I so appreciate your comments and encouragement. It's been a bit laborious since returning from Tennessee this past weekend. I just don't know WHAT is going to happen. It seems when I THINK of how things will go, I start writing and the dialogue and story just go in its own direction! I know it's dragging a bit, getting into lots of details, and I'm going to try to work on that in the forthcoming chapters. So please stay with me and continue to let me know your hopes for the story.
"WAIT!" Carson stopped just shy of the door. "Forgive me love, I need to get something. Wait here. I'll be back in two shakes of a lamb's tail." He hurried away leaving her to wonder what he was up to.
"Oh! Okay. I'll meet you outside then." She laughed and stepped into the cool morning air.
Carson rummaged through the small chest of drawers in his room and breathed a sigh of happiness when his hands found it. A smile pushes the corners of his mouth up and he opens the small velvet box. 'You would love her mother.' He remembers his dear mother and one of the only material things she cherished; a small but beautiful ring his father had given her late in life. Charles had envisioned this band resting on Elsie's finger for years. He knew it wasn't extravagant or showy and he would get her a proper wedding band, if she wanted it, when he had more time. He left the servant's quarters and bounded down the stairs, praying she would feel about this ring like he does.
"Ah! There you are!" Elsie turns when she hears the heavy door click shut behind her.
Charles holds his arm up for her to take it and he covers her hand with his other. They walk for a while just enjoying the slight breeze and the beautiful spring flowers.
Elsie knows he has news and she is anxious to know but doesn't push. She knows he will tell her when he is ready. She lays her head on his shoulder several times and squeezes his arm toward her body.
They reach the west rose garden and Charles places his hand on her back and leads her to a stone bench. "Let's sit a moment."
She obeys and watches his eyes as he sits beside her.
"Ok Charles Carson. I think you've left me in suspense long enough."
"Huh? Charles feigns confusion.
Elsie sits on the stone bench just off of the garden path and before she knows what is happening Charles is down on one knee in front of her. "Charles!" she gasps.
"Elsie Hughes?" He takes her hand in his. "I've loved you for as long as I can remember. You were the first woman that walked into Downton that captured my heart...and the last."
Tears have already started pooling in both of their eyes as he continues.
"I don't have much and I can't give you much but I can promise you my undying love for the rest of our days. He reaches into his suit pocket and pulls the small green velvet box up.
Elsie covers her mouth with her hand, the tears escape their boundaries. "Oh Charles..."
"Would you do me the honor...and become my wife?" he opens the box to reveal a white gold and diamond daisy ring with 9 tiny cluster diamonds surrounding one center cut diamond. It was the only thing his father ever gave his mother that had any monetary value. She had cherished it and so did he after her passing.
Elsie was overwhelmed with surprise. Her hands were shaking slightly as she touched the beautiful ring. "Oh...it's beautiful."
"Well? Charles shifts his position on his knee. "What say you, Elsie Hughes?"
"Of course you sweet man! Now get up!" She helps him up and she pulls him to her. "Oh Charles...I'm so..." she cries and throws her arms around him. "YES YES YES! I will marry you." She kisses his neck, his cheek, and chin, touches his lips with her fingers and looks into his brown, smiling eyes. "Oh Charles. You amaze me."
"I do?" His half smile melts her heart. "I just want you to be happy my love." He takes the ring from its holder and places it on her ring finger. It fits perfectly.
She admires it, holding her hand flat out in front of her. The diamonds sparkle in the late morning sun. "Oh..." she sighs. "Tell me about it."
They both return to the stone bench. "Well it was my mother's ring. My father gave that to her late in her life. You see, he never had the money to buy her a proper wedding ring when they married but he promised that he would buy her one...he finally did." Charles was wistful thinking about his mother.
Elsie noticed. "How long have you had it?" She reaches to smooth a stray strand of his silver hair away from his forehead.
"Oh close to 20 years I guess. I've dreamed of this moment for a long time, Elsie. It makes me proud that you will take it as your own and wear it. My mother would've loved you." He leans in and they kiss tenderly.
"I love it. I will cherish it always." She holds her hand out again to admire it. Her heart could not be any fuller.
"There's more my dear." Charles hated to break this glorious moment but he knew they hadn't much time and he needed to make her aware of the plans being made.
"As you know, I've spoken with Lord and Lady Grantham. Elsie, please forgive me if I was wrong to do this but I told them about...your...illness...the possibility of you...being...ill." He could smack himself for sounding so doltish.
"What?" She questions.
"Now...I told his Lordship because, Elsie, I want to marry you soon. I want to take you as my wife and I want to be with you during this ordeal. I want to get you the very best treatment there is and I want to be by your side..." he stands and starts to pace the few feet in front of her. "I didn't want to upset you but I felt I must talk to his Lordship first so he would..."
"Charles?"
"I needed him to know how I felt so he could possibly understand why I needed to leave Downton and be with you..."
"Charles?"
"He told her ladyship and she came to see me yesterday morning, I had no intentions of telling anyone else until..."
Elsie stands and grabs his hands. "CHARLES!"
He stops his frantic tone and pacing and stares quietly at her. He turns his head to the side and releases the tension in his shoulders.
She smiles sweetly at him. "It's okay..."
"Wh...What?"
"It's okay. I spoke with her ladyship this morning while you were serving breakfast.
"What?"
Elsie chuckles. "Yes dear. I know you told them about the….the possibility of cancer." She emphasizes. "I was actually quite moved by her ladyship's pledge to ensure I'm well cared for."
"You know they aren't as bad as you imagine."
"I don't think they are bad. I just never thought they cared so much."
"Well they do care Elsie. They care so much that they have made me…and you…a jolting offer." Charles takes her arm and leads her out of the garden, checking his pocket watch for time. "Let's start our walk back…luncheon."
"What is it?"
"They want you to go to America for treatment." He pauses.
Elsie stops dead in her tracks. "WHAT?!"
Charles winces a bit and turns to face her. "Yes. Her ladyship has already telegrammed Mrs. Levinson and says there is advanced treatment for….this…type of cancer in America."
"We cannot afford that Charles! And I…."
"They want to pay for it Elsie."
Elsie stands still, her face drained of all emotions. She finally brings her arms tightly around her waist. A defensive and closed stance, Charles takes note.
"Elsie?" He rubs his gentle hands down her upper arms. "I know you're scared. I know this is a lot. I don't know what to say. I…I…can't imagine going to America. I've never…even thought about it. It makes me a bit nervous but…when I think about…" he lowers his eyes and tone. "When I think about you and what you could possibly go through….my fears now pale in comparison to the fear of you…not being here."
Tears start again and Elsie wonders if she'll cry for the rest of her life.
"I will do whatever it takes to make sure you have the best care that is available."
"But I'm not worthy of that. I don't live a hifalutin life. I'm not royalty or high bred."
"Now stop that talk right now Elsie Hughes! You have been offered the opportunity to get the care you ARE worthy of! Don't pass this up….please my love." Charles' brown eyes plead with her.
"But what if we go there and it turns out it's nothing!" She argues.
He laughs out of sheer astonishment. "Then I can't imagine anything better!" He smiles and leans in to kiss her.
"Please say you'll go. Give us this chance to make sure you are well and to get well. I beg of you."
"Who pray tell will see after the house?"
"That was largely what my meeting was with his lordship. He feels Bates can take over my position and continue his duties as Valet and Anna can take over your position."
"Bates cannot do a dinner service?"
"Yes but his Lordship thinks Thomas will be just fine for the instances where Bates cannot perform those duties. Hopefully, it will only be for a few weeks and we will back good as new….husband and wife." He grins.
She closes her eyes and takes in a deep breath, leaning into his chest. Charles holds her, rubbing her back. "Please darling…"
"I'm not used to be taken care of Mr. Carson."
He smiled into her hair, knowing her choice to call him by his proper name meant she was being light hearted. "It's time my love. You deserve it and I want to be there every step of the way." He kisses the top of her head.
She pulls away and her watery eyes search his. "When?"
"As soon as details are worked out. Her ladyship will let us know." There was one more thing he had to ensure before they went back to the house. "Elsie. I want to marry you."
"Haven't we covered that?" She teased.
"Friday."
"This Friday?" She cried.
Charles only nodded.
"Charles! How can I possibly…."
"You can! We can do it! I've talked to Anna. She is ready to help and so is her ladyship."
"Oh! I've become a real celebrity!" she rolls her eyes.
"You're just loved my dear!" He pulls out his pocket watch. "OH! I have to get back for luncheon. Please think on these things this afternoon and we will meet after dinner." He takes her hand in his, laces their fingers together and pulls her gently along with him.
TBC….