They are swept up in each other for a long moment. Her eyes shining brightly, her lovely face glowing amidst the sparkling light of the great hall. She blushes and looks down at his chest, smiling softly under his adoring gaze. The same shy and adorable smile he's seen a thousand times, the same one she gave while checking her hair in the looking glass. Always as beautiful to him as if it were the first time he's witnessed it. Always stirring deep feelings of longing and lust. At last, at long last she is in his arms. This beautiful woman who has shown him how to live, and how to love. He cannot say all the things he's dying to say. He just holds her near, and there is nothing else, no one else. The passing of time has done so much to them, for them. He never thought he could feel a love so tender, that he could ever let his true feelings show. For so long he has needed her. Always her friendship, and now he longs for all of her. There's not a part of her he wants hidden from him. He longs to know her deepest secrets, her greatest desires. The way her hair would look falling around her shoulders. How it would feel tangled around his fingers. He longs to touch her innermost heart. To taste her soft skin. To dry her tears. To be the reason behind her smiles.

Though no words are spoken, he has never expressed more to her than he has in this very moment. The touch of his lips to her hand, a promise, an oath, a declaration. She wills herself to not let her tears fall, fighting hard to hold back her feelings as she has always done. It all feels like a dream and she wonders if she is really here in his arms. Overcome with emotion, she attempts to concentrate on her feet. One, two, three, she mentally counts her steps, bringing her back to reality. Her face and chest burning with embarrassment as she realizes they are, of course, not alone. This is not the time to brush him off with one of her silly comments or reprimands, nor can she just walk away. A mechanism she often used to cope when things became too real between them. This moment was actually happening. He was giving his heart to her...finally. So full of love she can hardly breathe, a lone tear escapes down her cheek.

He watches her as her lips purse and her face reddens in embarrassment. He had not meant to cause her distress with his actions. Was he wrong to ask her to dance? He had not intended to make such a public declaration by kissing her hand. He was simply living in the moment for once in his life. "Mrs. Hughes." He says softly and full of love, willing her to look up at him.

She lifts her gaze to meet his as a single tear trickles down her cheek. The reassuring smile she gives him could light up the night sky. It is one filled with love and understanding, comfort and hope. He returns her smile with one he prays conveys his bliss and utter relief that there is a chance she will accept him. Will still have him after he's made her wait so very long for this. The music stops and he knows they must let go of one another. He needs one more moment to appreciate this darling woman before him. He squeezes her hand gently, while the hand on the small of her back presses against her for a second more. She softly grasps his hand tighter and feels the gentle pressure briefly increase on her back. Her other hand rests on his shoulder, and her fingers grip his jacket tightly before sliding down his arm, secretly signaling that she feels the same way too...why must it end? He gently drops their hands and reluctantly frees his fingers from hers, excruciatingly slow, because the moment they release it brings them back to their reality, that they must return to their roles as Butler and Housekeeper.

The ball is winding down. After having made a small speech of thanks to their loyal staff, Lord and Lady Grantham make their way upstairs to retire. They are soon followed by the remainder of the family as the staff slowly begin to collect trays, glasses, and linens, on their way back downstairs. They all move together like a well oiled machine. Mr. Carson and Mrs. Hughes guiding them with gentle motions of hand or quick instruction. Soon the Great Hall is cleared of all indication there was even a gathering tonight. Charles glances around the vast and empty hall, smiling to himself as he looks out upon the floor where he just shared his first dance with the woman he's loved for so long. As he flips the final switch and dims the lights, he silently sends up a prayer that that woman would be waiting up for him downstairs.

TBC..

Hmmmm...what does one do when they've lost all confidence in their writing? I swear it's like chipping away at stone with a limp noodle. I've lost my mojo :-/. Sorry this took so long to update {and there probably wouldn't be one at all if it wasn't for my buddy Peeks - Thanks gorgeous!} :)... I'll keep at it though, and I'm hoping it will come back to me soon. Wish me luck, and thanks for still sticking around with me... Though I won't blame you if you've jumped ship ;) ~ Mona xoxo