A/N Thank you very much for all the reviews for the first chapter. I was worried that readers might find the extensive dialogue to be too much, but many reviewers said they didn't mind and even liked all the talking. The story reads a little like a transcript of an episode, with very little description, and that's intentional, for the most part. The conversation drives the whole thing, really. I don't know if it's good or bad, but that's how the story wrote itself.

Please keep reviewing. I promise to respond to all member reviews via PM's, because I want you to know how grateful I am AND because I just love talking to all of you. I will have to thank all guest reviewers in general notes at the beginnings of chapters.

Also, special thanks to evitamockingbird, Kissman, and Chelsie Dagger, all of whom helped with this fic in different ways by providing input and encouragement.

Chapter 2

"Have you thought any more about your plans for leaving, Mr. Carson?" asked Mrs. Hughes the next afternoon as she took tea with Mr. Carson in his pantry. They had finished discussing the business of the house, and she now dared to move the conversation to more personal matters.

"I've thought of little else," he told her.

"When will you tell the family?"

"Soon. Tomorrow perhaps, if there's an opportune moment. There's no sense in putting it off. I'll not deny that I'm apprehensive about the whole matter, but I'm very eager to move ahead."

"And what will you say? Will you tell them of your plans to marry?"

"Heavens, no! I'll simply give my notice. If they ask why I wish to leave, I'll tell them that I'm 'getting on,' and that I should like to enjoy a slower pace."

She had to laugh at that. "They'll not believe that for one second."

"Nevertheless, what else am I to say? They'll no more believe I intend to run a shop in the village or take up farming."

"True enough," she conceded.

"In actuality, it is the truth. I do wish to enjoy a slower pace; only I hope to do so in someone else's company."

They drank their tea in silence for a few minutes.

"Mr. Carson … " Mrs. Hughes began cautiously. "I didn't think to ask this the last time we spoke. Frankly, I was too astonished to think properly. But I wonder … Do you … ? Do you have someone … specific in mind when you speak of courtship and marriage?" she asked, unable to meet his eye.

"I do, Mrs. Hughes," he answered thoughtfully. "I wouldn't be contemplating it otherwise. You see, it's not the idea of marriage in general that appeals to me – only marriage to this … particular woman."

"I see." She steeled herself and pressed on. "And if I may be so bold as to ask, this … lady friend of yours … Do I know her?"

"I think you might."

"And your lady friend … " she continued apprehensively. "I gather from what you've said that you've not formally begun to court her, but have you given her any indication of your intentions? Is she aware of your feelings?"

"I do hope she might be," answered Mr. Carson, gazing at her with a look that made her breath catch, "though I've not expressed them directly."

"So you'll wait until after you've left here to tell her of your regard for her?"

"Even after I've left, I won't be at liberty to address her, unfortunately. I wish I could tell her as soon as I've resigned, but it's not as simple as that, I'm afraid," he sighed.

She furrowed her brow. "I don't understand."

"Well, my lady friend, as you call her, is in a situation similar to mine. She also is in a position in which marriage is impossible – or at least impractical and ill-advised. Even when my own circumstances are such that I can consider marriage, I still won't be able to approach her."

Now Mrs. Hughes was even more confused. "I'm sorry, Mr. Carson, but I don't follow you at all. You hope to leave here and to court a woman who can't be courted?"

"Not exactly, Mrs. Hughes. You see, my friend has chosen to be in her situation, and as long as she remains in that condition, I must assume she's not interested in courtship or marriage. Knowing that, I can never make advances or encourage her to leave. It wouldn't be right to compromise her position." He continued his explanation. "I do hope, however, that if she has any feelings at all for me as I have for her, she might, of her own accord, take measures to change her circumstances. She's remarkably perceptive. Once she sees I'm free, she might make herself available, as well. She needn't worry about how we'll live; I've enough saved for us to be comfortable. And I daresay she herself has got a fair bit put by; the lady in question is very practical. I can't know for certain whether she'll leave her post to allow me to court her, but that is my fervent wish."

"So you're going tender your resignation, leave here, and simply hope that your lady friend understands what you are about? Is she to guess at your feelings for her?" she asked incredulously.

Mr. Carson sighed again helplessly. "Sadly, I see no other way." He leaned forward, fixed his gaze on her, and stared meaningfully into her eyes when he spoke his next words. "If I could, I would declare my love this very instant. If I were able, I would ask her to marry me straightaway." He swallowed hard and looked away. "But as it is, I can't. It wouldn't be proper. I'll simply have to be patient and hope my affections make themselves evident in … other ways."

She stared at him, eyes wide. She was afraid to presume too much, but he'd just said … Did he really mean what she hoped he might?

"And you're certain you can't speak to her until after you've both left?" Her voice was barely a whisper.

"At the moment, neither of us is free to … free to … well, to carry on a romance. Until our circumstances change, I cannot press my suit with her. So I must not speak to her yet. I shouldn't be speaking to anyone, Mrs. Hughes; it's highly unprofessional. Only you are my friend, and I do like to confide in you. I want you to be fully aware of what I am thinking and planning. I would never discuss this with anyone else."

"I appreciate that, Mr. Carson. You know you can always tell me anything," she replied weakly.

"I do know that, Mrs. Hughes, and I thank you."

Mrs. Hughes didn't think she could bear much more of this conversation at the moment. She nodded and rose to leave. "Well, I've some work to do. I'm sure you're very busy, too. I'll leave you to it." She gathered the tea things and left quietly, her outward calm belying her inner upset.