Look

"Are you sure we won't get too cold? Remember there was frost on the ground this morning."

Her back to him, Elsie rolled her eyes as she pulled a second quilt from the large cedar chest in the hall. "People have been sleeping out of doors since time began, Charles. We will be in the back of the wagon and not on the ground. Look outside. The sun is shining, the birds are singing and flowers are blooming. I even checked with Mrs. Patmore and she has no aches and pains so we will have a fine, clear night." She let the cedar chest lid drop with a bang to signal she was finished discussing it.

"What do you want to do for your birthday? Anything you want. Never in a million years did I think you would want to travel halfway across Yorkshire…" Charles was mumbling under his breath as he followed her downstairs, his arms laden with Wellington boots and a bag of extra clothes.

"I'm sorry, what's that you're saying? You are thrilled to fulfill your wife's birthday wish and spend the night with her under the stars in the most beautiful countryside on God's green earth?"

"Mmmmm…" Charles shook his head, his lips pursed in annoyance as Elsie led him into the kitchen.

Picnic hamper, bedding, lanterns, warm clothes and Wellies secured, as well as food and water for the horse, Charles boosted Elsie up into their rented wagon's seat before climbing next to her and taking the reins. He clicked his tongue confidently and with a tug of the leather strap they were on their way.

Their ride took nearly two hours as Elsie had her heart set on setting camp on a hillside overlooking the ruins of Jervaulx Abbey just north of Ripon. It had been a pleasant ride, beautiful scenery and easy, companionable conversation filling the time. Charles' mood seemed to lighten the further they traveled from Downton.

Their destination reached, Elsie jumped down from the wagon before Charles could assist her, calling back as she made long strides towards the edge of the hill, "Look at that. Doesn't it take your breath away?"

While Elsie gazed at the jagged outline of the ruins, Charles could look at nothing but his wife. The blend of gold, orange and pink light that filled dusk's horizon outlined her soft feminine form as a light breeze caught the curling tendrils of hair that had fallen loose during their trip; he found her to be child and woman at once, a glorious creation surrounded by creation itself. He was so overwhelmed he could only manage a whispered, "Yes, you do take my breath away."

Elsie turned back to him, a warm smile on her face as she extended her hand, "Do you understand why I wanted to come?"

Charles nodded his head as he made his way to her, taking her proffered left hand in his while wrapping his other arm around her waist. "Happy Birthday, love," he whispered into her ear before lightly kissing her neck.

They basked in the eventide a few minutes before agreeing they should light their lanterns and set up their makeshift camp in the wagon. Their quilts laid out over a thick bed of loose straw, Elsie assembled their light dinner as Charles tended the horse and secured the rest of their belongings. A meal of sandwiches, tea and fruit shared, Charles surprised Elsie by producing a small cake with a lit candle. "How did you hide that from me?"

"I am a very resourceful man, Mrs. Carson. Now make a wish before the wind makes it for you."

Candle blown and cake eaten, they climbed into the back of the wagon and settled in for the night, warmed by layers of heavy quilts and the other's body. Elsie gasped as she looked up. It seemed to have happened within the blink of an eye, but the sky was illuminated by the light of countless stars.

"Have you ever seen anything more glorious, Charles?"

He turned his head to look at her awe filled face, her beautiful blue eyes reflecting the sparkling cosmos above them. He wanted to tell her he had seen something more glorious, in fact he saw it every time he looked across their breakfast table, glanced over to his left while in their church pew; he looked upon glory in the reflection of the vanity mirror at the end of each evening and on the pillow next to him as he woke each morning.

"Charles, you aren't looking. Look up! Isn't it wonderful?"

Unable to look away from her profile, he smiled and answered, "Yes, it is."