The day after Elsie's encounter with Richard, she had put the incident behind her; she had another man on her mind. She still wasn't certain about the answer she would give to Joe when she next saw him and wasn't certain why she was hesitating. She did love him, that much was true, but there was something holding her back from him and she couldn't put her finger on it. She guessed that it may have been because she was struggling with the idea of giving up her independence to become a farmer's wife, a life that she thought she'd left behind a long time ago.

She had agreed to meet with him the day after the shooting party's departure, once the house was quiet again and their workload had been lightened considerably. At least that gave her another five days to think about her answer. But for now, she needed to concentrate on her work and, in this instance, returning her Ladyship's freshly pressed dress to Lady Grantham's bedroom.

As she was walking out of the green door and into the gallery, she saw Richard Crawley coming out of his bedroom with Marion, one of the younger maids. She sighed and shook her head slightly, but she continued to walk in the opposite direction and into her Ladyship's bedroom. She made a mental note to look through Cora's coats, as she remembered that Cora had mentioned to her that there was a hole in the pocket of one of them, but she couldn't remember which one and as far as she was concerned, her mind was firmly on her work; which was something Richard Crawley had other ideas about.

'You can feel free to rifle through my pockets like that any time you like!' He said as he hovered in the doorway to the bedroom and had made Elsie jump nearly out of her skin.

She wasn't entirely sure how to respond to such comments as to say what she really wanted was likely to get her the sack, but she certainly wasn't willing to let him get the better of her.

'Mr Crawley if there is nothing appropriate that I can help you with then I will request that you allow me to continue with my work, as I have a lot to be getting on with.' She said firmly.

'Really? You don't fancy a lie down for a bit?' He said with a low voice as he took a step forward, which made her feel rather nervous, but all conversation was at an end when Cora arrived and Elsie was delighted to see her.

'Richard what are you doing here?' Cora asked with surprise and a little suspicion.

'Oh I was just speaking to your maid about today's shoot. Am I right in saying that you won't be joining us?' He asked as Cora led him away from the gallery and Elsie gave a sigh of relief. That man was repulsive and he really set her teeth on edge, but she was greatful to now be free of him, but this constant innuendo and inappropriate comments continued, until it turned into a little more than just comments on the second last day of the party.

Once again Elsie was taking items to and from her Ladyship's room and just as she was about to disappear through the door to the servants' hall, Richard blocked her path.

'Excuse me please Mr Crawley, I need to be getting my work done and I am afraid I don't have time…' She began to say, but he cut her objections off as he pinned her roughly against the door and placed one hand on her backside and trailed his other hand down her neck and over her chest.

'Wouldn't you much rather have a good time with me instead? All work and no play make Jill a very dull girl and Jack needs to have his fun.' He growled into her ear, but the sound soon became something else as he quickly retreated from her, clutching his groin and almost doubling in pain. 'You'll pay for that you bitch!' He spat angrily, but she didn't shy away from him, she stood her ground.

'Not as much as you will if you touch me again; I mean it, come near me again and I will tell his Lordship!' She said angrily before disappearing through the door, where she retreated up into the attics.

Although she didn't want to admit it, her experience had frightened her. She could feel the strength and power that he had and even though she was feisty and was good with her knee, she certainly wasn't a match for him and she knew that, but so did he. She was just very grateful that she only had one more day to put up with it.