I'm sorry this has taken so long to write. I was stuck but I got through it. Thank you to all of you that have read and reviewed. I love to hear from you all. I appreciate the comments and input. Please continue to let me know what you think, good or bad! A big hug to MonaLove for helping me with Sexy time-a...I mean for helping me write about sexy time-a...I know how to do sexy time-a I just can't write it...Oh never mind...You all know what I'm trying to say! :-) (shaking my head back and forth)... Ok thanks for sticking with me! Keep reviewing buddies!

It was late, the house was quiet and everyone had already settled in for the night. Charles was exhausted but he couldn't bare to be away from Elsie any longer. He was angry; angry with Green for being a loathsome pig and hurting Anna and for what he did to Elsie. Charles was relieved Green was in jail because if truth be told he didn't trust himself. He never thought himself a violent man or one that held grudges. He was able to forgive Grigg after all but these latest events had stirred feelings in him he didn't think he was ever capable of feeling.

He walked with a heavy gate towards Mrs. Hughes' office. He could hear a woman's sobs and a man speaking gently...Charles entered the room slowly and guarded not sure what he was going to encounter. He walked in on Anna telling Mr Bates the devastating truth. Once the words were said Mrs. Hughes put her hands on Mr. Bates and Anna's shoulders and holding back her true emotions she spoke calmly "maybe now, everyone can start to heal" and with this and tears pooling into her eyes she walked out of the room and past Charles, he followed Elsie closing the door behind him, leaving Anna and John alone.

"Anna, I wish you had told me instead of pushing me away." John was holding his wife and whispering to her.

" I thought you wouldn't want me anymore knowing that I had been spolied by that man." Anna was crying into John's shoulder holding onto him with all her might. Even though he reassured her that he still loved her and didn't blame her for what had happened Anna worried he didn't mean what he had said.

"John, I couldn't bare to lose you again, I thought for sure if I told you that you would set out to seek revenge. I just want you safe and with me." Anna kissed him on his lips. It was the first signs of affection that Anna could bring herself to show John. Not that she feared her husband but every time she had wanted to reach out to Mr. Bates she was reminded of what had happened to her and fear of not being able to hide her secret any longer overtook her. If Bates knew the truth he would certainly seek his revenge and Anna would have lost her one true love she worked so hard to have.

"Anna, any man would want to make Green pay for his action, for hurting their woman."

" Not every woman's husband has been on trial once before. The courts wouldn't be so forgiving a second time John." Anna had surprised herself with what she just said.

"Now that's not fair, Anna, you are trying to save me? Stop this...stop holding your breath. I know that we are strong Anna and we will be fine. Let's try to forget the past and not get too ahead of the future...if we stay in the present moment we can be happy again. There is a way to put this to rest and get justice Anna." John took her hands into his and pleaded with his wife.

" Report the rape to the authorities. You have everyone's support and with Green behind bars you and I can breathe easier again and he won't be able to hurt anyone again...please...look at what he has done to Mrs. Hughes!"

Anna hurled herself into his arms and cried. She couldn't speak but she looked and John and shook her head yes. She would do this not only for herself but she thought it would be the only way to keep John from taking things into his own hands by putting Green behind bars. John gave her a smile,
"Let's go home Anna, with time everything will be right again."

-CE-

Charles followed Elsie. She was walking briskly to her room...but Charles wasn't understanding what was happening. His feet were doing the thinking for him, he followed her all the way to her room. He kept calling out to her but she kept walking and just before she reached the steps to the servants quarters she shot back at him a look of despair and ran up the steps...Charles quickened his steps after her. She opened the door to her room and Charles only hesitated for a moment before opening the door without knocking first. Elsie didn't expect Charles to just barge into her room. She stood there with her hands on her dress, she had already begun to unbutton a few buttons. With her hands to her chest she was holding her dress closed. She looked at Charles with pleading eyes.

"Please leave me be Mr. Carson. I just want to forget...
Why did this happen!" She put her face in her hands shaking her head back and forth.

Charles felt a lump growing in his throat. There it was...Elsie was letting him see the raw emotions still burning inside of her and he was desperate to put these feelings to rest. He put his hand out for her to take it. She reached out to him and collapsed into his chest. Charles held Elsie up so she couldn't fall to the floor. He pressed his lips to her head.

"I'm so sorry I wasn't able to protect you, I'm so very sorry my love. I only ever want to keep you safe and happy Elsie. The cruel reality in this world is that no matter how good and strong my intentions are I can't always keep you safe and that makes me so very sad." Charles was speaking in a soft whisper fighting that lump in his throat, all the while Elsie felt safe in his arms, she didn't have to worry about anything when she was with Charles.

She raised her teary red eyes up to Charles and glanced over every feature of his kind face. There was no doubt in her mind that Charles loved her and that he meant what he just said. A fire was burning inside of Elsie, one of fear, uncertainty and love for this man holding her. She brought one of her hands up to his back and settled the other to the back of his neck. Her eyes never broke their gaze as she whispered in her raspy voice from crying "Help me forget Charles...even if it's just for a little while." She touched her lips to his and asked again. "Please, help me forget, be with me." Charles could feel her warm breath against his mouth lighting a fire with in him. He wrapped his arms around her waist and gently kissed her lips...He could hear her quietly hissing in pain with each kiss to her mouth.

"Elsie I don't want to hurt you or cause you pain. You should rest" Charles said this as he kissed her neck.

"No Charles...don't stop...I want you."

Elsie didn't care if this was too much for Charles...She needed this from him now. She wanted a release and she wanted him. She held his head to her neck as her other hand was running up and down his back. She began removing his jacket and grasping at the material to tear it from his body. Charles could feel her urgency and helped remove his jacket and vest. She frantically started at the buttons of his shirt. Charles suddenly froze as he saw tears streaming from Elsie's eyes. She was focused on her task of undressing him. He watched Elsie. She wouldn't look at him and once his shirt was off Elsie slowed herself down.

She was aware now of her actions and thoughts... her tears stopped streaming and she looked up at Charles and ran her fingers over his chest. His skin and hair felt so comforting to her and soft...She pressed her mouth to his chest and placed light soft kisses across it. She whispered out his name "Charles...I love you..."

The lump that was in Charles throat was making it impossible for him to control his emotions any longer. He closed his eyes and raised his head to the ceiling with a silent prayer of thanks for this profession of love from Elsie. He looked down. Elsie raised her head to look up at Charles who had tears threatening to fall from his eyes. Cradling her face in his hands he ran his thumbs across her cheeks to wipe away her remaining tears. Charles trailed his fingers gently down her neck and began to unbutton Elsie's dress. He pushed it off of her shoulders and saw the bruises on them. He closed his eyes tightly at first and then opened them again. Running his fingers over the dark marks he began gently kissing her shoulders. Elsie felt as though the marks were evaporating with each warm kiss. He nuzzled his face up to her ear and cheek. "Why would anyone want to hurt someone so beautiful." Elsie continued to embrace Charles and ran her hands down his back. She pressed her body up against him and could feel a warmth growing within her. Charles groaned as he felt Elsie push against him. Charles ran his thumbs over the silk covering her breasts and could feel her nipples peak beneath them. He heard Elsie moan his name in pleasure. He slid his hand under the silk . His hand was loving the feel of her bare breast and skin. She began kissing him feverishly. Her hands slid from his back to the front of his pants. She felt his desire for her was evident. She pressed herself harder against him and he groaned with pleasure. With both hands she began removing his belt and pants...

Charles stopped Elsie's hands. He wanted this to slow down he didn't want a repeat of their first time. Even though it was exciting and what he wanted he wasn't sure of Elsie's feelings then. He thought he was comforting a friend. Now he is comforting the woman who holds his heart and she loves him...She said so herself and he was overjoyed and relieved to hear it. He brought her hands to his mouth and kissed her palms. His lips slid up to her arms as he placed gentle kisses along the way stopping at her shoulders. He picked Elsie up and walked her to the bed...gently placing her on it. He finished slowly undressing her and placing light lovely kisses all over her bare body and running his finger tips over her bruises and whispering into her ear. "Elsie, I love you." His hot breath in her ear made her shiver and gasp.
Charles hovered over Elsie and he removed the rest of his clothing. He trailed his kisses down her stomach and to the bruises on her hips and thighs. Elsie ran her hands through Charles' thick soft hair. She watched him as he observed and touched her marks. It was clear as the promise that they were making to each other that he cherished her.

Charles entered her slowly, Elsie drew in her breath softly, "Charles..." Elsie wrapped her legs around him as he teased her breasts with his teeth and sweet kisses. They moved in rhythm together...
"Oh Elsie...yes...yes...Oh my darling woman." Charles panted as he thrust into her slowly at first. He watched Elsie as she arched her back and pressed herself into Charles.

"Oh Charles...yes...don't stop, God please don't stop...yes...yes... Charles... I love you..." She pressed her face into his shoulder biting down on it, trying to stay quiet as he thrust faster and harder into Elsie; he could feel her wet tears against his bare skin and her nails and teeth digging into his flesh as she finally found her release... holding on tight to Charles as he reached his climax he whispered "oh Elsie...this is heaven!" He hovered over her a moment and watched her as her breathing began to calm. They laid there together watching each other recover briefly. Charles gently placed soft kisses on her bruised lips... the peace they have been searching for was found.

Charles nestled next to Elsie as she laid there gathering her thoughts and enjoying the feelings of this after glow. Charles tenderly moved the loose strands of hair away from Elsie's face.

"Where do we go from here Charles?" Elsie didn't want to ask this question not now...but she couldn't help herself...

"I don't want to lose this, I don't want to go back to the way things were, do you Elsie?"

"No Charles...I've only ever dreamed of being this happy and now that I know what it feels like I never want to let it go. Please stay with me tonight Charles." Elsie closed her eyes... She slowly drifted off to sleep while Charles held her in his arms.

" I wouldn't dream of being anywhere else. I want to be bound to you for life" Charles knew she was sleeping and didn't hear what he had said but he was going to make sure she knew.