This is a short chapter but it needed to end where it did! I will be out of town starting Friday so I'll TRY to put more up but not sure how much will get written! Love the feedback..keep it coming!

She was smiling, ear to ear, as he came in and shut the door. He looked back toward the closed door. "What was that about?"

Elsie just shook her head. "Oh you know Mrs. Patmore, always the joker."

"Yes, I do." He went to her cabinet and got out a bottle of sherry and their customary 2 glasses. "Mmm…what a day," he sighed.

"A good day, no?" she questioned him cautiously.

He handed her a glass and sat, his eyes focused right on her. "A good day, yes." He confirms yet feels like he is not being completely honest. "Elsie, it's been a day of change, of enlightenment, a lot of joy but also a day of uncertainty and turmoil…especially for you." He said sadly. "For that I'm so very sorry."

Elsie takes his hand speaks with surety and confidence, "Charles, you have made this day one of the happiest of my life."

He sat quietly and looked at his hands, searching for just the right words. But silence caused her to doubt herself and her face suddenly flushed with embarrassment. She considered that maybe she was being too forward; maybe he was caught up in the moment and made admissions, this morning, which he wasn't completely comfortable with, didn't mean exactly. She turned away and silently chastised herself for putting that kind of pressure on him.

Charles covered her hand with his other one and gave her that half smile. "Elsie…"

"No…I'm sorry Charles." Elsie stood up. "It's unfair of me to say something like that. I know you feel my illness is yours to take on but I do not want you to worry and feel you have to take care of me." She gave him a sad look.

Charles stood and took her fiercely in his arms. "Elsie Hughes don't you dare rob me of this moment and don't you rob yourself of it. I have waited for this for more years than I can remember." He looked up at the ceiling, closing his eyes tight, almost as if he was saying a prayer. "Oh..the nights I've longed for this, to touch you and be close to you; take you in my arms and hold you." He pulled away just enough to look at her, but not letting her go, his eyes were brimming with tears. "Don't push me away. Let me be here, let me….love you." He pleaded.

There were no words to convey what she was feeling so she just reached for his face, her fingers to his lips. "I love you," she whispered. She caressed his lips between gentle, tender kisses. Soon they were lost. The desperation of love and passion came barreling its way in and they were powerless to stop it.

Minutes turned into hours, the night wore on as they talked and kissed and fondled and stroked each other under the dimly lit fire light. They laughed and let themselves be vulnerable and emotional with each other. They talked of family and childhood and things they would've done…the people they may have become if not finding their way to Downton. Neither of them gave a thought as to how late it was and what tomorrow would bring, not having any sleep. They were as comfortable as any couple could possibly be. They spent the night removing inhibitions and connected emotionally like they never had. When the passion would begin to overtake them, Charles was always the gentleman and would pull away.

"Elsie, I will not mar your good name and reputation. I want to marry you, want to make you my wife before…." He lowered his eyes.

"Oh…go on," she teased, "that's the trouble with you proper men…always doing the right thing!" she laughed and hit him on the arm.

"Of course…you know…I do want you." His voice was a low rumble, his eyes dark with desire. There is nothing I want more than to…make you mine completely."

She swallowed hard and closed her eyes; that smooth, bass voice of his driving her nearly mad. "I want it too Charles. And I'm not as proper as you think." She gave him a doleful look. "Let's don't wait too long."

"I promise." He kissed her and reluctantly suggested they retire to their rooms. "Oh my darling..it's so late. I'm afraid I've kept you too long."

"And I wouldn't have changed it for anything." She stroked his cheek and then patted the front of his chest. He had removed his jacket, waistcoat and tie and unbuttoned the top 2 buttons of his shirt. She rarely saw him casual and it always caused a stirring within her. She smiled, knowing that she would go to bed tonight and dream of the day when he will sit in his favorite chair in their cottage, reading a book, his hair tousled and she darning his socks and hemming his trousers, ironing their sheets and cooking his favorite meals; they will stay in bed past 7 and sleep naked beside one another. He will chase her around their little kitchen after hours of love making and will feed her chocolate cake at 2 in the morning.

These were the thoughts that she must think on, continually, and never let herself think otherwise. She walked hand and hand with him until they reached the narrow staircase to their rooms. He ushered her ahead of him and kissed her, lovingly, goodnight as she entered the hallway that lead to her room. She stood and watched his silhouette walk out of sight and the pending gloom of her possible prognosis flooded her memory and she cried for her, for him..both of them until dawn.

TBC….