With a shy smile Charlie reached out and ran his index finger down the side of Elsie hand. It felt silly to be so unsure and shy over such an innocent touch, he'd kissed her touched her wrist her arm. But this was different, she knew who he was now and was still here by his side. Being his friend. He wanted more he wanted to court her, he just didn't know how to make that transition. He didn't know if she wanted more, there were moments when he was sure completely sure she felt the same. The way she smiled at him or held his gaze but sometimes he was convinced it was all in his imagination. Why would someone like Elsie want to be with him, she was so beautiful and so lovely she could be with anyone.
"Charlie," her soft voice pulled him from his thoughts. "Are you ok?"
"Yes," he watched as her little finger curled under his thumb. 'Will you go to the dance with me?"
"Of course I'll go with you." He looked up quickly his smile matching hers. "I thought you'd never ask."
####
"Wol ... will y... would ..." he cleared his throat. He was stuttering again and he hated it. His father used to say it was a sign of not knowing what you wanted to say and if you didn't know what you wanted to say you should say nothing. But he knew what he wanted to say he just didn't know how.
"Shall we dance?" He gave her a grateful smile, she'd saved him again. Since his first day Elsie had been saving him, every time he started to struggle with what he wanted to say she would jump in and help guide him. But never in a condescending way, always gently. Lovingly. His smile grew at that thought and he stood offering his hand.
"Thank you."
"Whatever for?" She tensed slightly when his hand came to rest on her waist.
"Saving me, stopping me from making a complete fool of myself." He ran his thumb over hers marveling in the way their hands fit together. "Is this ok?"
"Yes," her fingers brushed through his hair as she rested her hand on his shoulder. "And I don't think you could ever make a fool of yourself Charlie but I'm glad I can help."
"You'd be surprised." He tightened his grip on her waist as they danced in silence both lost in their thoughts of each other.
####
As they walked back to the house Charlie reached out taking Elsie's hand in his own, his insecurities were once again invading his thoughts. It wasn't fair he knew it wasn't to compare the woman next to him to Alice but he couldn't help. Alice was his only experience of romance, he knew about Elsie's past with Joe but he didn't know if they'd been anyone else and he didn't know how to ask or even if he had the right to. He also knew there was something she wasn't telling him, something big that she was worried about.
Feeling her slow down Charlie looked up realising they where getting closer to the house, they'd have to let go of each other soon. Stopping he turned and pulled her closer.
"Charlie?" She frowned in confusion, they needed to get back the other servants would already be in the house curfew was only minutes away.
"Does this ... I mean, are we ..." he closed his eyes and took a deep breath. "Does this mean you are my girl Elsie Hughes?"
Her smile took his breath away, "I thought I was already your girl." She laughed at the shocked look on his face and stood up on her tiptoes using his hand as balance and pressed a gentle kiss against his lips.
"Thank you," he whispered before dipping his head and claiming her lips in a longer kiss.
Stepping back breathless Elsie tugged his hand, "come on we must get back." He nodded and squeezed her hand before letting go and heading back toward the house. He felt that they should talk about what this meant but he also knew he wasn't good with words and he didn't want to say the wrong thing.
####
Pulling the cover up over her shoulder Elsie buried her face in her pillow, she wanted to be happy. She was happy but her secret could destroy them. She would have to tell him now, she knew the type of man Charlie Carson was and where this would lead. She had to tell him about Becky before it got that far but she wanted to enjoy the moment, have fun, be happy. Sighing she rolled onto her back, it was so unfair everything was so unfair. Bringing her fingers to her lips she smiled at the memory of his kiss, she would tell him just not yet. It was probably the wrong thing to do and he might even hate her for keeping this from him but she'd lose him anyway once he knew the truth and didn't she deserve a little happiness.
Thank you again for the reviews - I know somethings seem a little repetitive but peoples thoughts are often like this they will start to move forward in the next few chapters.