Chapter six.

A/N Princegeorge Is Not Dead! Only the laptop crashed and died in a terrible way and with it went the inspiration….for a long time. Then a new laptop came along and your George just couldn't get used to the new thing… until about now.

And there's a story to finish so here it is; the final chapter. A nice long read with lots of fluff….and then some more fluff. Enjoy!

O-o-o-o-o

'But I had no idea, Charles.'

'Why should you?' he said, pulling her closer to him.

'Because I felt the same when Anna married Mr Bates,' she confessed. 'I was very happy for them, but I realised I would like to have the same thing, someone to love and to be loved by. And now I have that, I have you, and I completely forgot about other people's feelings. I'm ashamed of myself,' she said.

He smiled and dropped a kiss in her hair. That was his Elsie, always looking out for others.

'I see what you mean, but Elsie, you're only human,' he whispered in her ear. 'Don't feel guilty for being happy. Beryl will be alright, if Daisy's plan works and I know it will because I helped her with that.' She chuckled, then curled up even closer against his chest and sighed. 'You always know how to cheer me up,' she said. 'Thank you so much.'

'My pleasure darling, always,' he smiled. 'Now, let's go to bed, tomorrow will be an interesting day if everything goes as planned. I have to admit I'm a bit excited!'

They got up from Mrs Hughes' sofa, closed up the room and began the climb to their small rooms in the attic.

He walked her to the door separating the men's rooms from the female staff and kissed her goodnight.

'Sweet dreams, Elsie.'

'And you, Charles. Sleep well.'

o-o-o-o-o

The next day indeed turned out to be a very interesting one. It started quietly enough, but then Mr Carson received a telephone call from His Lordship, informing him that he would join his wife, his mother and Mrs Crawley for lunch, and that he would bring a guest. Mrs Hughes noticed the signs; he became The Butler and started muttering about His Lordship, a Guest, the Family Always First, cook and assistant cook not present … , and she quickly pulled him inside her office.

'It's nothing!' she hissed. 'Mrs Patmore and Daisy have everything prepared, the kitchen staff is prepared, all they have to do is double the portions!'

'But…'

'It's just a lunch, and it's a good opportunity for Ellie to prove she's worth being head kitchen maid. It will be fine Charles!'

'Oh, alright then, if you say so,' he grumbled finally, and she knew it was a big step for him. So she wrapped her arms around him and kissed him soundly before they had to join the staff again.

The upstairs lunch went smoothly, head kitchen maid Ellie did a fine job.

'That went very well!' Charles stated cheerfully as they enjoyed their usual cup of coffee in the quiet hour after lunch. Elsie kept a stoic face, as she always did on occasions like this, but he surprised her by laughing out loud. 'Come on Elsie, say it!' he told her.

She looked up in confusion. 'Say what?'

'Say; I told you so,' he smiled. 'Because you did, you told me it would go well and I realised it wasn't the first time. In fact, you've told me so on many occasions and you were always proved right. Thank you, Elsie.'

'For what?' she asked, still not sure what this was all about. He smiled and kissed her cheek.

'For being you, my love. For being able to knock some common sense into me,' he told her fondly. 'I'm sorry it took me this long to realise that.' He kissed her again and pulled her closer to him. She curled herself against his warm frame, enjoying the closeness, but she still didn't understand what happened.

'I am glad, but what made you have this revelation so all of a sudden,' she whispered.

'This day, Elsie. We planned for Mrs Patmore and Daisy to have a few hours off together, kitchen staff prepared and all. Then his Lordship calls and really, only just announces there will be two more people at lunch, and I went into full butler mode. You pulled me out of that and I am grateful, Elsie. You make me act human, I see that now. Thank you, my love.'

She smiled against his neck. 'Anytime, darling,' she whispered.

o-o-o-o-o

Later that day, they met a very excited assistant cook in Mr Carson's pantry.

'Oh, it went brilliant Mr Carson, Mrs Hughes! We had a nice lunch and after that we all went out to pick strawberries and at your suggestion, Mr Mason's farmhand took me with him, just walking a little bit faster than Mr Mason and Mrs P, so that they could have some time together. It worked really well, and then it got even better, because Mrs P tripped over a root and sprained her ankle! It isn't broken but she can't walk, she has to spend the night at Mr Mason's farm and tomorrow the doctor will come to see her. Isn't it great?'

They both bit back a smile at the girl's delight and shining eyes.

'Daisy, Daisy, I'm ashamed of you! Mrs Patmore sprains her ankle and you think that's brilliant?' Mrs Hughes asked her sternly, although she didn't quite manage to hide the spark in her eyes.

'Oh no, I don't! Honestly I don't! But isn't it just wonderful? Them spending a whole evening together?' she beamed.

'I agree this outcome is even better that we expected, but there is the fact of Mrs Patmore not being here for at least another day,' Mr Carson remarked. He raised his eyebrow. 'Hmm?'

She finally realised her slightly misplaced joy about the situation and sat up right.

'I know Mr Carson, and I promise I will work for two. Of course I am sorry that Mrs Patmore is hurt, but…Gerald said she will be fine.'

'And who exactly is this doctor Gerald?' Mr Carson inquired.

To Mrs Hughes' delight the young woman blushed.

'The…the farmhand. He used to work in the army hospital in Belgium during the war, you know, like Mr Barrow, and so he knows a bit…'

'Then I suppose it's all right Daisy,' Mrs Hughes helped her out. 'We'll just have to wait and see. And you might want to ask Ellie to help you tomorrow. Two extra people for lunch upstairs today and she managed perfectly. Didn't she, Mr Carson?'

'She did,' he fully agreed, and she smiled at Daisy's shocked features at that unknown phenomenon.

'So it would seem our plan has worked more than well, though we're all sorry it took Mrs Patmore to get hurt in the process. Now I suggest you get to work young lady, dinner has to be cooked although I'm happy to report that the family will not be here. His Lordship and her Ladyship were invited by their lunch guest, the new mayor of York, to have dinner with him.'

To his surprise, Daisy chuckled at that.

'Well, it's Mrs Patmore's raspberry tarts for afters downstairs then! I'm sorry Mr Carson, but we already prepared he dough and the raspberries have to be served today or I'll have to throw them out. I'll get to work then. Thank you so much for everything and you too, Mrs Hughes!' and she dashed out of the room.

Mrs Hughes got to her feet as well.

'I'm sorry Charles, but I really have to finish my paperwork. There's still a small pile of bills waiting for me.'

'Very well, my dear. I'll see you at dinner.'

They kissed and she went to her own office, but halted at the door.

'Charles, do you think we could send a note to Mason farm, to inform Mrs Patmore that we're managing and she should take her time to heal?'

He smiled fondly. 'Of course we can, I'll ask one of the hall boys to deliver the note. That's my Elsie, always taking care of everyone and that's why I love you so much. A heart of gold. Come here love,' and he got up and pulled her into a warm embrace.

Enjoying the feeling of being held against his large, warm frame, she sighed happily.

'You know Charles, to be honest I am glad Beryl has to rest for a few days, and in another environment. I think it will do her good, apart from everything else,' she whispered.

'My thoughts exactly. Now, off to work with you, or I will keep you here until dinner time.'

Another kiss and then she left.

o-o-o-o-o

At the same time, things at Mason farm weren't running so smoothly. Mrs Patmore proved to be a difficult patient. She snapped at Gerald, the farmhand, when he told her to have a seat and put her foot up.

'What do you know anyway? Huh?'

'I used to be a medical orderly in the army Mrs Patmore, so I do know enough to tell you not to walk and have your leg up. And I will place a bandage around your ankle, and you will have to keep it there until the doctor comes!' he told her sternly.

'But…'

'I'm sorry Mrs Patmore but I have to insist…no more walking for you this day. Now please raise your leg so I can apply the bandage. It has to be a bit firm, to prevent swelling an keep the ligaments in place.'

'Oh, well, I see I have no choice here,' the patient muttered but in the end she did as Gerald told her and let him look after her ankle.

Mr Mason watched the scene and enjoyed it, although he made sure not to intervene.

'So there you are Mrs Patmore,' Gerald told her after applying the bandage. 'Stay here in this chair, your leg on this stool and do not try to walk. '

'But what if I need to use the bathroom?'

'I'll fetch you a pair of crutches. I keep several sets, just in case. ' And off he went.

Mr Mason smiled. 'Well Mrs Patmore, I'll put the kettle on. It seems for once you won't be the one preparing dinner tonight. How is that?'

'I'm sorry for all the trouble Mr Mason, and really, I'm quite all right. It's less painful already with the bandage on, I'm sure I'll be able to go home. You shouldn't…'

But he shook his head.

'Oh, but I should Mrs Patmore. No trouble at all. And young Gerald may work as a farmhand these days, but he did an excellent job at the hospitals during the war. In fact, Dr Clarkson would like to have him as an assistant. So I think it's wise to do as he tells you.'

'Dr Clarkson wants him to be a nurse?' Beryl giggled, in spite of her situation.

Mr Mason laughed. 'Yes, in apron and veil….but he thinks there must be some other way. In the meantime, I am happy he works with me… There you are Mrs Patmore, a cup of tea.'

The door opened and Gerald came back in.

'Here are your crutches Mrs Patmore. I'm sorry it took a bit longer but I had to find a pair the right size for you. Now I would like you to practise a bit with them. Oh, I'm sorry, I didn't notice the tea. No need to hurry.'

'Cuppa for you as well, Gerry?' Mr Mason inquired.

'Yes please, Mr Mason.'

While the three of them enjoyed their tea there was a knock at the door. Gerald answered it and came back with a note.

'For you Mrs Patmore, from Mr Carson,' he said and handed her the small envelope.

She opened it and removed her reading glasses from her pocket, read the note and then smiled and read it out loud.

'Dear Mrs Patmore, a note to inform you that we are all very sorry about your mishap. While we miss you dearly, it would seem we will be able to manage for the next few days. Please take your time to recover fully and we will be happy to have you back in good health.

In behalf of Mrs Hughes and Daisy,

Carson.'

'That's Mrs Hughes talking through him,' she said.

They all laughed and Mr Mason went to prepare dinner while Gerald showed Mrs Patmore how to use the crutches.

o-o-o-o

'Daisy, I know you'd love to go check on Ms Patmore tomorrow, but I'm afraid there's no way we can do without you, with so many guests for dinner upstairs. I'm sorry, but it seems all we can do is send one of the hall boys over again to inquire,' Mrs Hughes told Daisy later that evening.

The young woman sighed.

'I know…I'm sorry I can't go visit her but I understand. I hope she gets well. And the dinner, I'll think we'll manage Mrs Hughes. I have talked it over with Ellie already and, well...' her eyes twinkled,' I am sort of excited to be able to do this without Mrs Patmore. To show her I made progress, isn't that silly Mrs Hughes?'

The housekeeper smiled and took Daisy's hands in hers. 'Not at all dear, not at all. You take pride in your job, that's very important. And I am sure you will do fine.'

'Thank you Mrs Hughes, that means a lot to me.'

'If I can be of any help, let me know,' the older woman offered but to her surprise Daisy only smiled.

'Thank you Mrs Hughes, but that won't be necessary,' she answered. 'I'll go to bed now, early days for me. Goodnight, Mrs Hughes.'

'Goodnight Daisy. Sleep well.'

o-o-o-o

'Well, what do you think of my shepherd's pie, Beryl?' Mr Mason asked his guest. He had prepared dinner while Mrs Patmore was entertained by Gerald and because the young man didn't have the time to stay for dinner, they had enjoyed their meal together. Somewhere between mashed potatoes and fresh strawberries with cream for afters, they had agreed to go to first names.

'I say, it's exactly like a shepherd's pie should be in my opinion,' Beryl said. 'With leftover meat of all kind, and fresh onions and potatoes. I loved it, Paul.'

'Great!' he said and carried the used plates to the kitchen. 'I'll do the dishes and you relax, my dear, until we have a cup of coffee. Wait, would you like something to read?' he disappeared into the living room and came back with a book. 'My wife's favourite,' he explained. 'I am sure you've read it already but my wife said it can be read over and over again.'

'She was right,' Beryl smiled and accepted the copy of Jane Eyre. She began to read and soon she was absorbed in the familiar story and jumped when Paul brought her a cup of coffee.

'You were miles away weren't you ?' he asked.

'Oh yes, in the nursery with young Jane and her cousins, hiding behind the curtain to read a book.'

'Did you use to do that?'

She laughed out loud. 'Good heavens no. There wasn't a single book present in our house. '

'How did you become a cook?'

'My father was a natural. He was a shoemaker and he was able to make us delicious soup with so much as two cabbage leaves, a spoonful of lard and an onion. And I watched him do it and I learned from him. He was a great teacher and I still use some of his ideas, even after all my education. My mother was useless in the kitchen, second only to Mrs Hughes and so she went out and worked as a seamstress while my dad prepared our meals.

He chuckled. 'Second only to Mrs Hughes?'

Beryl nodded. 'It's true Paul. As competent as she is in her own job, she's a kitchen's nightmare. I do hope Daisy does as I told her and keeps her out.'

'She'll manage, she's a clever girl our Daisy,' Mr Mason said.

'She is,' Mrs Patmore agreed. They shared a proud smile.

'I'm so glad I have her, Beryl. You have no idea. Lily and I had five sons and only our William survived childhood. And then he died because of a senseless war. I almost broke down then, but he gave me Daisy. He gave me a daughter to care for and so I stayed on my feet for her. I love her as my own, Beryl. She never told me about her family, I sensed it was an uneasy subject for her and I never asked. Do you know anything at all?'

Beryl hesitated. ´Bits and pieces, but it´s not my story to tell. All I know is that she hasn't had much of a childhood. Just ask her, Paul,´ she smiled. ´I think she won´t mind telling you.´

´I will,´ he answered. ´Now, if you don't mind it´s time for me to turn in. I expect tomorrow will be a busy day, Gerald has arranged for strawberry picking help or else they'll waste away in the field.´

´That´s alright, I´m tired myself. Always early days for me.´

Mr Mason went upstairs to fetch an armful of blankets and pillows and was able to make Mrs Patmore a comfortable bed on the sofa in his living room.

´There you are milady. I trust you sleep well. Let me check your ankle. Does it still hurt you much?'

'A bit, but I can manage. The bandage really helps. Sorry for all the trouble I've caused, Paul. '

'None of that, Beryl.' he answered while examining her foot. 'It wasn't trouble at all. In fact, it was nice to spend an evening in such excellent company. Thank you for that.'

'And thank you for taking such good care of me. I'm not used to being spoiled, and I am more relaxed now than I've been in months,' she smiled .

'That proves you needed some spoiling,' Mr Mason stated and to her surprise, he bent over and placed a soft kiss on her cheek.

'Goodnight, Beryl,' he said and then went upstairs to his bedroom, leaving Mrs Patmore with a head full of questions.

o-o-o-o

The next day saw Mr Carson have his early morning cup of tea with his young friend instead of Mrs Patmore.

'Good morning Daisy,' he'd greeted her cheerfully. 'I am happy to report there have been no police calls about Mason farm being torn down, so I guess things have been going alright. And how are you, first to be here without your other friend?'

'It's …strange,' she confided, making him smile.

'It is indeed. On the other hand; if our plan works out we might have to get used to this.'

Daisy nodded, a pensive look on her face. 'Yes, that's true…. But it would be different because I would know she is happy. Does that make sense?'

'It does and I know what you mean, Daisy. And I daresay Mrs Patmore is happy now, for having a friend that cares about her like you do. Well done, my dear lass,' he said and he patted her shoulder fondly.

'Lass?' Daisy chuckled. 'Have you been spending time with Mrs Hughes by any chance?' and she ducked when he threw the washcloth at her. 'Back to work, you cheeky woman!' he growled.

They laughed together and he left the kitchen when he heard the other staff arrive.

'It seems we shouldn't expect a huge chance, should Mrs Patmore retire someday,' Mr Carson told his fiancée later that morning. 'Daisy has been trained by her in more than just cooking,' and he filled her in about their banter earlier.

She chuckled. 'That's good. We can't have the cook being too impressed by the butler or the house would fall down.'

'Very well. Now, my bonnie lass,' they both smiled,' I'll go and find young Peter and ask him to ride to Mason farm once more. Don't you wish you could have been a fly on the wall over there?'

'I certainly don't, Mr Carson,' she said sternly, but her eyes sparkled. 'Spying on them, that's not something Mr Carson would do. Mrs Patmore has been rubbing off on you as well!'

'Mrs Patmore? Oh no. That's all your work, my dear Mrs Hughes.'

o-o-o-o

At Mason farm that morning, Mr Mason had decided to spoil Mrs Patmore some more. So he had entered the living room, where she had enjoyed a good night's sleep on the sofa, at seven, carrying a breakfast tray.

'Wake up, milady, I'm bringing you breakfast in bed! It's just tea, toast and some butter and jelly. And strawberries. Have you slept well?'

Mrs Patmore woke up with a start, not realising where she was at first.

'What?! Oh good heavens, you gave me a scare! What time is it… My lord, I should get up!'

'Oh no, you need to have a spot of breakfast first. Wait while I pour the tea. Milk, no sugar I believe…? There you are. How is your ankle? Let me check on it.' He removed the blanket from her foot and inspected it. 'The bandage is still in place and your toes are nice and toasty. Very good.'

He put the blanket back in pace and began to prepare them both a slice of toast.

Mrs Patmore smiled and two pretty pink roses formed on her cheeks.

'I am…so not used to this,' she said, 'and this is the best breakfast I've ever had. Thank you, Paul.'

'My pleasure Beryl. I like you, and I like to spoil you some more. You deserve it.'

'I like you too, Paul,' she admitted, blushing more heavily.

They smiled at each other, and he took her hand in his.

'You know Beryl, I sometimes think it would be great to have company here. Someone to help me prepare the jams and jellies and bake fruit pies, to sell, Daisy has been helping me with that and it was a huge success. And more than that it would be wonderful to have someone to share my life with, someone I could love and care about. Now, I know I care about you, Beryl. Very much, and not only because we share a daughter. Would you please think about what I am going to say?'

'Yes,' she whispered.

'Good. I know you have a splendid job at the Abbey, and that you have a reputation as one of the best cooks in the county. I am going to ask you to give all that up, and move in here as my wife. I am asking you to marry me, Beryl. Please do think about it, for the reasons I just mentioned, but I beg you not to think too long.'

Mrs Patmore just sat there, not able to lift an eyebrow. She couldn't believe what she was hearing. Did he just say…did he just ask…?

'Beryl? Are you alright?' he asked carefully.

'Oh yes, I am…. I am. Yes. I just...did you just…?'

'I asked you to marry me,' he repeated. 'But do take your time, I know you have a brilliant career and..'

'Yes,' she said. 'I say yes, Paul. I would love to marry you and live here with you and make jellies and sell fruits and be substitute parents to Daisy. I say yes Paul, with all my heart.'

They beamed at each other and then fell into each other's arms, and shared a very tentative, first kiss.

'Have you ever been kissed before, Beryl?' he asked.

'Oh yes, many times. You now, at fairs and village dances, where the blokes drink too much and start grabbing girls. It wasn't pleasant, but your kisses are different, they're very sweet….'

Gerald called in, checked Mrs Patmore's ankle and announced he was going into the fields with ten of the poorest children from the slums, picking strawberries.

'We've got so many berries this year, I got them to help and promised they can take as much as they can carry home with them.

'That's fine Gerry, see you later!'

He next one disturbing their getting to know each other was Dr Clarkson. He raised an eyebrow when he noticed the sofa, which had not been brought back to its former state yet, but he put on his glasses and started to remove the bandage.

He took her foot between his hands and flexed it, it was uncomfortable but not as painful as the day before and she told him so.

'I say, that is very good. Gerald Bishop's work? He did a fine job Mrs Patmore, I'll have to bandage your ankle again to have it heal completely but no damage has been done.'

'May I..'

'You have to take rest for another two days, but by then you should be fine. Good, very good, I see you have crutches! Be sure to use them Mrs Patmore. Will you return to the Abbey today? Very well, I'll visit you the day after tomorrow then. Oh, thank you Mr Mason, most kind of you,' he remarked when a bag of fresh strawberries was presented to him. 'Goodbye!'

And he left.

'Do you always pay the doctor in kind, with fruits?' Mrs Patmore asked her, yes, her fiancé!

'Oh no, I usually pay him with real money,' Mr Mason grinned. ' It's just that we have mountains and mountains of strawberries this year. '

o-o-o-o

Six weeks later, Lord and Lady Grantham had do say goodbye to their cook, who, as they found out, had been an important part of their success as hosts of the nobility.

'What, your cook leaves? Do you have a replacement yet? Who is it?' dukes and princes inquired.

But leave she did, and she moved in at Mason farm and helped Mr Mason with his trade. Fresh fruits, jams and jellies and marmalades, freshly baked fruit tarts and pies were sold from the farm, as well as fresh butter and cream.

Mrs Mason the younger was in charge of the kitchen now, and she did a very good job.

'Mrs Mason,' the butler told her one day, 'The duke of Norfolk asks me to pass his compliments on to you and your staff. Well done, everyone.'

Later in his pantry, where he didn't call her Mrs Mason, Daisy chuckled about the compliments. 'Have you noticed how often the Duke of Norfolk dines here? Mrs Patmore said his cook doesn't know how to boil an egg. I'm happy he likes my food as well, though.'

'Good for you, Daisy. Now, how are things progressing with Gerald, if I may ask?'

She blushed immediately.

'Oh, he's fine. Dr Clarkson has hired him at the hospital to train him in applying bandages and cast. He is doing well and may have a job there some day, created for him; master of casts and bandages or something.'

She faced two pairs of raised eyebrows and sighed.

'And yes, I am very fond of him and I hope to marry him someday. He loves me too, for that matter. And what about you two, hmm? Are you finally going to propose, M Carson?'

Mrs Hughes chuckled and Mr Carson gestured her to be silent.

'I already have, Daisy and I am happy to say my love has accepted me. We will get married sometime next month, or the month after that but I will be a quiet wedding, no frills or parties.'

'I see. Why don't you want a party?'

'Because it's just me and Mrs Hughes, you see. Neither of us are as young as we used to be. Perhaps a lunch for the closest relatives, but a party...I don't know.'

'And what say you Mrs Hughes,' Daisy asked the bride to be.

The older woman gave her a bright smile. 'I take notice of my fiancé's wishes,' she answered.

'I see. Goodnight, Mr Carson, Mrs Hughes.'

'Goodnight Daisy. Sleep well.'

o-o-o-o

Five weeks later, a massive wedding party was held in Downton Abbey's rose gardens. It would seem many people didn't agree with the idea of a silent wedding for the Carsons. Among them were Mr and Mrs Mason, Mrs Mason and Mr Bishop, Dr Clarkson, Lord and Lady Merton ('Who?' You know, Mrs Crawley! We got close when we cared for Ethel, you know.'), Mr and Mrs Bates, Lady Mary Crawley and Lady Edith and their husbands, Lord and Lady Grantham, the dowager countess and last but not least, Tom Branson and his daughter Sybil. The six year old girl served as a bridesmaid for the housekeeper, whom she loved very much. She held the bouquet when the bride needed both hands and she made sure to hand out rose petals to everyone, so that they could throw them at the couple when they leaved church. A picture was taken and then Lord Grantham announced a party was being prepared at the Abbey, in the rose gardens that Carson loved so much.

Roses in full bloom, tables set with white linen and crystal glasses, beautiful wines from the Downton cellars, food from the Downton kitchens, prepared under supervision of both Mrs Masons.

It was the best party. Mrs Carson was asked to sit down with Lady Merton, who had her proud husband's arm around her and her grandson in her arms, spooning him his fruit and milk treat . 'Thank you so much Mrs Carson, for what you did for Ethel,' she smiled. 'And for me, by bringing Mr Grigg into my home. You know what I mean.'

'it was my pleasure, milady,' she answered.

'I know, but I wanted to thank you anyway. And I hope we'll see each other again.'

'I hope so too, milady,' Mrs Carson answered, but in her wildest dreams she couldn't imagine how she would meet Lady Merton again. She continued her way to the coffee table, when someone else greeted her.

'Mrs Hughes I will miss you so much!' Anna Bates threw herself at the bride. She cuddled the young woman. 'Now, now Anna. You know what to do, and I won't be miles away. And I'll miss you too, my darling girl.'

Mrs Carson left Anna to her husband and then encountered another guest.

'Mrs Carson, I'm not ashamed to say that I am both happy and sad at this occasion,' Lady Grantham told her. I am happy you're married to the man you love, but that also means I am losing my trusted housekeeper. I know Mrs Bates is more than up to the job, trained by you, but there's more. Not only are you the best housekeeper I've ever had, but you're also the kindest one. Tom and Edith have told me Mrs Hughes, and I am grateful for what you did for them. Thank you.'

'It was no trouble milady.'

'I know that, and that's what made it so special. But I almost forgot! This arrived this morning from America,' she smiled and handed the bride a telegram.

'give mrs hughes my regards and best wishes. martha levinson,'

it read.

'My mother always thought you were the only one in this household who knew what was going on and she was right,' Lady Grantham smiled. 'I just know it was you who robbed us of our famous cook. You played matchmaker, didn't you?'

Mrs Carson smiled back at her.

'Oh no milady. The matchmakers were a pair of very unlikely friends.'

'Who then?'

'Mr Carson and Daisy. And I didn't know about that bond, either,' she confessed. 'So Mrs Levinson wasn't right after all.'

'Thank heavens for that! I hate to have to tell her she was right every time! Wait, I'll go and get the culprits,' and off she went, leaving Mrs Carson in surprise, but she soon found her arms filled with little Miss Branson.

'Elsie, you look so beautiful! I never knew you were so pretty!' Sybbie exclaimed.

'Nor did I love,' she cuddled the girl in her arms.

'Elsie please can I still come over to visit you?'

'Of course you may, little lady!'

'Good, because I want to…'

Miss Sybil never got to tell Elsie what she wanted, because her grandmother interfered.

'Ladies and gentlemen, I would like to propose a toast. First of all of course to the bride and groom, and then to another bride and groom, Mr and Mrs Mason, who got together with some help from their friends. That's what friends are for! Carson, I believe this calls for some more bottles of champagne. What 's in the cellars?'

'I wouldn't know, milady,' Carson smiled.

'Oh of course Mr Carson, I am so sorry! Barrow, what's in the cellars?'

The new butler smiled and disappeared. Mrs Carson firmly held her husband's wrist.

'Don't you dare go after him!' she whispered.

He bit his teeth and then laughed.

'Thank you again, Elsie.'

'Just so you know.' And she gave him the warmest of smiles.

Mr Barrow returned form the cellars with some fine bottles and champagne bubbled.

'Here's to the cook, the maid, her friend and his bride!'

THE END

A/N well, there it is. Sorry for the extremely long wait! Hope you like it….love george