Charles had been back in he full swing of his duties for almost a week. Elsie had gone back in the mornings, overseeing the girls and managing her invoices and the ordering. The new schedule, she was finding very enjoyable. She had insisted on a pay raise for Anna and a decrease of her wages. She had moments during the day that she felt unwell but it was nothing that she couldn't conceal for the time being. She wasn't sure what was happening with her body but she knew something. She just felt trapped by timing and didn't know what to do until they knew about the lump and she didn't see the point in worrying Charles.

They met with Cora and learned that Mrs. Levinson had written and said she would welcome them with open arms into her home and all of her resources to help Mrs. Hughes get the care she needs if the time came, would be theirs. The next step would be to see if the results came back positive and then they would make a decision based on that.

"Stop that! I've got to finish fixing supper!" Elsie swatted at Charles and moved him out of the way to open the oven.

Charles sat at the small wooden kitchen table and watched her with great desire. "Mmm...won't it need to cool a bit?"

She put the pie on top of the stove and turned to him with a sinful grin. "It will..."

She reached him and pulled her skirt up to straddle his legs, leaning down to kiss him hard on the mouth. "How was your day my dear?"

Charles groaned deep and palmed her scantily clad buttocks. "It was lonely." he feigns hurt.

"I was only away from you for a few hours you silly man!" She kissed him again and this time, he deepens it. He pulled her down on his groin and took in a long breath. Her knickers were split, for convenience sake, and she could feel him beneath her.

He picked her up in one swift movement and she squeals with surprise. "OH! Charles!" She obliged and wrapped her legs tightly around him and her arms about his neck. She leaned down and kissed him while he started for the bedroom. "WAIT!" He stopped and looks at her. She ran her finger over his lips, driving him mad. "Take me here..." He searched her dark eyes then kissed her passionately.

"Here?"

"On the table." She whispered.

Charles was shocked yet pleased beyond his wildest imaginations. He and Mrs. Hughes...his Mrs...love on the kitchen table, these were the things dreams were made of, he thinks. "Oh Mrs. Carson..you naughty girl!"

She smiled and opened her legs when he sat her down on the table. They make quick work of their clothes and in no time, he is resting there, his warm nakedness, his stiff manhood prodding at her. He suggested she lie back and when she does, she cries out when she feels his lips at her soft center. "OH...Char..." He had yet to explore her in this way and she had wondered if he found it repulsive. Obviously he had conquered any inhibitions about it because what his tongue was doing to her was dreamy.

He brought her to climax, felt her buck wildly against his lips then let her settle down, let her alone for a moment while the sensitivity returned to normal. Her breath was ragged and heavy and she felt a little self conscious. He sensed it and pulled her to a sitting position and kissed her tenderly. "You're so beautiful baby...you taste so good...so sweet..." he whispered.

She kissed his shoulder and wrapped her arms and legs tightly around him. He pulled her to the end of the table and entered her with ease. They made love quickly, he reached his end inside her after she eventually straddled him while he sat in a kitchen chair. It hurt but the pleasure trumped it for her and for him it was his new favorite position. She was still so tight against him, her breasts were fully exposed to him, he could hold her and she could easily kiss him, which turned him on so much when he was about to climax. He loved the feel of her tongue and lips on his when he came.

"Oh..Charles...fill me...yes...oh honey...yes...yes...deeper..." Her breathless words spoken on his lips drove him to such deeper pleasure. "...right there...oh...god...yes..." She tightened around him and he exploded forcefully inside her.

"AHHHHHH..." he cried out without reservations. "AHHHH...Els..." his whole body shook with spasms and she continued to ride him gently until they were both limp with exhaustion. They stayed connected for a long while, holding each other, him still inside her. She eventually moved off of him and they both went the bathroom to clean up and dress.

"Wouldn't the younger set blush at the sex we are having?!" Elsie laughs while pulling her dress over her head.

"Oh...love...it's the greatest feeling I've ever experienced." Charles pulls his shorts on and dresses in his robe. He joins her and wraps his arms around her from behind. "Is it for you?" he questions.

"Do I look miserable?" She quips with that thick Scottish rogue.

Her sarcasm was spot on. It was both welcome and annoying at times. It never failed to make him smile though..even if it was just at himself. "I just want to make sure it feels good to you."

She softened and answered him sincerely. "Oh Charles, had I known it would feel this good, I would've made my move on you a long time ago. I had no idea." She kissed him gently and ran her finger over his bottom lip.

"You stay in bed love. I'll get something at the Abbey this morning." Charles leaned down and kissed Elsie. She had another sleepless night and he was worried, once again. "Do you want me to stay darling?" He sat down and rubbed her back, her face is buried in the pillow.

She would take his suggestion of staying in bed. Her head was pounding and she had added severe stomach pain to her list of maladies. She had never felt pain like this and she was thankful he was going soon, it had become increasingly more difficult to hide it. "No...honey...you go on. I'll be okay." she whispers.

He's reluctant to leave and observed her for a while before getting up. He leaned down and kissed her tenderly on the cheek. "I love you...my sweet baby. I'll come check on you as soon as I can break free."

She turned on her back and reached for him, knowing he is worried about her. She pulled him into her embrace and kissed his neck. "I love you honey. Don't worry, I'll be fine."

The pain is searing and Elsie thought she will have to go to the house yet she is rendered almost immobile because of the pain. She lay on the bathroom floor, curled in the fetal position, the cold offering a tiny bit of a distraction. She crawled to the toilet and emptied her stomach, her body racked in convulsions by the intensity of the pain. She was scared now and started to pray.

"Can you handle luncheon? It's just Lady Edith and Lord Grantham today?" Charles finished filing some invoices and questioned Barrow, who had stepped into his pantry.

"I think I can handle it, Sir." Thomas lingered for a moment and Carson turned in question. "Is that all?"

Thomas stood silent for a moment, searching for the right words. "I...uh...I wondered how...Mrs. Hughes is getting along?" (Charles and Elsie, the family, had decided it would be easier on guests, if nothing else, to continue calling Elsie Mrs. Hughes.)

Charles is seriously stopped in his tracks because he heard the sincerity in Thomas' voice. "She is alright. Thank you for asking Thomas."

"It's just I don't really get to see her much and I...do miss her being around." He lowered in his in timidity.

"I'll tell her you asked after her."

"Thank you, sir."

Charles' morning had been extremely busy and he was glad for that. The more he had to do, the quicker time passed and his mind wasn't on worrying about her as much.

He was coming down the stairs when he heard Elsie's and Anna's voice. "Are you sure, Mrs. Hughes? I can fetch him right away."

"No no..I'm fine...I'll be in my sitting room when he's available."

Charles took the steps as quick as he could and rounded the corner just as she was going in. "Els...Mrs. Hughes..." he tried to stay as formal and professional as he could.

"Oh there you are?" she says sweetly.

Charles was accosted by the site of her. She was pale, ashen almost; red rings around her eyes and she was holding on to the door frame. He smiled at Anna and nodded to dismiss her. "Thank you Anna." Elsie called after her without turning.

Charles gave her a worried look and wrapped his arm around her waist and guided her into her sitting room. She continued to hold on to anything that was near. "What is it Elsie? What is the matter?"

"I'm fine Charles...I just am a little weak." She made it to her settee, sat down and closed her eyes. She had managed the walk from the cottage which was not easy. The pain had subsided almost completely and while she was totally perplexed as to what it could have been she was just grateful beyond words it was over.

"I beg your pardon my dear but I don't think you are fine. You don't look well." Charles came to her and brought a chair to sit in front of her. He took her hands in his. "Has something happened?" He begged.

"No...it's alright honey. I didn't feel well earlier but I'm a little better."

"You should've stayed in bed Elsie." His eyes searched her ashen face. "Let me walk you back to the cottage."

"No...I'm...okay." She stands from the settee, Charles' eyes glance at the place she had been sitting and they widen in horror. He touched the upholstery that is darkened with stain and turns his blood stained fingers over. He looks at Elsie just as she starts to go down. He jumps to catch her and they both fall to the floor. "HELP! BATES! HELP!" He cradled her in his arms. "Elsie...God...oh God...help her! It's okay love...BATES! ANNA!" The sitting room door flung open, Bates is the first to arrive.

"MR. CARSON! WHAT IS IT?" He steps to where they are. Anna is not far behind.

"OH NO!" Anna brings her hand to her mouth! "JIMMY! ALFRED!" she runs from the room. She addressed the 2 boys that have met her in the hall! "GO NOW! FETCH DR. CLARKSON! IT'S MRS. HUGHES! HURRY!"

Charles can hardly breathe himself. He sat down with Elsie in his lap, blood covering his suit. He fights tears and anger for leaving her. "Okay...Elsie...darling...I"m here. I"m not leaving."

TBC...