A/N I've just posted two chapters simultaneously. This is the second; if you haven't read the first chapter, go back and do that first. Please keep reading and reviewing. If you've stuck with me this far, just give me one or two more chapters - please! Next chapter - the big day! Thank you for all your kindness!
Chapter 22
Elsie was in fine spirits. While the men were out at the tavern, she and the other downstairs women were in the servants' hall, enjoying their own festivities. Ivy and Daisy, under Mrs. Patmore's watchful scrutiny, had prepared a scrumptious tray of sweets. Somehow, Mrs. Patmore had also acquired several bottles of very nice champagne. Elsie presumed that Lady Mary must have been responsible for the champagne, but the cook would neither confirm nor deny that supposition.
"I still can't believe Mr. Carson finally proposed to you, Mrs. Hughes," said Anna, squeezing Elsie's hand. "I'm so happy for you both."
"It's so romantic!" cooed Daisy dreamily.
"Like a fairy tale!" Ivy agreed.
"Oh, you silly girls! One sip of champagne, and you go all starry-eyed. It goes straight to your heads!" exclaimed Mrs. Patmore. "Fairy tale, indeed! After two days, they're coming right back here to pick up where they left off, with the linen rotas and the dinner menus and the wine deliveries. Where's the romance in that?"
"Yes, but Mrs. Hughes won't be returning. Mrs. Carson will be arriving. And that will make all the difference!" insisted Anna, knowingly.
"Calling you Mrs. Carson will take some getting used to, Mrs. Hughes," said Mrs. Patmore, shaking her head.
"Being Mrs. Carson will take some getting used to, Mrs. Patmore," Elsie laughed happily.
Just as the women's festivities were breaking up, the men returned to the house. Alfred, James, and Mr. Barrow seemed especially jolly but had retained control of themselves. Mr. Carson and Mr. Bates, of course, appeared to have suffered no ill effects from the night's revelry. Mrs. Patmore shooed everyone off to bed with the help of Anna and Mr. Bates, who would be spending the night at the house instead of their cottage. That left Elsie and Charles alone one last time before their wedding, and they made their way to Elsie's sitting room.
"How was your evening?" asked Elsie once they were standing in her parlor.
"I would rather have spent it with you," Charles pouted, drawing her into his embrace, "but it wasn't altogether unpleasant. Did you have a nice time with Mrs. Patmore and the girls?"
"I did, thank you. It was very nice," she told him.
"You know, I don't know what I shall do with myself tomorrow night ... " he pondered seriously.
"Well, I have some suggestions!" she snorted, grinning at him.
"Oh, dear. That's not what I meant," Charles continued, his face flushing feverishly. "I only meant that I have become quite accustomed to our evening routine - our talk and glass of wine, here or in my pantry. We have spent nearly every night for the past several months – in fact, for the past twenty years – in the same way. Tomorrow night will surely be different."
"It certainly will," Elsie affirmed. "But what are we to do? There's nothing for it. We'll just have to alter our routine a bit, once we're married."
"Oh, I do like the sound of that!" he said, kissing her enthusiastically.
When Elsie caught her breath again, she said, "Charles, as much as I enjoy your attentions, we should probably get some sleep now. Tomorrow is rather an important day, and I am anxious for it to arrive."
"All right, then," he acceded.
They closed up her sitting room and walked to the stairs. When they arrived at the place where they would part to go their separate rooms, Charles looked at Elsie and said earnestly, "This is the last time I shall be able to call you Mrs. Hughes. It makes me sad."
"Well, I, for one, shall be very happy to have you call me Mrs. Carson tomorrow," she argued.
"And so shall I, but Mrs. Hughes is very dear to me. It was she who stole my heart," he said sentimentally.
"Give Mrs. Carson a chance. I'll wager you'll become quite fond of her, once you meet her," Elsie teased.
"I'm sure I shall," he agreed.
Then, standing in the very spot where he had kissed her cheek for the first time, he gathered her to him, rested his forehead against hers, and spoke quietly with his lips touching hers, "Mrs. Hughes, may I kiss you goodnight?"
"Yes, Mr. Carson, you may," she whispered back.
First, he slowly and deliberately outlined each feature of her face with his fingers. She traced the shell of his ear. Then he nuzzled his nose softly up and down against hers. She ran her fingers through the hair at his temples. Next, he brushed his lips gently back and forth over hers, tickling them. She played with the soft hair at the nape of his neck. Finally, he closed his lips delicately over hers, and she responded in kind. A moment later, they stood, lost in a world unto themselves, looking fondly at each other.
"Good night, Mrs. Hughes," said Charles wistfully. "I shall miss you terribly."