They stayed in his pantry throughout dinner. A sullen Thomas taking over dinner service and forced to serve his soon to be former employers. Beryl brought them a tray and they told her about their engagement and blessing from the family. She couldn't be happier for the couple she had watched loving each other for so long. She snuck out of the room, leaving a still blissful Charles and Elsie behind.

Charles lifted the lid from their plates on his desk and looked over at Elsie, patting his knee. She smiled and went to him, setting herself down on his lap. "Mmm. This looks delicious, love. I've certainly worked up an appetite today. How about you?" She teased as she grabbed a piece of cheese from the plate and offered Charles a bite. He hungrily bit off a piece and Elsie popped the remainder in her mouth. Grabbing a slice of buttered bread, she tore into it. Charles poured one large glass of wine and brought it to Elsie's lips. She took a generous sip and smiled at Charles. She enjoyed this attention from him, almost as much as she enjoyed pampering him. Elsie leaned into Charles and softly pressed her lips to his, sucking slightly at his lower lip before pulling back. He smiled sweetly at her and she responded by forking some of Beryl's meat pie and feeding him.

As Charles gazed at his beautiful woman he thought this must be as close to Heaven as he could possibly get. They fed each other, kissing and caressing in between bites, both drinking steadily from the same glass of wine. It was all so intimate and sensual. Everything was so new and exciting, but felt so comfortable and right. They should have been this way all along. If he had known the utter joy and contentment he would feel by having this closeness with her, he would have given up everything and anything to have had it. He was drawn to her more now than ever. Their love had unleashed something in her that wasn't there before. A twinkle in her eye, a curve to her mouth, a swing in her hips. His chest swelled with pride to think he may be the cause for these delightful changes.

"Dearest." Charles murmured deeply. "Her Ladyship ask that we meet with them in the morning to discuss our new circumstances." He added, tracing her wine covered lip with his fingertip.

"Mmm. I see how it is.." Her Scottish brogue thick with passion he was evoking from her. Her mind spinning, she took his finger from her lip and added. "So we are to be some entertainment for them? Shall we kiss for them, Charles? Perhaps they'll ask us to! Do we have to share every detail of our lives with them because they are our employers?" She was getting angrier by the moment. Could they not just be left alone to enjoy each other while maintaining their perfect household?

Charles was angered by her reaction. "Now Elsie." He said sternly. "That isn't fair. They have been good to us. And she only wanted to enquire about the wedding and such matters."

Elsie stood from his lap and stalked off across the room. "Maybe you are more willing to share 'us' with them, but I'm not. By God Charles, I will not share our love or have it mocked in such a manner...it is far too dear to me!"

"You are not even being reasonable, woman! No one will dare mock us!" Charles said loudly. seeing Elsie's face fall, he walked over to her and took her face in his hands, looking into her eyes. "I'm sorry, my love. Do you find it so hard to believe that they are simply happy for us and want to share in our joy? Because they are darling. You should have seen their faces. The words they spoke. It touched my heart deeply. Now will you go with me in the morning to see them?"

"I will, Charles. I will do anything to make you happy." She stroked his chest softly as he bent to kiss her. A slow and soft kiss full of love.

"Will we always get into such rows now, Charles?" Elsie whispered in between kisses.

"Haven't we always?" Charles answered, smiling against her lips.

Elsie giggled against his mouth and slid her arms around his neck, pulling him deeper into their passionate embrace.

...

After reluctantly parting ways the night before, Charles and Elsie both woke with a uneasy feeling. This morning they would be meeting with Lord and Lady Grantham to discuss their relationship. They had no idea what they would ask of them. What they would expect of the couple. Charles agreed to meet in her sitting room beforehand and they would walk up together. Elsie was nervously checking over her books when she heard his customary knock.

"Come in." She called sweetly. It immediately set him at ease. She always had such an affect on him. Whether it was infuriating him to the breaking point, or soothing him to a peaceful lull. Elsie really was the guiding force of his moods.

"Good morning, darling. You look as lovely as ever. How did you sleep?" He said cheerily, hoping to take the nervous look from her face.

"Good morning, love. I slept quite well considering our plans for today." She said crossing the room to kiss him good morning. "I must have been worn out from yesterday's activities." Elsie teased as she gave him a quick peck on the lips.

"Not so fast, young lady." Charles said grabbing her around the waist and pulling her towards him. "Is that a proper good morning kiss for the man you're about to marry?"

Elsie smiled up at him and threw her arms around his neck pulling him down to her waiting lips. She drug her fingers through the curls at the nape of his neck while pressing into him and opening her mouth. Charles deeply moaned against her, and she pulled back. "Will I do, Mr. Carson?" She whispered softly, teasing him.

Charles looked lovingly into her beautiful blue eyes and smiled. "Very nicely, my love."

...TBC

Hello :). As always, thank you so so much for the reviews. They mean so much to me :). What a busy time of the year! Between the shopping, concerts, parties, and decorating, I've been scrambling to find time to write this. But I'm also working on a little Chelsie something on the side. It's almost done! Probably just a one shot to go with the hand holding pics...sigh. The handholding pics! I still can't believe it :). It's happening...it's really happening?! Tell me I'm not the only one who stares at them everyday... :)