Chapter 6

A/N My apologies to anyone I have shocked with the last chapter…. I didn't mean to, I didn't even intend to! Sometimes these things suddenly start writing themselves and I just follow along. On the other hand; of course Clarkson is sweet on Elsie! Aren't we all? So there it is… I do feel sorry for Carson though, and I promise to make it up to him in another fic.

He found her curled up in the easy chair Mr Barrow had brought earlier, since in her bedroom there were only straight backed wooden ones. Barrow again. He had never particularly liked the young man, always thought him somewhat sly, but even he had showed the patient more kindness that that pompous fool of a butler.

'Hello Mrs Hughes.'

She wiped her face but he had seen the tears. He put the tea tray on the table and took her hands in his.

'Mrs Hughes, what's wrong?'

'Nothing,' she whispered.

'You always cry because of nothing, then?' he smiled.

'No, but it's….I'm sorry. It's nothing, I should not bother you…'

'I am your physician, you're not bothering me at all.'

'I see,' she said.

'Good. Now, what's wrong?'

Fresh tears pooled in her eyes.

'I'm sorry, I'm feeling a bit down, I have had too much time to think I suppose.'

Dr Clarkson knew how to make silence work for him. He just nodded.

'I can't help feeling…I feel so very… Mr Carson didn't think…'

'That's right, he didn't think at all.'

Tears ran down her face.

'All he worried about was the Duke and Duchess, and whether they would be properly served… I know I'm not important, to him only the House is… , and the etiquette, and I don't mind… I just didn't expect they would leave me up there, to …'

He stroked her hand.

'Mrs Crawley told me and I can't stop crying, I can't. What am I doing here? Who cares… I feel so… so…' she whispered, wiping at the tears.

He gave her his handkerchief. 'Don't cry, Elsie.'

'I'll stay here for another, ten, fifteen years or so, till I'm used up and they'll put me in a home, or worse, in a cottage married to some old man, to look after them…'

That was a harrowing prospect, he had to admit. He smiled at her and gently stroke her cheek. 'I can see why you need some cheering up. But ten years is a long time Elsie, and who knows what the future brings. I know you don't feel like it now, but you're a very strong woman, and a kind and beautiful one as well. You will not end up in any home, I promise.'

He almost blushed at his own passionate words and looked away, saw the tea tray and took his time preparing them both a cup of tea.

When he looked up again and handed her the cup, all traces of embarrassment were gone and he was the doctor again.

'There you are, and Mrs Patmore sent you her chocolate cake with strawberries. Mrs Hughes, I understand why you're feeling sad and I thank you for telling me. All I can say now is that you're still very weak, and things may turn out to be not so grim as they appear now. Please, believe that.'

She nodded hesitantly, but for now that was all he could expect, he decided.

'Good. I'll be back tomorrow afternoon and hopefully you'll feel well enough to accompany me in a walk through the gardens. The weather should be nice and we need to get some colour back on those cheeks of yours. Would you do me that honour?'

'Yes, that would be nice, Dr Clarkson.'

A/N a very short piece for now; more to come. And please, review if you can find the time... CU george