A/N: Apologies for the delay. Kept tinkering. Hope you enjoy the update!
Elsie wakes early; it's still dark out. She's cold, so she moves in closer to Charles, only to discover he's no longer in bed with her. She sits up with a start; he's not in the room, either. She's pleasantly surprised to discover she's not as sore as she anticipated. Her back feels fine; she edges over to the side of the mattress and gingerly raises up, testing her hips. Her right side catches a moment, but soon she's able to stand straight. She shivers, conscious of the cold room and her insufficient nightwear. Scowling, she walks to the cupboard to see whether Charles' clothes are still hanging. They aren't. Where could that exasperating, irritating man have slipped off to? How dare he leave her to face Moira alone? Face the firing squad together, indeed. She sighs deeply; there's nothing to be done save dress quickly against the cold and help her sister with breakfast. How will she ever explain to Moira about last night? About the bed? She scowls even harder at the empty space where Charles' clothes should be hanging. He'll get an earful about this and no mistake. Well, lass, nothing to be done but face the music. Alone, damn and blast the man. She sighs again and sets about getting ready for the day.
*CE*
Elsie advances toward the kitchen slowly, as one might approach the gallows. Get hold of yourself, lass. You're no coward! she admonishes herself. Moira is busy at the stove, her back to the door.
"Up already, your ladyship? I'd've thought you'd still be asleep after the night you had."
Elsie's face flames; she summons a curt reply, but none will come to mind. No matter; she hadn't the voice to utter the sharpest retort.
"Cat got your tongue this morning?"
"I…I…" Snap out of it Els. She'll keep on digging away at you unless you take the upper hand. You know that." I, that is, we slept perfectly well last night, Moira," she says, in her chilliest housekeeper's voice.
"You did, eh? Well, Donal and I didn't. Heard all sorts of racket last night. Sounded like a herd of wild horses in there." She snorts.
"I don't know what you mean."
"I don't know what you mean." Moira turns and shakes a spatula in her direction. "Don't play the shy young lass with me, Els. You know exactly what I mean." She turns again, shifting the frying bacon about in the pan. "What I don't understand…what I can't fathom, is how the two of you…in that bed. Right next door, Els! Whatever were you thinking?"
Elsie wrings her hands, looks around the kitchen to be sure no one else is about, and takes a few cautious steps towards Moira. "I don't know, Mo. I don't know what we were thinking. Only, to be fair, it wasn't all Charles," and her voice trails off. Her face is burning even hotter than before and she's studying the stone floor very carefully.
"You mean to tell me that you…that it was you who?" She laughs suddenly, she can't help but laugh, really. Her baby sister. Her stiff, upright, unfeeling sister. Only, to be fair, Els did have feelings; she just never had much chance to show them. But still. Still. Oh lord, the laughter won't stop and now the tears are coming. She takes the pan off the flame and covers her apron with her face. Oh lord oh lord. Now she'll not be able to look at either of them come breakfast.
"Come along, then," Elsie hisses. "It's not as funny as all that."
"Oh aye," Moira manages to gasp between laughs. "It is. It truly is. Oh my wee dearie." And Elsie smiles in spite of herself when she hears Moira call her that, such a long ago term of endearment. "Give us a hug, now, eh?" And she dries the last of her tears on her apron and holds her arms out to Elsie. Elsie goes to her, buries her head in her sister's neck.
"I'm that sorry, Moira. We'll…we'll pay to have the bed fixed or a new one bought. I just can't believe…"
"There, there, lass." And Moira rubs soothing circles across Elsie's back. "I was just having a bit of fun with you this morning. No cause for all of that, now." And she pushes Elsie back so she can see her face. "I'm sure Donal can fix whatever the problem is," and she's tempted to laugh when she sees the horrified look on Elsie's face. "You must've known he heard as well," she says briskly. "Now, breakfast is almost on. Run and bring Charles in, eh?"
"You've not seen him?"
"No, lass. Is he not in your room?"
"No; I don't know where he's gone off too. You don't think he's done a runner, do you?" And Moira can't decide whether Elsie is joking or serious.
"Now Els, no man who looks at a woman the way that man looks at you would do a runner. Comfort yourself on that score. He's probably just outside in the yard getting a breath of fresh air. Why don't you go outside; you can call them all in for breakfast, though like as not Tavey's already at the back door. That lad can tell when I'm thinking about cooking."
Elsie smiles weakly and turns to leave the kitchen when Charles and Donal come in.
"Breakfast ready, lass?" Donal asks, smiling at Moira. "Mornin' Els."
"Good morning," she stammers, looking between Donal and Charles who is looking very pleased with himself indeed.
"Good morning, my dear," Charles says and bends to kiss her cheek.
Good morning, Charles." And for one horrifying moment Elsie thinks Moira will laugh aloud at them again. "Well," says Moira briskly, "as soon as Tavey lad, Janet and the wee one come along, we can sit down to eat."
*CE*
Soon all is scraping chairs and passing plates; all is quiet for a few blessed minutes. Charles relaxes inwardly, chances a glance at Elsie. So far, breakfast has been easy. He was quite right to meet Donal this morning; everything's all arranged. He and Donal will cut lumber for the bed slats right after breakfast. He's very pleased with himself; he's managed to fix things and spare Elsie any further embarrassment.
"You're looking quite chipper this morning, Charles. Well rested, I'd say." Elsie's fork stops in mid-air and she focuses very hard on a spot on the wall across from her.
"Thank you, Tavey. It must be that the Scotland air agrees with me."
"Aye, I can see Scotland agrees with you."
Moira picks up the platter of bacon. "More bacon, Charles?" And she fixes Tavey with a stern look.
"No. No thank you, Moira. I couldn't eat another bite." He glances at Elsie, whose plate looks largely untouched. He smiles at her and risks a stealthy pat of her leg.
"Els, more bacon? You've hardly touched your eggs!" she scolds. "Eat up, Els."
"Yes, Auntie Els, eat up. Wouldn't want you to come down with something, have to stay in bed for the rest of your visit." He has to look down at his plate, bites his lip to keep from laughing aloud. He knows he's gone too far, knows he'll need to apologize to both of them, but the temptation is too great to resist. Them at their age! Oh lord. He can only hope he and Janet are that lucky.
Donal stands abruptly. "Tavey lad, you've work to be doing. Charles, you ready?"
Charles stands, puts his hand on Elsie's shoulder and gently kneads the tight muscle. "Yes, I'll be right with you."
Elsie starts. "And where are you off to?"
Charles opens his mouth to answer, but Donal replies first. "Going to tend to a few things in the barn, Els. Give you and Moira a chance to visit by yourselves. Come along then when you're ready, Charles." He turns to Tavey. "Let's go lad."
Tavey gets up from table, shoots an apologetic glance towards Elsie and leaves the room.
"Well," Moira says abruptly. "Let's get these dishes cleared, shall we Janet?" And they both rise quickly from the table and hastily leave the room.
"That wasn't so bad, was it?" asks Charles kindly.
"Not so bad? When I get my hands on that nephew of mine, I'll…" but Charles squeezes her shoulder.
"Let them have their teasing, Els. It's over now. Donal and I are going to cut new slats for the bed that should support an elephant of a man like me. It's all taken care of."
Elsie stands, turns toward him. "So that's where you went off to this morning. I thought maybe you'd done a runner on me." She smiles at him, cocks her head at him. He looks to see whether the coast is clear and kisses her.
"He's kissing her," shouts a small voice, the wee lad whose name he can never remember. Much hushing and scuffling can be heard from the kitchen.
Elsie groans. "Away with you, my man, before I completely expire from embarrassment."
He grins and kisses her again, harder. "In for a penny, love." He squeezes her arm and leaves the room.
Foolish man, she thinks, and grins in spite of herself. Moira steals up behind her.
"And you think that man capable of doing a runner on you? You must be daft, lass." She chuckles and hugs Elsie from behind. "I'm that happy for you, lass. You'll never know how I worried."
Elsie squeezes her sister's arm. "There's no need. I'm well supplied, as you can see."
"Aye, I can see that. Even a blind man could see that." She squeezes her one last time. "Come along then, let's get this sorted." And they clear the table in companionable silence.