Good evening ladies and gentlemen! The seventh chapter is now written and ready for you all! There will be a visitor from Elsie's past and some new American blood under the Abbey's roof in this chapter. And I must remember to thank our dear Lord Julian Fellowes for some lines for certain character in this chapter! Thank you. I hope you enjoy reading, atleast as much as I did writing! I'll see you soon, stay safe. ;-)

In the morning they got ready and Charles had breakfast with the family (Robert, Mary and Edith), as his wife (and Lady Grantham) enjoyed hers in bed. Elsie and Cora took a walk around the gardens after that. A little over ten, Elsie was sitting in the library, drinking tea with the family and her husband when Mr. Barrow opened the door and said he needed Lady Coventry's help...Well with not exactly so many words and managed to cause confusion.

"Very well Barrow, if you insist. I'll come in a minute."Robert nods, turning back to the other people in the room.

"Actually he was asking for 'Mrs. Hughes', milord."Barrow corrects his mistake.

"Me?"Elsie asks, clearly surprised."How can I help? Is there something wrong?"

"Not at all milady, but there is a man who'd like to speak with you."Barrow explains.

"A man? Doesn't he tell anything else of himself? Surely you can send him in the library."Cora says.

"Only that his name is Mr. Burns, your Ladyship."Barrow answers.

At this Elsie had gone white, all the blood from her face to her feet. Charles was looking at her with great concern and confusion, just as Robert and Cora and the young ladies.

"Do you know...This Mr. Burns...Fellow, darling?"Charles asks.

"Yes...I do know him."Elsie nods slowly.

"Who is he?"Mary speaks up from the nearby armchair.

"Mary, no need to pry."Cora chastises her daughter with an dissapproving look.

"I just asked."Mary shurgs.

"He...He's an old friend from my youth."Elsie says.

"But why so shocked, Lady Carson?"Edith asks gently, tone completely different feom her sister's.

"Because he proposed to me...Twice."Elsie stutters, her voice shaking.

Alfred led Mr. Joe Burns into the drawingroom and brought him some tea and biscuits. Lord Grantham agreed with his wife, that there was no problem to let Elsie and Mr. Burns to have the drawingroom for some time. For a little talk. After explaining it all to the family, and mostly...To her shaken husband, Elsie left the library and walked towards the door of the drawingroom.

"Elsie! Wait."Charles rushed after her.

"Charles what it is? You know we don't have much time before Mrs. Levinson will arrive, I must see Mr. Burns quickly."Elsie says, not wanting to look him in the eye.

"I know..."He nods, his voice trailing off."Why didn't you tell me?"

"Tell you what? That I'd been proposed twice in the past by an old friend? Tell you what exactly Charles?"Elsie's voice is strict as she says this."That I never accepted his proposals and continued my life at Downton?"

"I am not angry."Charles tolds.

"No?"She whispers.

"No. It only makes me happier that you accepted my proposal."He is smiling now."And you look amazing in my eyes, no matter what."

There is a long silence between them, before Elsie speaks up.

"Oh I do love you so much."Elsie walks to him and streches to kiss him on the cheek."I'm sorry I snapped."

"Don't worry love."He whispers, stroking her cheek."Now...We can talk more later, but I believe you have an old suitor to see?"

"Don't say that!"Elsie beams, laughing.

"Alright alright...But would you like me to come with you? I don't feel good for you to be alone with...Him."Charles offers.

"What makes you think I'll be alone? There is still the footman."She asks.

"You'll ask him to leave Elsie."He states.

"Well...Yes."Elsie grins.

"So can I come?"He asks.

"If you insist."She nods, still hesitating.

"You won't even notice I'm there."Charles whispers and kisses her lips slowly."Now let's go see him."

"Yes, let's."Elsie smiles warmly, taking his hand as they walk to the drawingroom.

——

"The Marquess and Marchioness of Coventry."Alfred announces the couple to the man sitting on the couch.

Mr. Burns stands up as soon as the couple appears to the doorway. He was wearing a tight suit and it was a little messy. He had gained weight since she'd last seen him.

"Oh, I only wanted to see Mrs. Hugh-..."Joe began, but once he saw her face, he is silenced.

"And here I am."Elsie smiles.

"I-I don't..Understand."He stumbles.

"Please Mr. Burns, sit down."Elsie tolds with a wave of her hand."Could we all have some tea Alfred?"

"Of course your Ladyship."The footman nods and pours them all a cup of tea, before moving to stand at the side.

Charles looks at the footman and motiones him to leave the room and after some struggle he left, closing the door behind him.

"Mr. Burns, this is my husband Lord Carson. Lord Carson, Mr. Burns."Elsie introduces.

"Pleasure to meet you Mr. Burns."Charles nods politely.

"As well as."Burns hesitates."Are you...A Lady now?"

"A Marchioness, yes."Elsie answers."I live in Coventry Castle, at Coventry. One and a half year ago I married Lord Carson and actually become the Marchioness."

"And what are you doing at Downton Abbey then?"Joe asks.

"We are here to celebrate the wedding of the oldest Crawley daughter, Lady Mary. Lord Carson is good friends with the whole family."She explains.

"I see."He says plainly."You've become posh."

"Well. That is what Ladies and Lords are, isn't it?"Elsie chuckles.

"I suppose so, yes."Joe shurgs."And what am I to call you?"

"Well I'm known as Lady Coventry, or possibly Lady Carson. The servants use 'milady' or 'your Ladyship'. You can choose."Elsie tolds, trying her best to avoid her first name.

Joe just nods.

"What brings you here Mr. Burns?"Charles asks, eager to know the answer.

"Charles..."Elsie whispers.

"Can't old friends see each other, milord?"Joe says, his voice full of irritate.

"You aren't just old friends. You've proposed...Twice!"He corrects.

"Well we were in love with each other! What can I do not to?"Joe shouts.

"Well I believe she didn't accept you, did she!?"Charles' voice is full of rage and his voice loud.

"Gentlemen please!"Elsei pleads."There is no need to shout."

At this the two men silence completely.

"Thank you."Elsie sighs."And to make things clear to both of you...Mr. Burns did propose to me. The first time before I came working as a head housemaid at the Abbey, but I refused him, because I wanted to live my own life and see how far I can get. The second time I was shortly become the housekeeper, but I did well and I liked it here. I could never have been a farmer's wife. We didn't keep in touch after that, nor did we see each other. I met Lord Ca-Charles at my sister's funeral and we fell in love, soon we were already engaged, to be married. We've been married for an year and over four months now, and we are utterly happy. Now...Is this clear to you gentlemen?"

The men nod, both ashamed of the yelling and shouting before.

"I hope we didn't part in bad terms, Mr. Burns?"She asks.

"Of course not...Your Ladyship."Joe tolds.

"Good. I am glad of that."Elsie smiles."I hope you've been well?"

"I have."He nods.

"And dear Peter?"Elsie wonders, and upon seeing her husband's bewildred expression, she continues."His son, Charles. Peter is his son."

"Oh right."Charles whispers."Not like...Uhm..Not.."

"I was married once. My wife Lauren died in childbirth and I've raised Peter alone. He's married now."Joe explains.

"That's marvellous! Where is he living?"She asks.

"They run the farm now, in Scotland. And I am there to help too."The farmer tolds.

"Well that's nice."Elsie smiles warmly."But I keep wondering...Why did you come to Downton Mr. Burns? And to see me."

"Well...Uhm. It would be rather akward to say now that your husband is here."He says akwardly.

His tone and the words he said, made Charles worried. What could that man want from his wife?

"Please. Just tell us. I am sure my husband won't mind, am I right?"Elsie shots her husband a begging glance.

"Of course I won't."Charles says."I-I can leave you alone, if that makes it easier..?"

"Oh there is no need for that!"Joe quickly interferes.

"Very well."Charles nods, clearly relieved.

"I came here...Well firstly I thought you were still working as the housekeeper, and I never suspected to see you married to a...Marquess."Joe starts, making Elsie and Charles both blush."The thing is...I came to ask your hand in marriage."

Elsie's eyes rise from her lap, to the eyes of the farmer beside her and Charles shifted uncomfortably where he was seated.

"I...I always loved you...Elsie. And I hoped that you might love me back. If I only just try hard enough and come to see you. And I did that. But...Well you're married now. To a different man."Mr. Burns sighs.

"I-I'm totally flattered of course, but Joe..You knew it wouldn't have worked for me. Living on the farm or me being your wife. We both knew it."Elsie says, feeling bad for her former suitor.

"I know."Joe nods slowly.

"You should have...After she'd refused your proposal two times already."Charles murmurs.

"Yes. I should have, but when someone feels true love...Well you know."Joe says, gesturing to their entwined hands.

Elsie's gaze lowers to her and Charles' hands. A smile appears on her lips.

"And I am happy for you. For both of you. I can see that you're in love with each other."Joe tolds, now smiling."As...Wrong as it is for me to say that to upper class people."

"Don't worry about that. My wife doesn't mind about the class differences, and she won't give me a chance to whine about it."Charles chuckles, now finally allowing himself to do that.

"Just as it should be..."Joe stands up, Elsie and Charles following after him."You'll send me home a happy man."

"Why? I mean.. You came to propose to me, but in the end only to find me already married and living happy life in the upper class comforts."Elsie asks, confused.

"Because it warms my heart to know you're happy...El-milady."Joe corrects himself quickly at what to call her.

"Please."Elsie shakes her head and lifts her hand to stop him."Forgot the title."

"Okay then..But the thing is...I want you to be happy and you are happy now. I can see that. You have a caring and loving husband and you live good life. I know you don't care about how you live, but a big castle ins't bad, is it?"He smiles.

"No it certainly isn't."Elsie nods her agreement."Thank you Joe."

"The pleasure is completely mine."Mr. Burns gently takes a hold of her hand and brings it to his lips, planting a quick kiss on her palm.

At the same the door of the drawingroom opens and Barrow steps in.

"Yes Barrow?"Charles asks.

"Mrs. Levinson will be here any moment, milord."Barrow tolds.

"Yes of course, we'll be there in a moment."Charles nods and the butler turns to leave the room."Could you see Mr. Burns out?"

"Of course your Lordship, your Ladyship."Barrow says, opening the door.

"Well..It has been lovely seeing you again."Elsie smiles."I hope you'll keep being well."

"I wish the same for you...Milady."Remembering to call her 'milady' Mr. Burns smiles, before turning to address Charles."You take good care of her, Lord Carson. Or you'll have me to answer to."

"I will."Charles holds his hand for the man in front of him and Joe takes it, shaking it slightly."Take care Mr. Burns."

"Milord."Barrow calls from the door.

"I'll say goodbye now. Milord, Milady."Mr. Burns nods and leaves the room, being led by Mr. Barrow.

Once the couple was left alone, Elsie let's out the breath she didn't know she had been holding.

"Are you alright?"She asks her husband.

"Of course. He wasn't all that bad, well not as bad as I though."Charles says, making Elsie giggle."What?"

"Oh nothing. Who knew my husband would be such a protective man?"Elsie smiles.

"Oh...Sorry about that darling."He blushes.

"Don't apologize. We should hurry now, they'll be wondering where we've gone. Mrs. Levinson won't appreacite if we're late!"Elsie grins happily.

"Let's go then!"Charles says, guiding her out of the room, straight to the great hall.

"Ah there you are! We began to wonder where you'd gone. Mrs. Levinson is about to get here."Robert says, clearly unamused as he let's out a long, exasperated sigh.

"Don't worry Lord Grantham. She won't stay here for long."Elsie grins.

"Thank heavens someone in this house understands me."Robert sighs."Shall we?"

"Of course."Charles nods and they walk to the front yard to wait for Mrs. Levinson to arrive.

The servants are standing at the left side of the door, Anna shots her a smile as she takes her place in the line. At the family's side there is Lord and Lady Grantham, Ladies Mary and Edith (not Sybil, cause in this story she is already dead, sorry), but Mrs. Crawley and Mr. Matthew or the Dowager didn't come to welcome Mrs. Levinson, but Lady Violet and Mrs. Levinson would meet today at lunch.

Just as the Marquess and Marchioness see Mr. Burn's cheap and old car leave the servants' yard, a fine and expensive car appears on the Abbey road, towards the Abbey.

"She's got a new car..."Robert sighs."What else?"

"Cheer up Robert."Cora eyed her husband at this.

The car curves and stops at the frontdoor. Alfred moves to open the door.

"Came war and peace, and Downton still stands and the Crawleys are in it!"Mrs. Levinson declares as she steps out of the car, in the hand of the footman Alfred."Cora dear!"

"Hello mother, so nice to see you."Cora walks to hug her mother.

"Are you going to kiss me Robert?"Martha (Mrs. Levinson) asks, teasing her son-in-law.

"With the greatest enthusiasm."Robert smiles and leans to kiss her cheek.

The American moves to addres the butler and housekeeper.

"This is my maid Reed."She says.

The young maid steps to stand next to the housekeeper.

"Now my darlings!"Martha beams, walking over to where the young ladies are standing."Dearest Edith...Still no one special? Well nevermind, let's see if you can get some tips from the modern American girl. And beautiful Mary! We shall see how the wedding preparations are coming along and I will see how I can improve them."

"Mama...You remember Lord Coventry?"Cora steps in, introducing the other visitors to her mother."The Marquess of Coventry and his wife."

"Well of course, Cora has written me about everything!"Martha smiles."And I remember you, Lady Coventry, from your days as the housekeeper here."

"It's a pleasure to see you again, Mrs. Levinson."Elsie smiles back at her."It has been a long time."

"It certainly has."Martha agrees."I must say that Lord Coventry has a good taste in women."

At this Mrs. Levinson turns to walk into the house with Cora at her heels, leaving the blushing couple and the rest of the family standing outside.

"American."Charles and Elsie declare in unision.

"And don't we know it."Robert sighs, following after his wife and her mother.

"Let us all go to the drawingroom then."Mary says and they walk all inside."There's some tea laid down."

...

They moved to the drawingroom for some tea. Elsie and Charles were once again in the middle of questioning and this time it was Mrs. Levinson who was asking the endless questions. As she had already said, Cora had written to her so she knew the facts of their marriage and all that stuff. They drank the tea and talked, and after a while Elsie, Cora and Martha all left to get ready for lunch at the Dower-house, leaving the men and young ladies alone.

When Elsie got to her room, Jones was already there laying her clothes down and helped Elsie get ready. She is wearing a stylish, but plain, greenish highneck dress with an embroidered flowers at the top. A matching hat and a dark, long coat to go with it. She had always been a woman who tried to invest in beautiful hats, and so she did this time too. She propably had more hats than Lady Grantham and that always surprised her to think about. When Lady Rosamund visited the Crawleys at her days as the housekeeper, she many times envied her amazing looking hats and now that she had the chance to wear them herself, she wasn't going to throw that chance away.

She was just walking the main staircase when she was greeted by her husband.

"You're off then?"He asks, smiling.

"We are. Try to enjoy your time alone now that you can."Elsie says, descending the stairs.

"Alone? The house will still be full of people even with you, Lady Grantham and Mrs. Levinson gone."Charles tolds, matter of factly."Oh and Mrs. Crawley will be joining you. She showed up just a moment ago with Mr. Matthew. Lady Grantham invited her too."

"Good to have one more ally with me then!"Elsie laughs."Go catch up with some letters love, or join Lord Grantham on his walk around the estate."

"I will. I think I'll call to mama. She'll want to know how things are going."Charles nods.

"You don't think she'll want to come here? The wedding is tomorrow and she will be free, she was busy only today if I'm correct. So why not ask her to come here for the wedding tomorrow?"Elsie suggests."Of course is she's not too tired to travel, of what I wouldn't be too surprised."

"I'm not sure. It might be that she'll invited herself for tea somewhere tomorrow."Charles chuckles."And Lady Mary might refuse the offer."

"Then ask her. And call to your mother and ask her to come if Mary won't object."Elsie says, leaning to kiss his cheek."I'll see you later."

"Mhm."He hums his answer, watching his wife walk towards the waiting car outside.

——

Elsie enjoyed her lunch with the other ladies. With Mrs. Crawley and Lady Grantham, it wasn't that bad. And the lunch was delicious, thanks to the Dowager's new cook. And about the Dowager...Elsie presented her with the maid candidates, which she had chosen in the morning. She earned her 'thank yous' and some tea with her husband, for later date.

It was half past two when they left back to the Abbey, leaving the Dowager alone. When they finally got back, there was quite a hustle and bustle going on. The preparations for the wedding tomorrow were in full swing. Maids and footmen laying down some decorations and sweeping dust off the counters.

"My goodness, they're in a hurry!"Mrs. Crawley exclaims.

"They're preparing for the wedding. And that reminds me...I should be downstairs with Mary, discussing with Mrs. Williams about tomorrow! I'm sorry, but I really should go."Cora quickly rushes down to the servants quarters.

"And are we to wait here for someone to get us? And where is the butler?"Martha asks no one in particular.

"I think Downton has transformed to a 'do it yourself' home, has it?"Mrs. Crawley jokes.

"I can help you with your coats."Elsie sighs."If there is no one else to help, I might as well do it."

It wasn't how things should be done. There should always be a hallboy or a maid to help the family, even when they were preparing for a party. If she were still the housekeeper, this wouldn't be happening, Elsie though.

"Oh no...That's not right. You are not the housekeeper anymore, Lady Carson."Isobel shakes her head and starts taking her coat off herself."I have taken my coat off myself for the last twenty years."

"I could use some help if you will?"Martha says, as Elsie steps closer to help her with her coat.

"Let's leave them here and then someone can collect them."Elsie says, and takes her own coat off her shoulders.

"I could use some rest."Mrs. Levinson says."Is my maid available so I can get changed for some rest?"

They all could hear the joking tone in her voice as she walks up the stairs to her bedroom.

"Would you like some tea?"Isobel asks."We can go to the library and maybe we'll find the others there too."

"No thank you. I'll just go find my husband. I wouldn't say no to some rest right now."Elsie kindly refuses the offer.

"I understand. Old Lady Grantham can be very...Tiring in long term."Isobel smiles as they slowly start to make their way towards the library.

"She can."She nods.

"And how have you found your stay at Downton? Has it changed much from your days here?"Isobel smiles.

"Not really. It's still a nice place, but it has never felt like a home to me. Not even when I was working as the housekeeper."Elsie explains."And how about you Mrs. Crawley? Do you find Downton as your home?"

"To be honest, I don't. I'm not used to all the glory and glamorous dinners."She tolds."I am from a small and busy city, not from countryside. It feels so different here. But my husband was one of the and now my son is..."

"Well Mr. Matthew is a lovely man. And he will do well, I am sure of that."The Marchioness reassures the other woman beside her with a hand at the small of her back.

"Thank you."Isobel shows her a small smile.

Elsie opens the door to the library and they walk in, only to find Lord Grantham, Mr. Matthew, Lady Edith and Lord Carson all sitting on the couch and talking. The men stand up when Elsie and Isobel come to their sight.

"You are back then, Lady Carson, Cousin Isobel."Robert greets them."How was your lunch?

"Very nice."Isobel answers as she sits down, right next to Edith.

"Where's mama?"The young woman asks.

"She had to go down to see Mary and Mrs. Williams, they're disscussing something about tomorrow."Isobel tolds."And Mrs. Levinson went upstairs for some rest."

"Well that's a relief."Robert sighs.

"Really Robert. She's not all that bad."Isobel laughs, Elsie and Edith soon joining her.

"Isn't she?"Charles asks, tease in his voice.

"I wonder if there is anyone to serve us dinner tonight."Cora walks in the library snd the men stand up.

"Cora, what do you mean?"Robert asks.

"Well when we arrived back from our lunch, there was no one to open the door or help us with our coats. All the servants seem to be too busy to even look at us."Isobel tolds."And Lady Carson insisted in helping us with our coats, even if it's not her duty. I wouldn't put it past them to not be able to serve our dinner tonight."

"I'll tell Barrow about this...I don't understand how hard it can be to keep the servants in duty these days? Was it hard when you were housekeeper Lady Carson?"Robert says.

"I wouldn't say that. When we planned lady...Sybil's wedding, the servants did their work remarkably well."Elsie answers.

"Is there just lack of knowledge of things, for our housekepeer?"Mary laughs as she walks over to kiss her fiance's cheek and sits down next to him.

"I wouldn't say that Lady Mary."Elsie laughs."Oh...Did you call your mother Charles?"

Now she is addresing her husband.

"He did. And old Lady Coventry will be here tomorrow by breakfast time."Mary smiles.

"It will be lovely to see her once again."Robert tolds.

"I'm sure she is looking forward to this as much as you are Lord Grantham."Charles says.