Chapter 9

A/N Mrs Patmore has quite the job to do.

Elsie had skipped dinner in the servants room and went up to her bedroom instead. She felt tired in a pleasant way, Beth had brought her toast and soup around eight and she was ready for bed at nine thirty. Snuggling under the covers, she remembered the rose gardens, the sun, Dr Clarkson being so kind and attentive, wanting to know her better, telling her how he admired her and asking her to call him Richard. She fell asleep with a smile on her face.

~oOo~

Meanwhile in the butler's pantry, Mrs Patmore crossed her arms and gave the butler a stern look. Her questions had left nothing to the imagination.

And there he stood, clearing his throat and answering; 'I suppose I do.'

Beryl stared at him in utter disbelieve.

'You suppose you do,' she repeated faintly. 'Well, that's it, you are absolutely hopeless. I would have helped you because I know somehow or somewhere you care about that woman and, heavens know why, she cares about you too. She's my dear friend and I want her to be happy…'

'Why does she go out with him!?' Carson suddenly growled.

'Ha! You're a human being after all!'

'She couldn't be fooled by flowers and chocolate!'

'She is a woman, Mr Carson! A living thing!'

' But I don't see how..'

'Of course you don't, that's the point,' Beryl sighed. She sank down on the visitor's chair, uninvited, and began to pour the tea. Mr Carson clearly did not understand what was going on. He accepted the cup of tea she gave him and raised his eyebrows.

'What is it I don't see, Mrs Patmore?' he asked her. Beryl took a deep breath while deciding where to begin. You better appreciate this Elsie dear, she thought. I have a feeling this is going to be hell.

'Please Mr Carson, have a biscuit,' she offered, to buy herself some extra time. He took a biscuit and munched on it, while she took another deep breath.

'Mr Carson, what is it you like about Mrs Hughes?' she asked, dipping her own biscuit in her tea, a habit she knew he found appalling.

'I told you. She is a good housekeeper and a fine woman. A dear colleague and someone to trust and rely upon,' he informed her.

'She is all that, I agree,' Beryl nodded. 'Anything else?' She didn't look at him. He still appeared to be clueless.

'Just because you could say the same about Anna. Or me,' she added, crushing the soggy biscuit with her teaspoon.

'Well, yes, I suppose so,' he had to admit. She felt more than heard his uneasiness. We finally seem to be getting somewhere, she thought.

'So, what is it you like about Mrs Hughes?' Beryl repeated. She leaned back in her chair and started to enjoy spoonfuls of melted biscuit and milky tea, looking like she had all the time in the world.

'Well,' the butler began. He cleared his throat once more but Beryl kept toying with her tea.

'Ahem. Well, I suppose I think she is, well, a wonderful person,' Mr Carson managed to admit.

'Oh yes? Why is that?'

'It's… I don't know exactly.'

Beryl glared at him over the rim of her teacup. 'You have to do better than that Mr Carson.'

'Well… she's always herself, she's not impressed by titles, she judges people for who they are, not what they are ,' he managed, colour appearing above his collar.

'I say, that's nice. Anything else?'

His cheeks suddenly started to burn and his eyes flashed.

'She is the loveliest woman I know, she is kind and sensible and beautiful and I would not know what to do without her,' he burst out.

'That's more like it, Mr Carson,' Beryl said approvingly. 'Have you ever told her that?'

'Of course not. It would not be appropriate,' he scowled.

'And that is exactly why she is having walks in the garden with Dr Clarkson instead of you!' Beryl snapped. 'He tells her he enjoys her company, how he likes to see her eyes sparkle again, how lovely her new shawl looks on her. He treats her like a woman and that's what she is, not some household tool. And if you want to have a walk with her, you now know what to do. Tell her!'

'I have no intention to...'

'Yes you have Mr Carson! It's written all over your face when he comes to see her. Now for once in your life forget about your stupid propriety and just do what you have to do!'

Beryl rose and straightened her skirts.

'I'm off to bed now Mr Carson; early days for me. Goodnight to you and please think about what I've told you. And remember it's all because Mrs Hughes is my dear friend and I want her to be happy!' She turned, left the room, and stormed up the four stairs to her bedroom to let off steam.

That insufferable man! Even now she wasn't sure whether he had any idea what to do. Well, the ball was in his court now. Elsie, you chose the most stubborn and difficult man to love, she sighed. He better be worth it.

~oOo~

The next day was a bright and sunny Saturday. Mrs Crawley had been working on her lesson plans and schedules until well after lunch, and decided she needed Dr Clarkson's input. They needed to make a preliminary plan for his lessons to her students. So she carefully packed up her paperwork and timetables and left for the Doctor's residence.

'Good afternoon Mrs Crawley, I didn't know you were to meet Dr Clarkson. I'll tell him you're here, he was just about to go out to Downton Abbey,' the maid smiled at her.

'Oh dear, not an emergency I hope?'

'No, nothing like that, just a routine check-up I understood, nothing that can't wait. Please come in, Mrs Crawley,' the maid invited her into the drawing room.

Isobel took a seat and sighed. Most likely it was Mrs Hughes he was going to check up on. Isobel liked the housekeeper, very much so, and she suspected she was one of a few that really acknowledged how important this one woman was to the household. Dear Cora did, too, but cousin Robert and Carson had no idea. However, Isobel found she wasn't comfortable with the growing number of visits .

'Mrs Crawley, it's a surprise to see you,' the doctor said as he entered the room.

'I hope I didn't call at a bad time?' she smiled. 'Janet said you were about to see a patient at the Abbey.'

'Yes, well I was about to see to Mrs Hughes, but I suppose it can wait.'

'Is she getting better?'

'She is,' he confirmed.

'I am glad to hear that, she's a kind woman and a good housekeeper. But I would like to discuss the lessons and timetables with you, if it's not inconvenient?'

'Not at all Mrs Crawley, I'd be happy to. Let me ask Janet for tea, and we will give them a good look over,' he said.

'That would be perfect. And since we're going to work together closely, would you please call me Isobel?'

'I would be honoured, and my name is Richard.' They smiled at each other.

Janet brought them an excellent tea and they started to work out the lessons, deciding what subjects to cover and when, making timetables, and planning shifts for the student nurses.

~oOo~

'Will he be visiting her today?' Mr Carson asked the cook anxiously.

'Why do you want to know?' she hissed back.

'Because. If he doesn't, I might like to invite her for a walk. But if he is…'

'Mr Carson, what did I tell you the other day?!'

'Ehrm. Well, you told me to forget about propriety. So you suggest..?'

Beryl rolled her eyes and pushed him out of her kitchen.

'Yes I do! It's now or never Mr Carson. Do or die!'

~oOo~

A/N Please tell me what you think…..