The Carson's are greeted warmly when they arrive downstairs. They don't stay long as Carson wants to get Elsie to the cottage to rest. "Bates, I'll get Mrs. Hughes settled in and return soon."

"Very good, sir. Do you need help?" Bates asks.

"No, Smith can help us get in. Thank you."

Thank you Smith, I can take it from here." Charles dismissed the chauffeur outside the small cottage.

Charles opened the door and stood back for Elsie to go in. She entered slowly and tears form once again in her eyes. It's lovely; fresh roses decorate the small kitchen table. Charles puts their bags down and wandered around the small place. "It's nice, isn't it?"

"It most certainly is." Charles handed Elsie his handkerchief. "I just feel terrible..." she starts.

"NO! We are going to accept this lovely gift with grace and we will enjoy it."

She stood silent for a long moment; injured slightly at the connotation that she wasn't grateful. She doesn't say anything but her expression tells him everything.

"Els..." he starts toward her.

She turned away and walked to the bedroom. Charles silently berated himself; he only wanted to ease her mind about taking the cottage. He decided to give her a little time alone and brought the rest of their bags inside.

Elsie sat on the bed and considered that her actions probably did come across as ungrateful. She wasn't…in her heart, she was truly appreciative of this incredible gesture of love. She just felt guilty. She knew how much Anna loved this place and how hard she worked to make it their home. It didn't feel right to Elsie for them to take it. She ran her hand across the quilted spread. It was inviting and she was so tired but she turned when she heard the floor creek and saw Charles standing there. His expression was forlorn and it made her sad.

"Come..." she reached her hands toward him. He sat next to her.

"I'm sorry love. I didn't mean to hurt you...the cranky butler came out in me, I guess." He smiled his characteristic half smile that melted her every time.

She pats his thigh and smiles. "It's alright. I know it comes across that I'm not grateful for this wonderful gift. I am Charles. I truly am. It's just I feel guilty that we are taking their home..the home they have created together."

"But we aren't taking it. We are accepting it. They have offered it to us and want us to have it. It doesn't have to be forever. Let's look at it right now as a place for us to stay while we are going through this..." He lowered his gaze. "...this..."

"...trial." she finished.

He looks up and searched her eyes. "Yes...trial." They lean in at the same time and kiss tenderly for a moment then it turns more heated. Charles gently pushed her back on the bed and lay beside her, petted her with warm kisses along her jawline, her neck, her ear.

"Do you have to go?" she says breathlessly, needing more of him.

"No darling, not right away." he confirmed while starting to undress her.

"Oh good." she kisses him again, her tongue finding his. "Then make love to me." She demands in that thick Scottish accent.

He stops his actions and just stares at her. He could not believe this woman he had known for so many years, demure and modest among the family and staff, was actually a fantastic, attentive lover. Every time they had made love in the last 3 days, he was surprised each time at her boldness. "Do you know what it does to me when you say that? How much I love to hear that?"

"Well I'm glad because I might say it every day for the rest of our lives." She reached between his legs and wrapped her hand gently around him.

He eyes rolled back in his head and he laughed a low guttural laugh. "Oh…Gods…how did I get so lucky?!" he mused.

Elsie kissed the salty sweat of Charles' passion from his forehead. His chest rising and falling, his breath ragged and unsteady. She is still straddling him. "Oh Elsie...how are you this good?." He gently turned them both, without losing the connection between them. "How do you know exactly what I need?" he says breathlessly.

"Like you honey, I've loved you, in my dreams, for more years than I can remember...and practice makes perfect."

He closed his eyes and buries his head in the hollow between her neck and the pillow. "Oh...baby...I love that you're not afraid..."

She wraps her legs tightly around him and runs her nails over his back. "...not afraid to what?" She kisses his shoulder.

"...to please me….take care of my needs..."

"I love you...that's why. I want to pleasure you. God gave me the parts...why not put them to good use?"

He chuckles and moves slightly to the side, his skin hot against hers. "I'm so thankful."

"Oohh Charles...your body gets so hot after we make love." she purrs.

"I'm sorry...shall I move?"

"Not a chance...I love it." She turns into him and wraps her arms around his waist, nestling her leg between his legs.

Their respiration's return to normal and Charles turns onto his back. He takes her hand in his and brings it to his lips. ""I'm so happy Elsie. I never thought I could be this happy and even though we have, possibly, a difficult road ahead, I wouldn't trade this for anything in the world. You're my heart, the love of my life and I honestly cannot express, in words, how deeply I love you." His eyes brim with tears as well as hers.

She can't speak, she closes her eyes and the tears are forced down her cheeks. She brings her finger to her lip and swallows. "I...feel...the same..." she can only whisper to keep from breaking down. The emotions of the last week, their new life, the looming health issues, her heart just being raw with passion and love, she could not contain it all.

Charles walked through the door of the cottage, a delicious smell wafted through the air. "What is that smell darling?" He took his overcoat off and draped it over the kitchen chair. He goes to the stove where Elsie is and rested his hand on her hip and leaned down to kiss her on the cheek. He is surprised when he ran his hand along her hip and back and she is not wearing anything under the think cotton dress she has on. He has never see in it before. Her hair is loosely pinned up and he can smell the lavender body cream he bought her. He wondered if there would come a day that he wasn't turned on by her. He couldn't imagine it. Everything she did, the way she moved, the way she smelled made him want her. He moved behind her and wrapped his arms around her waist and tickled her neck with kisses. "Mmm...you sexy kitten...standing in the kitchen, in barely anything...you drive me mad you know." Charles begins to sway and Elsie giggled and covered his hands with hers.

"Now stop that! I've got to finish supper!" She reached behind and swatted at him.

TBC…..