Charles was sure he could hear his own heart beating as Elsie's mouth descended until her lips rested oh so sweetly upon his. Then, she exhaled, her breath coming in the form of a sigh, before she moved her lips again and initiated a kiss. One which was over far too quickly for his liking.

"Remember when you'd sit with me late into the night at CC's?" she asked, leaning back.

"Of course."

"I miss that."

"But you didn't like working with me at Downton?" He paused. She had just kissed him, but she didn't want to buy a B&B with him? What did she want? "You're not interested in the business?" he asked, still confused.

"I miss working with you too," she said reassuringly. "I am interested in a partnership, but I don't want it to be just business." She laced her fingers through the hair that sat dutifully on the nape of his neck and tugged his face closer. "I miss you."

He held her gaze. Her expression promised all sorts of things that made a shiver run the full length of his spine.

"Well then…"

Her mobile vibrated, interrupting them once more. She only gave the screen a cursory glance this time but he still felt her stiffen slightly.

"I think you should meet with your sister." He wrapped his arms around her and drew her closer. "She'll only stay on the straight and narrow if we support her," he added, certain Elsie would only move forward with her life if she buried the ghosts of her sister's sustained threats forever.

To his dismay, after he spoke, Elsie determinedly wriggled out of his embrace. Happily though, she only leaned over, picked up their glasses, passed him one, and smiled. "How about we invite her to our wedding."

The End

E/N Thanks everyone who has left reviews and likes on tumblr etc. Sorry for posting two chapters so close together, but I'm going away on holidays in the morning and wanted to post the end before I left. As I won't be home for about 10 days, don't fret if I don't reply to you straight away. I will when I get home. TIA!