A/N As promised, here's my latest story, Getting On. It takes place shortly after the Series 4 Christmas Special. It's essentially a series of conversations between Mr. Carson and Mrs. Hughes. It's very dialogue-heavy, so I hope you speak fluent Chelsie and can read between the lines! If not, then I'll tell you all you need to know: every word out of their mouths is another way of saying, "I love you madly."

If you would be so kind as to leave a review, you would make me very, very happy. Thank you in advance!

Chapter 1

"I've been thinking, Mrs. Hughes – ever since that day by the sea, when you reminded me that I'm … well, 'getting on,' as you so delicately phrased it," Mr. Carson announced as he sat in Mrs. Hughes's sitting room one evening, sipping sherry with her.

It had been several weeks since that day at the seaside when she'd encouraged him to hold her hand and they'd waded out into the sea, and he had indeed been thinking. He'd spent the rest of their time in London thinking about their conversation, and even now, since their return to Downton, he'd thought of little else.

"I'm sorry, Mr. Carson," Mrs. Hughes apologized. "I didn't mean anything by it. I only meant that you and I both are - "

He held up his hand to stop her. "It's all right, Mrs. Hughes. I'm not insulted. You're right: I'm no longer a young man. I'd like to think I've a good many years ahead of me, but I've quite a few behind me, as well – enough behind me to make me think seriously about how I'd like to spend the ones ahead."

"Oh?" she asked, looking puzzled. "I should have thought you'd like to spend that time doing exactly what you're doing now. What else would you do? To be blunt, Mr. Carson, I can't see you running a tea shop or becoming a tailor; nor can I imagine you retiring and taking an interest in gardening or bird-watching."

"You're right about all of that," he chuckled. "But I'll not be able to remain here in my position if I'm to pursue … other options. You see, my current situation doesn't allow me do certain things … things I've considered impossible until recently. They may be impossible still, but I'd like at least to make an attempt."

She shook her head. "Now you really have got me baffled. I've never known you to be so mysterious." He smiled meekly and absently swirled the sherry in his glass. When he offered nothing further, she pressed him. "What are these 'things' you speak of?"

"I'm referring to courtship and marriage," he said quietly, unable to look directly at her, but watching her out of the corner of his eye to gauge her response.

She spluttered on the mouthful of sherry she'd just taken and nearly dropped her glass. Her eyes grew wide, and she was speechless for quite a long time. "I'm sorry, but you really have surprised me," she explained when she finally recovered. After a moment, she continued timidly, "Should you really like to … to court someone, Mr. Carson? And to marry?"

"I think I should like to try, Mrs. Hughes."

"I see." She paused and remained silent for a moment. "And you think his lordship won't allow you to continue as butler if you're to be married?"

"I'm not sure. He might." He took a long, slow, thoughtful sip from his glass.

"Well, perhaps you should ask him before you start packing your things. After all, he did allow Anna and Mr. Bates to marry and to retain their positions."

"That's different. A valet and a lady's maid have very particular duties. Each is accountable to only one family member and therefore has a certain amount of freedom. A butler is responsible for the whole family and the entire household at all times. There's a reason butlers don't marry, Mrs. Hughes, and it's a very sound one. A man cannot have divided loyalties. If a butler dedicates himself to the family and the house he serves, he can't possibly devote himself entirely to a wife." Here he hesitated briefly and spoke the next words slowly and emphatically while concentrating intensely on the floor in front of him. "But if a man loves his wife, faithfully, she is his family, and she must come first; he can never place any other family or any house before her." Once again, he paused, and now he looked up at her. "So you see, Mrs. Hughes, even if his lordship were to allow it, I wouldn't want it."

A heavy silence hung in the room while each left the other to private thoughts. Eventually, Mrs. Hughes spoke.

"I don't mind telling you, Mr. Carson, I am shocked. Utterly and completely stunned. We've known each other a good many years, and you rarely surprise me. But you have done tonight. I've never heard you speak like this before. I'd no idea you'd ever contemplated such things."

"I've surprised myself, Mrs. Hughes," he said with a shy smile and a shrug of his shoulders.

They sat in silence for a few moments before he spoke again.

"Mrs. Hughes, I'd appreciate it if you wouldn't mention this to anyone. I really shouldn't even be thinking about this as long as I'm still butler here; it's foolish of me to entertain such notions prematurely. But I feel it's only fair to inform you of my plans. My decision will impact you greatly." He cleared his throat nervously and fumbled on, trying to maintain a professional manner. "I mean to say that when I leave, you'll be left to keep things running smoothly while my successor settles in and learns his way. I'm sure it will mean extra work for you. I wish to minimize your inconvenience, and I thought that this advance notice might help. The greatest burden will fall to you in my absence."

"Yes, your absence will be a great burden to me, Mr. Carson," she responded gravely, regarding him seriously and studying him. "You are determined, then?"

"I am. I'm not ready to give my notice just yet, though. This is all very new to me, and I still need some time to become accustomed the idea. I'll speak to his lordship soon, but for the time being, I'd like to keep this between you and me."

"Of course, Mr. Carson."

"Thank you, Mrs. Hughes." He rose and collected the empty decanter and wine glasses. "I think I'll be heading up, now. Good night."

"Good night. Sleep well."

A/N Thank you also to everyone who's read and reviewed my daughter's "Butch Carson and the Sundance Housekeeper." She's been very excited by your encouragement.