Her first days in the house pass by slowly. She walks into the village everyday, always thinking of some odd errand to run. She is often kept busy by acquaintances she passes in town. The ladies of the village have been kind in their welcoming. Asking her to join various groups and causes. The men have been even more welcoming. Several local widowers and bachelors already making there play for her. She always smiles politely and steers things back around. She is far from ready for any kind of make attention... Except for Charles, she thinks. She is not use to so much time to herself and the empty hours are spent thinking of him. She is lonely. Especially at night when she sits in her nightgown in front of the fire, reading, drinking wine, and wondering what he's doing. She should be enjoying this freedom and free time to do as she likes. She thinks that in only two days time she will see him again. She has never looked forward to Sunday mass so much in her life.

It has been days since she left. He knows the staff can sense a change in him. Mrs. Bates or Mrs. Patmore have been bringing his meals into his pantry when he doesn't show up at the table. It's more often than not that he has been dining alone. He feels as if he has lost a part of himself. He doesn't think he has truly spoken to anyone since she left. He had given orders, of course, but he had not had a real conversation. Had he ever with anyone other than Elsie? She had always been the one he'd discuss everything with. She had kept him human and real. He didn't know what he was without her. He was in his pantry late one night, staring coldly at the wall when three short raps woke him from his dreamlike state.

"Carson, may I come in?" He heard Lady Mary's voice through the door.

"Certainly, Milady!" He exclaimed, standing and heading towards the door. "What can I do for you?"

"Please sit back down, Carson." Mary said gesturing to his desk. She promptly sat in the chair on the other side. Mrs. Hughes' chair, he thought sadly. No one has sat there since she left. "I came to see how you are." Mary said softly. "I've noticed you have been absent from meals."

"I'm sorry, Milady. It won't happen again." Carson blustered. "I... I have been under the weather, so to speak. I'm not quite.."

"Carson, please?" Mary said with slight exasperation. "We are old friends, you and I. There is no need to beat around the bush. You are not happy here without Mrs. Hughes, are you?"

Charles took a deep breath and sat up straight in his chair. "I'm sure it will take some time to get use to her being gone, Milady." Mary rolled her eyes at his attempt at propriety. He looked away from her and spoke the words he had held back for over twenty years. "I love her."

Mary gasped at his candor, before smiling broadly. "Now then, if that's how you feel, you must do something about it. A wise man once told me to follow my heart, Carson. I'm going to suggest that you do the same." She stood and went to him. Bending slightly she kissed him on his forehead and brushed her hand on his shoulder. "Goodnight, Carson."

"Goodnight, Milady." Carson answered back, smiling for the first time in days. In only two days time he will see her. He has never never looked forward to Sunday mass so much in his life.

...

Of all the days in his life to be late for mass, it would be the one he was looking forward to most. He saw her in the pew and had wanted to run to her. His smile faded when he realized she was surrounded by Beryl and the girls. He wanted to sit next to her so badly. She was looking so lovely. Her usual Sunday best when she was housekeeper, was now replaced with a fitted dark green coat. He thought he had seen it before, possibly years ago? Her tightly pulled back locks, were now loose and curled, pinned gently at her neck. She was so soft, so feminine. He tried to stop himself, being in church and all, but his mind wondered what she had on beneath it. He watched as she unbuttoned the coat and turned back, looking around the church. He hoped and prayed she was looking for him, and when their eyes met she graced him with the most beautiful smile he had ever seen in his life. "Hello" he mouthed to her from far across the church. "Hello" she mouthed back, smiling broadly as she dropped her coat into the pew and looked at him. Charles looked her up and down, swallowing to choke down the lust building within him. He couldn't take his eyes off her.

Elsie nearly broke out into a fit of laughter when she saw Charles' jaw drop as she took off her coat. She knew, as women do, that she looked lovely as she walked out the door for Mass this morning. She had taken special care to dress in her loveliest new outfit and pin her hair in the softest and most feminine new style. Her new dress was fitted, a deep royal blue that complimented the dark auburn of her hair. She even added a little color to her cheeks and lips. She smiled at him sweetly and turned back to the preacher. Teasingly smoothing a hand along her side. She couldn't concentrate on anything other than the thought of Charles standing twenty feet behind her. It took everything in her power to not glance back at him. She thought she could feel his eyes boring into the back of her. She only hoped he missed her as much as she did him.