Chapter 11

A/N So sorry, this is probably not what many of you lovely reviewers want to read, but there it is…

~oOo~

Elsie paced through her bedroom, feeling utterly confused. Just when she had been about ready to give up on Mr Carson, he had to invite her for an afternoon at the lakeside and turn her world upside down again. He had been kind. He had been attentive. He had offered her his arm and had been – she was still recovering from the shock- charming. He had given her compliments – not quite the usual boring ones, about her being an efficient and dutiful housekeeper, the ones that had always made her feel a little sad, and had sometimes even caused her crying herself to sleep at night.

No, he had told her how he admired her ability to be a strict housekeeper and at the same time being the one person the staff went to when in trouble, or feeling homesick. Even the male staff felt better after a touch of her sweet kindness and sensible words – including Mr Barrow.

They had walked towards the lake, where he had brought her to his favourite spot, a sunny patch where a large old willow tree spread its branches out over the water, caressing the surface, and an old stone bench stood in the shadow of an oak tree, overlooking the lake. It was a beautiful place. He had took off his jacket and spread it out on the bench for her to it on and unpacked the basket. A linen napkin was spread out, a flask of coffee, a thick slice of Mrs P's chocolate and raspberry cake and some fresh fruit appeared. She had felt relaxed in his company, a feeling she had been craving for many years.

'I have never told you exactly how important you are to me, Mrs Hughes. If it weren't for you, I'd be a dried up old fool, always ranting about propriety and manners… now I'm just an old fool who can't see the wonderful woman right before him until he almost loses her.'

Mr Carson had stared over the lake when he said that, but he had found her hand and patted it. She didn't know what to do…so she did nothing.

'You mean a lot to me, Mrs Hughes,' he finished.

'Well, that.. thank you Mr Carson, but… why tell me now?'

'Because I realised I might lose you. Dr Clarkson spends a lot of time with you.'

'He does,' Elsie said.

'He might take you away from us.'

'He might. And what would you do to prevent that?' she asked, having noticed the us instead of a much more wanted me. 'What do you offer me instead?'

He looked bewildered.

'You are very important to me, Mrs Hughes. In my position a trustworthy housekeeper is indispensable. I…'

She stood, suddenly feeling very tired. 'Thank you Mr Carson. I'm sorry, I should have known better. I thought…excuse me,' and she'd ran off.

~oOo~

Mrs Patmore had noticed Elsie walking alone to her sitting room, followed ten minutes later by the arrival of Mr Carson, who looked positively dumbfounded. She sighed. Good Lord, it could not be possible…!?

She dried her hands and caught him in he corridor, knowing it was going to be a difficult conversation she steered him to his pantry and closed the door firmly behind them.

'I don't understand, Mrs Patmore,' he said. 'I was being kind, I was polite, I was behaving gentlemanly. I told her how much I admired her. You had packed us coffee and your famous chocolate cake, which she is fond of, and still something went wrong.'

'Did you pay her compliments, like I said?'

'Oh yes, I told her how much I admire her ability to be stern to staff and a comfort at the same time.'

'Hm, that's...well, it could be worse I suppose. Have you told her she looks very well today?'

'I...no, I didn't think of that,' he had to admit. Beryl sighed once again.

'Honestly, Mr Carson. Image you two being married and going to bed. Would you know what to do with her?'

'Mrs Patmore! I don't think that's appropriate! We're talking about Mrs Hughes!' He blushed furiously.

'We are indeed, and that's because Mrs Hughes is made of other stuff and she needs to be loved!' Beryl snapped. 'By a man, if you know what I mean. The doctor clearly loves her, you say you do but all I see is a man not wanting to lose his trusted colleague.'

'But I bought her a present!'

'What did she say about that?'

'I never got to…she walked away before I could give it to her.'

'And why was that?'

He gave her a rapport on their outing.

'I have to say, you didn't start too bad. The part of not seeing what's in front of you until you almost lose it is very good.'

'I got that from a novel.'

'I see. You messed up after that, though. I don't know what to do now, Mr Carson. I'm out of advices. You're on your own.'

She turned and went for the door, leaving him once again clueless.

'By the way, what present did you have for her?' she asked before leaving.

'A book. About the history of estates in Yorkshire. I thought she might like that, seeing as she works in one.'

'Good thing you didn't get to give her that, Mr Carson. Good evening.'

~oOo~

The next morning presented Elsie with one beautiful, white rose. Attached to the stem was a small envelope.

~oOo~

TBC