Elsie was pleasantly exhausted her first few weeks at Downton, but it didn't take her long to feel confident that she'd make the right decision. One chilly morning, as she lingered in bed contemplating the day before her, she was startled by a sharp knock at her door.
"Sorry- just a moment!" she cried sleepily. She hopped out of bed, forgetting its coziness, and grabbed her dressing gown. When she opened the door the winter chill of the room against her face was fast replaced with the burning of embarrassment - at seeing Mr. Carson before her.
"Oh! Mr. Carson!" she blushed, closing her dressing gown more tightly around her, "I'm sorry - have, have I over slept?"
Flustered and blushing himself, Mr. Carson brought a hand to his eyes and turned away, "No, Miss Hughes, sorry to have woken you-"
"Quite alright, I was already awake." she offered with a hint of a nervous smile, "I haven't dressed yet - as you may notice."
"Yes, quite so. Well, I only meant to remind you quickly that His Lordship and the Countess of Grantham will be departing this afternoon for their trip to London for the holiday. I will be going along as His Lordship's valet."
"Oh, yes, that is today isn't it?" Elsie said, "I can't believe it's February already. Time certainly has flown by me!"
"Yes, well, life does tend to speed onward here at Downton, you'll find. You will want to be sure to pack enough for yourself - as you will be coming along as Her Ladyship's lady's maid."
Elsie nodded, "Yes, that's right. I hadn't really thought much about it. Sort of a silly holiday. Saint Valentine's."
Carson studied her a moment then nodded hastily in agreement, "Oh yes, quite silly indeed. However, since you and I will - no doubt, and pardon me for being crass, you and I will not be needed the night-of, you may want to consider bringing something - well, suitable to a night out."
"A night out? Oh, that's a laugh, Mr. Carson. Too early in the morning for such chuckles. I can assure you I'll be tucked up in my room - the only lad waiting for me is Dickens."
Carson found himself wanting to conceal the smile that thought about popping upon his lips - it certainly wouldn't be proper. He cleared his throat and turned his head away from her,
"Sorry to have disrupted your morning. I certainly hope you won't be late to bring her ladyship's tray up on account of my interruption?"
Elsie's face fell. She thought she sensed a hint of displeasure in Carson's voice. She'd rather hoped to impress him - not just because he was valet, but because she thought, perhaps, they may grow to become friends.
"No, no. Won't be bustin' my stay-lace on account of it."
Carson nodded and turned, closing her door softly behind him. How odd a man he is at times, Elsie thought, picking up her hairbrush and running it through her hair. She'd noticed lately that her hair had begun to lighten at the roots- it now resembled the many colors of river birch bark, and though she thought she was far too young to be seeing the wiry gray hairs of dotage, she decided to chalk it up to her tireless work ethic. After all, she hardly had anyone to impress at Downton. Obviously Mr. Carson wasn't interested in her in the least. She sighed and began to fashion her hair into a respectable knot. She'd never thought she was a pretty girl. At least, no one had ever said she was, so she figured she must not be - beauty being in the eye of the beholder and all. Her mum, before she died God rest her soul, had often told her that she had soulful eyes - eyes that saw too much to be in the head of a young lass- but she didn't say they were pretty. And Elsie's father. . .
She shuddered and shook the thoughts from her head. No, not today. Not now. Carson had been right that his slight interruption to her morning would get her behind if she wasn't attentive. She turned to her wardrobe and hastily reached for her uniform - clean and pressed the night before - and managed to get herself entirely ready in time to down a half-cup of tea before her ladyship's bell rang.
A/N: You guys are so sweeeet! Thank you for all your lovely comments and responses. Sorry this was just a short snippet but trust me, you're going to get a much longer chapter over the weekend! xx