"Carson, might I have a word in my library?" Lord Grantham stood from the breakfast table. "Meet me when you are finished with breakfast service."
"Certainly Milord," Carson's hands burst with perspiration as he knew this would be a pivotal meeting in his years of service at Downton.
He finished breakfast service and went to Elsie's sitting room. She was working at her desk. "May I come in?"
She turned in her chair with a smile. "Of course."
He stepped inside and shut the door quietly behind him. "Come here."
She got up and stepped over to him. He took her face in his hands and kissed her long and hard. "I love you." He smiled and searched her blue orbs.
"Well, what did I do to deserve that?" she teased.
"You deserve to be kissed like that every day of your life. And I intend to do it…and much more." He wiggled his bushy eyebrows and kissed her again.
"Mmm…I'm anxious to see the much more!" She reached around and squeezed his bottom and they both chuckled.
"It won't be long my dear. I have a meeting with his Lordship right now and I will have an answer to our future before you get that invoicing done."
Elsie turned her head in question. "What do you mean?"
"I'll be back soon and let you know." He started toward the door and she pulled on his arm.
"Oooooh no Mr. Carson! What is going on?"
He returned to her, took her face in his hands again, his countenance growing more serious. "My darling? Do you love me?"
Elsie searched his dark eyes without words for a few seconds. "….with all my heart."
"Do you trust me?"
"…..with my life." she responded, her voice barely above a whisper.
He kissed her passionately to convey his sincerity and it's all she needed. "I'll return soon."
"BOO!" Cora comes up behind Robert who is sitting at his desk in the library. He jumps and laughs when he sees it is her.
"You little sneak! I'm glad you're here darling!" He stands and takes her hands in his. "Carson will be here any minute and I would like for you to stay with me while I deliver our announcement to him!"
"Are you sure? I would be delighted to!"
He brings her to him and playfully squeezes her bottom while burying his face in her neck. "Mmmm...you smell good enough to eat! And yes! I'm vey sure!"
Carson stands back, at the entrance to the library, admiring the play his employers are engaged in. He waits for them to separate then clears his throat in announcement of his entering.
"Oh Carson! Come in," Lord Grantham motions for him to join them.
"Oh milady, I didn't realize you would be here too?!" Carson stands at attention to both of them.
"Carson I hope you are ok discussing this matter with her lady ship. I asked her to stay. I know she spoke with you yesterday."
"Of course," he nods, his hands tightly behind his back.
"Won't you sit Carson?" Cora sits and offers the seat across from her.
Robert sits beside Cora and gestures as well for Carson to sit.
As uncomfortable as he feels, Carson seats himself on the edge of the settee.
Robert takes Cora's hand in his. "Carson we want to let you know how very much we want to help you and Mrs. Hughes." He didn't hesitate. "I will admit it makes me anxious to let both of you go at the same time but after consideration I think we can manage with the Bates' and Barrow."
Cora nods with a smile. "We also want you to know that we are prepared to get Mrs. Hughes the best care that is available. I've sent a telegram to my mother, she can help us. Carson there is advanced studies and treatment being done in America for breast cancer."
Carson is struggling to keep up. He can't believe what he is hearing.
"We will send both of you to America. You will stay with Lady Grantham's mother while there." Robert continues.
"I...My...I" Carson stutters.
"Dearest Carson...please don't worry about a thing. We want Mrs. Hughes to feel comfortable and my mother will do that for her...for you." She smiles sweetly.
"Now Carson, do you think Mrs. Hughes will agree to go to America?"
"Carson leans forward and rubs his brow, "I...I'm not quite sure." He shakes his head slightly. "This is a lot..."
"Carson, old chap.." Robert sits up on the edge of his seat. "Yours and Mrs. Hughes devotion to us...to our family is paramount. You're the stabilizers in this house, the reason we function at optimal pace and the least we can do is help in your time of need. Mrs. Hughes would never be able to pay for this type of medical care, neither would you." He looks at Cora and smiles. "Carson...you told me you loved Mrs. Hughes." He pauses and looks pointedly at Carson.
"Yes Milord. I did. And I couldn't be any more sure of that one thing." He took a deep breath in and his chest swelled a bit with pride and confidence.
"Then Carson, you must do this for her, for both of you." Cora continued.
"We will manage here. You should begin to prepare the staff right away for your departure. Of course it will take some time for the arrangements to be solid. I want Bates to take over as Head Butler and Barrow to continue as Under and take on duties that Bates cannot perform." Robert has gone into manager mode. He stands and paces in front of the fireplace. "Mrs. Hughes can get Anna prepared to step into her position while she is...away. Barrow and one of the house maids can do nightly duties since Anna and Bates will leave each evening."
Carson's head is still spinning. "But...Milord what about your valet? Who will manage…."
Robert shakes his hand. "Bates can continue. We will all have to pull in tight and make due. I trust Bates completely with invoicing and wine selection. I will step in and help him with that if need be."
Carson tried to think, to sort some of this out in his head. He was elated and stunned for their support yet anxious and nervous about how Elsie would react. She had never been as fond of them as was.
The worried look on his face brings Cora to his side. "Carson, may I ask something personal?"
Carson swallowed hard. "I…I suppose."
"Do you plan to marry?"
"Uh…of course, yes. I….uh…we…yes…yes…we do."
"Soon?"
"Cora!" Robert chastised.
"It's just…if you plan to…it might be easier, traveling, as husband and wife."
'What a smart woman you are.' Robert thought to himself. He was ready to pull her off of Carson but he thought about how much easier things would be, indeed. "Yes Carson, she is right. We will work out details of your marriage arrangements once you are back. Just promise me you won't leave me!" Robert chuckled and pointed to Carson.
Carson managed a smile. "No plans of that now Milord. I would, however, like to make Elsie…uh…Mrs. Hughes my wife as soon as possible." His heart began to beat in his chest at the prospect of Elsie being his wife soon. The thought of being with her…in every way…" he shook the thoughts from his mind. He most certainly could not go there right now.
"Well then it's settled. We have a wedding to plan!" Cora stood.
Carson stood as well and held his hand up. "Small…we want something small and unassuming. At our age, we aren't trying to impress anyone."
Robert chuckled again. "Understood my dear boy!" He walks and extends his hand to Carson. "I need you Carson. I can't afford to let you go completely, you're too valuable here but I'm delighted for you to have a wife and live out your days as a married man. To hell with tradition!" He clapped him on the shoulder.
"Thank you Milord. I have no plans of leaving Downton, neither does Mrs. Hughes. If we can get her well…" he lowers his head and pauses, bringing his hand to his mouth to clear his throat.
Robert and Cora both glance at once another, remembering the purpose of all of this. "We are praying Carson that the tests are clear and cancer is not what Mrs. Hughes is dealing with. Going to America will speed everything up and if…IF….it is cancer, she will be weeks ahead in treatment than she would if she stayed here." Cora has taken Carson's hand in hers.
He nods and blinks back tears. "Thank you Milady…Milord. I can't thank you enough."
"Our pleasure Carson. Let us know what you need and we'll be in touch as soon as we have heard from Mrs. Levinson."
Carson walks slowly down the stairs, trying to process everything. He decides to go to Bates and Anna first. Pulling them into his pantry he explains the proposal and what is going on. They readily agree to do everything to help and take on their positions as long as need be. Anna agrees to help start wedding preparations and talk to the Vicar.
He sits quietly at his desk, thinking, pondering. His head was aching a little and he was apprehensive about telling Elsie everything. She had no idea he had spoken with Lord and Lady Grantham and he feared it would upset her that they knew so much. He considered his words and what he would say exactly. He wanted to approach with the details that would appeal to her and he thought that would be they would be married sooner rather than later. He had no idea how she would feel about going to America. He...was terrified.
Carson looked at his pocket watch, he had an hour before luncheon. If she could get a away for a bit, he would take a stroll with her, in the gardens, and bring her up to date...on their future. His palms were sweaty and he was nervous. He wished he could be confident, like Elsie. She exuded so much confidence, rarely showed vulnerability. Her vulnerability was never weakness, it was true need for something she usually had denied herself too long and Charles had to step in and force her to give in. He took a long breath in and walked from his pantry to find her.
She was standing on a step stool trying to reach something when he walked into the cupboard. "Let me," he rumbled in a low, soft tone. He reached around her, his shoulder brushing lightly against her breast . She faltered a bit on her feet and wrapped her arm around his neck for support. He handed her the jar and wrapped his arm around her waist lifting her off the stool with ease. Elsie kept her arm wrapped around his neck as he lowered her to the floor. Their eyes locked and they kissed tenderly. They couldn't resist. It was like every time their eyes met, the passion and love came rushing in and they were helpless to stop it. She brushed a piece of hair, that had fallen from its neat confines, away from his forehead. His loins stirred and he pulled her against him and kissed her hard.
"Mmmm...Mr. Carson, we have to stop meeting like this," she purred.
"Actually...no we don't." his voice was smooth and sensual. He held his forehead against hers. "Take a walk with me."
TBC...