Hello again, and thanks to all who reviewed and left such kind messages for me :). It has been a while since I've attempted a new fic, and I was very touched and a bit shocked to realize my stories have been missed. Please keep reviewing. I do love the feedback, and I must say it does light a fire under me to keep up on my writing. Thanks again, Mona xo

Elsie

She met him for the second time when they were both in the village. He had walked into Downton's tea shop looking for a bite, and smiled brightly when he noticed her sitting at a table by herself. She had invited him to join her for tea and that is where it began. The kind and good hearted man became her friend. He made her laugh. They spoke of home. Rolling green hills, cliffs, seas, tastes of seasons, their families, their lives. Never had she spoken so openly with Charles. There was always a wall up, an unspoken understanding of keeping their distance. Her to save her poor heart. Him to keep his dignity and honor intact. True, those walls between the housekeeper and butler were slowly starting to crumble, but she still held no hope, no reason to believe she would ever have more of him. There were no walls or drawn lines with this man. She found him interesting and intelligent, and they got on together quite well. He was a couple years younger than herself and extremely handsome. He was tall, had a large masculine frame, a dark head of graying hair, deep brown eyes. She thought he looked very much like a slightly younger version of her Butler. He could have his choice of any single woman in the surrounding villages, and so she assumed he eventually would. She thought perhaps he was just lonely at the moment and needed a friend and companion. They became that for each other. She did not feel the passion or lust for him that she felt for Charles Carson, but she was certain Ian Tavish had only friendship in mind as well when it came to her. She would meet him in the village for lunch, he would come to the house for tea. Soon they were the talk of the town. In such a small village any news about prominent locals moved fast. Him being the estate manager for Haxby, and Mrs. Hughes the Housekeeper of the Abbey, meant they were well known.

...

One evening late in the season, Beryl had warned her against the friendship. "Elsie, love. What would you do if news of you two reached Mr. Carson in London?"

"First off, Beryl. There is no news to be spread, Ian...Mr. Tavish and I are just friends. You know that. And secondly, why would it concern Mr. Carson at all? He doesn't much care what I get up to when he's home, let alone during the season when he's away."

"Oh, come on now, you know that's not true." Beryl offered trying to comfort her friend. She knew how Elsie felt about Charles, even if the woman would never admit it.

"Oh do I? I honestly don't, Beryl." She replied sadly. "He'd certainly be concerned that I was upholding a level of propriety appropriate for the Housekeeper of Downton Abbey." She mocked in her best Carson impersonation, adding a forced smile. But inside she was breaking. Her chest tightened with the realization that he would not mind. That if she actually was being courted by the handsome estate manager, Charles would wish her well and send her on her way. Even if he felt the deepest of love for her, he would never tell her. Never break propriety, or choose her over the family. "It doesn't matter anyway, Beryl. I will be meeting Ian in the village for lunch tomorrow. People may say what they like. We have nothing to be ashamed of. I've found a friend in a fellow Scottsman. He's really a very nice man, don't you think?"

"I do indeed. A very nice man. And also a very determined man." Beryl said, her gaze implying more than her words. "You just be careful when it comes to him. Fellas that look that good usually get what they want...if ya know what I'm saying." She adds, collecting the tray and giving Elsie one last glance over her shoulder as she heads back to the kitchens.

"Beryl Patmore!" Elsie feigns shock, as her smile betrays her and giggle escapes her lips. Whatever was she going to do with that woman? She was forever putting ideas in Elsie's head. Always trying to convince her Charles had greater feelings for her than he conveyed. Se knew he cared for her, but love was an entirely different feeling. Love is what she felt for him. She tried to shake Charles from her thoughts and focus on her lunch date tomorrow. Was it a date? She never really considered their meetings to be dates. She certainly didn't think he was courting her. Had he ever given her any signs of wanting more? Of course he would offer his arm. He would insist on paying for all meals. He always commented on her outfit or hair. Elsie gasped out loud as she came to the realization she was being courted. She was allowing herself to be escorted all around Downton and courted. What would Charles Carson say, indeed?

...

The smile on his face grew as she neared him. "Oh dear" Elsie thought as she watched him walk towards her and extend his arm for her to take.

"Hello, Elsie Hughes. You are too pretty today to look so downhearted. How are you?" Ian's Scottish brogue inquired after her, his eyes never leaving her face as he led her towards the bench across the street. "Shall we?"

Elsie sat down upon the bench and Ian joined her, turning slightly so he faced her. "Thank you, Mr. Tavish. I'm quite alright. I do apologize. My mind must be somewhere else today." She smiled nervously as she tried to assess his intentions towards her.

"What is bothering you, my friend? I can tell you are out of sorts." He asked softly, gently taking her hand in his. He really did seem so sweet and thoughtful.

Elsie pulled her hand away nervously, but not before several people witnessed the exchange. "I..I am very sorry, Ian...Mr. Tavish. I, well I began to realize that we may have unintentionally caused some gossip to spread about town. People are saying we are... well they are saying that..." Elsie fidgeted uncomfortably as she tried to find the words to address the issue.

"Are you worried people are talking of my courting you? Is that what you're trying to say?" Ian asked shyly as he once again reached for her hand. "Because if you are wondering what to call this. If you are wondering of my intentions Elsie, I will tell you this is true. I value our new friendship greatly, and if that is all you wish from me, I will understand. However, if there is even the tiniest shred of hope you may feel something more for me, please give me a shot. Let me at least be given the chance to win your heart."

Elsie's heart raced as she watched this handsome and kind man before her. Never in her life did she think she would experience this kind of moment. She felt as if she stepped right out of the pages of one her novels. "Ian...Ian I ... I don't know what to say. I don't know if I can give you what you need. It's complicated. I ...I. ". Elsie stumbled over her words, unsure of what she felt for him, not knowing if she could ever move past what she felt, what she feels for Charles.

"It's your Butler, isn't it?" He whispers. His confidence deflating before her very eyes. "The man I saw you with in the village the first time we met?"

"It is." She whispers back to him looking at their joined hands. "But it's not what you think. We have no understanding. That is, he holds no affection for me, he does not..." Elsie started to choke up and tears began to form in her eyes.

Ian pulled her into his embrace and held her as he whispered in her ear. "Then he is a fool, Elsie. He doesn't deserve you, and I want a chance to prove that to you."