A/N: Sweeties, here is Lady Violet's POV. Quite the difficult chapter to tackle, please let me know what you think.
Trigger warning: there is something really sad implied, if you'd rather not read about sadness in the building a family department, you might want to skip the italics.

They both stand by the sideboard, laying out napkins and cutlery and I see it so clearly I am surprised Robert has never asked me about it. I am even more surprised he didn't ever ask me about the fights I had with his father about it. Of course I know I was wrong and I knew it then, but it gave me a feeling of power to fight with Edward. I found it thrilling and exciting.

I didn't even mean it.

Like I didn't mean what I said to Carson at the ball. Who am I to deny a man his offspring? I must say I find it very silly he listened to me. I only said it because I had thought he would say it to Edward and that would have been an explosive fight.

Afterwards we would have made up. Of course. We always did. Explosively so.

It doesn't do to think of ones butler and housekeeper fighting and making up, but I see him speak to her and I see her stiffen as a reaction to his words. She purses her lips, obviously rather angry, but she focuses on the job at hand and then she just gets on with things. He pops more corks, sends out his footmen, all drilled like soldiers in His Majesty's army. More so, perhaps. Carson doesn't suffer sloppy work or less than the best. He suffers Thomas, only because he seems to have no choice and after all: Thomas is a good footman. Tall and efficient and I suppose he isn't bad looking.

Thomas steers himself towards Evelyn Napier's cousin, George. I don't want to see what they whisper about. Being able to close my eyes to the unsavory is a privilege I am very thankful for. Carson does see it and he goes after Thomas, but he passes Mrs Hughes first and he talks to her and she smiled at him, fleetingly. I could never forgive Edward as easily as Mrs Hughes forgives Carson time and again.

She scans the room, alert and handling everything with ease and quiet grace. She picks up a plate of hors d'oeuvres and brings it to Cousin Isobel, who is looking rather forlorn. I ought to go and speak to her, but I really don't feel like it. Parties are dreadful enough as it is. Maybe Cora will find it within herself to converse with the woman later. After putting down the plate, Mrs Hughes leaves for the hall and Carson follows her.

I don't think he cares who sees him and no-one cares that he leaves as soon as Mrs Hughes does. I can't believe that after all these years nobody has ever commented on how they are always in each other's company.

I vividly remember catching them in each other's arms, talking or kissing. At first they would spring apart and apologize, but after their marriage, they would just let go and went on their way. Edward used to say I shouldn't spy on them and he was right of course. Insufferable man.

He returns first, his own steady self and Mary beckons him and he goes to her immediately. The man dotes on the girl and I know she went to see him when he caught Spanish Flu. Robert gives his girls far too much leeway, he has spoiled them from the moment they were born, Mary especially and Sybil too. Edward always let Robert get too familiar with the staff too. Boundaries are getting even vaguer these days. Even I have asked O'Brien a favour or two. I am willing to change if necessary. Not for change's sake though. I have only just gotten used to using the telephone.

Mrs Hughes returns, she is putting away a handkerchief and runs the back of her hand across her cheek. She doesn't look very good, but I have seen her drawn before. When Carson collapsed when we were having dinner and that poor fellow Lang was serving at the table and one other time, when she and Carson had not been married for very long.

She was helping out serving tea to me and some of my friends when she doubled over in a corner and made herself scarce. Someone came to take her place and we didn't see her for three or four days after that. The doctor was called but he told us she would be fine in a few days, that she needed some rest to recuperate.

I have never asked her about it and she has never told me. But I am no fool. A sad thing to happen, but perhaps for the best.

I did try to be kinder towards her and to Carson especially after her episode. Things went back to normal and I really can't see how Cora would run her house without the pair of them. When all is said and done, the Carson's are the driving force behind the facade Cora puts up. Mrs Hughes has helped her with everything, showed her how to run a house, how to host a party, how to serve tea and host dinners. The girl would never have taken my word for it, even if she lived under our roof before she became a countess. An imported one at that.

It is time for me to leave. I hardly have to nudge and Carson comes my way to let me know the car is being pulled around and that O'Brien is waiting for me in the hall with my cloak. Mrs Hughes slides towards me, asking if there is anything I need.

There is a long, uncomfortable pause.

"No, thank you Mrs Cars-... Hughes." She looks me square in the face. Elsie Carson is not a coward, it has to be said. "I have all I need."

They walk me to the hall, O'Brian wraps me in my cloak and Carson opens the door and helps me into the car. He waits for the car to pull away and when I look around, I see her come out to him and she puts her arm around his waist. They turn around and get in together, closing the door behind them.

Sometimes I do wonder who the real owners of Downton are.

A/N: So do I.
I will be trying my hand at Anna next, but that is also going to be a little while. Thanks for reading!