"Love? Are you quite alright?" Charles rapped lightly on the bathroom door. It was morning and Elsie had slept only awhile and been up and down the rest of the night. He was concerned about her.

Elsie felt nauseous and light headed. Her head was pounding, her skin was sweaty yet cold to the touch and her complexion pale. She considered her symptoms and if they weren't just compounded from the same ones that had been plaguing her, she would chalk it up to just a hangover. "Yes dear. I'm alright." She opened the door soon to his furrowed brow.

"Baby…are you sure?" Charles walked back to the bed with her and followed her as she crawled back under the blankets. "Is it the alcohol?" She turned her back to him and closed her eyes, hoping the pain in her head would subside.

"I think so." She whispered, knowing she didn't believe it.

He slid in beside her and wrapped his arm around the soft flesh of her abdomen. "Is there anything I can do?"

"Just hold me." The reality of her health was never far off and she cursed this plight and the fear it brought. She struggled to hold back tears. For the first time since arriving in London, Elsie felt ill and she was scared and sad. She didn't want to ruin their last day and prayed this spell would pass quickly.

Charles didn't say, but his fear was just as great and he pulled her to him, praying silently.

He brought a cup of tea to the bed and sat with her. "How are you feeling my dear?"

She gave him a sweet smile and took the tea. "Thank you sweetheart." She took a sip and closed her eyes. "Mmm...just what I need."

Charles sat next to her and put his hand on her knee. "My darling, are you quite alright? I'm worried about you."

Elsie lowered her eyes. "I'm sorry I ruined our wonderful evening." She bit her lower lip and gave him a forlorn look.

Charles searched her expression for a bit then spoke with a slight grin. "Elsie Carson, if you could remember the things you did to me last night, I doubt you'd be apologizing."

"Why?" She asked innocently.

He leaned over and kissed her. "Never you mind. Let's eat some breakfast."

Charles took her tea cup and helped her off the bed. "I'll be right there." She reached the door to the bathroom and turned around. "And Charles?"

"Hmm...? Charles turned to acknowledge her.

"I do remember how good you tasted last night." She smiled wickedly and disappeared into the bathroom. Charles' mouth fell open.

They finished breakfast and dressed. Elsie still wasn't feeling well but she concealed it as much as she could and was determined to make the most of their last day in London. She couldn't seem to get rid of her headache but mentally told herself it was the drink from last night.

Charles knew but wouldn't push her to talk about it. He was mindful though of how she was feeling and kept their excursion options low key. The main thing he wanted to do today was take her shopping. He had never been one to frivolously spend money but he had never had an occasion to and he couldn't wait to shower her with some beautiful things.

They left their room and the hotel and hailed a cab to Selfridge & Co. on Oxford Street.

"Where are we going Charles?" Elsie inquires.

"I want to take you shopping my love." Charles held her hand that rested on his knee as he looked out the window of the cab, taking in the colorful sites of the city. "

"Ohhhh...that's sounds nice."

"It will be!" He said cheerfully and leaned over to kiss her.

Charles bought her a handbag and a new hat, new shoes and 2 new dresses. His face turned a million shades of red and she giggled when they passed the lingerie department. He bought her several new shifts and a newer, softer, corset along with a brassiere. She had never owned a brassiere and she wanted to know what all the fuss was about. He bought her new garters and hosiery, a brooch, new hair pins and expensive rose petal body cream at Berkeley Square.

"Charles you must stop all this. I'm not royalty!" She had pleaded with him but inside she had never felt more loved and cared for in all her life. No one had ever made over her like this and she had certainly never been pampered. They walked further around Piccadilly Circus. He made her sit and rest every little bit. They watched the scene around them, children running and playing stick ball, lovers sharing themselves with one another, taxi's and bicycles.

"Stay here." Charles instructed Elsie.

"Where are you go..." her voice trailed off as he walked away from her, knowing he would be up to something wonderful as he was headed straight for the Wall's Ice Cream truck.

Charles returned with 2 ice cream cones and a huge smile on his face. It made her smile too. "How'd I do?"

"Mr. Carson, you did splendid." She took a lick of the creamy confection. "As usual."

"Charles tried for almost 1/2 an hour to concentrate on his new automobile magazine but couldn't. His thoughts were anxious and he was worried about Elsie. She tried to hide her pain, stress, whatever it was, but he had paid very close attention to her all day and knew she wasn't well. She had wanted to relax in the bath and he ran one for her when they returned. He just couldn't settle his mind so he got up and went to the closed door of the bathroom. He stood and closed his eyes, releasing a deep sigh before turning the knob in his hand. He peered around the door and cleared his throat slightly.

Her sweet, unexpected look made his heart constrict with the kind of love that causes pain. She smiled as he walked into the bathroom. He leaned back against the vanity. "I missed you." His voice was low.

Elsie smiled and smoothed a bar of soap up around her neck. "You want to join me?"

He doesn't answer for awhile. "That's okay sweet heart. You go ahead."

She could tell he was melancholy. "What is it love?"

"I'm quite alright. I…guess I'm just pensive….about tomorrow." He lowered his head.

"Charles?" Join me..please?" She pleaded to him, suddenly feeling an overwhelming need to be near him.

He closed his eyes briefly and ran his fingers through his graying locks then gave her a tender smile. "Okay," he says quietly.

He undressed slowly, much to her pleasure. She tried to busy herself with the bar of soap but couldn't keep her eyes away from him. His calves were smooth and muscular, his thighs thick; she still blushed when he removed his shorts. His stomach was taut and his chest defined. Soon, he laid the last of his garments across the vanity and stepped to the porcelain tub. Elsie moved up to let him get in behind her. He carefully stepped in and wrapped his legs around hers. She nestled comfortably into him and he took the soap from her and began to move his hands, with the soap, over her full and lovely breasts.

"You're so beautiful Elsie..." Charles whispered against her ear. "I will miss this when we return to Downton."

She turned slightly in his arms so she could look at him. "My darling, we will make a life, when we return to Downton, as husband and wife...lovers..." Elsie lowered her voice. "It will be different but it will be wonderful. It will be wonderful because we are...together." It was difficult to say those words, knowing what might be ahead for them. She turned her face away for fear he would see her angst.

He wraps his arms tighter around her, pushing the thoughts of the future down.

TBC...