The Acquisition of Memories

by BorneToFlow

Embarking on their honeymoon, Charles and Elsie begin to process the events of their wedding day and those leading up to it. A series of internal reflections; lengthy, fun & sometimes in-depth conversations; &, interspersed with requisite amounts of playful holiday fun & honeymoon adult times. From Ch19 rating is a tasteful but strong M. Some S5/6 JF canon is blissfully ignored.

27. Chapter 27- Natural Weave

The Acquisition of Memories- Chapter 27- Natural Weave

His eyes close as he leans in to smell her fresh hair at the side of her head as his other arm encircles her at her waist and draws her back closer to him. "Elspeth" he draws her name out in a whisper near her ear as he feels a shiver run down her spine as it rests against his starched shirtfront. "My love…"

Elsie is speechless once more. Her mouth has dropped open a little with wonder and want for her beautiful poet lover.

"Charrles," she finally whispers back, her voice catching in her throat a little, "nothing in this world is as beautiful to me as the love I see in you, a chagair…" and she cranes her neck backwards a little to capture his lips in a gentle but sensuous kiss.

"Take me to dinner, Charles…Dance with me again."

CECECECECE

Dinner is a delightful affair in the resplendent, ruby plush surroundings of the elegant dining room of the Ritz. Charles orders a small selection of hors d'oevres and an aperitif for them to start with while they peruse the rest of the menu. Elsie knows a little bit of French food terminology after her years working with Mrs Patmore's menus at the Abbey, but not nearly enough to interpret the whole of the Ritz dinner menu. Many of the dishes she has never even heard of, so she regularly asks Charles for some translations. He learned a substantial amount of the French language from some time he spent on the Continent when the 6th Earl had sent him to learn about the vintner's art as he prepared Charles to take on the role of Butler at Downton in the 1880s. And, over the years Elsie has even heard him break into the language at quite singular times, mainly when conversing in a somewhat light-hearted manner with Lady Mary – of all people!

They do not order a full range of options from the extensive menu as they both know it will be a rich dinner and far different from the basic and hearty fare they are regularly served in the servants' hall- on every day of the year except Easter and Christmas. After a soup of crème of watercress for Elsie and an oxtail consommé for Charles, they decide that they will skip the standard entrée course and have only the fish course and move straight to some small palate refreshers prior to their cold buffet items being served, then main courses and accompaniments. Charles has left all of the white wine selections to the sommelier and enjoys some light conversation with that man about various pros and cons of other vintages they know and might have matched otherwise. But Charles can actually find no fault with anything they have been served thus far.

During their fish and cold buffet courses, Charles broaches the subject of Elsie's suggestions for their transition away from working at the Abbey and into what is now, their almost mutually accepted and shared retirement plans.

"So tell me, Elsie, even if I can finally accept that Thomas may be equal to the task of supporting Lady Mary into the future as Butler, who do you see as your replacement? You have not yet had anyone, except maybe Anna, see the full details of how you work, and I cannot imagine that she and Mr Bates will stay on long at the Abbey now that they are finally free to start their family."

"Well, my only real choice would have to be Miss Baxter, Charles. She is quiet, diligent, smart and capable, and despite some rocky beginnings with Her Ladyship, a deep trust in her close counsel seems to have developed between them. I think I can rely on Baxter to work with Lady Mary in a similar fashion."

"But won't that mean that Her Ladyship will actually be without a lady's maid, Elsie? Will she really accept having to find another trustworthy candidate for that role- for surely Miss Baxter could not handle both the running of the Abbey and attending to Her Ladyship on a permanent basis? I mean… I know you often managed it during the War, but now His Lordship and Her Ladyship will be spending more and more time at Grantham House and on the Continent and away from the Downton, I do not see how it can work."

"Well that is true, but I do think, if anyone has handled change well at the Abbey over the years, it has always been Her Ladyship. She is a shrewd manager- she knows how to keep the people who love the family and those who hate it mostly separated from one another*.

"Ah yes, and as it happens, keeping the right mix of people artfully separated from one another is also the key attribute of the perfect hostess!" Charles quips.

"Indeed, Charles" She smiles happily at him. "But I do think that Her Ladyship is not afraid to make hard decisions for the benefit of the whole Estate in the long run, and above her own needs, too. You have surely seen that for yourself."

"Indeed," he replies as he remembers the stories of how Her Ladyship supported Lady Mary through the Pamuk debacle and the astute running of Downton as a hospice during the war.

"Well now, I do feel sure that she would rather see her daughter installed with a strong housekeeper in preference to her own worries about having to train up another lady's maid. They are much easier to recruit, especially from London, where she is bound to find a bright young thing willing to travel about with them and enjoy a bit of excitement on the continent."

"Hopefully not too much excitement, though! Or I would wager Her Ladyship will have to find a replacement every twelve months or so as the young lasses run off with various swarthy Gauls or Latino types!"

"Be that as it may, I am sure she will handle that as well as she has tried to manage her own errant daughters over the years! …But more to the point, I think she will respect my recommendation of Miss Baxter to succeed me, especially when I point out how well Miss Baxter and Thomas seem to understand and respect one another now. They appear to have become much-trusted friends, and that, as you know from our own experience, Charles, is very important when the two will have to work so closely together… and Thomas is even showing greater respect for her Mr Molesley now.

"More likely that is since that man seems to have finally found his own place at the school house and is out from under everyone's feet at the Abbey!" Charles joshes. Elsie smiles knowingly. "But Baxter and Molesley haven't come to a more permanent arrangement yet… have they? Or do you know yet another secret that I am not privy to Mrs Hughes? Hmm?"

"Not this time, Mr Carson. But you have to admit, it does seem imminent. I do not understand their connection myself, but who am I to say what makes others happy? I only know that are both deserving of some happiness, and if they can find even half of what we have together, each in the other, then they shall be very fortunate indeed, Charles. It is really just a matter of Mr Molesley summoning up the nerve."

Charles cannot help but smile at the reminder of his immense happiness with Elsie now. Who could not wish that for more people in the world, indeed?

"Well, that is all much more easily said than done- if I am speaking only from my own experience, Mrs Hughes! But I do wish them both very well together."

"Perhaps you could nudge him along a little when we return Charles. Mr Molesley would listen to you… as will Thomas, if you show him more regard and train him further. He has only ever wanted a father who might respect him more, our Thomas…"

"Hmm…well, I am not sure I will ever be ready to think of myself as some sort of father figure to Thomas, Elsie."

"You may not think it, Charles, but that may not be enough to stop others from appreciating you as such… or at least wishing that it might be so. Do not sell yourself so short. And with Thomas, if it helps you, just think of yourself more as a kind mentor… or a master with his apprentice-in-trade. There is nothing wrong with sharing a bond with any man in such a way- do you not think?"

"Well… I suppose that sounds more my thing with regards to Thomas- but I shall make it very clear to him whom he shall be answerable to if he should ever betray Lady Mary's trust."

"I would not really expect any less from you Charles,… not that you are regularly prone to using threats, however.…But, I do think I understand you a little better now on that front…Thomas will want to make you proud, though, Charles. He does respect you and what you do. He would want to build something as good in his own life as you have been able to. I do believe that." And she looks at him with a little concern in her eyes, but still much pride at who her Charles is- that he is finding some way to accept these quite radical suggestions for their replacements. Then quietly, she continues, "Just remember that kindness has always been your greatest strength, a chagair…he might respond better to that now than you realise …and …well…you do actually have some similarities with Thomas, at least as far as I see it," she finishes tentatively.

"Hmmph." Charles grunts as he is still not entirely convinced of all of Elsie's view on these things, and he now feels more than mild distaste that he might actually be compared to that man by his Elsie.

"Charles,…I think that Thomas likes the routine and structure that the running of Downton and that the performance of service offers him. For he need not have stayed in service all these years- not really- he could have struck out on his own a little more, he is a smart lad. He could have, really, once his hand had healed more after the war… and once he had cleared his debts after that black market nonsense, but he didn't, he stayed on… I…I think Downton provides him with a solid base for his life…I think it all might comfort him with its permanence in what must be a very uncertain world for him- as much as it has always done so for you…"

"Hmmm…" Charles is silent for quite a while as they eat and sip at their wines. Elsie lets him think on it all.

After a while, he responds.

"Well, I guess it is sounding more reasonable, Elsie, I can only trust that you have seen these changes in Thomas, even if I have failed to so far." He sighs audibly. "I guess we do all have our different burdens to carry in life, sadly. And I suppose I have managed to ignore who he is thus far, and tried not to let it interfere with our work,… and whilst I am not sure I will ever be truly comfortable with it, Elsie, I shall try to be more open to seeing the better of him from now on. I believe I can do that."

Elsie could not feel prouder of her man in this moment. He really has always taken change in his stride in the end- for what is life in service if not the ability to consistently adjust to and deal with the different demands of life that are constantly thrown at them from all quarters? She reaches across to affectionately brush the back of his hand with her fingertips.

"Charles, you have ever been a fair man, even with Thomas at his worst. I do think it shall go well- but, equally, I expect Mr Barrow will take some time adjusting to it all…He is not used to receiving the generosity of many people in his life."

"Well, I shan't be changing my manner with the man that radically, to be sure, Elsie! I am hardly the chummy type!"

"And that is for the best Charles, for he would probably think you had gone mad or that he is hallucinating! …He is a reserved man too, Charles, as a good Butler should be. Just be your usual self, and offer him what knowledge you have to give- it will be enough."

Charles cannot help but smile at his beautiful, wife- subtly nudging him towards her best designs. He trusts her with his livelihood and his life it seems. What a wonderfully safe place this is to be, he thinks with a loving smile twitching at the corners of his eyes and mouth.

"Well, I can only hope that any faith we are putting in him will not turn ill for any of us. And of course, I do respect any decision you have come to with regards to your own replacement, Elsie. It does all appear to be sound advice. But, pray tell me, where exactly do you hide this veritable font of wisdom within your tiny frame, Mrs Carson?"

She scoffs lightly at him.

"I am not entirely certain, Mr Carson, and you do flatter me. But, at least now it seems that you shall have all of your retirement in which to discover my many secrets!"

"And I would not have it any other way, my love," and he smiles with bright love in his eyes for her once more. Then he turns serious again "… But what of us Elsie…What of Brounker Road? Does it bother you what I said about not knowing if I want to run it as a guest house anymore? I hate that I may have cast a pall on our little dream there."

"Well, yes and no, I guess. It is only a building, after all, Charles, and although I am proud of the changes we have made to the property so far… I am not yet so attached to it definitely becoming our home…we will, after all, be installed in rooms at the Abbey to begin with now that we are married. Let's just settle in with that for the moment as we prepare Baxter and Barrow over the next several months. I think we need to sit down when we return and properly look at all the figures on it.

"Yes, that is probably a good idea, Elsie."

"But,…when you think on it Charles, we have already run through a couple of different scenarios with regards to it anyway. I mean, to start with, before we were going to retire, we were going to install someone to run it for us, so there was an expense to cover there but three rooms to let out. Then, before we were going to marry, we both would have eventually moved in and taken up two of the rooms for ourselves in order to run it in retirement, only allowing two to let out, and then our third option, now that we are married, is to move in and have three room to collect on again- so, yes, that would have been more lucrative… but… consider this, Charles- what if we keep it to rent out to a young growing family perhaps?... Or run it with one person employed to oversee it, Charles, as we initially thought…"

"But we cannot stay forever in rooms at the Abbey after we retire with those last options, Elsie! Where do you propose that we do live?"

"Oh don't tell me you are losing your memory already, old man!" Elsie jokes with him. Charles looks a little miffed and huffs and grumbles as he pulls down sharply on his waistcoat, trying to fix his pride back into place once more.

"Oh, Charles love, I am only joking… "and she reaches across the table once more to stroke soothingly at the back of his hand. "But surely you must remember what Lord and Lady Grantham offered us when we first announced we were getting married… and I know it made sense then to turn down an estate cottage when it looked like we would just move into Brounker Road together, but if you really do not want the bother of more tireless work running a guest house and not really having space and time to ourselves, could we not prevail upon that offer again now? Do you not think that Lady Mary would gladly repeat the offer- and especially for you?"

"But wouldn't that be wrong, Elsie? It is almost like reneging on a deal. How can we go back and ask for that again- it seems…well… indelicate, to say the very least."

"Charles, I do not think your Blessed Lady Mary is quite such a delicate creature, really. Do you?"

Oddly, to Charles' ears, Elsie says this calmly and with no hint of sarcasm. In fact, it seems to be, somehow, a compliment to Lady Mary. Charles' mouth quirks into a half smile at his Elsie's more ready acceptance of his special girl.

"You really have been thinking all of this through, haven't you, my little plotter!"

"As I said, Mr Carson, it is not 'plotting' as such, just carefully thinking through our possible options. Success always comes down to careful planning from the outset, as you well know, Mr Carson, and, I do believe we need to keep thinking on it all for a while longer. But…what are your thoughts so far?"

He answers this with his own question. "But Elsie, do you worry we might be almost too idle if we both retire at once like this- without the guest house to run ourselves?"

"Well, I had rather thought that was part of the purpose of retirement, Mr Carson! We have not had many an idle day between us across our two lifetimes, maybe it is time we started to. Besides which, could we really call it a retirement if we are indeed still working and running our own guesthouse every day?"

"But,… I haven't really thought about it, Elsie…not before this…I only knew what I felt I did not want anymore. And beyond that, all I know is that I want to spend my time by your side still. I want to make you happy… but I haven't even really thought what that may involve if we are not working! …It does seem I may have waltzed into marriage a little unprepared for you, Mrs Carson!" and he looks up a little nervously towards her.

"Och, I wouldn't exactly say that, Mr Carson," Elsie raises her sparkling and suddenly desire filled eyes to meet his. "I think you have managed quite admirably with making me happy thus far." Elsie replies blithely and with a wicked glint as her memories cause her to suck lightly at the corner of her bottom lip as she fingers the pearls of her necklace seductively.

Eyes widening, Charles draws in a sharp breath.

"Behave…" he replies, drawing the word out long in a low warning rumble, "…my dear Mrs Carson, for we are still at the table." But he cannot help but lick lightly at his lower lip and return a smug grin at this rapid change in the direction of their conversation. Elsie's look of twinkling happiness is returned right back to her from his own intense and darkened eyes. Then Charles decides to take his chance, even though the band in the next room has just struck up a rather fast jazz foxtrot tune. "Well, Mrs Carson, I have at least thought of one thing we could spend some more time doing in retirement… Would you care to have this dance with me?"

Furrowing her brow, pretending to look put out, Elsie replies, "That may well have been my idea too, as I recall, Mr Carson! However, I would be delighted." And Elsie smiles brightly at her gentleman as he leads her out to the dance floor. "You do know that I have not really danced the foxtrot before, Mr Carson… and I did not know that you could either."

"Just trust me on this, Mrs Carson, I will at least lead you in this one thing, just as you have proven adept at leading me into a different kind of retirement than I could possibly have imagined."

His free hand flutters near his thigh with delighted anticipation just before he reaches the edge of the dance floor and grasps his lovely wife and holds her closer to his body than is customary for any waltz they have thus far shared. Charles starts lightly stepping Elsie counter-clockwise around the floor with large flowing strides.

Elsie feels herself being fairly swept away by Charles as he keeps up with the slow swoop then fast glide of the music. All of his skills at traversing tight crowds that she had first seen and marvelled at on the theatre promenade last night seem to be coming into play on the quite busy dance floor tonight. Somehow, Charles manages to find ample space for them in each rotation and their movements are unhindered by having to think of the proximity of other dancers. Elsie feels as if the dance floor contains them alone, such is Charles agile and silent fluidity within the movement of the people around them.

At times throughout his heel to toe rising and falling glide, Charles lightly lifts Elsie off the ground as her feet struggle to keep apace with where he leads them to next through the dip and step and spin of the dance. But as she settles in closer to him, Elsie finds that she can actually read his subtle body movements, mostly from where their hips meet, and then she starts sensing, almost pre-empting, what direction he will move them in before he even starts to. Soon she is finding herself wishing for the certain little steps and flourishes he embellishes into his movements, which sway her so seductively and which bring him ever closer to her body.

He has lowered and drawn back his leading arm and her hand actually has to reach almost past the depth of his torso in order to keep hold of it, and it all just serves to bring her soft curves even closer to the harsh brush of his tail coat and starch fronted shirt, teasing all of her nerve endings. She can feel the press of his body as it moves the silk of her dress and undergarments against her most sensitive skin- on her hips, her belly, her breasts… Even in the sway of the skirt of her dress caught floatingly between her legs as he moves his leading leg past her side and then his following leg steps closely between her own through each rotation they make on the dance floor- this especially makes her whole body thrill with the exhilarating power of him… of them together- like this. Her heart is racing with giddy excitement. It is all so incredibly intimate and sensual for such a public place.

Elsie feels her chest beginning to blush, and thinks that she should probably try to place a little distance between their bodies in order to control her quite visceral reactions to his heat and movements and muscular bulk- to the natural weave of their bodies so close together as they cycle through the patterned steps of their dance… but Elsie's head is in a haze of his close and clean masculine scent and if she takes her eyes off his for even a second, she finds she cannot keep up with the whirl of shimmering lights and colours that adorn the intricate decorations of the room. She feels slightly intoxicated by it all and her only recourse is to actually hold even tighter to him lest her desire slackened knees should fail her completely and Charles has to carry her bodily from the floor. She has never been danced like this before and she just does not want any of it to end.

CECECECECE

But end, it inevitably does, and thankfully for the ongoing strength of Elsie's knees, the band starts playing a slightly slower tune this time. A more familiar waltz rhythm ensues, yet even this is handled differently than she expected, for the classical framing of their bodies for a Viennese Waltz is completely missing and Charles maintains his closer than normal hold on Elsie. Her body stays moulded to his own but she finds that she does not care to have it any other way.

As they continue to turn about the floor she shakes herself a little from the haze of the earlier dance and manages to breathlessly ask him, "Where on earth did you learn to dance like that, Charles Carson?"

He releases a short laugh then. "So you approve of my skills on this front, Mrs Carson?"

"Oh I think you know that I do, Mr Carson," She replies dreamily, "so please tell me."

"Well, I am not sure even I approve of how it all happened, it was quite unseemly behaviour on the part of a Butler…and I am very surprised you know nothing of it, truth be told- given you know most of what happens in the House. But, I suppose that my request for it to remain a secret, lest the younger staff use it to undermine whatever authority I may have with them, was actually respected by the young ladies of the house." Elsie is looking at him with quite a note of fascination now. "Still, I shall not complain of the practice I managed to get now that I have been able to utilise it so effectively with a most worthy partner." And he looks down into her eyes with his own dark and loving and very proud ones.

"Do you mean to tell me, Charles Carson, that you have been slouching off work and gallivanting around a dance floor with several young ladies of the house whilst I have been slaving away!" Elsie sounds quite incredulous.

With a little, embarrassed smile he replies, "Well…would you believe me if I told you that it was the irrepressible Lady Rose who first insisted I try leading her in a foxtrot after we got that infernal gramophone at the house?"

"Grmph… Well, that does not seem outside of the realms of possibility- at least for her. Did his Lordship know about all this?"

"Well…'Charles continues sheepishly, "umm…he was actually there too, and the ladies were dragging him into the whole affair because they wanted to practice and they weren't getting very far with any of them taking on the men's parts, so I think His Lordship called upon me to join him in the end so that he might not feel quite so foolish about it all. So, you could say that I was acting under orders to do so, Elsie. So surely I cannot bear all of the responsibility for my actions!"

She shakes her head at him in amusement. "Well I am none too sure about that, Carson, it rather sounds to me like yet another man shirking his personal responsibilities in the face of a pretty lady!"

Charles smiles and huffs good-naturedly at this.

"But I guess it does explain your overly vocal dislike of this new jazz music, Charles. It seems it may have been the design of a much larger subterfuge on your part!"

"Maybe so…maybe so!"

"Hmm…That said, I cannot complain about it at all now, really, for I find that I do like how much you can still surprise me, even after all these years, Charles Carson… and I do so love to dance with you." And she leans her head in closer to his chest as the music is slowing to a halt.

"Me too, Elsie Love…hmm… Now, shall we go see about those main courses now? Maybe we can take another turn about the floor after that."

"That sounds lovely,… plus we both know the trouble to be had in kitchens if the serving of courses is delayed. Let us hope that young Alfred is not within earshot of Mrs Patmore's evil London twin, lest we have messed up their timing below stairs!'

"Heaven help him if that were the case!" Charles replies with a small laugh as he leads Elsie back to their table on his arm. "Perhaps we should put in a request with the Maitre d', to see if Alfred might be free to say a quick hello before we leave- I wonder which section he is currently working in? Hmm…Still,…not for tonight, though… for I rather want you all to myself tonight, Mrs Carson," he says darkly.

Elsie catches his desire filled eyes on her and she smiles knowingly back at him.

"Oh, you shall have no complaints about that from me I think you will find, my dear Mr Carson," and she dreamily strokes his forearm with her fine fingertips in a long slow pattern through the sleeve of his tail coat.

CECECECECE

They enjoy their main roast meats course with an array of salad, potato and vegetable items to share. It is a new experience for Charles and Elsie to be able to linger over a whole meal without the threat of service bells or the dinner gong requiring their leave after less than half an hour. It is also pleasing to not have to keep half an ear to the opposite end of a long table to ensure that the conversations of various footmen, hall boys or housemaids stay right and proper and that gossip about the house is kerbed.

Once again, Charles is impressed with the red wine selections the sommelier has made and speaks to the man about taking a copy of some of his cellar notes based on this season's menu back with him to Downton, for he is sure that there are vintages His Lordship will be interested in for his own collection. Charles thinks he might invest in the reds and whites they have had tonight as future anniversary wines for Elsie and himself. Although, he keeps this little plan to himself. Given Elsie's enjoyment of the surprises he has been able to arrange for her thus far, he thinks it prudent, and highly enjoyable to both of them, for him to continue their married life in this manner.

Since their charming turn on the dance floor, Charles and Elsie's conversation has relaxed more and they discuss their future retirement -bandying about various ideas of how their time may be occupied if they have all of their days to themselves. It is agreed that neither of them are prepared to stagnate within the four walls of a small estate cottage and they speak of interests and dreams they have not had any time to pursue during their years and long hours in service.

But, as they are both pragmatic people, they initially run through the ways that they might set up the property to run as a guesthouse or rental property until it requires minimal input from them. After this has run its course for the moment, they turn to refining their wants and needs in a little cottage and garden on the Estate grounds. Elsie expresses a wish that their cottage might, hopefully, be situated not far from the lake she loves so much beyond the folly. In her fondest dreams she wishes that the kitchen and dining area may have a western facing window that allows them to watch the sun go down at the end of each day as they dine. Charles listens to her other decorating wishes in this idealised cottage and is happy to accede to all of her designs in terms of colours and fittings and soft furnishings, for he feels it is truly her domain, and that her life's work has given her a better eye for the details of the comforts a home needs. Certainly, his intimate knowledge of the four grey-green walls of his utilitarian butler's pantry and the attic room he has always lived in cannot possibly offer much to the conversation. He only hopes that any cottages they may be offered by Lady Mary will afford at least some of his dear wife's wishes. And he tells her as much.

"Och, Charles- this is all cloud talk, to be sure. I do not honestly expect that all of my wishes will be fulfilled to the letter, if at all, really. I will be glad of whatever the estate offers us, for it will surely outstrip our current living quarters in the attics. So long our little cottage has you in it, I will be at home wherever they may send us, my love."

Charles smiles with happy and contented pride as he acknowledges the mutual truth of this sense of belonging once more.

"And then how do you see our garden, Elsie. I thought maybe I would try my hand at growing some roses out the front."

"And maybe a small plot for the kitchen, with herbs nearer to the back door…and… I think some white carnations would be…far-r-r more than nice," she finishes with her rolling burr, her eyes darkening cheekily once more as her gaze drops to his fresh boutonniere.

Charles releases a low whistling breath from between his teeth as his eyes drop unbidden to his wife's lightly blushed neckline.

"And all I request," he manages to stumble out sotto voce, "Mrs Carson, is an oversized roll top bath and a rather large bed to share with you."

Elsie face fully reddens at this forward suggestion of his at the dinner table now, and Charles fulfils an urgent need to moisten his suddenly chapped lips. But, in unspoken agreement, they both choose to change the tack of their musings lest they overstep the bounds of etiquette expected of them in the restaurant.

Charles sighs out a long and relieving sigh.

"So, what other grand plans do you have to keep this old man out of your hair a little on our long days together, Elsie? For even you and I are used to a little time and space to ourselves in the big house…and I know I am not an easy man to be with, Elsie… with all of my crabby ways, do you not think we will end up getting under each other's skin too much?

Elsie's eyes flick sharply into his, thinking he is pushing at some seductive boundary with her again, but she quickly sees that he is actually genuinely concerned about this factor in their new life together, so she does not push the innuendo further.

"Oh Charles, I have no doubt that we will get on each other's nerves at times. Hasn't that always been the case- and with both of us?" she asks rhetorically. "I mean, you could be bearing the brunt of absolutely all of my focused machinations in other people's lives, and I don't envy you that particular charge!"

"Ha! So you do admit to being a cunning little plotter!"

"Hmm..yes, well…we all have some faults it seems!" she replies with a self-deprecating laugh. "But seriously Charles… I have thought that you could, well we both could, stand to have a lot more to do with life in the village. We have always been too busy working to do very much, but I saw how well you were respected and handled the memorial committee- do you think you might continue with more of those sorts of developments?"

"Hmm…possibly…but I don't know…I was respected…perhaps…but I do not think it is really in my nature to compromise and work with the political machinations of others quite so well. You know it was a trying time for me in many ways, Elsie, for I did not like to see how His Lordship was sidelined… and he really was better suited to handling the sensitivity of the township's and Mrs Patmore's needs than I obviously was. Plus, I knew there was an element of hidden manoeuvring going on about me that I was just not wise enough to pick up on quickly… Perhaps you are better suited to village council life, Elsie- you read people so much better than I do… I just carry a set of expectations that I always belatedly discover no one else around me really shares. It was not much fun for me, and that was aside from the sad nature of it being about the war memorial."

"That is a pity to hear, Charles, but I am still proud of what you achieved… and I am sure I might not have handled Mrs Wigan with as much...tact…as you managed! That woman rankles me like no other! Perhaps we are both better suited to… quieter pursuits, hmm?…What about your cricket, Charles?"

"Well, I am far too old to be playing regularly with the village Elsie… I don't think my body could keep up with it even if they wanted me on a team… I guess I could umpire more often."

"That you could." And then Elsie laughs out loud.

"What is it?" Charles asks, perplexed.

"Och, I was just imagining how you might look in one of those white umpires coats. I am used to seeing you all trussed up in black! I wondered, briefly if you may end up looking like the local butcher!"

"OH! The cheek, Mrs Carson! Am I always to be the unwitting butt of all your jokes?! I am not some ruddy-faced and uncouth Yorkshireman who calls every lady "love" when they walk through my doorway!"

"And nor would you have to in the middle of a cricket field, Charles!" she chuckles,"So there is no need to get your dander up about it- besides I do know you are not like that at all…but…you know..." she continues a little shyly, "I have always thought you look quite dashing in your cricketing whites, my man," and Elsie cannot keep her eyes from darkening lustfully as she imagines him that way.

"I have no idea why you were chastising me for not behaving at table tonight, Mrs Carson, for you are being quite the little devil with me tonight!" and he cannot help but chuckle out loud. His Elsie.

She grins guiltily at him.

"Have you considered coaching then, Charles? I think you would do well with a young boys team. Maybe even set a small side up with the children from the school-house. Mr Molesley would help with that too wouldn't he? And I know how much you love to be around the little ones."

"Well… now that I could see myself doing…Cricket is a wonderful game to teach young lads- a true gentleman's sport."

"What is it about cricket, Charles? For even after all these years, I cannot claim to understand the infernal game's interest to everyone about the village. It makes little sense to me!"

"But I thought you always enjoyed the House and Village match each year, Elsie"

"Well, as you know, I have spent most years running about organising and ensuring the House has provided adequate refreshments and food for all and sundry. I have had little time to pick up what is actually happening out on the field, beyond a lot of standing around getting sunburnt and some irregular flurries of activity running back and forth between some sticks…and then…if any time is afforded me… there has of course been that rather distracting vision of a certain distinguished butler, all in white with his green mucked knees and his pomade failing miserably at holding back a certain rakish forelock that has filled my thoughts… so how can I really be expected to keep track of all of the rules of the game?"

"Philistine!" Charles grumbles out, but he fairly ripples with pride at the fact that he has managed, however unwittingly, to fluster the normally unflappable Mrs Hughes each summer for all of these years. He puffs his chest out noticeably and states with authority, "I will have you know that cricket is a game of great structure and intricate strategy. It requires immense patience and concentration and a readiness for all sorts of occurrences happening within the blink of an eye. I shall have to educate you much further on it, it seems, Mrs Carson."

"Well, it actually sounds very much like a match for your various roles and talents in service across all of these years, Charles. Perhaps you should teach it to the young 'uns…But…why do you love it so?"

"Hmm...well coaching a school team is definitely all worth looking into…. But, why I love it?…Well, I guess I can liken it to chess a bit, a thinking man's game, but with people instead of pieces….and… I do think that the best sports teach us to be better people, Elsie. It teaches respect for your opponents, and for the rules of the game, and for the umpires final decisions- for there can be no game without these things- just a big mess that would fall into a melee without this agreed upon structure… It is about playing fair…being mindful of the truth, and I worry that some young people do not learn this day to day anymore, Elsie…and...it's because a certain degree grace is always required when you accept and celebrate a win, or when you are faced with defeat."

"As it is with life, my dear," Elsie replies quietly, with a renewed respect for the things that her Charles has found so important in his life. "You would do admirably coaching children in it Charles. I should very much like to see you try it."

Charles smiles that heart filled smile of his that turns one corner of his mouth up with the boyish pride and innocence that Elsie so loves to see.

"Thank you, my Love, I like the idea of it…quite a bit…But what of you? Surely you do not wish to be relegated to cutting up orange wedges for the young lads' refreshments at a practice session…even if I am there in my cricket whites?" he asks with a cheeky glint back in his eyes.

"Ha! Well, no… and I rather think you could train the young lads in at least that little piece of self-sufficiency…But,… I guess I might be more involved in the Lady's Auxilliary- I could be useful there- organising fundraising events and the like. I was impressed by what they achieved during the war, but had no time to devote to it because of work."

"That makes sense. No one can organise a seamless event quite like you, Elsie Love…and it suits your drive to always be helping those less fortunate…or in trouble. I would imagine your greatest challenge on that front would be working around the strident ideas of Mrs Crawley!...and wouldn't Mrs Wigan also be underfoot?"

"Oh, Mrs Crawley is a good egg- it is all in the art of management, remember Charles- Mrs Crawley just needs to think everything was of her complete design and elegant execution from the outset!…But I do respect her, and she seems to like me well enough…and I think I can handle the odious Mrs Wigan if she has no particular political 'bit between her teeth'- so to speak. I just have to keep the person who does not like me busy and away from the one who probably does like me! I shall take a leaf out of Her Ladyship's book there, I believe!"

"Well,I will never understand what is not to like about you, Elsie Love. But, it does seem as if you have it all thought out. They will be lucky to have you on board."

"Flatterer," replies a very pleased Elsie.

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They finish the last of their meal and sip silently at their wine for a while, mulling over these new ideas for their future. It is lovely to have this freedom of their own time spread out before them to map and weave a new reality onto.

"Charles," Elsie starts again tentatively, "…I do not know if you will like my other idea, but it is something I should very much like you to consider…and I would like very much to be involved in it with you."

"Hmm…what is that Love?"

"…Would…would you sing in the church choir with me?" She looks very worried that she may have finally pushed him further than he is willing to bend under the face of public scrutiny, and in an area that she knows has long caused him discomfort.

Charles' eyebrows creep perilously high up on his forehead but he remains silent.

"Charles, I have always wanted to do it but haven't had the time…and I don't claim to have much of a voice… but maybe I can hide it well enough within a larger group of people…and… well…as for you, they could really do with a good strong baritone in the choir after all these years… you have to agree it has been a less than ordinary ensemble for far too long."

Charles cannot help but huff out a small derisive laugh. "Well, that much is true!"

"Indeed. Well, Reverend Travis barely even speaks with any interest, let alone has he any musical skills. In fact, they seem to be entirely lacking,… and I am just so tired of groaning through every Sunday service with them!… Please don't be annoyed, Charles,…but…they don't have a proper choir master… and I thought that maybe my song and dance man could… perhaps… teach them a thing or three?"

She looks to Charles nervously, sure that she has pushed the bounds of his ability to change several steps too far this time around.

"Would it really make you happy to have me there, Elsie?" He asks quietly.

"It would Charles. I do love to hear your voice. It is very beautiful…" and she looks down a little shyly and worried her bottom lip with her teeth.

"And I like yours to Elspeth… I have heard you sing too, it is very pretty…Perhaps we should."

Elsie's eyes shoot up to his in shock. She really had expected that he would refuse this idea outright. Her face breaks into a broad sunny smile as she shakes her head in disbelief.

And, how can Charles possibly refuse the chance to see that beautiful smile in church every Sunday? He smiles right back at her.

"You genuinely surprise me, Charles…would you really do this with me?"

"Yes, Elsie…I believe I will."

"Tell me why…Why are you not afraid to be seen as a singing man now?"

"Well, it is a little bit different to being on the halls, Elsie, you have to see that… and even I told you last night that there is not so much to be ashamed of in trying to make people happy… I mean, I know the church choir in its current state is hardly a dignified affair- Dear me! I mean, really! -It is meant to be for singing our praises and thanks to God- and I cannot think St Michaels Church choir has been doing anyone in Downton village any great favours with the Lord over these past years!"

"I had no idea you thought so strongly about it Charles!... But try not to be too cutting" she laughs, "…especially if we do intend to work with these people and are not to tread on the Reverend's toes too much!"

"Oh, he would probably be happy to hand on something he seems to feel little for, Elsie. Maybe he can devote a bit more time to writing more entertaining sermons!...Hmm….Just think… in time we could recommend filling the service with even more music…maybe then we could get him to trim his sermons right down!"

"Oooh! Now you are being a little too wicked, Charles Carson!" But she chuckles heartily along with him.

"But, Elsie… I really do like it when we work towards a common purpose for others,…and…I would miss that terribly when we leave the Abbey. And what of this art of performance I have enjoyed in elegant service? I would miss that too, I am sure. It just wouldn't be quite the same if it was only always about us and the cottage and our garden…don't you think?...I would very much miss working together with you on something, Elsie...Plus,… if it makes you smile every week like I have just seen you smile…then I will do whatever it takes to keep you this happy, my love."

"Och, Charles…you really are a very dear man." She says quietly, her eyes filling with liquid love for him.

"Hmm…" he hums contentedly, "Mrs Patmore did say you could always wrap me around your little finger, Elsie."

"How did you know that, Charles Carson?" she shoots back at him in surprise.

"Oh, come now, Mrs Hughes, you are not the only one that overhears the various machinations going on in the servants' hall, I can assure you!"

Having been so obviously caught out, Elsie remains silent.

"But one thing I do know, my Love, is that I would not have it any other way," and he smiles joyously at her as he reaches out for her hand across the table. "Now then, Mrs Hughes, since it seems that I am going to be a singing man once more, I would ask that you release your charge, Mrs Elspeth Mae Carson for a few moments so that I may continue honing my dancing skills with her to go along with it. What say you?"

"Well now, I believe I can spare her for the moment, Mr Carson, and how could I possibly refuse that offer anyway?" she laughs happily.

And Charles proudly leads her once more to the dance floor as their empty plates are being cleared away.

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Now that the evening is getting late, the dances played by the in-house jazz orchestra have returned to some older favourites. Charles and Elsie are familiar with the Castle Walk from before the war and this jaunty but simple number matches their light-hearted and happy mood from their lovely evening together. This segues easily into a slightly more up-tempo waltz and they continue straight into another wonderful foxtrot.

They have even more space on the dance floor now that some couples have left for the evening, and Charles steps confidently with his large gait to swing them fluidly around the dance space. Elsie is now accustomed to the steps and sequences of the foxtrot and they are in delightful and close accord throughout. The fact that they have flirted, been risqué and that the night is drawing them ever closer to some more private time together in their suite all proves incredibly enticing. Elsie and Charles revel in the closeness of their bodies, that seem to mould and weave so naturally together on the dance floor.

The effects of more wine and the warmth of the evening are making Elsie feel even giddier and sensually intoxicated than before. Once more, she finds that she must focus all of her attentions on Charles' face and eyes to maintain any sort of equilibrium. She wonders how on earth he is even managing to direct their dance so steadily.

For his part, Charles has moved into that space of comfort that comes with the surety of knowing your performance will always live up to the standards of those you wish to serve. As in serving a dinner at the big house, he trusts that Elsie can play her part in it all too, and he trusts that he knows his part well. And so it is that Charles surrenders purely to the wonderful feel of the music seeping through the air and into his skin, and to the delightful feeling of holding his supple and giving wife securely in his arms.

They are thankful when the swirling speed of the foxtrot gives way to a slower tune. It is decidedly foreign and follows a seductive beat. Neither of them has ever danced a tango with anyone before. But once more, through his habit of careful observation, Charles is aware of the subtle and close steps and progressions of the dance, even though he had begged off having to dance this one with Lady Rose in that practice session with the gramophone, for he did not feel it an appropriate dance for him to share with the young ladies at all.

Checking for Elsie's approval to continue in this dance, he sees the trusting and longing nod in her eyes and they proceed into this new space together. It is as close as they have ever danced with one another. Charles holds their leading arms very close to his chest this time and he does not take his lust darkened eyes from hers for a single moment. The steps are not as large as for a foxtrot- they are contained and more intricate, but it keeps them close to one another's stringing muscular need within the tightness of their embrace and the easy flow of their relaxed gait.

It is beautiful to dance with her and Charles is beyond proud in this moment. Content. Relaxed. But equally, thrilled and sparking with young energy for her. Her soft and strong body reads him perfectly, accepts him fully and answers his call to be with him completely. She makes him unafraid to show his better self- bright and loving, flexible and agile, sensual and full-hearted…and ever steady in her loving arms.

Elsie wonders if Charles shares her current dilemma of barely being able to draw a clear breath- but her mind is not really fit to fathom even this when she is so very close to him. Elsie reads his movements once more through the proximity of their hips and she feels her breasts and tightened nipples brushing against his stiffened shirt front through the layers of her silky clothing. The contrast is exquisite and it strings her nerves taut upon the loom of her desire for him. Her thighs rest and brush regularly past and around his own- large and muscular. Lean. They step forward and back together. In between the subtle staccato steps to their new formations together, his movements are fluid and sinuous and it is incredibly erotic to her- like they are dancing their lovemaking fully clothed in front of the world. She knows that she should feel shocked, or worried about such sensations. But the entire world of people are only strangers to them in this room, and in this moment, there really is only Charles and her. That is all she really wants, and it is certainly all she needs. Them. That is all.

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As the end of the music settles them back into the reality of the room around them, they find that they are quite breathless and parched. In unspoken agreement they return quietly to their table, completely unaware that many other couples on the dance floor have followed their progression around the floor all this time, and now their eyes follow them as they leave the room- all recognising something in the couple- something stable but living...something deeply rooted but free- wild even- but freely tamed and shared -an understanding- a deep connection- beyond words or full explanation- but it is surely something they all wish to have and share with another person one day themselves.

When they returned to the table and are seated Charles and Elsie quench their thirst with some chilled water. They smile with pride and longing, and sometimes with a little shyness at each other as they silently acknowledge what they both just felt out on the dance floor for the other- and in front of everyone!

Finally, Charles asks in a husky, gravelled voice, "Do you fancy anything for dessert, Mrs Carson?"

Purposely ignoring the tightened heat that is pooling and swirling low in her belly, Elsie finally draws up her power of speech to reply in a smoky-toned burr.

"What do they have Mr Carson, you will need to translate the menu again for me, but I am content with what I have had already- I can live without it- unless there was something particular you might like to recommend."

Recognising his own deep contentment with Elsie alone in the unintended turn of phrase in her reply, he answers lucidly, but with a somewhat absent-minded tone, "Hmm… I am not sure. Perhaps I have had enough of sweet desserts for myself today, what with the high tea and our icecream in the afternoon. What if we just arrange for a cheese plate to be sent up to our room for later while we have our coffee."

"That sounds fine to me."

But Charles's eyes have darkened once more as he looks up from his perusal of the menu and sees Elsie taking another sip from the remains of her glass of wine.

"Besides which,… I…I am afraid they don't actually serve what I was really hankering for, Els-sie."he draws out her name in a thinly veiled, desire filled hiss.

"And what is that, Mr Carson?" she asks quietly, still concentrating on maintaining some sort of control over her body's reactions to her man.

"Forfaitaire de gelée fondante."

She arches an eyebrow at him, expecting a translation, but none is forthcoming. Charles just releases a very low and whisper quiet humming groan as he looks longingly at his wife's lips, where she has just licked the last drops of her red wine from them.

Absently, almost breathlessly, his eyes not leaving her full and lush lips, he stumbles out "How… about we just skip coffee and … maybe… call down for the cheese later, Mrs Carson?"

Knowing that the meal will be charged automatically to their room account, Charles does not actually wait for a response. Instead he rises quickly and sees to Elsie's chair as he more briskly states, "Come to think of it, Mrs Carson, I am absolutely certain that I can live without ever having dessert in the Ritz Restaurant." He offers her his arm. "Shall we?" and then low and close to her ear, "mon forfaitaire de gelée fondante."

Recognition sparkles bright in Elsie's eyes and red heat prickles across her décolletage.

"Well… It appears that a lass need not even leave London in order to run away with some sort of swarthy Gaul, Mr Carson!" Elsie breathes out lustfully to Charles, as she gleefully allows herself to be escorted, at a rather rapid pace, from the restaurant and up to their suite, having neglected to retrieve their hats and coats from the cloak room.

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Thanks for reading again. Reviews are very much looked forward to, so please do write something if you can spare the time. Thanks :)

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Now, don't read on if it breaks the toy too much for you – Here are all my research and analysis notes again!

Historical/Author Notes:

Dinner menu : Here is an old Escoffier menu for the month of May that I have based the choices Charles and Elsie make for dinner on. This is from Escoffier's 1912 book Les Livres des Menus- and it will have to do for the Ritz kitchens under Arsene Avignon in 1926. Avignon did train under Escoffier, so I would assume some of these classical standards remained on the Ritz menu even through to 1926. Heck – I still had to learn them at trade school in the early 1990s! . .

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*This line is doctored from an early second incarnation episode of Scottish Crime Drama Taggart. Jackie Reid says it at DI Michael Jardine's burial- "Michael always said to me that the art of good management is being able to keep the people who hate you and the people who like you away from one another." – or at least words to that effect. The line has always stayed with me- even if the reality of doing so in a workplace is nigh on impossible! And of course, Charles seeing Her Ladyship (Cora) as the 'perfect hostess' is the influence of VW and Mrs Dalloway shining through once more!. Actually, Cora's character is starting to grow on me a little bit- I think still waters run deep with that one- but she appears too bland and coquettish much of the time, and it kind of just gives me the irrates!

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Jazz Age Dancing:

+The title of this chapter is based on the 'Natural Weave' -the main gliding dance sequence of steps that is readily identifiable as the Foxtrot.

***Spoiler Alert!

Well now! You should definitely stop reading if you do not wish to ruin that initial joy and wonder that can be had by just sitting and watching Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers musicals- because... I am going into full analysis mode after this!- and it might just ruin it for some of you- sorry- I break toys apart to understand and enjoy them over and over again at different levels- because that initial rush of experiencing something for the first time with no prior knowledge can never really fully be recaptured- more is the pity. So, instead, I find I have to bring more to an artwork each time myself to make it special in a different way again. SO- go and watch Fred and Ginger films NOW… and then come back!

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Now, as it is, I do not claim to be an expert on dance- in fact – I generally hate to be asked to dance in any way, shape or form as I feel far too uncoordinated, totally lacking in natural musical rhythm, and completely self-conscious about such things… Maybe one day though- I might try my hand at ballroom- with the right person- or non-performance tapping- purely because it is such a happy form of dance that never fails to make me smile. Anyway, for the time being, I absolutely love watching dancing- I am really in quite a bit of awe of anyone who can dance to some reasonable level and put themselves out in front of others to actually do it. I especially like seeing older 'in tune' partners dance ballroom- but not that weird over stylised competitive ballroom that you see in dance sports now- Blurk! And of course, I will always watch Fred Astaire with or without any given film partner until the cows come home!

In researching about what Charles and Elsie might be dancing at the Ritz Restaurant, I came across a nice little US based blog by one Walter Nelson (Mass Historia)- check it out at dr/adult-culture . Actually, it is a rather large blog about early 20th century dance culture and it is extensively researched and very well put together. Many thanks to Walter Nelson.

As much as the jazz-swing music may have been unavoidable for Chelsie in this 1926 setting- I do not think they would be caught out there doing the Black Bottom or the Charleston! According to an excellent Walter Nelson, those two dances might be seen as for young people only (Think Lady Rose with Jack Ross and pre- her presentation at court), and mature adults danced quite differently anyway. Given the high-class nature of the Ritz Restaurant, I do not think the style of music would have been quite so 'Bright Young Things' on a Sunday night.

This link gives you a good feel for some of the music that they may have danced to, even though it is all post 1927 stuff- it is on the more subtle side of things and I think it may have been more what the Ritz may have had an orchestra playing at the time Chelsie are there. I think the first track would do for their first foxtrot, and the second as the waltz in their first foray onto the dance floor during dinner. watch?v=HeOQjyuPCms

Actually, the YouTube channel pax41 has loads of roaring 20s dance band music- so you could go and find your own favourites and imagine Charles and Elsie sharing a few dances in this new age for them.

I hope I have dealt well enough with the Charles canon re. his dislike of jazz music by assuming Lady Rose called upon him to dance to it- so he is actually more open to it now- at least in my mind!

Walter Nelson's blog also explains how the Foxtrot was pretty much a blank slate dance- where the man would lead a slow-slow-quick-quick walk about the floor and couples could improvise however they liked within it- with small toe kicks and the like. In England- they would have danced a version known as the British or International foxtrot where the side stepping moves and kicks would have been more fluid and less OTT Charleston-like than the US versions- from what I have read. In terms of the difference between a waltz and a foxtrot- the latter could be a little more intimate- by the looks of it- closer bodies, and far more movement of the man's right leg between the woman's as they progress around the floor (not quite as pronounced as a tango though, from what I can see), whereas a waltz requires a stricter framing of the dancers bodies at more of a distance from one another.

I actually imagine Charles cutting loose a little bit in the foxtrot here with Elsie, getting quite a spacious flow happening because I reckon his size alone would see people making a bit of room for them as he cuts a swathe through the crowd! I imagine him maybe embellishing a few steps and almost lifting Elsie lightly and carrying her through or over the top of some of his steps that she may not be expecting, just because he is big and strong enough to so with some fluidity- but for the most part I envision Elsie being able to read his intended movements with ease and getting into the flow with him and them having that effortless grace that you see with older close couples on the dance floor. But really, film and live performance is the artistic medium that best suits dancing- not the written word. I guess I would just love to see Chelsie dancing on film really!- But it seems I will just have to imagine it. I hope these links also help you to fill in the gaps that my wording cannot.

BTW-SIDE NOTE ON ONE OF MY CHARLES MOTIFS-

Look out for Fred Astaire excited finger fluttering when he is about to get what he wants from a girl in a dance- it is so endearingly sweet

e.g: 'The Carioca' from Flying Down to Rio watch?v=pVpFBoj-zeY(from 1:22),

and 'Night and Day' form The Gay Divorcee watch?v=ydxcHACwX4Y (from 2.28)

–Oh!... just go and watch Fred Astaire films – do it!

Anyway, as you know, the finger fluttering has been my 'Charles motif' throughout this fiction because I also noticed Jim Carter using that mannerism right from some early DA episodes - normally when Carson is in attendance and needing to think and control his reactions to something. And, although it may foreshadow Charles's late S6 palsy, please remember that I have chosen to write-off most of JF's S6 canon as a load of out of character old codswallop and boring aristocratic name dropping (not that I am not guilty of the latter in this Fic as well!). Anyway, just keep the sweet thoughts of a happy child inside Charles getting genuinely tingly all over whenever Elsie is near him. Keep it close to your hearts, I say –for it makes for a far happier ending for everyone really!

Back to Dance in the Jazz age for those people who were not actually Fred and Adele Astaire, or Fred and Ginger as seen in the 1930s- i.e- the everyday, non-theatrical and social dancer. For them, dancing was just what you did to make your own entertainment on a night out.

The Walter Nelson Blog includes this compiled video on the Foxtrot in the Jazz Age watch?v=DrLqM8mZhis -at about 1:20mins is the sort of thing Charles and Elsie might be dancing- and I envision it on a not too crowded dance floor- because it is a Sunday evening- and we have to dream that Charles could actually have a bit of space to cut loose a little - dance floors were actually normally packed back in the 1920s!

And this next link talks about how the waltz was evolving to a more intimate form than Charles and Elsie may have ever danced with the Grantham's in a Victorian Viennese style at the regular Servants' Ball dr/deco-waltz

Hence, my reasoning for Elsie saying she has not done a foxtrot before, even though it was a common social dance since just prior to WW1- I just think Chelsie were too reserved and from a different era- and would not have danced in this more intimate, crowded dance floor manner that prevailed in the jazz age until this night of their honeymoon. More foxtrot info here: dr/foxtrot

Charles and Elsie would have been well aware of Vernon and Irene Castle- they were as big as Fred and Adele Astaire were in the 1920s as a dancing couple- but in the pre-WW1 years. The Castle Walk is an up-beat but dignified one step- manageable for our old waltzing boobies. It could well have been played at a Servants Ball at some point before the war. It fell out of favour by the 1920s, but I will pretend the Ritz orchestra is having a bit of a throw-back nostalgia moment and they play it anyway. dr/ragtime-1step (Fred and Ginger's last film of the 1930s was a tribute to the Castles- this real life famous dancing couple- so it was a bit of a different vehicle for them – and with a sombre ending too).

Charles and Elsie could probably have strung the tango together fairly easily as well- well, I am actually assuming Charles, more than Elsie- what with his dance forays with the young ladies of the house. Although, I think he may have just observed the girls practising it, and blustered about it being inappropriate for him to dance it with them! It is a rather intimate dance after all. If you look at the jazz age film in this link, you will see that, as a social dance, it was far more subtle and involved less demonstrative moves than we are probably accustomed to thinking of with the various forms of modern tango. But, it was still a close, sensual and intimate dance in the 1920s- and I have kept it as a slow one for the end of the night. As an example watch from about 1:46- 2:10mins in the tango in the jazz age video from this blog page dr/tango

And other posts about dance in the jazz age are here: dr/taxonomy/term/104

dr/ballroom-hints

I love this next post that looks at how Charles might like to sneak a closer hold with Elsie by lowering their joined hands and drawing her towards him. h dr/dance-holds

Astaire used to sneak that one in a lot with Ginger Rogers dances- positioning his open hand quite a bit back and away from her, and drawing her in to meet it, rather than him going to her so much- it suggests and element of free choice on her part that may not really have been there! I guess it does give the choice to refuse to join hands… kind of…sort of…!, but where would that leave you both on the dance floor if you refused I wonder?!

Watch Fred do it in this dance-'Change Partners', from the 1938 movie Carefree, watch?v=kK-hT8ZDCWg , where he is actually trying to get Ginger's character alone in order to un-hypnotise her (yeah I know- Romantic comedy plot lines!)- she is in a trance for this dance which gives it a very strange feel (a touch of dancing with the dead almost?)- but it is just so beautifully done. Look at 1:27 mins to see how he draws her hand and body closer to him before finally closing the hold- sneaky bugger! – But who can blame her, even if I weren't hypnotised, I would give into it too!

Sorry, I cannot help myself- I love Astaire's work sooo much. Look for when FA also sneaks in this other slick move (seen in some of the dances I have listed here- at least I think so- from memory!), where he releases Ginger out wide from him, moves around her, comes in under her arm and wraps himself back into her embrace again- so he is coming to her, rather than her slavishly following him always.

Another thing to look for is how he so obviously and persistently chases, but Ginger is ultimately making a free choice to finally engage with him in a dance of equality- she always smiles first or accepts him with her eyes and takes his charms to be endearing, rather than tiresome or unwanted to her. And, as in the Night and Day piece, she even pushes him away a second time, it is stylised, but quite forceful, and it makes him have to prove his worth to her once again, but in this, he must also accept her fiery nature. Ginger generally plays a feisty working-class girl who can easily look after herself anyway- so she does not need a man- but instead wants to share her life with a man. The two will also often spar and goad each other with tapping routines, and they do a lot of side by side adn equal mirroring of each other/ symmetrical work together. FA often shadows her body positions from behind her too. FA will also willingly take on the feminine role and Ginger will dance him around at times- as when he strikes an attitude position and she spins him. Totally disrupting the gender norms for a couples dance- and so very clever for its day.

Another side note really, but some of FA and GR's fun loving and comedic dances are the best!- One all-time favourite of mine is Hard to Handle from the film 'Roberta' (1935)- watch?v=BwMA9H69qVc . I mean- They have a lovers tiff only with taps! Brilliant! Fred and Ginger really cut loose here and you can hear them laughing and enjoying themselves purely as dancers, not actors in a role. I love that Ginger is wearing pants in some of their numbers too- she completely holds her own with FA- just like Elsie with Charles- Fiery and free spirited and independent (Unless JF should get to her first!) :P

Now, no one really expects Chelsie to be breaking out in Taps mid-waltz- but I love the equality of their relationship that plays out in complex, and sometimes not very obvious ways with JC and PL's characterisations of Charles and Elsie, so that is what has made me see the links with FA's body of work in films. It is the give and take equality of the relationship that plays out in different ways across the FA dances he choreographed (especially with GR), that made his partnering stand out so much- at least that is what I reckon. And I just Love IT!

So, - Go and Enjoy! - for life is far, far too short to miss out on this amazing artwork IMHO.

Regards,

BorneToFlow.

Oh- and one final note (read-major RANT!) regarding CRICKET!-

WELL!- It sure ain't the gentleman's sport that Charles revered in 1926, ANYMORE-and I think it probably all started with the Bodyline Ashes series in the 1932-33. wiki/Bodyline In this series, the English team started bowling directly at the batsmen's bodies, to prevent them getting into good scoring shot positions. It was used to combat Australian Donald Bradman's extraordinary batting prowess, but it sometimes also led to player injuries that sent them off the field. This is where the term "It's just not cricket" developed- to denote behaviour that is- 'technically' within the written rules of a game (Or, at least it was not mentioned outright, and so was, therefore, difficult to ban at the time), but it is certainly outside the bounds of informally agreed upon gentlemanly behaviour for playing a fair game and giving your opponent a fair chance to actually defend their wicket (territory). The Bodyline bowling approach all led to much ill-will between the two teams.

Cricket for much of its history has tried to breed an approach to play whereby good and fair play and being magnanimous in defeat (e.g: walking from the pitch when you know you are out, even if the umpire may have missed the fact, and also accepting the umpire's decision as final and without complaint, even if you think they may have been it wrong), and not being boastful in success, but being appreciative of the good plays and successes of the other team and all players – these things were mutually applauded on both sides – know thine enemy- but respect them also- for they have gone to the effort of being there on the field with you. And it really was a sport developed by the nobility in England- and so it is in these aspects of the sport that I see Charles's strong attachment to the game.

However, the worst of the sport really reared its ugly head in the utterly big-headed and woeful behaviour of sides like the Australian cricket team/s post the Alan Border years (1980s). Captain Mark Taylor then tried to kerb some of the excesses of poor behaviour in the 1990s and brought a little humility back to the sport through his own dogged, good performances, and also through his approach to his personal on-field struggles with poor batting form at times. But Australia truly failed on the world stage, IMHO as they proceeded to win absolutely every trophy possible in professional cricket under the brutal 'win at all costs' leadership (I use the term 'leadership' most reticently here) of Steve Waugh (I do expect the odd death threat from the true believers now!) However, as the captain, Waugh (1999-2004) (and the rampant commercialism of the sport by this point in time, anyway) put paid to any sort of reasonable on and off-field etiquette being displayed from any of the world's top class cricketing nations (war-like in name and in nature perhaps?) Anyway, I think it has been steadily downhill ever since in terms of respect and sportsmanship across the board. Although, there are always some individual players who maintain the spirit of the game in their behaviour and approach- but they are truly up against it if they actually act upon these sensibilities too often- such as walking from the pitch unbidden by the umpire if they know that they are out- video umpiring has taken away much of that guess work though. So, as much as I accept that sporting rules and habits and culture must change with the times, I do think- like Charles, that if you lose the actual spirit of the thing in the chase for the new or the monetary gain only- then it is a diminished thing and makes us lesser people for it- so perhaps we should just call it something entirely different?. And, as such – I refuse to watch the sport of cricket anymore- particularly the ridiculous 'Pyjama Clad Backyard Cricket Slog-fest and Full-time Sledging Match' that is Twenty-20 cricket today. Shameful, shameful stuff. IMHO.

Thankfully most of my readers appear to be from the USA- so I am less likely to offend anyone who actually cares about said sport enough to type something to revile me! :P …It really is not personal- just my observations of the bits of cricket I know about- which I freely admit is by no means exhaustive nor of any immense depth. Still, other people's ongoing enjoyment of the sport will survive quite well enough without me- of that I am sure!

OK- My one-time 'cricketing rant' is now officially over!

Regards,

BorneToFlow :)

P.S: I do love getting some reviews :) Thanks.