She met him in the corridor. Master George had bellowed and both his keepers jumped to attention.
Mr. Carson was quick to take responsibility. "Go back to bed. I will take care…"
"Don't be silly, Mr. Carson. You go back to bed. I will take care of the bairn."
"Mrs. Hughes…"
She opened the door to find the toddler standing against the bars of his cot, tears running down his cheek. Luckily, Miss Sybie slept like the dead and hadn't stirred since the baby had begun to cry. Mrs. Hughes noticed the stuffed bear on the ground, a foot from the cot.
"Did you lose Mr. Sam?" Mrs. Hughes scooped up the bear and put it in the outstretched hands of the crying child. "There you go. Do you have a soggy bottom?" Mrs. Hughes reached behind him and tested the weight of the baby's bum. "No. You seem to be quite dry." George reached out to her. She gave him a tender smile and took him in her arms. "You need a cuddle, I think. And so do I." She used the sleeve of her dressing gown to gently rub the tears from his cheeks. "Oh, bless your baby heart. Did Mr. Sam jump out of bed? What a silly bear!"
George smiled and squeezed the bear. "Silly…"
Mr. Carson was touched by how tenderly she soothed the child. He had rarely seen Mrs. Hughes interact with such small children. He was witnessing a side of her he had never seen before. Out of her dark dress and corset, she seemed so delicate and soft. He was suddenly aware of the swell of her breast and the loose, curling tendrils that framed her face. He stood transfixed. Overwhelmed by feelings of joy, regret, and a shocking lust, Mr. Carson had to remind himself to breathe.
He had known this woman for many years. He had always cared for her. He respected her, and felt protective of her, but this was a different feeling altogether. He wanted to hold her as she held the baby. He wanted to stroke her cheek and kiss her brow. This incredible tenderness was followed by a sudden knowledge that he would do anything in his power to protect her from anyone who tried to hurt her. So taken aback by what he was feeling, he had to lean against the door jam.
This slight change of position allowed a little more light from the corridor into the room. He could now see her features more clearly. She had tilted her head back and her eyes were closed as she continued to hum. Her countenance was serene which lent such softness to her features. She was so beautiful he thought he would weep. It was as if he was seeing her for the very first time. The words were out of his mouth before he even realized he had spoken, "You're wonderful."
She straightened her head and opened her eyes. "Mr. Carson?"
For once he didn't let propriety stand in his way. "Quite wonderful."
She looked at him with a puzzled smile, lowered her head against the baby's, closed her eyes and whispered, "Thank you."
For the next few minutes Mr. Carson basked in the gentle rhapsody that was Mrs. Hughes'humming, the creak of the rocking chair and the gentle, slow breathing of the sleeping children.
Mrs. Hughes brought him back to the world when she stopped humming and whispered, "Would you help me get him back in the cot, Mr. Carson?"
"Of course." Mr. Carson leaned down to take the sleeping child from her arms. Their faces were inches apart. He inhaled the lavender scent she favored. She smiled and offered him the child. He returned the smile, and gently lifted the sleeping baby from her arms and placed him in the cot.
Mrs. Hughes tucked Mr. Sam next to George and pulled the soft blanket over both their shoulders. "Goodnight, sweet boy." With a gentle brush of her fingers across his head, Mrs. Hughes stepped away from the cot and followed Mr. Carson in to the corridor.
"Are you all right?" Mrs. Hughes laid a gentle hand on his arm.
He turned to her and found himself fighting the urge to reach down and run his fingers along the curve of her cheek. "Yes. I am quite all right." He smiled at her and took a deep breath, nodding his head. He took her hand and gave it a gentle squeeze. "Goodnight, Mrs. Hughes."
She returned the squeeze, but before she could speak, he turned and made his way back to his temporary refuge.
"Good night, Mr. Carson." Her face was puzzled as she watched him disappear into the guest room. She let out a sigh and returned to Nanny's room.
Mr. Carson stood just inside the guest room taking stock of what he had just experienced. "What happens now, old man? " he whispered as he crawled into the large bed. He closed his eyes but knew he would struggle to find sleep.