A/N This is not my favorite chapter. It was difficult to write, and there's no action, but it was necessary to reveal Charles's thinking. This chapter explains the title, "Small Advances."

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The next chapter is one of my favorites - more Mrs. Patmore! It will be posted soon.

Chapter 9

Charles was deep in thought. He sat in his bedroom later that night, reflecting on recent happenings. It had been nearly three months since he had finally figured out a way to proceed with Mrs. Hughes, and he reviewed the events in his head.

He had been in love with her since her arrival at Downton, but no sooner had he fallen in love with her than he realized that she had become his dearest friend, too. Charles would never delude himself, thinking she might also be in love with him, and so he would not risk losing her altogether by making awkward advances or declaring his love outright. If she were to reject him, as surely she would, he thought, he would lose the one person whom he could not bear to live without. He could live without her love, but he treasured her friendship far too dearly to chance destroying it with one moment of foolishness that would certainly end in disaster.

And that had been his thinking for twenty years. But ridiculous as it might have been, Charles still held out hope - hope and a fervent longing that she might feel something for him. He really didn't believe that she loved him, but there was always that nagging thought that he never could banish: what if ... what if she did? If only he knew!

Of course, there were ways to find out. He could find out by sweeping her up into a passionate kiss. He could find out by proclaiming openly that he was helplessly smitten and deeply in love with her. Her reaction to either scenario would leave him in no doubt as to how she felt. But his staid and stolid nature would never allow him to do anything so dramatic. And even if he could do those things, the likely outcome was that she would rebuff him, and their friendship would be ruined forever. He was not willing to risk that.

But he had to know. If he knew for sure that she didn't care for him in any romantic way, he could live with that. He would simply carry on as he had for two decades, his love for her known only to himself. But if there were a chance - any chance at all ... But how could he know? He couldn't ask her outright. He couldn't find out without making a fool of himself. Or could he?

In a moment of inspiration, Charles had struck upon a plan. It had catered to his cautious nature, his resistance to sudden, drastic change, and his reluctance to express his feelings. He had been actually rather proud of himself.

His idea had been simple. He didn't have to do anything so radical; he would begin to reveal his feelings gradually - with a series of small advances. He would start with gentle gestures to "test the waters," so to speak. If Mrs. Hughes were not receptive, he could easily pull back with minimal embarrassment. He could apologize, make a joke, and things might be uncomfortable for a day or two, but then everything would go back to normal, and he would still share his days and evenings with his most cherished friend.

But if Mrs. Hughes did allow Charles's initial overtures ... Well, then he would continue in small increments. If at any point she gave any indication that she was not pleased, he would know immediately and could minimize the damage. But if she permitted the slow progression, he would be reasonably assured of her affections before he asserted his love for her.

And so, a few months ago, Charles had implemented his plan. It had proceeded even better than he could possibly have hoped. Mrs. Hughes had allowed him to hold her hand. She had permitted him to put his arm around her. And then, tonight, she had even seemed pleased when he had kissed her cheek. He was beginning to believe that she might entertain romantic feelings for him and that he just might be the luckiest man alive. And now, he was ready for more.