New Year's Eve
Thank you all for your lovely reviews! Here's the next part;
Hear the angels sing
o-o-o-o
The next day at the servant's lunch excitement about the coming festivities was noticeable.
Maids and footmen were already making plans and chattered much more than usual, much to Mr Carson's chagrin.
'Are you looking forward to the party?' Anna asked the housekeeper.
She smiled. 'I don't know, Anna. Anyone who has ever attended a New Year's Eve party in Scotland knows nothing can compare to that,' she answered.
'You're right Mrs Hughes,' Madge said with a grin. 'My brother and I used to spend the holidays with our auntie in Scotland every year. There's nothing like a Scottish celebration of anything! Still, I like to go to the village. It'll be nice.' She smiled at Edward, who had asked her to accompany him.
'Nice? It'll be brilliant!' Edward said vehemently. Madge chuckled and Edward knew she'd been teasing him and smiled a bit sheepish. Everyone laughed, and then returned to their own conversations.
'And you Mrs Hughes? Will you be going?' Mr Carson asked gently.
'I don't think so, Mr Carson. To be honest, I'm really looking forward to a nice and quiet evening at home. I will keep you company, if you'd like that.'
'Oh but you shouldn't stay here because of me Mrs Hughes, I wouldn't want that! You deserve a night out like everyone else!' he protested like she knew he would.
'I know I do Mr Carson but like I said, I have attended many New Year's Eve's celebrations in Scotland and you heard Madge; there's nothing like that. I'd much rather stay home this year, especially since we'll practically be the only ones. It will be nice and quiet.I have a novel I'd like to finish, we can have a glass of wine together and toast on the new year, and perhaps I'll join Nanny and Miss Sybbie in the nursery to watch the fireworks at midnight. The lass is old enough to enjoy them now, so Nanny planned to wake her for the occasion.'
Mr Carson cleared his throat.
'Well, if you put it like that. I'd love to have you keep me company Mrs Hughes. I'm sure we will have a pleasant evening.'
She smiled warmly at him. 'So am I.'
o-o-o-o
The last afternoon of the year had never been busier downstairs. The Crawley family had left at three to attend the party at Crawley House, taking Mr and Mrs Bates, Miss Baxter and Moseley with them. The remaining staff were working twice as hard to have their work ready and done as soon as possible.
Mr Carson had asked Lord and Lady Grantham a moment of their time.
'Milord, milady, the staff have asked me to express their gratitude to you, for allowing them the evening off this special night,' he said.
'I'm glad they are happy about it. Tell them we wish them all a pleasant evening. I'm sorry you have to stay here alone, Carson.' the Earl answered.
'Thank you milord. But I will not be alone, Mrs Hughes and Nanny are staying behind as well.'
'Oh, that's nice. Have a good evening Carson!' Lord Grantham said cheerful.
When they were seated in their car, Lady Grantham tugged at her husband's arm.
'Isn't it romantic?' she smiled at him.
He raised his eyebrows. 'Romantic?'
She nudged him impatiently.
'Carson and Mrs Hughes of course! Oh, I hope he finally tells her.'
'Tells her what? I have no idea what you mean, Cora.'
'Never mind,' the Countess smiled.
o-o-o-o-o
After dinner in the servant's hall that evening Mr Carson asked for everyone's attention.
'His Lordship and Lady Grantham asked me to tell you all to have a pleasant evening. Now, after everything is cleaned up you may leave for the festivities. I trust everybody to be on their best behaviour and make sure Downton Abbey's reputation will not be besmirched! Thank you!'
Everyone stood and began to collect dishes. Mrs Hughes went to help the maids check the rooms for the evening. Making sure all fires were put down, windows were shut, heavy curtains closed in draughty rooms. Pillows were arranged on sofas, a forgotten teacup brought to the kitchen, magazines put neatly in a stack on the sideboard.
In the servant's hall, Mr Carson searched for one of the more mature footmen.
'Henry, a word please, in my pantry.'
At eight the staff were ready to leave, all bundled up in hats, gloves and scarves, because it was freezing lightly. A perfect evening for a bonfire and fireworks it was though, no wind or clouds and a clear sky sparkling with stars.
Mr Carson and Mrs Hughes stood at the back door and watched them leave.
She shivered and he closed the door and led her to her sitting room, where they would spend the evening together. The room was bigger than his office, more comfortable as well. He had made sure a fire was roaring in the hearth and a tray with tea, biscuits and pralines sat on the table.
She clasped her hands in surprise.
'Mr Carson, it's wonderful! Such a nice tea and…Belgian chocolate?'
'Indeed. I happen to know how much you love that.'
'Oh I do, thank you!' she beamed at him and began fixing them both a cup of tea just the way they liked it.
Mr Carson munched one of Mrs Patmore's hazelnut biscuits and Mrs Hughes was enjoying the pralines.
'I have wondered whether Mrs Patmore will be having a good time without her best friend present,' he mused.
'Oh I think she will Mr Carson. I was a bit worried about that as well, but Daisy told me she has arranged for Mrs Patmore and Mr Mason to meet at the Grantham Arms and spend the evening together.'
He chuckled. 'Daisy did? My my, quite the little matchmaker that one is.'
'Isn't she? I hope she succeeds, Mr Mason and Beryl are almost made for each other, and Daisy will have a family for the first time in her life.'
'The first time… what do you mean?'
A rap at the door interrupted their conversation.
To Mrs Hughes' surprise Nanny came in, bringing Miss Sybil who was already dressed for the night, wearing a robe and slippers.
'Elsie!' the girl beamed and threw herself in the housekeeper's arms, 'we'll be having a party with you and Carson!'
'What…?' she stammered
'Mr Carson? Miss Sutherland and I will be leaving now.' Henry's head poked around the door. 'Master George is sound asleep in his crib in your office and I've put a small bed for Miss Sybil there, too, like you asked.'
'Very well Henry. A pleasant evening to you both,' Mr Carson answered.
Mrs Hughes was speechless, eyes filled with tears as she gave him a radiant smile over Miss Sybbie's head.
'Mr Carson did you really…? Does this mean you've allowed Nanny to go out tonight?'
He looked very much the stern butler when he answered.
'I did, but only after I spoke to Lady Mary and Mr Branson,' he told her. 'They both agreed the moment they heard you would remain here as well. So there we are Mrs Hughes. No one but you and me to look after the children.'
She couldn't help it. She put Sybbie on the settee and moved over to him.
'That was a very sweet thing to do Mr Carson,' she said and kissed his cheek. 'Thank you so much!'
'It was your idea, Mrs Hughes,' he acknowledged. 'Thank you for that.'
And thank whatever deity to make me do as she suggested, he thought to himself, still feeling the touch of her lips on his cheek. A quick glance told him Sybbie was busy searching under the pillows on the settee, for the treat Mrs Hughes usually kept there for her.
'Is it appropriate she calls you Elsie?' he asked gently.
'Mr Branson knows. Mrs Hughes was too difficult for her when she was little. And I like to be called by my given name, Mr Carson, even if it's only by a little girl. For years no one has called me Elsie, and it made me feel old and lonely.'
'I'd love to call you Elsie,' Mr Carson blurted out and immediately felt a blush spread over his face.
'I'd like that…Charles,' she smiled at him.
For three more seconds they looked in each other's eyes, realising something new and exciting was happening. Then…
'I've found it, Elsie! I've found it!' Sybbie danced over the settee, holding a toffee in golden gift wrapping.
'You're such a clever girl,' Mrs Hughes laughed and caught her in her arms. 'Now, what would you like to do?'
'I want to play make believe, and we have to dress up Elsie.'
'Very well, go and find the box.'
Miss Sybbie opened the closet and pulled out a big cardboard box from the bottom shelf.
Mr Carson just watched, having no idea what was going to happen.
The box was opened and Sybbie picked out a shawl, and a long string of beads.
'We are going to have tea like the ladies do, Elsie. You have this shawl and the pearls and you were granny. And I'll have this hat and all the bracelets and then I was Aunt Mary. And we were in the drawing room and we rang, and Carson came in.
She sat upright on the settee and pulled an imaginary bell. Mr Carson slid in his role, opened and closed the door, came in and bowed slightly.
'You rang, milady?'
'Yes Carson. We like to have tea!' Sybbie answered.
'Very well, milady,' he bowed again and left for the kitchen.
Sybbie turned to Mrs Hughes.
'Have you had a nice day, mama?'
'Yes, my dear. I had a lovely walk through the gardens. And you?'
'I had a bad day. George is very naughty! He never listens to me.'
'Oh, he is a very naughty boy!'
'But he is sweet a lot of times as well,' Sybbie hasted to assure her. Elsie smiled.
The door opened and Mr Carson came in.
'Milady, I have taken the liberty to bring you hot chocolate instead of tea,' he announced.
Miss Sybbie forgot she was a lady and jumped from the settee.
'Oh I love hot chocolate! Thank you Carson!'
He served the cups.
'Milady,' he smiled, looking Elsie in the eyes while handing over her cup. Her eyes sparkled.
'Thank you Mr Carson. Won't you sit down with us? Lady Mary would like that.'
'Yes please Carson!' Sybil said. '
They had their chocolate and played their roles until Sybil yawned and cuddled up against the housekeeper.
'Bedtime for you, little lady,' Elsie declared, 'it's still many hours before midnight. You will sleep in Mr Carson's office, how is that?'
'Nice…' Sybbie yawned again.
Mr Carson lifted the girl up in his arms en together they put her to bed. George snored happily and didn't wake up.
'Goodnight lass,' Elsie whispered, but the girl was asleep already.
o-o-o-o
Back in Elsie's sitting room she put the shawl and the other items back in the box and placed it in the closet. Charles chuckled.
'Your vaudeville box?'
'She loves to dress up, as did I when I was a girl,' she said. 'She often comes here to have a lady's tea with me, and we play roles.'
'Thank you, Elsie.'
'What for?'
'For being you. The thought of giving nanny the evening off and play with the children would never have crossed my mind, but you put it there.'
'It's my pleasure, Charles,' she smiled.
'I saw that. Now, I believe I should offer you a glass of wine, milady.'
'That would be wonderful, milord.'
They laughed, but when they sat down on the settee together he took her hand in his.
'I mean it, Elsie. You are a lady to me, a very special lady. You have been for years now. If I knew how it made you feel, I'd have asked permission to call you Elsie a long time ago.'
She stroked his cheek and he almost choked on his wine.
'I love to be Elsie for you, Charles,' she whispered. 'I wish we could be just Charles and Elsie. I've been dreaming about that for a long time.'
'So have I, my love. So have I.'
She took his wineglass from his hand and put both glasses on the table.
'Charles… may I kiss you?'
He stroked her hair and pulled her gently in his arms.
'Not after I've kissed you first,' he breathed in her ear. She smiled and he kissed her.
Elsie saw stars. She never imagined their first kiss to be that wonderful. She wrapped her arms around his neck and pulled him closer for a deeper kiss.
Minutes later, they parted, a little breathless.
'I love you.'
The words were whispered at the same time by both, followed by many sweet and hot kisses.
They heard the angels sing.
o-o-o-o
TBC
o-o-o-o-o
