A/N Thank you for all the reviews, PM's, tumblr comments, likes, favorites, and follows. You've all been wonderfully supportive, and I can't adequately express my gratitude. And so without further ado, I give you … what we've all been waiting for: plain speaking! Finally!

Chapter 8

Mr. Carson and Miss Hughes (for now that she was no longer housekeeper, she was, once again, Miss Hughes) walked down the path leading from the Abbey towards the cottages. They'd said their goodbyes and left the house under the care of their successors. Their belongings had already been moved into their respective cottages, and Mr. Carson carried two small bags, one containing the last of his personal effects and the other containing her few remaining things. Miss Hughes carried only her handbag. There was no conversation for several minutes. Now that they were finally able to speak freely, they weren't talking at all, and Miss Hughes wondered how much longer she could keep up the charade. Just when she thought she couldn't bear it a moment longer, Mr. Carson put her out of her misery.

As soon as they'd rounded a bend in the road and were out of sight of the house, he stopped walking and set down their bags. She also stopped. He looked about, apparently to ascertain that they were alone and hidden from view. Then he carefully took her handbag from her and placed it on top of the other bags. He stepped closer, stood facing her, and looked deeply into her eyes. Miss Hughes could neither speak nor move as Mr. Carson took her face in both his hands. She shivered, closed her eyes, and raised her hands to his chest. She felt the heat of his face near hers as his lips delicately touched hers. He didn't move his lips at first, nor did she move hers; she simply enjoyed the warmth and softness she'd so often imagined. After a few delicious seconds, he began slowly moving his lips over hers, and she responded in kind. As the kiss grew more insistent, Mr. Carson moved his hands to Miss Hughes's waist, and she slid her hands over his shoulders and clasped them behind his neck. They pulled each other closer and held on tightly as they tasted each other for the first time. When they were both breathless, they drew apart just enough to speak.

Miss Hughes let out a contented sigh and remarked, "Oh, my, Mr. Carson! What about your lady friend? Won't she be jealous?"

"I won't tell her if you don't," whispered Mr. Carson as he nuzzled her neck and kissed her ear.

"And my gentleman! I'm quite sure he won't approve of this!" she pointed out, with no real disapproval on her part.

"Will he come and throttle me, do you think? Should I be frightened?" he asked between kisses to her cheek and neck.

"Well … " she answered thoughtfully, as she enjoyed his attentions, "he can be intimidating. He is rather a large man … tall and broad ... very powerful, I should think."

"Now you have me concerned," he responded, with no concern whatsoever in his voice.

"Oh, not to worry, Mr. Carson. You cut quite an imposing figure yourself." She kissed his chin and jaw and ran her hands over his chest, shoulders, and upper arms, lightly squeezing for emphasis. "Solid and robust. Should he come after you, I think you'll be fairly evenly matched."

"That's comforting to know. At least it will be a fair fight before we both end up in hospital." He smiled at her and kissed her lightly on the lips. "It will have been well worth it, though. A sound thrashing seems a small price to pay for the privilege of doing this." And he kissed her again, quite soundly. When they needed to stop for breath, they stood in the path, just holding one another. After a time, Mr. Carson spoke.

"Miss Hughes, I wonder if you might accompany me on an important errand right now. I've arranged to meet with Mr. Travis, and I'd like you to come along, if you'd be so kind."

"Certainly, Mr. Carson. It will be my pleasure. What is it you intend to speak to him about?"

"Well, I'm not entirely sure yet. I will tell him one of two things. I can tell him that I'd like to discuss my becoming the sexton at the church … " He paused meaningfully. "But I would much prefer to tell him that my lady friend has agreed to become my wife."

"Has she, now?" asked Miss Hughes playfully. "Well, congratulations to you. I wasn't aware you'd asked her."

"I haven't ... yet."

"Don't you think you should, then, before you speak to the vicar?"

"Yes, I suppose I must," he said seriously. He paused, drew in a deep breath, and released it. "Miss Hughes, I have enjoyed our bit of fun these last weeks, talking in veiled terms about our futures, yours and mine, but I mean to speak plainly now. I am done speaking in riddles about our respective 'friends.' You … are my lady friend - my most precious friend and the most remarkable lady I've ever met. I love you dearly. You may think it too soon for me to ask this, and I shall be happy to spend the time to court you properly first if you'd like, but I must tell you I am very eager to be 'getting on.' Miss Hughes, will you marry me?"

She smiled joyfully up at him. "I will, Mr. Carson. You are my dearest friend and a finer gentleman than any man born to a title. I love you truly, and nothing would make me happier or prouder than to be your wife."

Miss Hughes, soon to be Mrs. Carson, stretched up to kiss Mr. Carson on his mouth. After several blissful minutes, she pulled away to remind him of something.

"Mr. Carson, I have no real objection to standing here in your arms all day; only I do believe Mr. Travis is waiting for us. We'd best be 'getting on.'"

A/N And there you have it. I'm going to end it here. We'll leave our beloved couple to their "happily ever after," because we can all guess the rest. Thank you for all your support and encouragement throughout. You've all been lovely. Thank you especially to my guest reviewers, whom I can't thank personally. The rest of you who are members have received and will receive individual PM's. Please, please, please leave me a review. Even if you haven't left one yet, please take a minute just to drop me a quick line. Let me know what you think of this chapter and the story overall. Your feedback is very important to me.

Special note to guest reviewer LC: Thank you for suggesting that Mr. Carson and Mrs. Hughes might need to "practice" kissing each other in order to be good at it for their "friends." That could definitely be a lot of fun! But I had already written this chapter and couldn't work it in. I will file that idea away for possible future use!