A/N Here's chapter 15. Thank you so much for all the reviews. My regular reviewers have been marvelous, and I've responded to you all via PM's. I've also had some VERY flattering reviews from guests, to whom I can't respond personally, but you know who you are, and my ego thanks you!
Chapter 15
Charles was in a haze. Elsie's kisses did, in fact, make him quite senseless. Her kisses were modest and proper, very lady-like, yet no less intoxicating because of their innocence. He could hardly fathom how just the lightest touch of her lips on his could render him so helpless.
After the first, precious kisses, there was another flurry of tears and smiles, sobs and laughter from them both. They embraced each other joyously, Charles cradling Elsie's head to his chest and Elsie squeezing Charles around his middle. Charles thought he must be the luckiest man in the world to have won Elsie's heart. Ten minutes ago, he thought he had lost her forever, and now, here he was, holding his beloved in his arms and looking forward to making her his wife.
The couple spent some happy minutes just holding each other and being held, after which time Elsie looked up at Charles and teased, "Well, Mr. Carson, for a man so morally opposed to change, you certainly have undergone quite a transformation. You've gone from being Mr. Carson, the unflappable Butler of Downton Abbey to being Charles, my Charles, who loves me and kisses me tenderly and is going to marry me."
Charles had to laugh at himself. "For the record, my Dear," he informed her, "I've always been your Charles who loves you. That part is nothing new. I've just been too foolish to tell you until now. As for the kissing and the marrying ... Well, I'll not lie to you; you've turned my world upside down. But I find I rather like it that way, and I'm in no particular hurry to set it to rights."
And to prove his sincerity, he dipped his head and kissed Elsie, his Elsie, again. He held her gaze while he brushed a few loose strands of hair from her forehead and planted a kiss there. He stroked her cheek with the backs of his fingers and ran his fingertip down her nose, then kissed her cheek and the tip of her nose. He caressed her chin between his fingers and thumb and kissed her chin, as well. Finally, he traced her lips with his thumb and then followed with his own lips. Elsie responded enthusiastically, returning his kisses while sliding her hands up his chest and over his shoulders, tickling the back of his neck and twining her fingers in his hair.
When finally they separated, breathless, Elsie sighed, "Oh, Charles. I had no idea it was possible to be so happy! I wish we had done this years ago."
"Hmmm ... I'm not sure I agree with you." Charles said thoughtfully. "I have a different view of things."
"Oh?" she questioned, raising her eyebrows. "Would you care to share that view with me?"
"Well, it's rather like Mrs. Patmore's treacle tart. When she has just baked it in the morning, it smells delicious. I must confess that I have, on occasion, sneaked into the kitchen while it has been cooling and have stolen a piece. Or two, perhaps," he admitted. "And while it has always tasted very good, I have never been able to enjoy it fully so soon after breakfast. However, on those occasions when I have resisted the temptation to indulge myself so early in the day and have waited until after dinner, her tart has always tasted that much better. When I have walked back and forth past the kitchen all day, savoring the smell, gazing longingly at the pastry, and working up an appetite, the anticipation makes the eventual enjoyment so much sweeter when the time finally comes."
"Charles Carson! I'm not sure if that's the sweetest thing anyone has ever said to me - or the most insulting! I'll appreciate your observation for the sentiment behind it, but I don't think I like being compared to a tart that's been sitting around for a good, long time!" said Elsie, with feigned indignation.
"That's not what I intended," he chuckled. "I simply meant that after twenty years, finally holding you in my arms is all the sweeter because I've desired it for so long."
"I was only teasing you," she reassured him. "I feel the same way."
He pulled his head back to look at her, still holding her firmly, and said, "It pains me to end this perfect moment, but I fear that we'll be interrupted before long. Surely the others will be up and about soon, if they're not already, and I still need to go clean myself up and change for the day."
"I'm sure you're right," Elsie concurred, "though I don't know how I'm supposed to go calmly about my business after the events of the past hour."
"Elsie," he said, thrilled to be addressing her by her given name, and once again pressing his forehead to hers. "I'm so happy right now - and so proud. I'd love to tell the whole world that Elsie Hughes has agreed to be my bride. But just for today, Love, can we keep it between us? There's so much more to talk about. Do you think we can have a nice, long chat tonight, and we'll tell everyone tomorrow?"
"A talk this evening sounds wonderful, Charles," she answered him, "but I sincerely doubt that I shall be able to keep the smile from my face and pretend all day long that I'm not the happiest woman alive. I won't say anything, but there's bound to be some suspicion. Mrs. Patmore is very astute, you know."
"So is Lady Mary, I'm afraid," Charles added.
"And then, of course, there's Mr. Barrow," Elsie pointed out. "I'm sure he's hiding in your silver cupboard right now and has heard our every word."
"At the moment, I don't care a fig about Mr. Barrow or anyone else except you. Let people think what they will. Today will pass quickly enough, and tonight will be here before we know it. And tonight, I plan to hold my bride-to-be in my arms for many blissful hours, to tell her how beautiful she is, and to show her how much I adore her," he said, smiling soppily.
"I'll let you get on with your day, then," she said, stretching up to kiss his cheek and whispering in his ear, "I love you, Charles."
"And I love you, Elsie," he responded, raising her hand to his mouth and kissing it.
He walked with her to the door and opened it for her. When they stepped out into the corridor, he was surprised to find Lady Mary still downstairs, holding Master George and talking with Mrs. Patmore.
"M'Lady. Mrs. Patmore," he greeted them, a bit taken aback.
"Good morning, Carson, Mrs. Hughes," replied Lady Mary, smiling. "I trust you are both well this morning?"
"Very well, indeed, M'Lady," Elsie responded, returning her smile. "And I trust Master George is feeling better?"
The infant was awake now, and did, in fact, look content.
"Oh, yes. Mrs. Patmore has just given him some milk. I'm going to take him upstairs to Nanny now," said Lady Mary.
"The lad's got quite an appetite," commented Mrs. Patmore. "He's growing into a strong, healthy, young boy."
"I'll be off, then. Thank you for the milk, Mrs. Patmore," Lady Mary said and then turned to face Charles and Elsie. "Mrs. Hughes. Carson. I wish you a pleasant day," she said, turning to leave.
The three servants acknowledged her, nodding and saying, "Good day, M'Lady," more or less in unison. Then they stood there looking awkwardly at each other for a moment before Charles detected a familiar aroma.
"Mrs. Patmore," Charles ventured hopefully, "that couldn't possibly be treacle tart that I smell. Could it?"
"It could be ... and it is. And you keep your hands off it until after dinner, you troublesome man!" she scolded, walking away and leaving Charles and Elsie grinning at each other.