You might want to get some crackers to go with this cheese. But I would love to see her all dolled up...

Tremble

"I still think the money could have been spent far more wisely."

Charles rolled his eyes, his reaction blocked from Elsie's view by the cupboard door that stood ajar. "You need new frocks, Elsie. There are dinners and luncheons that we are required to attend- like the Hospital Board tonight. You can't spend your life in the same two black dresses you've worn since before the war."

"No one looks at me in those dresses, Charles. What are they going to think now with this new hair and a new frock? "That Mrs. Carson has gone mad"- that's what they are going to think."

"I don't know. I haven't seen your hair or your dress. Now come out!"

"And the girl used a brush with black kohl on my eye lashes, Charles! And rouge. I don't know what I was thinking letting her carry on so…"

"I am sure it is fine. We are going to be late."

Elsie groaned, "But it doesn't feel right."

Charles leaned forward from where he stood at the end of their bed in an effort to catch a glimpse of his wife, "Would you please come out from behind there. What doesn't feel right?"

"Not yet. It doesn't feel right without a corset. Not for evening. And my arms. I have never shown this much of…me before."

Charles sighed heavily, "Women don't wear corsets anymore. Not Mrs. Crawley, not even the Dowager. And you have lovely arms. Now come out or I'm coming over there."

"Oh, very well, but you promise you will tell me the truth. I still have time to put on one of my other dresses…" Elsie emerged from behind the cupboard, her bottom lip tightly drawn between her teeth.

"Oh, Elsie…"

Elsie shook her head, looking down at the floor. "I knew it. I look ridiculous."

Charles had to sit on the edge of the bed, overwhelmed by the sight of his wife. The gown was a silver satin sheath topped with an ornate black lace overlay that hung beautifully to Elsie's full bosom. The toned arms that no one besides Charles and herself had ever seen were draped in sheer teal chiffon, a matching sash enhancing her hourglass figure. He had never seen her hair look more beautiful with a mass of elegant curls and loops sculpted at the base of the back of her head, Elsie's natural curls arranged in a way that they softly framed her face and drew focus to her brilliant blue eyes that were accented by the fine black mascara and liner.

"I knew it! I told you it was a waste of money." She turned back to hide behind the cupboard door, but Charles caught her hand, "Elsie Carson, you will, by no short measure, be the most beautiful woman at the dinner tonight. Please believe me."

She turned back and gave him a doubtful look, but allowed him to pull her to him.

"You have to see. Wait here." Charles gave her a warm smile before making a quick trip to the bathroom from where he returned carrying the full length mirror that hung on the back of the door. "Close your eyes."

Confirming her eyes were tightly shut, Charles closed the bathroom door and pulled Elsie's vanity stool in front of it, carefully balancing the mirror on top to provide her with the best vantage point. "Keep them closed." He took her hand and gently led her to a spot in front of the mirror. "All right. Open them."

Elsie took a deep breath, slowly opening her eyes, doubt still filling her face. She blinked several times. "It's…that's…that's not me."

Charles stepped up behind her and took her hand, "Do you feel my hand?"

"Yes," she whispered.

"Then it is you because I am holding the hand of that beautiful woman in the mirror." He pulled her back against him, "Elsie, you are starting to tremble."

"It's just…"

He leaned down giving her a gentle kiss on her neck before murmuring in her ear, "Overwhelming?"

"Yes," Elsie smiled.

"I know. Now you know how I feel when I look at you all the time."

Hope this link works...is the dress. Am posting the photo with story on tumblr- under user name jennyjenjen76

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