Hi guys :). Sorry I'm being such a crappy updater lately :(. I'll try and get back on track. Christmas is kicking my butt! Hopefully I'll get the next chapter up tomorrow...or should I say later today. Christmas cookies and fudge for those who review ;) Thanks sooooo much, Mona xoxo.
Charles and Elsie held each other tightly until it was time to go upstairs and face the Lord and Lady of the house. With Elsie's hand firmly grasped in his, Charles led the way up the servants staircase, pausing at the top to give Elsie one last kiss before they entered into the great hall. He was completely unnerved by the situation as a whole. Never did he think his professional and nearly nonexistent personal life would ever intertwine. Never did he imagine this stunning woman before him would actually love him back. "It will all be fine. I love you, Elsie Hughes. Do not forget that." Charles said ominously as he opened the door for Elsie to the drawing room.
Elsie slowly passed by Charles, smiling reassuringly up at him and masking the worry beneath her calm exterior. She immediately settled when she saw Cora and Robert were beaming at them as they entered. An smiling Cora quickly went to Elsie, taking both her hands as she spoke. "Mrs. Hughes, allow me to offer my most heartfelt congratulations on your engagement. I must say, I've always known there was something there."
Elsie smiled in return to her employer, so relieved by her kindness and generosity. "Thank you, my Lady. I am very pleased you feel that way, and I can also assure you Mr. Carson and I have never..."
"No, no, of course not." Cora interrupted. "I only meant its always been obvious to me that the care and friendship I've witnessed between you over the years has always been constant and steady." Cora explained, smiling shyly as she spoke. "And of course I'm happy, what else would I feel, Mrs. Hughes? It's almost as if you two have been married for years anyway."
"Not quite, my Lady." Elsie said, looking down and blushing again.
"No, I suppose not." Cora said blushing and giggling softly.
"Well then." Robert interrupted the women. "That should open up my next question. Where would you both like to sleep? That is stay? We would like to offer you two rooms on the east wing near the servants quarters. I'm sure you know the ones. We thought it would be a good location."
Charles finally spoke, the thought of possibly not sharing a bed with Elsie spurring him into action. "Thank you, my Lord, but only one room will be necessary."
Robert sighed. "I'm offering you a sitting room Carson, not separate bedrooms for Gods sake. I should think it's very well known that her Ladyship and I share a bed. I would not expect you to be parted from your wife." He said smiling at Mrs. Hughes uncomfortably. Charles struggled to maintain his composure in such an intimate discussion with his Lordship. While Elsie was doing everything in her power to not laugh at the awkwardness between Robert and Charles. Two men from different worlds, yet cut from the same cloth.
Charles looked at her pleadingly for his rescue, and Elsie smiled brightly as she spoke for them both. "We accept and greatly appreciate your kindness."
Seeing Robert becoming as uncomfortable as Carson, Cora spoke up. "We are so pleased to do this for you. You both mean a great deal to us and are very highly valued."
"Too true." Robert agreed. He then took Cora's hand and smiled at their Butler and Housekeeper. "Now I suggest you both take the rest of the day off. Make a day of it. Go to the village, wherever. Just enjoy each others company away from the house. Feel free to make your announcement to the staff whenever you choose. We shall remain silent until then." Robert added smiling.
"Oh no, we couldn't possibly..." Charles began stammering when Elsie reached for his arm. Changing his tune, when he felt her small hand on him. "Thank you, thank you very much, my Lord. That is a very kind offer indeed."
"Yes, very, thank you." Elsie added, smiling up at Charles.
...
Charles and Elsie quickly made their ways to their separate rooms, changing out of uniform and promising to meet in his pantry in a quarter hour. Both were incredibly happy to be getting away for a bit on their own. Elsie blushed as she changed into her best silk knickers and newest corset. She pulled on her dark blue skirt and deep red blouse. She gave herself a look in the mirror, and after applying the sheerest tint of lipstick, she headed down to meet Charles. On the way she wondered exactly what they would do? Where they would go? With a whole day together, all alone, could they head to Ripon? Perhaps find a room where they could be alone? Where she could finally have the man she's hungered for for too many long years. She felt herself flush at her brazen thoughts. Although she knew Charles wanted to wait until they were married, they had already stepped far over the line of propriety. She knew she could have whatever she wanted from him. He was so eager to make her happy, to please her in any way possible, and he was doing such a very good job of it.
Charles pulled on his Sunday suit as quickly as he could. He dressed with a smile on his face. A whole day with his gorgeous and beloved Elsie. He felt the luckiest man in the world. He thought of ways to wine and dine her. Where he could take her. What he could show her. All thoughts came back to him just wanting to be alone with her. To hold her in his arms and just be together. Charles and Elsie. Not Butler and Housekeeper, or Carson and Mrs. Hughes. But Charles and Elsie, two people madly in love. He opened his pantry door to find Elsie sitting at his desk smiling. "Are you ready, Mrs. Hughes." Charles said formally, as he stood in the doorway.
"I certainly am, Mr. Carson. I have already cleared our departure with Mrs. Patmore and Anna. I also spoke with Thomas.. Mr. Barrow. He's still quite miffed about his departure, are sure there's nothing you can..."
Charles' face grew red as stepped inside his room and closed the door behind him. He spoke angrily to her. "Elsie Hughes. Don't be a fool! After all that man has done, you would still see him as some wounded bird! He is no victim! Thomas is horrid human being, and you should be happy to see the back of him! I certainly am!"
Elsie was enraged by Charles' lecture. "A fool! A fool! Honestly Charles! I thought we were beyond the name calling now! Haven't I heard it enough from you over the years? A woman without standards! Or perhaps you could just look down your nose at me like usual. I know you think you are better than me, Charles. I'm surprised you would lower yourself to such..."
"Stop! Elsie, stop! I did not mean for it to come out like that. You know how I am with words." Charles attempted to calm her with his words as he walked towards her to take her hand. She shrugged away from him and stomped out his door without another word. When he heard the backdoor shut loudly he knew he was in a terrible mess. He left his pantry, grabbing his coat and hat from the hook. Walking down to Elsie's room he took her green coat and hat from the stand, before quickly setting off after her. When he didn't see her from the path, he knew she had taken off in a hurry and was most likely headed towards the village. He walked as quickly as his aging legs could carry him. Within a quarter hour he found himself standing in the village square and watching a beautiful, weeping, Elsie sitting on a park bench with Ian Tavish Standing over her...
Dun. Dun. Dun... TBC