The four servants stood silently at attention waiting for Robert and Cora to enter. Each one of them was making a mental check list and practicing what they wanted to say in their minds. They were all anxious to hear how their employers would react to the series of events that had taken place. Mr. Bates stood next to Anna holding her hand all the while staring at a painting on the wall straight ahead of him. The only thoughts that were going through his head were that he wanted Green to pay for what he did...with his life. Jail was not enough for him.
The heavy wood doors opened and her ladyship had entered followed by his lordship. Their expressions gave them away immediately. They looked disturbed and eager to discuss these incidents with them.
"I understand that we have much to discuss." Robert looked around the room and observed his servants disheartened faces." He hadn't had an opportunity to speak to Mrs. Hughes about her attack. Lady Mary had of course informed him of what had occurred and he was going to do his best to make this as easy as possible for her...for all of them.
"Your lordship, if I may, I must inform you that on the night of the concert..." Anna swallowed hard as she tried to hold back her tears and explain what had happened to her. "I was attacked while everyone had attended the concert." Mr. Bates squeezed her hand as if to say I'm here and you are not alone love.
Cora gasped as Anna made her confession. She looked at her husband with a look of shock up on her face. They both were a bit gobsmacked by this revelation.
"I'm telling you this because in a way this may affect your family especially if Lady Mary plans to pursue a relationship with Lord Gillingham." Anna was regaining her confidence as she spoke with her husband at her side.
"Lord Gillingham? I don't understand what does any of this have to do with him. Why would this affect Mary?" Cora asked not sure of what Anna meant.
"Your ladyship, the man that attacked me was Lord Gillingham's man." Anna swallowed hard as tears began to pool in her eyes.
"You see, this is why I didn't go to Cotswold this visit. For fear of being alone in that house with him. Mrs. Hughes went in my place instead to protect me and instead she was hurt in the process." She said this as she began to sob on John's shoulder.
Mrs. Hughes walked over to Anna and whispered and she placed her hand on Anna's shoulder..."Anna, none of us could have known this was going to happen... I'm fine everything is going to be alright."
"I'm going to the authorities to report this... He has taken so much away from me and I won't let him ruin what happiness I have left." Anna said this sobbing looking up at her husband's disbondent face.
Robert was concerned for Bates and how he may be taking this. He put himself in John's shoes and knew that if the tables were turned he would most definitely seek revenge. He came to the stark realization that Bates' past with the law would only make things worse if he did decide to take matters into his own hands. Cora understood that Anna was going to the authorities to protect her husband more than to seek justice.
"We are saddened that this had happened in our home to someone whom we respect and care for. I wish I was able to keep you safe under my roof. It angers me that such a violation has occurred. Is there something we can do?"
"I want to press charges your lordship. I want him to pay for what he has done and I want this nightmare to be over. All I ask for is the support from you to do so."
"Of course, whatever it is, you only need to ask, it is as good as done." His lordship was quick to respond.
Cora whispered to Robert " I feel it necessary that they are given time alone Robert away from their responsibilities even if it's just for a little bit. I can't even begin to imagine what they have endured." Robert reached for Cora's hand and gently squeezed it shaking his head yes.
"Take the rest of the day and tomorrow to go to the authorities and do what is necessary to put this nightmare behind you. If you could please excuse us now while we speak to Mrs. Hughes and Mr. Carson."
Mr. Bates thanked his lordship for his understanding. They left the room holding hands. A symbol that whatever was to happen they would see it through together.
The room was quiet for a moment as everyone collected their thoughts and processed what had been shared.
Elsie was determined not to look at Charles. She feared they would be able to tell that something had changed between the butler and housekeeper. She wasn't ready for that. Not until she could be sure Charles could see himself in a life with her outside of Downton if their choices led the them away from here.
Elsie felt faint at this recollection of events and her knees began to tremble. Elsie bent over to brace herself on a table.
Robert lunged forward to help her from falling but Charles was already standing next to her and he immediately grasped her waist and whispered "Elsie..."
Robert and Cora both glanced at each other... they heard that he called her Elsie and they both found that to be very familiar. Charles held Elsie until she stabled herself. He took her by the hand and guided her to a chair. He realized he was being to familiar with Elsie. He only stopped himself for her sake. He was ready for them to know how he felt for this woman; but he knew she wasn't and he was hoping with a little time and convincing he could get her to see he was right about the Crawley's.
Robert cleared his throat and began speaking to Mrs. Hughes. Lady Mary had told them what she had encountered but they were eager to hear Elsie's account of the events leading up to her attack.
"I am devastated by the series of events that have occurred and I commend you Mrs. Hughes for going to Cotswold to protect Anna but I'm sorry that in turn this put you in danger. If I was able to change all of this I would.. I wish none of this ever happened to you or Anna. I will live with this for the rest of my life that you both carry these scars. Robert stood up and began pacing the room.
Rubbing his face "There are so many things we all need to consider, these events have more consequences than we may think."
Elsie was getting anxious her worst fears were coming true...She predicted that something was going to make it difficult for her and Charles to be together and she knew the family was going to be the biggest problem. "How so m'lord?"
Elsie asked as she wrung her hands together.
"Mrs. Hughes...it has taken lady Mary so long to adjust with her loss and I want nothing more than for her to move on with her life... we must avoid any more gossip and scandal to fall upon this house. We can't scare away potential suitors with gossip."
Mary told Robert that the butler and housekeeper had feelings for eachother. He wasn't surprised nor was he upset by this news. He was happy for them. However he didn't know the extent of their feelings for eachother or their intentions. He thought it best for them to sort this out on their own and let them come to him when they saw fit. He only worried that maybe rumors would start about them before they could do things properly when they were ready and this he wouldn't stand for. More gossip on the house like this would be embarrassing. He had hoped his little lecture and intentions of keeping the house free of more scandal and gossip would help them to be honest.
Elsie didn't say a word. She heard Charles clear his throat and she could tell he had wanted to say something but he had refrained. This one action was all Elsie needed to see that her doubts about Charles and where his loyalties were, she was right Charles would do whatever he needed to do to protect this family. His precious Lady Mary and her reputation.
Lady Mary entered the room and Elsie closed her eyes and swallowed hard. The events of that day were coming back and the memories were so vivid. The smell of Lady Mary's perfume as she entered the room had triggered the memory of them sitting on the bed in her quarters at Cotswold where Elsie confided in Lady Mary that she wanted Charles with her during her time of despair. Elsie wondered if Lady Mary had told her father about this slip.
Mrs. Hughes looked around at the people around her and she felt as though she was suffocating. " M'Lord if it's alright with you, I would like to go get some powder for my aches, I'm still uncomfortable from this ordeal and in pain."
"Certainly Mrs. Hughes... don't let us keep you any longer, please let us know if you need anything. If you are still not feeling well I think you should take it easy today and not over exert yourself You have our permission to take today for yourself as well as tomorrow if you need it. Elsie knodded and responded "thank you, I will do that." and began walking to the door avoiding Charles' gaze. Once she left the room she quickly walked to her office, grabbed her coat and Puerto leave the Abbey. She didn't know where she was going to go nor was she sure she would come back.
Charles found his courage to speak up when Elsie left the room. "M'Lord I understand your desires to keep gossip at bay and I assure you that Mrs. Hughes and I intend to do exactly that. The last thing we would want is to be the cause of any hardships for your family." Charles was worried, that his Lordship was going to fight him on this but he was prepared to leave Downton if he had to and he was certain Elsie would go with him too. "In order to avoid further gossip to fall upon your family I think I should inform you myself that Mrs. Hughes and I wish to be married. We care deeply for eachother and feel it is unnecessary to go about this in secret. It would be more scandalous if we snuck about and that would not due well for the good of Downton. I believe some good news would be a nice distraction from the sad events that have occurred..."
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Thank you for reading and reviewing. The reviews really help with ideas and to motivate me to keep going. I appreciate each and every one I get. You guys are all great! Fist bumps all around, high fives and hip bumps! :-)...let me know if you like it, what you liked and if you thought it was crap. I'm off to NYC Thursday...I'm actually going to be in the same room with Phyllis Logan! I can't believe something like this is happening to me...I never win anything and I won these tickets!? I don't know what I did to deserve my dream of seeing Phyllis Logan to come true but I'm so happy and truly thankful. Isn't that crazy man? I'll keep you posted on what it was like. I'm going to try my best to go up and ask a question. I will try to post the next chapter as soon as I can. :-)