Chapter 11

The Wedding Night

"Oh Mrs. Hughes, you look absolutely stunning!" Cora takes Elsie's hands and smiles genuinely.

"Thank you Her Ladyship. Thank you ever so much for all you've done." Elsie leaned in a little closer. "And thank you for the book." She whispered then gave her an upward glance.

Cora grinned and raised her shoulders a bit. "You're so welcome." She leaned into Elsie's ear. "Reading it…I think has been the single most important thing I've done for my marriage."

The pair smiled and squeezed hands to convey their support. Elsie found it strange and delightful, this unexpected friendship she seemed to have struck up with the lady of the house.

The steps leading into the church were covered with rose petals and the air was filled with laughter and fond sentiments.

Robert shook hands with his Butler and clapped him on the back. As Charles pulled Elsie along and nodded to the other staff as they cheered them away. "Come dear or we'll miss our train!"

Anna took John's hand and gave it a squeeze. "So beautiful," she said with tears brimming in her eyes.

John leaned down and kissed her gently on the cheek. "Yes…it is and so are you."

The newlyweds made it just as the passengers were boarding. Charles knew they would be running it close but he insisted they go early. He had no desire to hang around Downton village any longer than he had to.

They were delighted to be seated in 1st class accommodations, feeling loved and a little high end. It made them both laugh. "Ah! This is living isn't it Mrs. Carson?!" Charles pulled his jacket off and laid it carefully in the seat across from them. He sat beside her then leaned over, kissing her tenderly. They were giddy with love and anticipation and had largely only stared into each other's eyes on the drive to the train station, stealing a short kiss when they could.

"Mrs. Carson." Elsie repeats softly through a broad smile. "I like the way that sounds." She wrapped her hand around his arm and leaned her head on his shoulder. Soon the conductor signals the leaving of the train and they lunge forward to London.

Charles lovingly caressed Elsie's arm and kissed her ever so often. They talked about the ceremony and things that were said; the sheer unbelief that they were married and headed to London for their honeymoon. Every time one of them would point that out, they would begin to laugh. They discussed dinner plans and Charles looked at the information Lady Mary and Lady Cora had given him. They had dinner reservations that evening at the hotel. Charles was taken aback at the accommodations that were made for them. The most luxurious hotel in all of London, The Savoy, was where he and Elsie would spend their wedding night.

They arrived in London at just past three o'clock. They took a cab to The Savoy and checked in. Charles' chest swelled with pride to have his wife on his arm and checking into the finest hotel in London. Elsie tried not to gawk at the beauty of the place. She thought how it made her feel like someone else and she was someone she had never been; Mrs. Charles Carson. She held on to his arm as they walked through the lobby and followed the concierge to their room. Both of their mouths hung open when the concierge opened the door. They glanced at one another then stepped inside.

"Will that be all Sir?" The young man stood at attention.

"Uh…yes..I believe so…thank you…" Charles handed the man a tip and nodded. Once he was gone Charles ran and swept Elsie off her feet.

She let out a surprised squeal. "CHARLES!"

"Oh my love I've never been happier than I am right now." He spun her around, kissing her with passion before setting her down on wobbly feet. He laughed and held her steady then pulled her into his arms and twirled her around like they were next door at the Savoy Ballroom. He hummed and waggled his eye brows at her; his dark brown eyes gleamed with absolute rapture.

Elsie leaned back in his arms and laughed like she had never laughed. She joined his dance, their dance. They didn't need music for they had been making their own for quite some time; they just needed to find their rhythm to make it come alive.

Charles knew Elsie was tired. While she was having the time of her life, he could tell, she was exhausted. He wanted everything to be perfect and he didn't want to rush into what they both knew was going to happen. They had spent some time talking about it. He was grateful Elsie was a woman that knew her body and was confident. She wasn't prude or afraid to discuss how she felt and her anticipation of love making with him. Her self-assurance had eased his anxieties about this long awaited event. He was anxious but he would not rush her. He could restrain himself as long as she needed.

"Do you need a rest my dear? We have plenty of time before our dinner reservations." Charles asked.

She was exhausted and she knew if she took the opportunity to rest now, later would prove to be more comfortable. "You know I think I will. I hope that is okay with you."

Charles moved to help her from her chair and walked her to the stunning art deco bed. "I want you to, love. I can see you're tired and I don't want you to overdo it." They reach the bed and he leans down to turn down the fine bedding. "Why don't you get comfortable?" He suggests. "I'll leave the room and you can…get…comfortable." He starts to go and Elsie grabs his arm quickly. "No…" she turns her back to him. "I'll need some help you silly man!"

"Oh yes…forgive me." he takes very good care to unbutton the hand sewn buttons from her dress.

"And Charles, you're my husband now, you don't have to leave the room…ever," she coos. Once he has finished she turns to him and slowly pulls the sleeves of her dress down, exposing her shift and corset.

Charles swallows hard and glances down. Elsie pulls his gaze up with a finger under his chin and smiles seductively. "I know you must be exhausted too. Won't you join me?"

His brow furrowed he opens his mouth to speak but in the last 10 seconds his tongue has completely gone dry. "Uh….I…" he squeaks out. "Maybe I'll go and check out the hotel while you take a nap." He needed to go. He couldn't get in this bed beside her and keep his wits about him.

Elsie leaned up to kiss him. "Okay sweetheart. I understand." She had ahold of his hand and laced her fingers with his. "Tonight….I promise."

"Elsie I don't want you to rush. This week has been replete with so many things, so many firsts. I want you…more than I've ever wanted another woman. But I want you to be happy and feel loved and cared for above all. I don't need…" he lowered his eyes and found her gaze. "I don't need to make love to you to prove anything or to love you with my whole heart." He caressed her cheek with the back of his hand and gave her that lop-sided smile that literally made her lose her breath.

"Oh Charles I want you too. I want all of you, to be one with you. You are so considerate and dear to recognize what I need when I need it." She brings his hand to her lips. "Tonight will be worth it love."

TBC….so so so much research tonight. It's 1 am and I've got to get up for work. The bow chicka wow wow…NEXT CHAPTER! Thank you all AGAIN for spurring me on with your thoughts and encouragements!