This took a while longer to tweak than I planned mainly due to real life issues but this is the penultimate part. Thank you for sticking with it.

Part Eight

Charles walked along the dimly lit hallway, his step faltering at the sight of the doctor and Mrs Crawley conferring in whispers. He felt the muscles in his stomach tighten with each step, a blind fear settling in his mind at the prospect of what he was about to hear.

Isobel noticed him first, her hand coming to rest lightly on the doctor's arm to indicate they were no longer alone. She offered the Butler a smile as he came to a stop beside them.

"Ah, Mr Carson," Dr Clarkson said by way of greeting, his professional demeanour revealing nothing.

"Doctor. Mrs Crawley. May I get you something?"

Isobel shook her head with a knowing smile. "We're fine."

He wanted to ask how his friend was doing but he found he couldn't form the words, still fearful that she would take a turn for the worse and he would lose her. Instead he remained rooted to the spot, watching the silent interchange between the two. He wondered whether they were aware of how much they said through looks and touches, how in tune they appeared to everyone else. His thoughts wandered while he waited for them to decide whatever it was they were discussing. He had never expected to find someone to share his life, he had never really considered it an option for a life in service, instead he had devoted his life to learning his craft and taking the family as his own. What he hadn't anticipated was Elsie walking into his life. They may have never kissed or made a promise to each other but they were as much a part of each others lives as any married couple. Charles didn't want to spend the rest of his life without feeling her hand on his arm or sharing a shy smile and a knowing look at the latest going on in the house.

Minutes passed before Isobel's hand lightly squeezed the doctor's arm and she gave an almost the imperceptible nod of her head.

"She's had another bad morning, Mr Carson," Richard began, turning towards him.

There was a lengthy pause, years of practice Charles supposed for a doctor about to give bad news, before he spoke again. A thousand images of his life without her raced through his mind and he said a silent prayer and made a promise if she would live.

"But her temperature is back to normal, her pulse is stronger than it was last night." He allowed himself a reassuring smile. "Isobel and Anna are going to help her to take a bath, change the bed and then we can start her on a little food later. Isobel seems to have faith in the restorative properties of a bath." The doctor seemed not to notice his lack of formality with regard to the woman still holding his arm, and it barely registered with Charles as he let out a sudden rush of air and the room spun before his eyes.

"Oh dear," said Isobel, moving quickly to his side, and propping him up against the wall. "Take slow deep breaths," she urged, turning to Richard with a knowing look and wide grin. "Maybe you should take some tea. Sit down for a little while." Her hand gently ran the length of his back as she spoke in soothing tones. "Come back tonight when she's rested and feels more herself."

"But she will be alright?" he asked hoarsely, finally finding his voice.

"Yes," the doctor replied, rolling his eyes at Isobel's beaming grin. "Give it a week, a few days knowing Mrs Hughes, and she'll be back to work. I'd tell her to take it slowly but I don't think it will make a difference."

"Thank god," Charles sighed with feeling, leaning his head back against the wall. "Thank you both for taking care of her."

"You've been doing a pretty good job of that yourself," Isobel acknowledged quietly. "Now go get some tea. With plenty of sugar."

As he walked away he couldn't help but hear Isobel's chuckling, her voice barely above a whisper, her words not meant for him. "And I thought you were transparent, darling." He should be annoyed with her, and himself for that matter, but for once he allowed himself the moment. Elsie was going to be all right and nothing else mattered.

/

Carson hovered at the threshold to the bedroom. He had called on her almost every day since she had fallen ill, at least once a day since the doctor had confirmed that she was getting better but there still lacked an air of propriety in his entering her room. The sooner they could share tea in her sitting room of an evening the more comfortable he would feel but he had to check on her, he couldn't possibly sleep without knowing she was resting comfortably. Knocking lightly, he pushed open the door and stepped into the room, coming to a halt at the sight before him.

"Mr Carson," Anna greeted, rearranging the blankets on the bed. "I was just going to bed."

"How is she tonight?"

"I'm fine. Just wide awake," came a voice from underneath the blankets, a head appearing as Anna folded back the sheet.

Anna gave him a small smile. "The patient is having her second wind." She stepped away from the bed. "She wants someone to talk to."

He hesitated, for a second his professional demeanour taking over as he considered what the housemaid must make of the situation.

"Just knock on my door if you need anything." Anna slipped out of the room before he could protest, closing the door behind her.

"The poor girl looks exhausted," Elsie commented with a sigh.

"She's been worried about you. We all have." He walked around the bed and settled himself in the armchair a small distance from the bed.

"I don't think I'm going to be up and about for a while."

Charles took a second to study her face, momentarily concerned for her health, his features softening as he took in her rosy complexion and her shy smile. "We'll manage," he said confidently, relieved that she was well enough to consider her return to work. "How are you finding doing as you're told?"

"About as well as you do when you're none too good," she remarked cheekily.

He stifled the urge to stick his tongue out at her, settling for rolling his eyes good naturedly. "Is there anything you need, anything to make you more comfortable?"

She shook her head, adjusting her position to see him better. "I just feel sleepy all day and wide awake in the middle of the night."

"What did Doctor Clarkson say?"

"To sleep when I feel like sleeping," she groaned. "At this rate I'll be prowling the halls and planning the linens and china at dawn."

"I can stay a while if you want to talk," he offered not yet ready to leave her. Although if they kept this up for any length of time they would both be sleepwalking through their duties, he mused.

"Tell me about your day."

"The weather is improving. It has finally stopped snowing so I had Anna air the bedrooms today," he started. "His Lordship tried a new wine this evening, a beautiful red. Next time maybe we can have a glass together."

His tentative smile was quite endearing, she noted, shifting position to see him better in the light of her room. "How is everyone downstairs? I only get to see you and Anna."

"And Doctor Clarkson. And Mrs Crawley."

"Yes," she grinned, knowing full well that it would irritate him.

"Not that again. It's none of our business," Charles groaned with a shake of his head.

"Of course it isn't but its much more interesting than discussing linens and china patterns," Elsie retorted, grinning again.

He rolled his eyes, knowing they would never agree. "Everyone is fine downstairs. Thomas and O'Brien are up to something but quite frankly I don't have the time, or inclination, to deal with it. Mrs Patmore and I had a lengthy, frank discussion about the store cupboard. I won."

Elsie nodded with a smile. Although he didn't agree with her on the issue of running the store cupboard, he would never share his opinion with anyone else. In her absence he would carry on her wishes as if they were his own. "And Daisy?"

"Anna keeps an ear out and we try to run interference when we can, but in all fairness since we discussed a minor promotion the girl has been quite adept at dealing with the situation on her own."

"And my girls?"

Charles shuffled forward in the chair, his hands clasped in his lap. "I haven't witnessed any problems. They are doing a fair job in your absence."

She fell silent for a moment, her thoughts drifting to the young mother and former maid who she had been trying to take care of.

"I sent a note to Ethel and explained that you were sick. I hope that was alright."

Her hand reached for his, squeezing it lightly in gratitude. "Thank you, Charles."

"You know I don't agree with your visits but at least in your absence she can make arrangements and keep the boy fed."

He really was the sweetest man despite his gruff exterior. While most people rarely saw that side of him, she had been on the receiving end of his compassion and consideration on many occasions. She loved him dearly for it. "And how are you doing?"

"I'm fine," he said, his tone dismissing her concern out of routine.

Elsie arched an eyebrow and increased the pressure of her fingertips on his hands.

"Don't fuss woman, things are a little busier but we're managing," Charles scoffed, his eyes falling on their hands.

"That wasn't what I asked."

He avoided the scrutiny of her gaze, knowing full well that his eyes were bleary and he had aged in the past few weeks. "Mrs Patmore is working on a menu for the Servants Ball. I did say that she would need to run it past you when you're back on your feet."

"Are we still going ahead with it? With Mr Bates' situation?"

Charles finally lifted his eyes to look at her."His Lordship wants to leave the decision to the last minute."

"He's still hopeful then? Anna seems to shift between total despair and unwavering belief that the sentence will be commuted."

"He believes in Mr Bates' innocence and that they will not execute an innocent man," he offered succinctly, so used to relaying other peoples opinions that they eclipsed his own.

"He is innocent," she said with conviction.

"There will still be much to do. Once the sentence is commuted they will need to work on proving him innocent."

Elsie lifted her hand to her mouth as she fought back the yawn.

"You're tired. I'm keeping you up. You should get some sleep."

She nodded, too weary to argue.

Charles rose to his feet, gently slipping his hand from hers. "I'll bring you some tea after breakfast."

"Won't you be too busy?" She made the same observation each night but for the last four mornings he had slipped upstairs after the family had taken breakfast and they had shared tea and toast. Just as every evening after supper he came to say goodnight.

"I can spare the time." He made his way towards the door. "Sleep well, Elsie."

"Goodnight Charles."