When Mass finally ends, Charles waits patiently just outside the church for Elsie to appear. When she exits, to his surprise, she is surrounded. Mrs. Patmore is at her side, as are a dozen other cackling hens. He tries to maneuver his way to her and he can see her stretching up and scanning the crowd. Is she looking for him? He waves at her, but she does not see him. Only when he gets closer does he realize there are also men in her quaint little gathering. He approaches just as the local Grocer is asking her to tea. A second man, only known to Charles as a local businessman starts up with "Hey now, Edward. You knew I was heading over to ask her that." He's sick with jealousy. How dare these men even look upon here. None are worthy of her grace or beauty. Elsie spots him and looks up smiling, her eyes searching his. He doesn't know she is longing for a moment alone with him. Or how deeply she's missed him. She politely declines the other men's offers, and beams back up at him, rising his spirits. Their moment is spoiled when he hears Mrs. Patmore approach.

Unaware of his arrival Mrs. Patmore teases Elsie. "My, my. Belle of the ball are we? Have to beat them off with a stick. Perhaps your retirement won't be spent so alone like you thought."

Elsie stares at him and watches his reactions to Beryl's words. His face falls and he stiffens. She watches as he quickly backs away, making his excuses that he has to head back to the house. He turns on his heel and walks away, feeling well and truly broken. Why would she want him? She now had many options, and each one could offer her more than he ever could. He starts to make his way down the lane when he hears her quick steps behind him.

"Mr. Carson! Mr. Carson!" She nearly yells to him. He turns and she is there, right in front of him, a sad look upon her face. "You were going to leave without speaking to me?"

"I'm sorry, Mrs. Hughes." He apologized, his deep voice tinged with hurt. "You seemed to be preoccupied."

She rolls her eyes at him. "Don't even get me started. I can't even walk into the village without being preyed upon like fresh meat." She laughs heartily and he chuckles at her honesty with him. "It's a fine day, Mr. Carson. Would it be too bold of me to ask if I may escort you back to Downton?" She asks teasingly.

"It would hardly be proper for a woman to escort a man home, Mrs. Hughes." Charles stated firmly, but continued when he saw her face drop. "But if I may, I'd like to escort you back home...Maybe I could scare off your potential suitors." He smirked down at her and offered his arm. They walk in silence for just a moment. Both perfectly content to enjoy the others presence. It was Charles who spoke first. "How have you been enjoying retirement, Mrs. Hughes?"

Elsie sighed loudly before speaking. "In all honesty, I am bored. And lonely. I miss...I miss the house. I miss being busy. I miss having someone to talk to."

Charles reached up to her hand at his elbow and patted it gently. She was quite certain this was nearly the most intimate gesture Charles had ever attempted with her. "We are only a walk away, Mrs. Hughes. You do know you are welcome at the house. Everyone misses you terribly."

"Do they?" She asked, looking up at him. Looking for something to show her that he missed her.

He looked down to meet her gaze. "They do, Mrs. Hughes. More than they can say."

She stopped walking and smiled sweetly at him, before looking past him and laughing. "Mr. Carson, I do believe we passed by my cottage."

Charles turned and laughed nervously with her. "It certainly seems that way. I..I wish I could stay for tea." He added without thinking. "Not that you invited me... I do apologize..I just meant... Well, I thought."

"Charles, it's fine. I wish you could stay too." The use of his first name, and the look she gave him made his heart melt in his chest. He held tightly to the hand in the crook of his elbow.

"I miss you, Elsie." He blurted out the words, without giving them a second thought.

She was shocked, but as happy as she thought humanly possible. "I miss you too, Charles."

Their release of each other was reluctant. She slowly slid her hand from his arm. "Will I still see you Thursday?"

"Nothing could stop me." He said smiling, as he tipped his hat and headed down the road towards Downton.

Charles' walked into the house with a big smile on his face. She had missed him. He had plucked up the courage to let her know he missed her as well. She had also called him Charles. Shivers ran down his spine just thinking of how lovely his name sounded rolling off her tongue. Good heavens, he shouldn't even be thinking about her tongue. Her lips, her neck, breasts, hips, bottom. He felt himself slowly slipping down a dangerous slope. He had always felt lust for her. But it was controlled and pushed deep down in him. That part of him was always kept firmly under wraps. He could slowly feel it being unfolded. It was blossoming in him like a boy with his first love. He knew he could never have her in that way, but he didn't want to think ahead, or weigh his options. For once in his sad life, he would be happy and follow his heart.

Elsie spent the remainder of her Sunday, flitting about the house. Softly singing Scottish love songs and catching herself smiling at nothing. She knew she had to gain control of herself. Elsie Hughes did not flit about for any man. Even Charles Edward Carson. She smiled just thinking of his strong forearm beneath her hand. What would it be like to run her hand across his firm and broad chest. She often dreamed of just sliding her hand into his shirt and scratching her nails gently across his chest and shoulders. His solid strength had always bewitched her. She shook the thoughts from her head. My goodness, Elsie Hughes! You just got back from church. And really, what was to become of them? Charles would never leave the house. She had already left it, there was no going back for her, and no moving forward for him. There was little hope that they would ever have more than the close and comfortable relationship they had developed over the years. She needed to come to terms with the bitter reality of the situation. Yet, he was coming to see her on Thursday and she couldn't stop her heart from nearly bursting at the thought of seeing him again.