She relaxed into him, resting her head on his shoulder, hand still tangled with his.. It was dark enough and nobody was looking at them. Elsie and Charles sat in quiet contentment for a long while. Feeling bold and not willing to let things slip back into professionalism just yet Elsie had boldly run her fingers up and down Charles thigh. She felt him sit up straighter and heard him loudly exhale before he whispered "Mrs. hughes…." he took her hand from his lap lifted it up and gently let it go back into her own lap. Disappointed and embarrassed Elsie sat straight up and moved closer to the windows so they were not touching at all, tears rolling down her cheeks."Elsie" he whispered seeing the tears on her cheeks. when she didn't turn to acknowledge him or even relax back into her chair, he sighed "It's just … It's just that i'm too bloody selfish. Today has been wonderful, how am I going to survive tomorrow morning, when you leave me and go back to the Abbey, knowing I've had all of this just next to me.Elsie couldn't breathe. She had been so immensely happy and in the moment and bold. She thought 'finally things had swung their way'. She sighed and leaned back into the seat still not completely relaxed and definitely not touching him. " You'll survive as we always have Charlie, the only thing that has changed is that I you know I love ye and I know you love me, but i dare say i've loved ye a long, long while Mr. Carson." The train jerked to a stop as they arrived at the station. passengers began to move around them. Charles helped Elsie down from the Compartment, he had no time to make a reply, it was back to work as they both saw Mrs. Patmore frantically waving them down. Something about the taxi's for the ride back but things had seemed to be sorted as they approached the group.Arriving back at the London house Charles hustled upstairs to change and wash up, he wanted to get back down stairs to speak with Elsie. Mrs Hughes entered the house last, she had hoped Charles would have lingered back so they could continue talking.Unexpectedly there was already a queue for the bathroom when Charles stepped out of his room. He sighed he was already changed into his robe and wasn't about to put his dirty things back on. Sure he could pull rank but he didn't want to do so after the day of relaxation. He turned back to his room and settled himself in his chair to wait.
Finally clean and changed Charles looked at the clock 2 hours had passed. He hoped Elsie was still waiting for him. But as he entered the servants hall he could see no lights. He sighed and made his way back to his room for a sleepless night.