A shorter chapter this time guys because I couldn't leave Charles (or you :P) in a heap for too long! Thank you for all the reviews.

He rushed after Mrs Hughes but could not catch up in time to stop her from marching determinedly towards the village. He had managed to see Mrs Jenkins off with some very stern words although she didn't seem all that bothered. In fact she seemed to find his upset at Mrs Hughes discovering him in such a disgraceful situation quite amusing.

He knew Mrs Hughes would eventually have to come back past the cottage to return to Downton so he sat by the window keeping an eye out. He was still shocked by the gall of Mrs Jenkins. What on earth had gotten into the woman? He was not quite sure how long her husband had been dead, he could understand her being lonely but… to behave in such a way was unacceptable. He thought again of how she had pressed against him. Despite his shock and disapproval – and he disapproved fiercely – his couldn't deny his body had responded to Mrs Jenkins. It had made him realise that perhaps he had missed that side of life more than he had been willing to admit to himself all these years. It was just unfortunate that today's reminder had been brought about by the wrong woman.

He sighed but then caught a glimpse of Mrs Hughes approaching and jumped out to catch up with her.

"Mrs Hughes!" he called. "Mrs Hughes please! I must explain."

She paused and eyed him warily.

"Please, let's not discuss this here. Come inside." He was terrified she would refuse but she didn't.

She sat on a chair by the the window leaving him to take a seat on the sofa again. He took a deep breath.

"Mrs Hughes, what you saw earlier…" he began.

"Mr Carson, I owe you an apology. I should not have walked in as I did without knocking. The door was slightly ajar but…still." She drew her lips into a thin line and avoided his eyes.

"It is not you who needs to apologise Mrs Hughes!" he insisted.

"No I do. This is your home. It's not like walking into your pantry at Downton. I have no business barging in here." She explained.

"But you do! You are welcome to barge in whenever you like." He told her. "Today was…" he couldn't put it into words.

"Really, Mr Carson, you don't need to say anything." She still looked grim. "Although I admit I am surprised, given your disgust towards Ethel…" she sniffed slightly, "but I suppose it's different for men."

Carson crinkled hi nose in confusion. "I don't see what Ethel has to do with this."

Mrs Hughes eyed him for a moment and then got a slight look of comprehension flash in her eyes.

"Mrs Jenkins is a prostitute Mr Carson." She said slowly.

"What?" he asked in horror.

"You didn't know?"

"Of course not! How would I know? If I knew why would I have her in my home!" he snapped.

"Well, given your activities with her…" Mrs Hughes raised her eyebrows at him, "How did that come about if you hadn't discussed… her occupation. Everyone knows about Mrs Jenkins. She's buried three husbands and had countless other husbands in her bed!"

"I don't listen to gossip." He said huffily.

"You do when it suits you." Mrs Hughes said quietly.

Carson sat there agog. He wondered if anyone had seen her entering the cottage. This obviously explained the woman's forwardness. Mrs Hughes looked at him sympathetically.

"Shall I make the tea whilst you get over your shock?" she asked with only a hint of mocking.

"No. I shall do it." He stood up, drawing back his shoulders and setting his jaw determinedly. He wouldn't be made fun of.

Mrs Hughes smiled.