Mr. Carson was looking over some paperwork when a knock on his door distracted him.
"Yes..." he answered more annoyed than he intended to sounds. When he realized it was Mrs. Hughes at his door he gave her an apologetic look. She smiled as she made her way into his office closing the door behind her. She turned away from the door slowly.
Charles noticed she was pensive. Hoping she would open up to him Charles slowly approach her and took bother her hands into his. She looked down at their hands and began rubbing his hands and holding them. She could feel the calluses on the tips of his fingers and his palms. His big beautiful hands that only hours ago were dancing across her body and making her feel more loved that she could have ever imagined. What had she done to deserve the love of this beautiful man in front of her? The last thing Elsie wanted to do was hurt him. They had given their hearts to each other and she was aware of how fragile his heart was and how difficult it was for them to trust each other with them.
" You know you can trust me Elsie...what's going on in there." Charles asked as he pointed first to her heart and then to her temple. Letting his finger trace down to her chin as he lifted her face and placed a delicate kiss to her still injured lips.
"Charles, I'm afraid..." Elsie whispered holding back her tears.
"What are you afraid of?" Charles smile began to fade.
Elsie found it difficult to keep her eyes on Charles' face. She brought her eyes back down to their hands.
"I'm afraid if you marry me you won't be happy."
"Elsie, how could you ever think such a thing? Marrying you would be a dream come true for me...I've wanted this for so long."
Mrs. Hughes grasped his hands tighter. "Charles believe me...I've dreamt of this moment for so long and now that it's happening I see there are things in the way I've never considered."
"What's happening...where is this doubt coming from? What is getting in our way?" Charles was finding it difficult to be patient with Elsie and it was surprising him because he has always been a patient man that was in control of his thoughts and emotions at all times.
"Charles, have you given any thought to what this means for you and your future here at Downton? His lordship may not be on board with this. He may dismiss us both.. and then what? What will we do, where will we go? You are so much a part of this place and it means so much to you. I'm sure you would be fine for a little while but I fear you may resent me for the decisions you've made. Let's not rush into anything..." her tears were pooling in her eyes.
Elsie wanted nothing more than to run away with Charles and live as his wife, his companion...his love. She only wanted to make him happy. She was having a difficult time believing that the family would be fine with them marrying. When the story of Anna being attacked is public and more people learn about what happened to Mrs. Hughes more gossip will fall upon the house. They were good employers but Elsie feared they would not think Charles and Elsie could continue to run their home efficiently if they were distracted with each other. Nor would they want any more negative attention than what they will be exposed to soon enough.
Elsie worried mostly about Charles and how he would cope not being a part of Downton any more if they had to leave.
"No, no...I won't wait...I can't wait. I want to be with you in every way possible. Yes I care about this family and Downton. I don't think they would ever stop us from being together...we have proven ourselves to be good employees and I think they know us well enough to know we would never be unprofessional."
Charles was seeing that he wasn't making any progress with Elsie. He was growing more anxious as her tears began to fall from her face. All he could do was embrace her...He felt he may have been losing her.
"Elsie, please, please don't worry. Promise me you won't do anything rash...if it's time you want that's fine love. Then I will give you all the time you need...I'm sorry...I'm sorry."
He feared she would leave Downton if it meant he would stay there...but how could he get her to see that he wouldn't want to be here without her by his side.
They were interrupted by a knock on the door. Elsie quickly squirmed out if Charles' embrace and turned her back to the door she picked up a stack of papers pretending to look busy.
Charles was dumbfounded, what was happening, they were so happy, she had said yes to his proposal. What was she doing to them,to him? His heart was aching.
Anna had called through the door "Mr. Carson? Mr. Carson? "
Charles opened the door and stepped outside leaving Elsie in his office. "Yes, what is it?" He snapped at Anna causing her to flinch. Charles felt awful for causing this reaction in Anna, it reminded him of the delicate mental state she was in. "I'm sorry Anna, I didn't mean to speak to you this way forgive me."
Anna looked down at her hands and explained "His lordship and ladyship would like to see us upstairs in the library in 15 minutes to discuss..."
Charles interrupted her as he could see how difficult of a time she was having controlling her nerves and emotions. " I understand, we will be along then."
Anna knodded without making eye contact and made her way to find Mr. Bates.
Charles entered his office again closing the door but not turning to face Elsie. He spoke as his eyes remained glued to the door. " It's time Mrs. Hughes, are you going to be alright." Charles swallowed hard. It was taking all he had not to become emotional in front of Elsie...He worried he may say something he regretted.
She turned around to see that he wasn't looking at her. She bit her bottom lip fighting back more tears. It wouldn't do them any good if she was emotional recounting the events to the family. She took a deep breath and sighed loudly causing Charles to turn around. He put his hand out hoping Elsie would take it and not push him away. Elsie grabbed hold of his hand and brought it to her chest, placing his palm over her heart.
"With you by my side I will always be fine Charles, never doubt my love for you...I only want you to be happy."