I was so grateful for all the feedback that I received on the first chapter. So here comes the next instalment and I hope you are as forthcoming with your responses.
Disclaimer: I still do not own these characters.
He had spent the whole night tossing and turning. He was trying to think of what to do in order to make her feel better but without her feeling like he was doing anything which was too much out of the ordinary. He did not want her to feel uneasy or to notice that he was really trying to make her day better. He was partly afraid of her noticing but he was also a little afraid that she would not be happy about it. Slowly but surely, he started to put the pieces of the puzzle together in his plan. As each little idea had popped into his mind, he found himself getting a little bit more excited although he put it down to being happy to working it out.
When it was finally time for him to rise, the butterflies in his stomach were impossible to ignore. He was practically shaking with the excitement of it all but as he buttoned his collar; he was back in butler-mode. He reminded himself that he must hold himself like he would on any other day even if it seemed to be taking an awful lot more effort than usual. He strode purposefully out into the hallway and practically mowed her down in his eagerness. He laid his hand on her shoulder to steady her.
''I'm terribly sorry about that, Mrs. Hughes''
He looked her in the eye as he said and she seemed to have a dazed look on her face but she quickly cleared her head. He only realised then that his hand was still on her shoulder. He quickly removed it,
''I was wondering, Mrs Hughes, if you would join me in my sitting room at the end of the day as there are a few issues regarding the rota that I wish to discuss with you''
'Nothing too serious I hope, Mr Carson'' a hint of anxiety present in her voice.
'' No, Mrs Hughes, nothing that I feel will be too complicated to sort out but I fear with the busy day ahead of us that we will only have enough time to discuss these matters at the end of the day''
''Well, in that case Mr Carson, I will look forward to resolving this at the end of the day''
However, her voice didn't sound as convinced as her words.
The day had been just as eventful as predicted. It wasn't that anything had gone array but there just didn't seem to be any time when he wasn't overseeing the footmen or polishing the silver or watching over his Lordship. She had caught his eye once or twice during the day and it broke his heart because she just seemed sad. It was not that she looked like she would cry or anything but she just seemed to not getting the same sort of enjoyment that she used to get from her work. He had always been fascinated and frankly envious of, the twinkle in her eye as she completed a task or played the part of the stern housekeeper to the younger maids. Even when she was actually angry about something, that spark was still there. It was something he couldn't put his finger on but simply, there was just something about her in those moments. She captivated him although that was a rather too dramatic word for it. In his mind, he just liked that his friend was happy, as any ordinary friend would.
When he finally retired to his sitting room at the end of the day, he was exhausted. The combination of anticipation and nerves along with the work throughout the house over the course of the day had taken it out of him. Now in his more fatigued state, the doubts were starting to kick in and he was starting to lose his nerve. Maybe this isn't the best idea, maybe a more subtle way of sorting things out might work, maybe he should just keep his nose out of her business, maybe she would just feel better in a few days, he was probably over-thinking it anyway, he was noticing things too much and giving them too much significance…
His thoughts were interrupted by a familiar knock on his door as she entered. She looked as exhausted as he felt.
''I hope you don't mind Mr Carson but I was wondering if we could just get to the matter at hand as I am rather exhausted and would like to retire to bed as soon as possible''
He wanted to protest but the grey pallor of her face was impossible to argue with.
''I must admit Mrs Hughes that I too am rather exhausted so perhaps that is best'' It was now or never ''I have noticed that both you and I are due our half days off within the next week''
She nodded slowly, not entirely sure where this was headed.
He knew he would have to say it all at once or he would chicken out.
''I was wondering that if the weather held up, that is to say, I was planning on going into the town for a walk and perhaps having lunch there, and if you would like to accompany me, that is if it suited you and if you had no other more important plans for your day, to share lunch perhaps'' He finally paused for breath.
She didn't answer him straight away so he dared to look at her face. ''I realise Mrs Hughes that you probably had your day already planned and I'm sorry for infringing''
''Actually Mr Carson, that sounds like a far more enjoyable prospect as I myself was planning on heading into town to have a small break from here for a short while''
He smiled, feeling very relieved.
''Was this the only issue that you wished to resolve, Mr Carson?''
''Um, yes it was and I am glad that it is sorted.'' He felt a little silly for having made it sound like a long conference was going to be needed, ''and I am looking forward to our lunch''. Maybe that came out wrong, she might think I mean something else..
''I am also, Mr Carson,'' She smiled, the first one that actually looked like a smile, albeit only a slight one but he could tell '' but I really must be getting some rest now so I shall bid you Goodnight''.
''Goodnight to you too, Mrs Hughes'' She went to leave ''and I hope you sleep well'' She turned at that comment as if to ask him something but when she looked at him, she just smiled and left. She definitely wasn't blushing.
There we have it. I hope you are being kept interested. Thanks for following along so far and I would love to hear what you thought of this chapter. :)