entire cast joins them in an encore of that song too. Here the duo threw themselves into the music and work off-template, adding intricate new steps as they think of them at that moment, but somehow always understanding where the other is off to before they even start- the unspoken accord of close siblings with skills honed over years of studied performances. The orchestra segues straight into Fascinatin' Rhythm as they hear the call for it building from the stalls, and finally they work to bring this rousing version to a close by sliding into the crowd's favourite Oompah-Trot sequence from the Swiss Miss number. By this time the Astaires and the whole ensemble truly are out of breath! Fred takes to centre-stage to haltingly, between gasping breaths, thank his sister (who receives a minutes-long standing ovation) and all the other requisite people, and then he finally calls a halt to the night's proceedings; otherwise none of them will be fit to appear again at tomorrow's matinee show! The crowd expresses its disapproval, but the actors bow and courtesy a final time to the Royal Box, wave their goodbyes and kiss their thanks to their adoring audience before skipping elatedly from the stage for a final time.

As the din of the crowd subsides to a happy multitude of conversations and reminiscences of favourite parts of the show, Charles holds Elsie's coat ready to place it over her shoulders, once more careful not to touch her unnecessarily. She is glowing and blooming and pretty, truly pretty*, Charles thinks, and he cannot help but be carried along by her billowing and youthful happiness. He smiles broadly at her and his eyes twinkle with boy-like energy.

Charles ushers Elsie out of their seclusion and into the crush of people leaving the theatre. Elsie marvels, not for the first time, at his agility in traversing the crowd. He seems to instinctively know when people will move off at odd angles, such as when they hear their friends calling and pivot suddenly to join them. Somehow he pre-empts all of this and exhibits an agility and fleetness of foot that belies his imposing dark bulk dressed with that unconscionably high top hat. Elsie fancies that he has a spring in his step born of the beats and catchy melodies they have just listened to, and she thinks it likely, more so than usual, that his old skills as a song and dance man are coming into play. Wherever the skills were born, they somehow they manage dance unhindered through the heavy crowd. And Elsie is relishing; finally, the small amount of contact Charles seems to be offering her tonight, in the form of his gentlemanly escorting duties. After the stimulation of their constant flirtations during the play, Elsie has been craving his touch and so she simultaneously soothes and excites her need by rubbing the smooth satin of her gloves over the solid and stringy muscles of his forearm as she holds it. But Elsie knows it is far from enough for her, hindered as she is by the weight of his coat, the layering of his fine linen shirt and her glove.

Charles seems to sense, before he even sees it, a page of the Prince of Wales approaching. Charles had seen the young lad before, at Lady Rose's presentation at court, and he had grown tall and wiry over the last three years. Charles nods a greeting and listens to the request that he and Elsie be presented to the Princes Royal since they are the latter's guests for the evening. Elsie immediately grips Charles arm tighter. Charles, understanding her trepidation, gives her a quick, reassuring look; however, there really can be no avoiding this introduction if it is His Royal Highness' pleasure. Charles feels more confidence now than he felt earlier that evening when he was considering the likelihood of this occurrence. His knowledge of social protocol is unsurpassed, and he feels sure that Elsie, who has never let him down before, will also take this presentation easily in her stride.

As it is, the introduction requires no large announcement on Charles or the page's part, as the Prince appears to be aware already of the circumstances of the Carson's invitation, and so he addresses them first, and quite casually.

"Ahh! Mr Carson; Mrs Carson, Lady Aldridge informed me of your ability to take up my invitation to her. I trust you enjoyed the evening's entertainments."

"Your Royal Highness" Charles and Elsie reply in unison, Charles having removed his top hat to bow his head in succinct and practised fashion, and Elsie dipping into a poised courtesy.

Charles proceeds, "Indeed we have, Sir, and may I thank you for allowing us the opportunity. It has been set up as somewhat of a surprise gift for us, but I am confident that I can relay Lord Grantham's and Lady Aldridge's best regards to you in their absence."

" Ah, yes, I am sure. And what news of good old Flinty?"

" I understand Lord Flintshire is quite well, Sir, and very pleased to see his daughter well married and ready to welcome his first grandchild into the world."

"Good! Very good to hear. Now you simply must join us downstairs and meet the stars of the show! Oh, and might I offer you my congratulations on your nuptials, Mrs Carson."

"Thank you, Sir. It has been a most delightful day," Else replies, not really knowing what she is meant to say, for she really had not considered that an audience with the Prince of Wales was at all a possibility today... or indeed ever, truth be told! She realises how the young ladies of the house must have felt at their Presentations at Court. Namely, incredibly nervous! She internally chastises herself for having been too pre-occupied with her new attire and her flirtatious interactions with Charles to be able to prepare herself better for this event. She feels exposed and fumbling in the presence of Royalty, but somehow manages to slip her indifferent servant's mask in place well enough to control her thrumming nerves. Charles, to his credit, seems to sense the exact moment she needs his steadying hand and gives her an open and loving look, even in front of the Princes. His breaking of social protocol by being so unguarded with his affection for her, leaves Elsie surprised and gratified, and better still, infinitely more confident in her own abilities to handle this situation in front of the Princes.

Again, as it is the Prince's pleasure, they are obliged to follow the royal entourage down to the green room of the theatre. And so, there they stand- to the fringes of the melee as ecstatic performers and decidedly informal Royals mingle and chat. The Astaires and other American's in the cast are quite chummy with the Princes and seem to feel no need to stand on any ceremony around them. Charles finds it all a little discomforting, but he can see that this meeting was not an uncommon occurrence for the performers, and for their part, the Princes are leading the proceedings by being decidedly relaxed and familiar with these people, particularly with the brother and sister stars of the show.

They overhear His Royal Highness talking to Fred and Adele about the christening of Princess Elizabeth that morning, stating it as the reason that Lizzie and Bertie weren't along with them to the show tonight.

"Exhaustion I'll be bound," The Prince states. "It was a somewhat odious affair all round actually- the little tyke decided to wail all the way through the service in the chapel!" The Astaires laugh along comfortably with the Princes. Charles and Elsie also note, with a slightly raised eyebrow to one another, that Prince George is looking intently at Adele Astaire, obviously enamoured of her spritely exuberance. Charles and Elsie figure he may never have seen any ladies of his acquaintance behaving quite so openly and confidently around him.

"Anyway," the Prince of Wales went on, "Bertie wanted me to tell you that you simply must come and see the new baby soon. I understand he and Lady Elizabeth will send an invitation before too long."

Soon the brother and sister stars are drawn into side conversations as they are surrounded with cheerful well-wishers. Then Charles and Elsie hear the Prince saying to Adele Astaire, "Say Adele, Freddy!" as the Prince calls out to the stars again. "You know, I simply must introduce Mr and Mrs Carson to you. They were married just today, and I thought you should both sign their program for them as a memento. What do you say?"

"Oh! How Darling!" Adele immediately trills, "Say, Freddy darling, did you hear that? Mr and Mrs Carson over here were just married today, and they came all the way to see our little show tonight. Isn't that just the duckiest think you've ever heard?" Miss Astaire appeared to have taken on more than a few of the mannerisms and turns of phrase of London's Bright Young Things during her times in the country.

Fred turns to where his sister is looking at Charles and Elsie and immediately approaches them.

"Well isn't that just swell!" he smiles broadly, offering his hand to shake with Charles and bowing his head respectfully in Elsie's direction." Mr Carson, Mrs Carson. Many congratulations. I do hope that you have enjoyed the show."

Elsie immediately feels more comfortable with this young fellow, what with his youthful honesty and polite manners. He reminds her distinctly of their Sweet William (they would have been close in age) she thinks fondly as she replies:

"Indeed we did Mr Astaire, it was wonderful fun, and you and your sister dancing together are quite a thing to behold. You must be very proud indeed. I have never heard anything like that crowd out there tonight."

He is immediately embarrassed at the compliments. "Yes… well, it did go over well, I guess. We have quite a hit on our hands... it seems," trying to minimise the focus on just Adele and him, whilst never quite believing that there isn't really a lot more they could be doing to improve the show.

Well, there is an understatement if ever I heard one! Elsie thinks. She detects Mr Astaire's humility to be quite unstudied and most charming.

Adele has been waylaid several times on her way over to them by the flirting and fawning of her admirers. She holds sparkling snippets of conversations with everyone along the way and often stops them in their tracks with her risqué and witty remarks.

"What are you about Freddy?' she chastises her brother when she finally makes it to his side. "Are you going to write a congratulation on their program or not, Dear?"

Fred looks a little to his feet and defers to his older sister. "After you, Delly," waving his hands a little towards the program Elsie holds in her gloved hand.

"Really Freddy! I do sometimes worry about you. Why are you always so shy about these things?"

And with that, she grasps the program from Elsie's hand and clicks her fingers towards her brother. "Come on Freddy! Pen ! Pen!"

Fred produces an immaculate and high-quality fountain tip pen from an inner pocket of his evening dresscoat, and Adele writes a hasty congratulation to Mr and Mrs Carson on the front of the program, signing it with a hurried flourish. "Your turn now, Freddy," she insists.

Fred adds his message of best wishes and thanks for seeing the show to the front cover with a studied hand, but quite a flamboyant signature in contrast to this, and then hands it back to Mrs Carson.

"Now Freddy, are you coming with George and Eddy and me to the Embassy Club?"

"Well Delly, you know we have an 11 am call up tomorrow, and I want to run through some new steps that I have hit on for Fascinatin' Rhythm before that in the morning. I need you there..."

"Oh, Freddy! You know how I hate rehearsals, and on a Sunday too!" she complains, then turns to Elsie to share a loud and not-so-secret confidence. "He is always messing about with our routine- you wouldn't think we have already done this show about 300 times before in New York! I say it is all good enough already, but he's never happy enough with it! Are you, Moaning Minnie?" This last barb is directed squarely at her brother, who is shuffling from foot to foot, softly clipping his toes and heels a little on the floor boards of the green room- as if the music of the show is still running alive in him, and he cannot help but find the counter-beats through his body.

"Oh come on, Delly, you know you can't be late, and I swear the steps will make it even better. I will come along for a bit tonight, but only so I know you are back to the hotel and off to bed at a decent time tonight."

"Oh Freddy, you don't have to look out for me so, I will be ok with Eddy and Georgie-boy, you know that!"

Fred humphs a little in response, his eyes belying the truth that he actually thinks the Princes may be more of the problem than he is willing to say aloud.

"Well, anyway," Adele chirps to the Carsons. "It has been swell meeting you both. Happy wedding night you two lovebirds. Don't do anything I wouldn't do!" she says with a pointed wink in their direction before she is swept away by another adoring fan.

Charles had gone a little slack-jawed with shock at the whirlwind he had just encountered, the lively sprite who spoke so casually and familiarly about the Royal Princes. Fred notices and feels the need to apologise for his sister's somewhat uncouth remarks to Mr and Mrs Carson.

But before he can, Elsie cannot help but chuckle in Mr Astaire's direction. "Moaning Minnie?!" she asks.

Fred groans and Charles is brought back to his senses a little by the sound of Elsie's brogue. He looks back and forth between his two companions repeatedly.

"Delly always thinks I am never happy with our work you see, and I guess I can go on about it all a bit too much" Fred replies, somewhat embarrassed, with his head downcast a little.

"Oh, I am familiar with one particular Old Booby like that, Mr Astaire," Elsie replies, casting a knowing look at Charles. "Perfection is never quite good enough, hey?" she adds pointedly.

Charles feels the need to pipe up now, not quite knowing how it is that he has come under gentle attack. "Well," Carsons .he states with gruff authority, "grand style requires time and effort,Mrs Carson, you know that as well as I, especially when putting on a big show, if you want to do something right, anyway."

"You sound like the two of you know this game and have worked together for a while, a bit like Delly and me," Fred remarks, slipping into surprisingly easy conversation with them. He likes the Carsons. They have a stillness to them that is calming to his flittering nerves after the elation of the night's performance. "You know, I worked out recently that we have been on stage together for over twenty years now. Hard to believe really, but you see, we started out on the vaudeville circuits as kids. Say, aren't there child labour laws now about that sort of thing!" he jokes.

To Elsie's utter astonishment, Charles replies with more comfort in the situation than she ever would have credited him with.

"Well, it is true that I did tread the boards once, singing and dancing and the like, but it was a very long time ago- variety halls mainly. But I don't think it could have been the life for me in the long term. And you are right, Mrs Carson and I have worked side by side for close to thirty years now, always putting on a good showing for Lord and Lady Grantham. There is a certain art of performance to elegant service, I have always thought."

"I think you are right there, you British sure know how to pull out all the stops for a simple party! We have been to a few now with the Princes. I like the style. We don't really see much like it in the States that way. I like watching the precision. I think I try to mimic that a bit when I'm dancing… I... I don't know…"

Elsie notes that Mr Astaire is too well mannered to make direct mention of the obvious fact, from Charles' comments, that they are servants, and she becomes even more fond of him.

"Well from what I have seen, Mr Astaire, I think you manage to capture that most elegantly in your dancing and I hope that, as it is with the British aristocracy, you too may always do it big, do it right, and do it with style. I have enjoyed tonight much more than I thought possible, I do not mind telling you."

Elsie finds it difficult to believe her ears. Will wonders never cease with this man I have married?

" 'Do it big, do it right and do it with style.' "** Mr Astaire repeats "Say! I like that Mr Carson, I think I will remember it. Seems like a good motto to work by in my game."

"Just a good motto for life, perhaps?" Charles returns with a smile. "You should use it."

Just then Adele calls out from across the crowd.

"Freddy! Freddy! Are you coming along now or not?"

Charles and Elsie smiled over at the brightest of the bright young things, both thinking how much she reminds them in turns, of Lady Sybil and Lady Rose and, Charles thinks, maybe even a touch of Mrs Levinson!

"Duty calls it seems,"Mr Astaire says with a wry smile. "And I am afraid that I must still apologise for my sister's comment earlier. I do hope you weren't too embarrassed by it Mrs Carson."

"Och, don't you worry about that lad, not much can shock these old bones anymore, I'll warrant you that," Elsie says with a wise smile.

"You just look out for her, Mr Astaire," Charles feels compelled to add. Then quietly and more seriously, "I know a little of what tends to be expected of young ladies from the theatre."

"I am rather afraid that is one task that I inevitably fail at Mr Carson-but I do try!" Fred replies lightly and with a resigned sigh. " Luckily though, Delly seems to have a way of always looking after herself well enough." And he casts a tender glance towards his bubbly sister.

Such a contrast, Elsie thinks. He is a very serious young man, very studied- a bit like Charles may have been, she realises. It is funny the paths we end up taking that change our lives. And really, she is very glad, in the end, that Charles chose the path that he did. For would they have ever met if he had stayed a song and dance man? Probably not, she realises, and she tightens her hand lovingly upon Charles' arm once more.

"Well," Mr Astaire continues, "it sure has been a pleasure meeting you both. I wish you every happiness in your marriage, Mr and Mrs Carson."

"And we wish you and your charming sister every success, Mr Astaire, for hard work deserves just rewards," Charles replies.

"Well, thank you very much indeed, Sir." Mr Astaire returns, shaking Charles' hand once more, "and goodnight to you both."

"Goodnight, Mr Astaire" they reply in unison as he walks away from them with a feline grace, one hand tugging lightly at his white waistcoat, much as is Charles' habit, and with the middle, two fingers of his other hand curled in a little self-consciously.

"Well, what an utterly charming young man, don't you agree, Mr Carson?' Elsie asks as she watches him walk away, feeling strange that such an understanding and delightful connection could be made so quickly with a person, but that they will likely never meet again. People do just drift away it seems, but maybe that is how some things are meant to be, she reasons.

"Indeed he was. He reminded me very much of our William don't you think? It was almost like seeing him still here as a slightly older man."

"Yes, I felt that too... in some ways… but, I fancy... he also reminded me a little of who you might have been...back in your younger days, Mr Carson" Elsie adds, a little pensively.

Charles looks down at her, a little surprised at her comparison. "Maybe...I don't know" is his only reply as he thinks of the paths he did not take, only to realise that he has no regrets on that front at all. Not now- not when he has Elsie by his side. "But now, the hour is getting late, and I believe our carriage awaits us, Milady. May I escort you to the Square?"

"Indeed you may, Mr Carson, I think the noise and lights of the city can stay for all the bright young thing, don't you? And I for one am looking forward to a little peace and quiet now at the end of our day, just as we always do" Elsie replied.

Charles looks at her, a little concerned, for he hopes fervently that the remainder of their evening will still be different enough from their standard evenings at the Abbey.

But, he decides to let the comment go. Instead, replacing his topper and bowing his head quickly towards her to signal the start their ascent to street level and their booked Hansom Cab.

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Historical notes:

Charles' stolen quote: * from Jane Eyre Chapter 24- 'Jane, you look blooming, and smiling, and pretty,' said he: 'truly pretty this morning…'

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I have based the conversational styles and interactions of Fred and Adele Astaire on what I have read in bios of the Astaires (Namely: Kathleen Riley- The Astaires: Fred and Adele; Fred Astaire- Steps in Time; Mueller, John- Astaire Dancing: The Musical Films of Fred Astaire; and, Tim Satchell- Astaire: The Biography)

Riley's book was also invaluable for understanding the play (Lady Be Good!) as it was then, and especially how the finale may have played out with the crowd on any given night. And yes, the Astaires were on Vaudeville stages from the ages of 5 and 6 years!

**"Do it big, do it right, and do it with style"- this quote is wholly attributable to Mr Fred Astaire. He was not a particularly quotable star, preferring to let his dancing do all the talking, but this one always struck me as uber-cool, and it isn't too bad a way to go about life, I don't think!. Please forgive my little conceit in having Charles Carson introduce FA to it in this piece of fiction .

I apologise if the accuracy of how Charles and Elsie were introduced to the Princes is lacking. I also realise that they did not take proper leave of the Prince, but I think, given the bits and pieces I have seen and read about his persona, he would not have stood on much ceremony in this setting, especially when he was about to go out. In my imagination, Mrs Freda Dudley-Ward would have been with the Prince of Wales for a night at the theatre like this; however, I didn't add it in here because I don't know how much time the two were spending together at this time. It is not integral to this particular story anyway.

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Hopefully, no persons real or fictional were hurt in the making of this fic!

BorneToFlow :)