Chapter 16

C*E*C*E*C*E*C*E

Charles came thundering down the stairs, his heavy footsteps heralding his arrival long before he appeared at the bottom and into the servants hallway. His face was red, his lips pursed into a very thin line, and his eyebrows higher than Elsie had ever seen them before. He was even mumbling rather angrily under his breath which was never a good sign.

"Heavens! What's the matter with …?" She stopped as soon as she took in his appearance. The front of his livery, once white, pristine, and without a single wrinkle, now bore a very large, very wet brown spot, which Elsie could only surmise was tea.

"Thomas Barrow, the insufferable under-butler who will be lucky if he still has a job at the end of the day! He's what happened," Charles all but yelled as Elsie guided him into her sitting room.

With the door firmly shut and locked behind them, Elsie eased Charles out of his coat and stepped around in front of him to begin unbuttoning the soiled clothes. "And just what did Thomas do this time … aside from the obvious?" She worked efficiently on Charles's clothing as she listened intently to every word.

"He's served tea a thousand times! He's presumably consumed enough of it in his short lifetime to understand the workings of a tea pot and cups. But, the careless hobbledehoy was too distracted by the conversation between the Dowager Countess and the other ladies and not paying attention to what he was doing. He very nearly dumped the pot of tea into Her Ladyship's lap. If I hadn't been watching and intervened, she would have been wearing the hot tea instead of me. Now, look! My clothing is soiled. I'm angry, and these will have to be laundered immediately if I've any hope of ridding it of the stains!"

"Where is Thomas now?" Elsie asked, hoping he was hiding in some secluded part of the house and thinking of a way to apologize, though she had her doubts about any of those things.

"As silly as it may sound, I sent him to his room. I told him I did not wish to see him at all for the rest of the day and that I would send Mr. Molesley up with a tray containing his supper."

Elsie smiled as she imagined the look in Thomas's face upon being properly scolded and sent to his room as if he were an errant child being punished. "I bet he did not take kindly to that directive." She slipped his shirt and vest from his body, tossing them onto the nearby chair. "Go sit down on the settee. I'll go to the laundry to put these in to soak, get you a change of clothes, and come back with some lemonade and a few biscuits for you." She stood on her tiptoes and kissed him softly on the lips.

"Elsie, I can't stay in your office without a shirt or vest! What if someone comes in needing something from you? This will look most improper!" Charles was already looking around the room for something to use to cover his upper body.

"Charles, we are due to be married in a few days. I dare say there's not a person in this household who, after learning of the circumstances of your state of undress, would think any less of either of us. Besides, with the loud entrance you made coming down those stairs, Thomas secured in his room, and the family being tended to by Mr. Molesley, I don't think you have anything to worry about." She took his hands in hers and led him over to her settee, pulling a rug from it and draping it around his shoulders. "Have a lie down and I'll be back before you've even had time to miss me."

Charles cupped her chin in his hand and lowered his lips to hers for a sweet, soft kiss. "Thank you, love, for taking such good care of me. I'm sorry I came in here in such a foul mood."

She smiled and patted his cheek. "You're forgiven. Now, do us both a favor and rest a little. You need to calm down before you make yourself ill." She waited until he was properly settled before leaving him in her office, to the peace and quiet that he so desperately needed.

Upon her return, Elsie discovered that Charles had taken her advice and allowed himself to relax. He was napping on her settee, and the sight that greeted her made her heart beat a little faster. The blanket, the one he had been clinging to for dear life when she left, was now pooled on the floor, leaving Charles's chest completely exposed to anyone who happened to open the door. After making sure it was locked, she tiptoed across the room, draping his new clothes across the back of the chair, then kneeling beside him.

For several long moments, she stared at this gorgeous man, her soon to be husband. He looked so peaceful, as if he hadn't a care in the world. The worry lines, which had been deep and very pronounced earlier were now almost gone. His lips were slightly parted as he slept. Even the unruly curl that she loved to tease him about had escaped its confines and was dancing along his forehead.

Elsie allowed her eyes to travel from his face to his broad shoulders and chest. Strong arms which held her so protectively were now exposed as was the chest which so often cradled her head. In only a few short days, Elsie would be able to sleep through the night with her ear pressed to this man's chest, to hear his heart beating strongly, to feel the rumble of his snores in the middle of the night.

With his laundry and the crisis far from her thoughts, Elsie reached out her left hand and used her fingertips to lightly caress his skin, starting at his throat and working their way across his exposed chest. Her eyes followed the path of her hand which bore the ring he'd given to her. She reveled in the feel of his soft skin beneath her light touch and she marveled at his reactions to her, even in his sleep.

Using the pads of her fingers, Elsie caressed his nipples and his breastbone. She smiled as she ran her hand through the small patch of hair on his chest. Before she had a moment to second guess herself, her lips has soon replaced her fingers, leaving a trail of hot kisses all along his body. She heard him release a deep moan and murmur her name in his sleep, and she smiled as she looked up to see his eyes still closed.

Feeling rather emboldened by his rumblings and the tingling sensations starting to emerge in her own body, Elsie decided to wake Charles in a most unconventional fashion. Placing both of her hands at the waistband of his trousers, palms down, she smoothed her hands up his body … across his stomach, along his chest, and up to his shoulders, before retreating and starting the process over again, giving him a little massage.

"Mmm, Elsie," he moaned, just beginning to wake from the most delicious dream. Elsie was touching him as she hovered over him. Her hair was spilling down around them, and she was straddling his lap, pressing herself against him. His hands, of their own accord reached up and cupped both her breasts, kneading them gently as the Elsie in his dream threw her head back and moaned.

"God, yes, Charles," she cried out softly, instantly waking him from his dream. She bit her bottom lip and smiled as his eyes flew open, confusion clouding his mind for a moment. "You didn't have to stop," she teased, bringing her hands up to cover his which were still cupping her breasts. "Even in your sleep, you are very skilled in seduction." She lowered her face to his and kissed him hard on the lips, one hand supporting her weight and one threading through his hair. She traced the outline of his mouth with the tip of her tongue, letting her hot breath wash over him, further invading his senses, until she captured his lips once more in a heated kiss.

He groaned deeply, feeling the weight of her body pressing against his, the roughness of her dress against his skin, the scent of her invading his senses. "Elsie … oh Elsie …" he struggled to say as her lips were busy bathing him in light kisses and tender nips. "Elsie, love, we must stop," he finally said through gritted teeth as she found a particularly sensitive spot at the side of his throat.

"Why must we, Charles?" she asked, her breath warm against the shell of his ear, though she clearly knew the answer to her question. "Do you have any idea how attractive you are to me, how much I want to be with you?" She leaned back and looked down at his face which was flushed. She ran her hands over his shoulders and chest once more, stopping when she reached the top of his trousers. She watched as his eyes fluttered closed and she felt him shifting his hips. With no warning, she eased the tips of her fingers beneath the band of his trousers and pants, lightly tickling his skin and causing his hips to lurch upwards.

"Good God, Elsie! Don't do that … at least not until we're married," he groaned. "I can't take much more." He reached down and stilled her hands as he tried to regain some control over his body and his breaths. "I want you. God knows I do! But, I want us to wait, please. We've waited this long. What's a few more days?"

"Torture! That's what it is," she answered, her voice clearly indicating her frustration. "I'm sorry, Charles. I shouldn't have pushed you this far. I saw you napping, and I couldn't help myself."

He tugged on her hand and guided her to stretch out on top of him, her entire body resting against his, her head pillowed on his shoulder. "It was certainly a lovely way to wake from a nap. I might be persuaded to take them more often if you promise to wake me like that," he teased.

"You won't be able to convince me to stop so easily next time," she purred, her lips ghosting across his throat and her hips pressing down against his. She tried to remain still for a few moments, letting their bodies settle. "Tell me, again, about our wedding and our honeymoon," she pleaded.

He shifted just enough so he could place a kiss to her forehead. "On Saturday morning, promptly at eleven o'clock, I will rise from my seat at the front of the church and watch as the most beautiful woman … that's you … arrives at the back of the church. As Mr. Branson escorts you down the aisle, my eyes will be drinking in the sight of you and I will be desperately trying to remember my own name. Once you reach me at the altar, you will take my hand in yours and suddenly, I will feel steady once more." He took her hand in his and brought it to his lips as he allowed the image to sink in, allowing it to clearly form in her mind's eyes. "Then, Rev. Travis will say a few words, we will pledge ourselves to one another, and he will pronounce me yours forever."

"You mean, he will announce that I belong to you," she added. "The whole village will know that I am yours, now and forever."

"As long as he makes it clear that we are Mr. and Mrs. Charles and Elsie Carson, that's all that matters to me, love."

"And you're sure you wouldn't have been happier just going to the registry office in Ripon? You're positive this wedding is as much for you as it is for me."

Charles shifted so he could see her face fully. "Elsie, ever since I set my mind on courting you, on winning your heart, and earning your love, my sole objective has been to do everything I can to make you happy. Declaring my love for you in front of our friends and the family, and not in front of some strangers in the registry office … that's going to make us both happy. I wouldn't change a single thing about our plans, unless you're having second thoughts." For a moment, Charles felt a wave of panic wash over him.

"Absolutely not. As long as we're married by the time the stars appear in the sky on Saturday, I don't care about the particulars." She felt his body shaking beneath hers. "Don't laugh! Otherwise, I might decide I have a headache after such a big day on Saturday."

"Threaten me all you like, Elsie Hughes. I dare say, we will both be thoroughly exhausted come Sunday morning."

"So long as we don't miss our train." She raised herself up and kissed the tip of his nose. "You know, it might not be a bad idea if we simply sleep on Saturday night after the reception and our dinner. That way, we will be fully rested for our travels. No chance of missing our train."

Charles shifted quickly so Elsie was suddenly pinned beneath him as he tickled her sides, leaving her gasping for breath. "Think that's a good idea, do you? Sleeping in the same bed all night … nothing but a goodnight kiss? Resisting the urges we've been fighting off for weeks?"

"No! Stop … only teasing … sorry … wouldn't dare," she gasped as she wiggled beneath him. When he stopped, she looped her arms around his neck and used her nails to lightly scratch the base of his neck and across his shoulders. "You won't get away from me that easily, Charles. If it wasn't for your perseverance and strong will, we could have crossed that final barrier weeks ago. You'll not convince me to wait another night."

"I'm terribly glad to hear it, and I appreciate your understanding." He lowered his head to her chest and wrapped his arm around her waist. "It's not that I don't want you and crave nothing more than to give in to all these feelings and desires between us. It's just that I want things done properly. I want to honor and cherish you. I love and respect you so much, Elsie."

"I know, Charles, and I adore you for it. I'm sorry if I pushed you too far this afternoon."

He silenced her with a finger to her lips. "Don't apologize. If my soon to be wife is that playful while I'm taking an afternoon nap, your husband is going to be one very lucky man."

Elsie raked her nails through his hair with one hand and allowed her fingertips to glide across the smooth expanse of his back with her other hand. "And if you don't put on your shirt and get back to work, my husband is going to be unemployed before he's married because I am getting much too comfortable like this."

After a few more lengthy kisses, Charles extracted himself reluctantly from Elsie's arms, with a promise to return to them later … after everyone else had gone to bed and they wouldn't be disturbed.

The next few days passed in a flurry of activity, both for the upstairs and the downstairs inhabitants of the house. But, by the time Saturday arrived, an eerie calm had settled over everyone, as if this day had been ordained by some higher power and everyone was finally at peace.

The wedding, though simple and short, was beautiful. By the time Charles and Elsie were pronounced husband and wife, there wasn't a dry eye to be had. Even the Dowager Countess, who was usually the most stoic of them all, admitted to being happy for the butler and housekeeper, though she still had concerns about how the rest of Yorkshire would take the news of their marriage.

"Really, Mama! We've been through this again and again. If we can weather having a chauffeur as a son-in-law and a valued member of this family, I dare say that the notion of a married butler and housekeeper running our home is going to be a small topic of conversation and only to a select few."

"Yes, well, Mrs. Winters certainly won't be participating in that little pastime any time soon," Violet said with a smirk.

"Granny, what did you do?" Mary asked, as they all stood waiting for Charles and Elsie to arrive at their small reception. Secretly, she was pleased with her grandmother for taking issue with the nosy woman in the village who always seemed more than willing to take pleasure in the misfortunes of others, especially the Crawley family.

"I merely impressed upon her that there are those of us in the village that have been around for quite some time and we remember certain dates and details, specific events which, if they should happen to slip to some of the other gossips in the village over tea, might prove to be rather embarrassing for her."

"You wouldn't!" Robert looked at his mother with shock and a bit of mirth.

"Whether I will or won't remains to be seen. Carson and Mrs. Hughes … eh, Mrs. Carson, have been valued employees of this estate for decades. They've managed to support this family both publicly and privately, never once revealing the details of our lives and conversations to those who would wish to tarnish the Crawley family. I will not allow any of those gossipy friends of Mrs. Winters to try to create trouble where only happiness should reside."

Before anyone could respond, the happy couple arrived and the festivities began, though Mary made a mental note to speak to her Granny more about Mrs. Winters and the kind deed she had done for the two invaluable members of staff.

After a rather lengthy reception and dinner party on their behalf, Charles and Elsie had finally managed to break away from the rest of their guests. Charles had booked a room at the Grantham Arms for the evening, under the pretense of being closer to the train station for their morning departure. In truth, as he had explained to Elsie, he didn't want to spend their first night of marriage at Downton. He wanted them to be free of duties, responsibilities, everything they recognized from their daily lives. They were going to take this first trip, this long awaited journey into marriage, and spend their first night as husband and wife without a care in the world.

At first, they were each rather apprehensive, tentative almost. After months of dancing around each other, trying desperately to hold back their desires and emotions, it was almost overwhelming to realize that they no longer had to wait, to be patient, to stop just when everything seemed perfect. Now, they were free to let go of the last of their restraint and to fully express their love physically.

Charles, as Elsie had always suspected, was a very thorough lover, eager to please, willing to give, excited to share. He had shown her, over the course of their courtship that he was a romantic at heart, and their first evening together was no exception.

As soon as the door closed behind them, Charles placed their bags on the floor and wrapped his arms around Elsie, kissing her softly on the lips, cheeks, throat … everywhere. His hands splayed across her back, holding her closely to him. He could feel his heart pounding in his chest and he wondered if Elsie could feel it, too.

"Alone at last," she purred into his ear, her nails lightly scratching the base of his neck. "I wondered if you were ever going to make our excuses," she giggled, nipping at his ear then soothing it with her tongue.

"I didn't want to seem too eager to be alone with you, though I've thought of nothing else since I woke up this morning." With practiced ease, he began working on the fastenings of her dress, taking his time and letting the tension build between them slowly.

Elsie took a step back out of his arms, running her hands down his chest and back up again, pushing his jacket to the floor. "I had a dream about us last night," she admitted, tugging on his tie and pulling it from his collar. "Would you care to know what it was about?"

Charles shook his head. "I'd rather you show me." He trailed his index finger across her cheek and down her throat, across the small section of skin at her neckline before dipping his finger beneath the fabric of her dress. "I think we've talked long enough about our dreams, don't you? It's time we started living them."

"I like the sound of that, Mr. Carson." With her eyes firmly locked on his, Elsie wiggled out of her dress, letting it pool on the floor at her feet. Standing in front of him in nothing but her new brassiere and panties, she watched as his eyes darkened, his tongue darted out to lick his lips, his breaths grew shallower.

With him properly distracted, she raised her hands to his chest and make quick work of his shirt and vest, leaving him shirtless before her. She took a step towards him and her lips began bathing his chest in tiny kisses, little nips, gentle suckles. Before, she had always tried to be careful about leaving any telling marks on his skin or going too far. Now, tonight, and for the rest of her life, she had no reason to hold back from showing him her passionate side.

Charles could not tear his eyes away from Elsie. She looked like an absolute vision, something he would have only dreamed possible just a year ago. Now, here she stood before him as his wife. With shaking hands, he touched her shoulders, letting his fingertips glide across her skin. She sighed and bit her bottom lip in anticipation and that was his undoing. He lowered his head to the tops of her breasts and began to place light kisses along her skin, nuzzling the crease created by her bra pushing her ample breasts together. "God, you smell amazing," he murmured against her skin.

She held his head to her chest with one hand while pulling him closer to her with the other, taking steps backwards towards her intended target … the bed. "I made sure to put on a little extra perfume this morning. I didn't want it to wear off before you had a chance to enjoy it to its fullest."

"I'm going to enjoy you to your fullest," he growled as his hands deftly unfastened her bra, loosening it from her body. He paused for a moment before slowly peeling the straps down her arms, his lips following the path of the silky material until she was finally bared to him. "You are so beautiful, Elsie, my Elsie," he whispered against her breast before bathing it with his lips and tongue.

"God, Charles," she cried out as tiny fires ignited all along her body, a familiar pulse beginning to make its presence known between her legs. "We've waited so long. Please, let's not wait another minute," she begged.

Before he could respond, Elsie placed her hands on his chest and pushed him one step backwards, just enough so she could unbuckle his belt, unbutton his trousers, and push them down until he was kicking them off with a vengeance. It was evident how much he wanted her. She could see it and feel it, pressing against her beneath the fabric of his pants. Boldly, she rubbed her hand along its length and hardness, listening as his breaths quickened and a moan unlike any she had ever heard escaped his lips.

"I won't last long if you keep that up," he warned, though he had no need to worry. Elsie was a smart woman, one who did not live in a sack. She immediately understood and withdrew her hand.

"Then, perhaps, we should stop talking and take matters into our own hands," she said, bringing his hands up to her breasts, encouraging him to massage them, tease them, taste them.

With their final barriers removed, Charles lowered Elsie onto the bed and eased down beside her, kissing her everywhere he could reach. His hands traveled over her, learning all the places that gave her pleasure, tickled her, caused her to arch into his touch. For the first time in his life, Charles tasted the pleasure of a woman and her response to his efforts gave him a reason to feel proud. She had completely come undone beneath his lips and tongue, his fingers only adding to the intense and heightened pleasure. Hearing his name falling from her lips as she trembled beneath him, as she begged him never to stop, as she whimpered for him to fill her completely, Charles knew he would spend the rest of his life worshipping this woman, giving her anything and everything she wanted.

Elsie had never experienced such pleasures and passions before. Charles had awakened something deep inside her, something primal, something as basic as air and as magical as any erotic dream. Her body was responding to his of its own accord, spurring them both to boldness. She scratched his back, dug her heels and her nails into his buttocks, urging him to move faster, harder, deeper until they were both on an upward spiral. She couldn't seem to get enough of him. He was surrounding her and filling her, but she needed more and he was more than willing to give as well as receive.

Without any warning, Charles rolled onto his back, bringing Elsie with him, giving her all the power of the moment. After a few awkward movements, they finally settled into a rhythmic motion, a give and take, a push and pull. His hands seemed to be all over her, caressing, kneading, teasing as she braced her hands on his chest, giving her a bit of leverage for her movements over him.

They were both so close to the edge, so close to reaching that ultimate wave of pleasure and sensations. Charles raised his head and captured her nipple in his mouth, giving it a hard suckle while his hand settled between them, touching her as no man ever had before. And that was all it took. Her body and his were in perfect sync as they reached their climaxes only seconds apart. Slowly, she settled against his chest, her short breaths hot against his neck.

Elsie could feel his heart pounding hard beneath her hand as they continued to lay motionless, the only sounds in the room coming from their heavy breathing. It was several moments before either of them could form a coherent sentence or had the energy to speak.

"I love you, Elsie. That was better than I ever imagined," he said, his voice rough with passion and emotion.

"I love you, too, Charles." She turned her head and kissed his chest several times. "And just think … this is only our first time," she laughed. "I think I'm going to love married life."

Charles couldn't help but laugh. "You'd better love it. You're stuck with me now, though if there was something you didn't enjoy, something you wish I had or hadn't done, please tell me."

Elsie ran her hand through his hair and kissed him softly. "Your wife has no complaints at all. In fact, that thing you did … at the beginning … that was very erotic, something I wouldn't mind you doing again and again. And I am definitely interested in trying new things with you, but we should save something for our honeymoon."

As they lay, completely spent and exhausted from their lovemaking, talking of things they enjoyed and would like to try, Charles kissed Elsie softly then extracted himself from her embrace.

"Where on earth are you going?"

He turned and smiled, giving her a wink as he reached into his suitcase and removed an envelope before returning back to bed. He handed her the bit of stationary and gathered her into his arms. "I have a little something for you, Mrs. Carson."

Elsie kissed his cheek and took the letter from his hands, shifting so that she could rest comfortably in his embrace while inspecting the note.

My dearest Mrs. Carson,

Our courtship started with one simple letter, so I felt our marriage should start with one as well. I hope you will forgive me this moment of sentimentality.

Today, you have made me the happiest man on earth. I cannot even begin to describe the depths of love I feel for you, my wife, my lover, my very own. Being able to open and close each new day with you by my side, knowing you will always be there to keep me steady will surely make me a kinder person, a more tolerant man, a little less resistant to change. You bring out the very best in me, Elsie, and I hope I never disappoint you in any way.

I have no flowery words to offer you, but what I can give you is everything that I have or ever hope to have. I promised, before God and our friends, to love you and cherish you above all others, and I mean that with every fiber of my being. You are my family, now. You are the most important person in my world and I will spend the rest of my life reminding you of that fact every single day.

I do have a gift for you, my love. Well, two actually, though the first isn't exactly mine to give. We have been given a rather large cottage on the estate close to the house. Lord Grantham gave me the deed to it this morning after breakfast. We will be able to spend evenings there from time to time and begin to make this cottage a home for our retirement, should you agree.

The second gift is one from my heart and one I trust you will appreciate. But, you will have to ask me sweetly and give me a kiss in full payment for the answer. So, what are you waiting for? Your husband would love a kiss from his new bride.

With all my love and forever yours,

Charles

Elsie wiped the tears from her eyes and rolled into Charles's arms, letting the letter fall from her hands and onto the bed behind her. "I have never been more in love with you than I am at this moment, my husband. That was a beautiful letter. I'm sorry I didn't write one for you, though." She ran her hand over his broad chest and up into his hair, drawing his head down for a searing kiss.

He allowed her a few moments to kiss him, to take control of their tender explorations before he gently rolled her onto her back and hovered over her. "I love you, Elsie Carson, and there will be other chances for you to write me little love notes. I trust you know that now we're married, I do not intend to stop courting you and reminding you daily how beautiful you are to me."

She reached up and threaded her fingers through his already rumpled, unruly mass of hair. "Funny, but I was going to say the same thing to you," she sighed sweetly. "I never imagined life could be this good, feel this … satisfying and fulfilling," she said before bursting into a fit of giggles at her own pun.

"You are a little minx!" He kissed the tip of her nose. "Now, do you want to know what my gift to you is or do you find you aren't interested in presents?"

"Oh, no! You are not getting off that easily. I believe I have already paid for my answer but I might be persuaded to show you my gratitude for the gift, providing you enlighten me."

Charles propped his head on his left hand while his right hand glided freely up and down Elsie's naked body. He was enjoying the feel of her smooth skin beneath the pads of his fingers and he found that he couldn't stop touching her, hearing her sighs as his touch aroused her, as she shivered with anticipation and delight beneath his light caresses.

"Mmm, are you trying to distract me, Charles," she moaned softly.

"No, just got a bit distracted." He leaned over and pressed a light kiss to her breast before beginning his answer. "Remember when Her Ladyship began talking of purchasing new furniture for the house? She wanted to update a few pieces before the Fall Festival coming up in a few weeks." Elsie nodded her head as her hand began to explore Charles's chest and side. "Well, she mentioned buying new benches. She seems to think the old ones are looking a little weathered."

Elsie gasped. "No, Charles! Please don't tell me she's planning to get rid of our bench?" Elsie sounded truly alarmed but Charles soothed her worries by cupping her cheek and smiling down sweetly at her.

"She was, but I respectfully asked if I might be allowed to purchase the bench. She asked me why and I explained to her that it had become a special place for us, a place where we would often sit and talk, the place where I proposed."

"I hope that's all you told her," Elsie giggled.

Charles pinched her side gently. "Give me some credit for maintaining decorum, wife! I wouldn't dare tell her that's where you began your slow seduction of me, or how we've both had some rather racy dreams about being together on that bench."

"So, she's not going to dispose of the bench? I'm not sure if that's exactly a gift but if that's the case, it's at least something to be thankful for."

"Oh, she's getting rid of the bench and replacing it with something newer and more modern. But, don't worry, love. She allowed me to purchase the bench. She wanted to give it to me but I told her I wanted it to be a special surprise for you since it holds so many wonderful memories for us. She seemed to understand. So, my gift to you, my first gift to you as your husband, is the bench. It will be waiting for us at the cottage when we return from our honeymoon."

Elsie was left speechless, overcome with love for this man she was now able to call her own. "You are wonderful. That is the best gift I could have imagined, and I cannot wait to share our first evening under the stars with you … in our own garden … at our own cottage … on our very own bench."

"Hmm, would you rather we skip the honeymoon and go to the cottage in the morning, then? Never let it be said of me that I wasn't open to discussions and compromises with you."

"Not on your life, Charles Carson. You promised me a trip to Brighton for our honeymoon and that's exactly where we're going, though not if we don't get some sleep. We'll miss the train."

"I won't let that happen. This time tomorrow, we will be enjoying the sounds of the waves lapping at the shore as we curl up together in a very soft bed, enjoying the evening together."

True to his word, Charles and Elsie made it to Brighton and had enjoyed several days at the seaside. He had managed to book a room with an ocean view and a small balcony where they could enjoy meals or simply sitting out at night under the stars.

It was the last night of their honeymoon and they had well and truly exhausted themselves. Tomorrow, they would travel back to Downton and resume their duties as Butler and Housekeeper the following day. Elsie, though sated and very happy from their intense lovemaking, found she couldn't sleep. As gently as she could, she eased from the bed, wrapping the white sheet around her and stepping out into the cool night air on the balcony.

She stood there gazing up at the sky, finding all the constellations Charles has shown her, listening to the soothing sounds of the waves, smelling the salty sea air. She was so engrossed in her thoughts that she never heard Charles approaching her from behind until she felt his lips on her bare shoulder.

"I turned over and you weren't in bed," he said, his lips ghosting over her shoulders, her back, and up and down her neck. He wrapped his arms around her and nuzzled the sensitive spot just behind her ear until he heard her sigh, leaning her head back on his bare chest. "Everything all right?"

"Everything is perfect," she answered, lightly scratching his arms which encircled her waist. "I can't believe we have to return tomorrow. This has felt like some fantastic dream from which we're about to wake."

"Then, we simply won't go to sleep. That way, we never have to wake from this dream we're now calling married life. How's that sound?"

"Impractical," she teased as she turned in his arms, looping hers around his neck and kissing him. "Let's stay out here tonight … on the balcony. We have to be up in a few hours anyway."

Charles ran his fingers through her long hair then down her back, removing the sheet as he did. "I have a better idea. Let's put on some clothes, something simple, and go paddling in the moonlight. Then, when it's almost time for the sunrise, we can stretch out on a blanket on the beach and enjoy it together. We can always sleep on the train ride home tomorrow and turn in early tomorrow night when we get home."

"I've said it before and I'll say it again. You are such a marvel. You and romance go hand in hand."

Charles wrapped his arms around her and guided her into their room, intent on making his plan a reality. "Never let it be said that I don't thoroughly enjoy courting a housekeeper."

The End

A/N: Thank you so very much to everyone who took the time to read and review this story. I have had a wonderful time writing the adventures of Charles and Elsie as they navigate the waters of courtship! A special thanks to my bestie (Lisa), CrazyMaryT, Mona Love, and Kouw for your support, encouragement, and advice. You ladies are AMAZEBALLS! I HEART YOU!