Undone
Moonbeams spill through the open curtains and bathe the room in a warm glow. Combined with the small flames dancing in the fireplace, the room is warm both in temperature and color. It's almost too warm, she thinks, though she knows that her mind will be changed on that subject as the night slips away towards morning.
Her husband's head is pillowed against her naked breast, and he is sleeping soundly. It's a rich slumber he has most assuredly earned this evening, and each little puff of air blowing across her chest causes her to shiver ever so slightly. She cards her fingers through his hair, her nails lightly scratching his scalp and soothing him deeper and deeper into his dreams. She cannot help but smile as he murmurs her name. His rich voice causes her body to react, though if truths were told, she's not sure it ever ceased answering the call of his rich timbre.
The sheets are pooled around her waist, and she is exposed, but she doesn't care. She is comfortable in her marriage bed, sated by her husband's attentions, and content in all aspects of her life. His arm is draped heavily across her stomach as he hugs her close like some childhood security blanket. In some ways, perhaps, she is his security and he is hers. That thought warms her heart and causes her to hug him that much tighter. She presses a kiss to the top of his head as her free hand runs up and down his arm.
Her body is still humming, and her mind refuses to settle down enough for her to sleep. She doesn't really mind since she is no longer bound by bells and the demands of others. If she chooses to sleep a little later in the morning, her Charlie won't mind. In fact, with little persuasion on her part, she is certain he can be convinced to join her. She smiles as she imagines them rising late into the morning like a lord and lady of a grand manor house. For a moment, she wonders if anyone living at Downton Abbey has ever been able to throw caution to the wind, discard the sheets and duvets, and let the cool night air caress their skin as she and her husband are doing now. Years of working in the grand house, first as head housemaid and then as the housekeeper, she cannot ever recall a time when she interrupted such an intimate scene. She shakes her head slightly as she thinks that they're the ones missing out on the happier, more carefree moments in life.
Once again, her husband hugs her in his sleep. His lips press against her breast in a tender kiss. For a moment, she wonders if he's waking, perhaps needing to turn onto his other side or his back. He moves his head, and his soft hairs tickle her already sensitive skin. She has to bite her lip to stifle a moan as his legs shift against hers, and his hand slips a little lower on her hip. It is then that she is reminded of his warm breath against the shell of her ear only hours before.
"I want you to come undone for me." The words have fallen from his lips as his hands and body worship hers. Sometimes, her Charlie would talk to her during their lovemaking, his voice doing things to her that she never dreamt possible. Other times, she would find herself slipping into Gaelic and crying out words and phrases born in a moment of passion and love. Tonight, though, as he has whispered the words against her ear in that rich tone of voice and his overwhelming presence surrounding her, she found she could do nothing but obey. Shattering beneath him, her eyes closed tightly and her breaths short and ragged, she toppled over the edge and took him with her.
It is only now, as she cradles his body to her and she replays the evening, that she thinks of all of the other types of "undone" they've encountered together.
Of course, there are the times during their lovemaking. She still cannot believe she was so worried about that side of things in their marriage. From the first moment they stepped across the threshold of their bedroom, Charlie had loved and cherished her, proven time and time again that he loved her and wanted nothing more than to spend the rest of his days pleasing and pleasuring her. And she, his loving wife, had responded with vows of her own, time and time again watching as her man reached the pinnacle of pleasure by her own actions.
Every night for as long as she could remember, Elsie had braided her hair for sleeping. It was so much easier to manage, fewer tangles and gentler brushing. Now, though, some nights she could be persuaded to forgo the braid. She had discovered Charlie's fascination with her long hair on their honeymoon. He had politely asked her, with more than a little hesitation, if he could help her remove the pins and twists from her hair. With care and love, he gently unwound her hair until it was flowing freely down her back, completely undone by his large hands. He carded his hands through her locks, skillfully massaged her scalp until she was practically purring his name.
But, it's not always about her. She can easily count the number of times she saw Charles Carson with his shirt unbuttoned or undone when he was butler. Now, she is ever so pleased that most days he putters around their home in his shirt sleeves and with the top two buttons of his shirt unfastened. It had taken her weeks to convince him that he would be much more comfortable without a tie and a stiff collar. However, once he had finally agreed to try it for a day, he had been swayed to her way of thinking. Now, those buttons are almost always undone, and she takes every opportunity to kiss that little patch of exposed skin whenever he's near.
Then there are the chores. Washing the dishes, cooking, winding the mantle clock … those are all things which must be done on a daily basis. However, as they've learned to enjoy their married life more and worry less, Charles and Elsie have also learned that some tasks can be left undone. The floor does not need to be swept every day when there are naps to be taken on the couch. Dusting can be postponed, especially if Elsie is in the mood to bake and would love it if her husband would help. And, heaven forbid they completely let standards slip, but some days, there is simply a need to leave the bed unmade. Those are usually the rainy days when all the chores are left undone in lieu of more pleasurable and satisfying activities.
Despite her lovely thoughts, Elsie is finally growing tired. Her body has calmed, and Charles is still curled around her, his warmth invading her bones and soothing her. She wonders what he would think if he could read her thoughts, hear her late night ramblings about their life together. Her eyes are growing heavy and soon she will be fast asleep. She reaches down as far as her arm will allow and pulls the sheet around them a little closer. The air in the room has already cooled, but she knows her Charlie will take good care of her, keep her warm and safe. She brushes the errant curl from his forehead and smooths her fingertips along his temple and down the side of his face. He smiles in his sleep, and she returns that smile with love and adoration.
But, for every one of their undone moments, there is one that she refuses to allow. She made a promise to herself on the eve of her wedding and so far, she has not broken that vow. She doubts he has ever given it any thought, but she knows in her heart that it is important. Never let it be said that Elsie Hughes, now Carson, allowed the sun to go down without telling her husband that she loved him.
"I love you, Charlie, so very much." She softly gives voice to her words before her lips press a kiss to the top of his head. She is startled when he replies. She was so sure he was asleep all this time.
"I love you, too, Elsie, and it costs me nothing to say it." He stretches and shifts, giving her body a reprieve from the weight of him. His arms open fully to allow her to snuggle into his embrace, and he wraps her up in warmth and love.
Tomorrow will be another undone day. The forecast is predicting rain, there are no pressing matters in the village, the floors were swept just this morning, and the dusting can wait. Maybe, if she's lucky, Elsie will see just how much it takes for Charlie Carson to become completely undone. Until then … sleep beckons and they both answer the call.
A/N: And this, my friends, is where we leave our happy couple until Christmas. I do hope you've enjoyed the prompts for the Unofficial Downton Abbey Series 8 challenge. I cannot adequately tell you how much your support and reviews mean to me. You are what keeps me inspired to continue writing for Charles and Elsie. Until Christmas … xx