1896
In the early hours of the morning Elsie Hughes was putting the finishing pins into her up due. Sitting at the vanity between the two beds, she observed her handiwork and decided it would suffice for the long day ahead. Just as she was about to stand and grab her apron her roommate stepped into their room.
"Elsie you better get a move on if you don't want to be late for breakfast" said Clara.
"Well you are going to be as late as I am" Stated Elsie. Standing now, she looked at her new dear friend.
" I thought we would walk down together." replied Clara. Smiling in her sweet way.
"Don't we always" Elsie said as she made her way to the door and followed Clara down the hall.
Trotting their way down the many stairs Clara said " I think Mrs. Smith has quite the workload for us today, after the regular chores mind. I think she has plans of showing you the books and inventory soon though. With you being the new head housemaid and all. She probably wants to pass those off to you."
" And so she should. You know she wants to retire soon. She has earned it. I'd be happy to finally get my hands on the books. That was why I was hired here after all." Stated Elsie after making it down the final fight and into the servants hall.
"Clara, you're okay with the coming changes? Right? I know you have been here for years, I never asked but did you want to be the housekeeper?" Elsie continued with a genuine look.
Clara shook her head and continued to her spot at the table. Elsie right behind, took her seat next to her friend. The dishes were being passed along and tea cups were being dispersed and filled.
"I know the job is meant for you Elsie." Clara said in a whisper. Clara was passed the porridge, filled her bowl and passed the food onto Elsie. "We can discuss this later, eat up Elsie you are going to need the substance".
Just as Elsie filled her bowl and passed the remaining porridge into the hands of the maid next to her, Mr. Carson and Mrs. Smith entered the servants hall. Everyone stood until they were motions to sit back down.
"Sorry for our late arrival, continue with your meal" Stated Carson.
Elsie looked up from her tea cup and admired the way commanded the room. She had been working at Downton for the last 4 months and did not understand how 's deep rumble of a voice still made it to her very core. It was like sitting in a train car and feeling the engine start up for the beginning of a journey. She could not deny that Mr. Carson intrigued her from the first moment she heard his voice.
She recalled stepping into the severance hall the first day she arrived. Bending down to pick up her luggage she heard someone come into the room. A man in formal livery walked in and said " Awe the new head housemaid, I hope that you meet expectations".
Elsie looked up and almost gasped. The rich voice belonged to a very handsome man with dark hair peppered with some gray. He had broad shoulders and a rather big nose. Not that she minded.
" Elsie Hughes sir. I'm rather charged to begin. Can you show me to a Mrs. Smith?" Elsie stated with a small smirk.
Mr. Carson stared at the housemaid for a few moments. Debating if he would comment on her cheek she knew. She gave him more of a smile, then made her way closer to him. Silently asking if she could follow him. Mr. Carson inclined his head slightly and took one of her cases from her. Their hands bushed very slightly. Both looking up suddenly towards the other.
Mr. Carson cleared his throat and said "I'm Mr. Carson, the Butler." He then pivoted on his heals and proceeded down the hallway towards Mrs. Smith's pantry.
Elsie smiled to herself after reviewing the memory. She reflected that they were not friends, but she would not mind if that was to change.
She thought it would be good to be friends if and when she eventually took over the housekeeper position. She wanted him as her ally.
Later in the day Elsie sat with Mrs. Smith going over linen inventories and specific room details. had already introduced the book for household funds and balances.
"Elsie, are you comfortable with this work? Do you have any questions? Of course we will be going more into depth in these subjects, but I want to know if the possession is agreeable to you? Mrs. Smith rambled as she closed the linen journal.
" Mrs. Smith I am very comfortable, thank you. I did most of this work for my previous position. It was a smaller house, but I believe I did a satisfactory job." Said Elsie.
" Oh yes, I remember from your reply to the advertisement. My dear, I want to express that you have done a good job since coming here. I'm glad that hiring you has worked out well. I say this because I will be leaving in 3 months." Mrs. Smith said with a tired, but happy expression.
" Oh I didn't realize you would be gone so soon" Elsie realized the amount of learning she would need to do in this short time frame. She was slightly worried, but knew it was plausible.
" I'm not afraid to say that I am rather excited. My old bones need a rest. I'm happy to say that I will be moving in with my sister. We have not seen each other for 10 years, but we correspond regularly."
"That is nice" Elsie stated. She thought of her own sister. Wishing they had a normal sisterly relationship and regular correspondence. Unfortunately Becky could not write or communicate very well in general. Elsie had to rely on her mother for updates on their well-being.
"Elsie I'm relying on you to take the reins and manage this house" Mrs. Smith said, not noticing Elsie's somewhat melancholy manner.
Elsie was brought out of her thoughts by Mrs. Smith's last statement and nodded.
"I will do my very best Mrs. Smith"
" I know you will, dear." She took a pause, thinking of her next words to the younger woman. " Your greatest challenges will probably not be the house, or the younger staff, or even the family. Mr. Carson will be your most testing challenge" Mrs. Smith said in a more serious tone.
"Oh, how so?" Elsie said. She started to fidget in her chair.
Mrs. Smith noticed the concern in Elsie's voice. " Well he is very traditional. He also views the world in black and white. You will have challenges making him see your way of things when you take over."
Wanting to reassure the girl Mrs. Smith continued " Don't worry my dear, I have faith that you will learn to handle Mr. Carson" She said in a somewhat suggestive manner.
Not lost on Elsie she said " I don't know what your referring to Mrs. Smith"
Mrs. Smith raised her brow "Elsie I see how you look at him. This very morning I saw a very slight smile directed his way"
Elsie immediately rushed "There is nothing between us."
Mrs. Smith raised her hand, signaling Elsie to let her speak "I know nothing is going on between you too. This is a lonely life, I just want to bestow upon you the meaning of this line of work. You know the rules upon which we survive, you know the expectations. What you seem not to know is how he looks upon you." Mrs. Smith continued with a smirk of her own.
" Elsie, please be careful with your heart." She paused for a beat. "But also know, you only have one life to live"
With that Mrs. Smith stood and headed for her pantry door.
"Come my dear, the gong is about to be wrong" She stated to a rather stunned Miss Hughes.