And here we have another chapter,
I must admit that I have no idea where this thing is going, so if any of you, who enjoy this story have any ideas, please tell me :))
Characters and the whole idea of Downton aren't mine, I just play with them
And now, hopefully, enjoy :)
Some days have passed after the letter incident and Mrs. Hughes was again her old self. Even on the same day she managed to busy herself with her work which in the end happened to help a great deal. The biggest help of all, however, was Mr. Charles Carson. The prim and proper butler of Downton not only held her and let her cry, but took a great care of her in the upcoming days. He brought her tea or sherry in the evenings, sat with her and chatted about everything. Before it wasn't unusual for them, but now it had become a habit, that in secret both of them enjoyed greatly. Before their chats were about the house business or simply silly gossip, but now they talked about themselves and their lives. Day after day they learnt something new about one another. They suddenly became dependant from each other. And this, however, was quite thought provoking for Mr. Carson.
All his life, Charles was used to caring for others and getting nothing in return, only the feeling of contentment. But now he noticed that the feeling had changed. Suddenly he wasn't happy with the way his life turned out. More and more thoughts of what could have been had found their way to his head when he lay in his room. But the most unsettling ones were of her. Since the day he held her crying, being simply human, unguarded, he found that something had changed. He was now gravitating towards her whenever they were near. When they sat for dinner he would lean to her side to say something. When they drank tea in her sitting room, he would choose a chair closer to hers. He tried to find a good reason for his behavior, but couldn't. It seemed that when he was near her, he felt that everything was right in the world. But when he was away, all he could think was how she was doing or what she was doing. He knew that this cannot continue, but couldn't bring himself to once again put a distance between them
Mrs. Hughes herself wasn't showing any notion of displeasure. After she got the letter, Elsie noticed that the butler found a lot of reasons to happen in her sitting room, to ask about one thing or another. At first, she thought it was just to make sure she was alright, which she already, with his great help, was. But now, when they both knew she was back to her, stern but just, self, he still came. And she didn't mind one bit. All these moments spent with him made her content, and when he wouldn't come for his already usual visit she would feel a strange emptiness she couldn't explain, as if something was missing. She gave this feeling a lot of thought, until one day, serving the Dowager Countess her tea, she understood.
She was watching Mrs. Crawley interact with Dr. Clarkson, who was invited for dinner this evening. She noticed how the easy banter between them was accompanied with short looks or small smiles. It was clear for her that those two felt something for each other but needed a good kick to tell one another. They've been playing this game and dancing around without even knowing for quite some time now. "just like us" a quiet voice in her head mumbled. This stopped Elsie Hughes in her tracks.
Had they been playing around? Oh yes. Had she ever thought that others might think about her and Mr. Carson as she just did about Mrs. Crawley and Dr. Clarkson? No, but she heard Mrs. Patmore, and that woman surely had good imagination. But could it be? That she, Elsie Hughes, the housekeeper of Downton was …
" Mrs. Hughes?!" Came the Dowager's voice. " Are you quite alright? Or have you just found a cure for Cholera?" Apparently she was standing with her hand outstretched, holding a cup of tea for her ladyship and wearing an excited and surprised expression.
"Oh I'm alright, your ladyship. Just…Cast away for a moment. I apologize. Will that be all, m'lady?" The Dowager countess nodded and didn't say anything, however when Mrs. Hughes turned to leave, she watched her intently.
"Well finally." The Dowager looked at Mrs. Crawley for a second until giving her a smug smile.
"Well it may be a first, but I agree with you. It's about time."
When Mrs. Hughes was about to open the door, they opened and Mr. Carson stepped in to announce that the dinner is ready. Moving past him she gave him a bright smile.
The smile she gave him, was something Carson haven't seen since before the war. And now it was here again. The smile, combined with the look in her eyes and an overall air of happiness around her, made him grin back like an idiot. Only after she disappeared around the corner had he noticed that he was staring and hadn't yet said a word.
"I'm sorry. The dinner is ready"He noticed how Mrs. Crawley and Lady Grantham were giving him knowing looks, when the Dowager spoke while standing up.
"Oh, for gods sake, Carson, tell her."
"Tell what for whom?" This whole scene was becoming very embarrassing for him.
"That's not how you look at people. That's how you look at desserts." And with that she strode out of the room with the family behind her.