Charles stood silently as he contemplated Elsie's question. He stared at the woman he had loved for so many long years. How does he bring up something he'd rather just forget. He could go the rest of his life without mentioning Ian Tavish again. Should he tell her everything he heard? Should he delve into the depths of his understanding or just tell her how he feels? How he felt. He decided to follow his heart. "Because I love you. That is how I ended up in your sitting room. Because I couldn't sleep after the horrible things I said to you. The terrible way I treated you. I was sick with regret and guilt. I couldn't rest until you knew how I truly felt." He stepped closer to her, taking her hand and leading her to the armchair by the fire. He sat down and pulled her into his lap, wrapping his arms tight around her middle and resting his head on her shoulder. "You never loved him." He said softly against her shoulder.

Elsie pulled back and took his face in between her small palms. "Never, Charles!" She said firmly. "There has never been anyone but you. I want you to know that. I need you to know how sorry I am that I even allowed this to happen. I never should have...I never would have had I known what he.. Had I known what he intended. What he wanted from me. I'm so sorry to have put you through that." She paused and kissed him softly on his brow. "I never knew, Charles... I never knew you loved me. You never let me in." Tears fell softly from her eyes. "I tried. I tried so hard to make you love me."

Charles felt his own tears slide down his cheeks as he watched Elsie break down at her confession. He was such a fool. He would never be able to forgive himself for allowing her to feel unloved for all those years. His regrets consumed him and he bent his head against her breast as his tears fell and he shook with emotion. "I'm so sorry, Elsie. I wish I could have showed you. I wish I would have been a braver man for you."

Elsie ran her fingers through his hair soothingly. "You are the bravest man I know. The strongest, kindest, most honorable, and might I add handsomest." She smiled as she kissed his head. "Charles, you are everything to me, and I would have waited twenty more years at your side. I would have lived my life here as your friend rather than be anywhere else in the world. The fact that we have this between us now is more than I ever could have hoped for. Never in my wildest dreams, and trust me, I've had some wild ones," she added, nibbling gently on his earlobe. "Never did I imagine we would get this far, become so close."

"But we are now, my love. We are." He brought his lips to hers, their mouths matching, sharing the same sweet breath between them. He pulled back, gently taking her lips between his teeth. His tongue ran along her crease, licking against the tip of her sweet, soft, tongue. They moved against each other, teasing and tasting. Elsie tilting her head back as Charles trailed his kisses down her neck. "I want us to be as close as two people can be." He whispered against her ear. "I want you to be mine. I want to share my love, my life, my heart, my home. I want to spend every day with you at my side." Elsie smiled as he said the words against her skin. He pulled back to see her smile, kissing her lips softly.

Elsie smiled at him sweetly, giggling softly she teased him. "We do share all that already, Mr. Carson."

Charles gave her that half smile he always did when she was getting the better of him. "I know I'm saying this wrong. You know I'm no good with words, Mrs. Hugh...Elsie. I just, I know it's all somewhat sudden.. But yet, its not." He was becoming shy and flustered as he spoke to her while she sat quietly on his lap. "Of course we have been together all these years caring for one another. It should be easy to... That is, if you wanted more.. I would like more. I'm asking for more. I want you, Elsie."

"Oh Charles, I want everything and anything you're offering." She said wrapping her arms around his neck and kissing him soundly. "I feel almost as if we've been together all this time. I'm just glad to finally be reaping some of the more interesting and exciting benefits." She gave him a flirty smile and kissed his cheek.

They both laughed as Charles grabbed her sides and hoisted her off his lap. She watched as he went to his desk and drew out a small black velvet box. He came back around to her and took her hand is his. "My darling Mrs. Hughes, I have waited a lifetime for this moment. Only in my dreams did I ever dare to imagine it would ever come true. My heart has been beating for you and you alone since the first day I saw you, in that green coat with those dark red curls. When you opened your mouth to speak, your voice wrapped around my heart and forever bound me as yours." He sunk down to one knee as he continued to look into her eyes. "Elsie Hughes, will you finally become my Elsie Carson? Will you have me, my darling? The only woman I have ever truly loved. The woman I will love until my dying day." Charles held up a beautiful ring set with a diamond and emeralds.

Elsie cried tears of joy as she smiled down at him. "Yes, Mr. Carson." She answered quickly and giggled at her use of his last name. "Yes, Charles. I would love nothing more."

Charles rose up and wrapped his arms around her waist, holding her tight to him and lifting her into the air. Elsie giggled and he set her back down, taking her hand and placing the ring on her slender finger. He then bent and kissed her hand. "My wife." He whispered quietly.

"My husband." She whispered as she ran her fingers down his cheek.

...

Thomas entered the library, where he knew he would find his Lordship. "Excuse me, your Lordship."

"Yes, Barrow." Robert looked up at his Underbutler as the man moved closer to him. He never did care for the chap. What could he be up to now, he wondered?

Though he didn't want to come off as pleased with himself, Thomas was eager to say the words. "Your Lordship, I'm afraid I have discovered something that may disturb you greatly"...

I appreciate each and every review :) Please do let me know if you're enjoying the story. They really do keep me going, and I find it's getting harder to push on in these later chapters. Thanks so much :) Mona xoxo