Elsie was as hurt by Charles pulling away, as he was by Ian showing up. She stood silent in the servants hall staring out the door where he had left. How had they found themselves here again? Why is Charles turning his back on her so easily, and continuously pulling away just when she thinks they have moved forward? Her eyes filled with unshed tears. How was she to ever clear things up between them if he would not listen. She was startled from her thoughts by Ian's voice.
"Hello, lass." He said softly. "I'm so sorry to show up so early and unannounced. I just couldn't wait another moment to see you." He stepped closer and took her hand. "Elsie, whats wrong? Please? If you will have me, I will take you right now. I see the tears in your eyes. I see what he's done to you again..."
"Mr. Tavish, please." She interrupted him. "I can't... I love him. I'm so very sorry. I never meant to hurt you." She said sadly. Ian stepped closer to her. His hand reaching up and caressing her cheek. Elsie pulled away from him. "I told you, Ian," said sadly. "I tried to warn you against me."
Ian moved his hands to her upper arms. "But I want you Elsie. What have you been doing with me last few months. Was I just a game to you? Someone to fill your time until your Butler came back? I love you!"
"Mr. Tavish." Elsie said shocked. "I never... You know that is not true. I thought we were friends.. I thought..."
But he quickly cut her off again and she could see the desperation in his eyes. "I've played the game, Lass." He whispered as his hands held her arms and drew her nearer. "Am I suppose to walk away with nothing? Do you realize I could have any woman in this village? I could, but I want you. I want you!" He said desperately.
Elsie eyes were wide in confusion. This certainly was not the man she had grown to know. She felt Ian loosen his grip on her but he was slowly backing her into the wall, out of the view of anyone passing by. "Oh, my darling. I'm sorry. I never meant to speak that way to you. Your so very beautiful. I could make you so happy. I could make you so much happier than that dried up, stuffy old Butler." He said as he pressed his body up against hers, pushing her into the wall.
"Ian, stop!" She tried to say forcefully, while keeping her voice so low as to not be caught in this position. She was sure it would be misconstrued. "Please, stop!" She said as thrust his thigh between her legs and pressed into her. She tried to turn her head away, to pull away from him and his hand was at her chin holding her.
"I just want you to see what you'll be missing, love. How good I could make you feel. Does he make you feel this way?" He kissed her hard, pushing his tongue into her mouth as he rubbed himself against her and she bit back a whimper as tears began to fall. He pulled back from her and her now free hand slapped him hard on the cheek. Stunned, he reached to his cheek as his eyes grew wide. "Els, oh lass.. What have I done?" He went to take her hand and she tightened her arms around herself. "My darling, I'm so sorry. I'll do anything." He began groveling, obviously distressed over his actions. "I never meant to get so out of hand. You do this to me. I just want you so badly for my own."
Elsie looked at him in anger and also pity. "Just go Ian, and promise me you will never come back. Please, just go."
"I'm so sorry, Elsie. I will do anything for you. I will do anything to make it up to you. Please forgive me." He was begging now, the words of a desperate man.
"I forgive you. Now go. We're done, Ian. Goodbye." Elsie said firmly, but sadly.
"Please, Elsie. I will never forget you. Forgive me." With that, Ian placed his hat on his head. There were tears in his eyes as he turned and walked out of her life.
Thomas just made his way through the doors of Downton, having arrived home on the earlier train. He pauses just outside the servants hall. He can hear the desperation in the man's voice as he pleads for Mrs. Hughes' love and acceptance. Pathetic. He's glad he's never cared for women. He's glad he's given up on love for himself. If he can get a few romps a year while in London, he figures he's set. Ahhh, but what's this? She loves "him"? There can only be one "him" she's referring to. And then there it is, Tavish confirms it when he hears "stuffy old Butler". Thomas grins. He can hear some rustling, a whimper, but he figures the tough housekeeper is just fine on her own and he walks off to find Miss. Baxter, to tell her of his new revelation. To see if she can add anything to his story.
...
Elsie makes her way to her sitting room. She locks the door behind her and sits down at her desk. She wills herself to not cry. To not shed a tear for the man she thought Ian Tavish to be. Her thoughts are consumed by Charles anyway. By her desire to set things right once and for all. She loves him, he loves her. Why must it all be so damned complicated? They have waited so very long for this. Their chance to finally be together. For the world to either accept them or to allow themselves to change so they could be together. She pulls out his letter, reading the declarations of love he wrote her. It gives her strength. Wanting to be able to hear if Charles came back down, she stands and goes to open the door, when suddenly the bells go off. The family is arriving! She hurries upstairs with the fleet of servants behind her. All readying to welcome home the Granthams.
Their arrival is the same as every year. Lord and Lady Grantham and family are welcomed home by all. They stand outside their home, pausing to breathe the fresh country air. Elsie greets them, then takes an exhausted Anna's hand in hers. "How was London, dear?"
Anna smiles sweetly. "Just fine Mrs. Hughes. Mr. Bates and I had a lovely time. Although I am exhausted from caring for Lady Mary, Lady Grantham, and also." She doesn't say the words, but gently rubs her growing stomach.
Elsie is overjoyed and beams at her. "Oh, my darling. I bet you are dear. But Miss Baxter seems to be on the mend, you shall have your freedom tonight. I will see to the ladies if you'd like?"
"Bless you, Mrs. Hughes. You are an angel. No wonder Mr. Carson was so lost without you in London. We all were." Anna squeezes her hand before heading off to the servants entrance.
"The cheek." Elsie teased, turning and following the family into the house. She was happy to have her girl back. She smiled brightly thinking of the joy a baby would bring to the couple, and to Charles and herself.
Charles watches her speaking with Anna. He can decipher their conversation and can see the broad smile as she welcomes her girl home. She will always be Elsie's girl. They have always had a special bond between them. He enjoys watching her Mother over their children. Watching Anna caress her stomach, he thinks what it would have been like to have Elsie carry his children. To create a life with her. Yet he would take whatever life he could have left with Elsie, if only she'd let him. Choose him. How could she toy with him in such a way? Parade that man around right under his nose?
Elsie walks up behind the Grantham family and past Charles. She brushes against him purposely as she passes, her hand sliding against his as she smiles up at him, trying to reassure him of her affection. He shows her no signs of acknowledgement, only follows closely behind her. They are stopped when Cora turns back to Elsie. "Dear Mrs. Hughes, if you have a moment I'd like you to come attend me. I believe we need to have a chat." She said ominously as she ascended the staircase, not waiting for a reply.
Elsie turned quickly to Charles to speak to him, but he turned on her and followed Lord Grantham into the library. She was left standing in the hall, a mess of emotions. She sighed and followed Cora up the steps. She had a terrible feeling in the pit of her stomach she was not going to enjoy this meeting...