Thank you for the reviews, sorry I haven't replied yet, but I will! And here's an update I did not expect to happen this soon. Hope you enjoy it.
Two days flew by as Charles put their plans into motion. Between lining up a cottage to view, and completing the duties he hadn't handed off to Thomas, he was ensuring that Elsie felt cherished and was on the mend. Her ankle was feeling much better, though her swollen cheek looked worse than before. He could only take comfort in knowing its harsh colour meant it was on the mend as well.
On the third day Charles greeted Elsie in her sitting room with tea tray and some biscuits that he quickly set on her desk. She was sitting in her chair as he knelt next to her and grasped her hands in his.
"Do you need anything darling?" He asked as he stroked her fingers between his.
Her response was coloured with the teasing tone he so loved, "Goodness no, you should stop this special treatment Charles, I might soon get used to it."
"Never. You shall be treated as special for the rest of your life, because you are incredibly special my dear, and it is my job to convince you of this. I'll make sure of it." He placed a kiss to her lips as he spoke. "But if you're sure you don't have use of me right now, I do need to pop into the village."
He saw a gleam in her eye as his words reached her ears; felt a hand caressing the base of his neck, fingers sliding into his hair, a thumb tracing his jaw. Felt the softness of her lips brush his cheek before she nuzzled his neck.
Elsie breathed in his scent, reveling in the masculine essence that was Charles. She placed open-mouthed kisses along the underside of his jaw, brushing his collar out of the way as she moved down his neck. She felt the groan rise up through him and she raised her face to his, their eyes locked as she stopped just before her lips reached his.
"Charles, I will always have use for you. Always."
He closed his eyes as he waited in anticipation. Suddenly, he felt a loss of warmth as she pulled back. His eyes opened in shock as she spoke, "But, if you need to be elsewhere, I wouldn't dream of interfering."
The expression on her gruff butler's face resembled that of a downtrodden puppy and she couldn't help the giggle that escaped her.
He'd very quickly decided that this was his favourite sound.
"You my dear, are a Scottish temptress. No doubt a witch from the Highlands sent to torture this poor, helpless soul."
A snort of laughter escaped her at his description, big burly man that he was, as poor and helpless.
"Well my poor, helpless man, perhaps I could be persuaded to end your torture. What is prompting this trip into the village?"
"Errands." He stated simply.
Met with an unsatisfying reply, she leaned in once more as her fingers resumed their caress of his neck.
"Mhmmm, and what would these errands entail?"
There was a pause before his reply - he was lost in her ministrations. With eyes now closed, he savoured the sensations.
"I can assure you, you would approve."
Her fingers migrated to his hair and she began massaging his scalp.
"How can I be certain of this, if you won't reveal what they are?"
"Trust me love. It's just the village; I'll be back before you know it."
She let out a huff, leaning back once more. A little disappointed that he would not reveal his plans.
"Alright then off with you. The sooner you leave the sooner you'll return."
He patted her hand and stood. "Goodbye darling."
As he turned he felt a hand grasp his sleeve and pull. He almost toppled over from the surprising strength behind the gesture, and found himself face to face with his beloved once more.
Her smile glowed as she spoke. "Did you really think I would pass up an opportunity to kiss you?" She pressed her lips to his for a long, lingering kiss. "Silly man."
Charles had a bounce in his step as he walked towards the village. He truly had never been happier in his life. He could never dismiss what had happened to Elsie, never truly be rid of the anger over the events, but he could be grateful that they prompted him to act quickly. Their relationship was the silver lining to an otherwise treacherous circumstance.
As he boarded the bus to Ripon, a pang of guilt tore through him for the lie he told to Elsie. He shook it off as the countryside passed him by. It was done out of love for her, from a want to surprise her in the best possible way. With any luck, he would be back at Downton with a marriage license before she'd even noticed how long he'd been gone.
I don't know how long it would actually take to petition for a license, but I'm claiming artistic authority on this one - just let it happen:)
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