Charles sat under the tall oak, his misery engulfing him, his poor overworked heart torn to shreds. He knew he had to go to her, fight for her. He put his hands at his side to stand and looked up to find Elsie walking towards him. Her tiny steps bringing her closer until he could see her tear streaked face. Their eyes met and she picked up the pace. Charles did not have time to stand before Elsie fell to her knees in front of him. Her body settling between his bent knees. Her small hands hesitantly taking his large in her own. She stared into him, trying desperately to find the words she needed to say. The words he needed to hear. "I'm sorry. I'm sorry, Mr. Carson. I never...I always... I love you Charles."

Charles pulled her into his arms, holding her tightly and whispering in her ear. "I have always loved you, Elsie. Always."

...

Inside the house the family was still gathered at the window watching the scene unfold. "Oh Robert! She's nearly running to him." Cora said choking back tears.

"We really shouldn't be doing this darlings. Come...please. Everyone back away." Robert pleaded to the ladies of the house.

"She fell to her knees. Papa, you must come back." Mary begged, before adding quietly. "Oh Carson, please kiss her."

"He will. Don't you worry." Violet replied. "I have known the man nearly his whole life. I have known him to be in love with our Mrs. Hughes since the moment she stepped foot in this house. He was just about forty when she came to us. Do you remember Cora?"

"Yes, Mama. And I do recall Carson being quite attentive to our new head housemaid."

Robert chimed in. "He was indeed. I believe it was the accent at first. She was so very Scottish when she came to us. Beautiful, hardworking, kind. Yet a fiery temper on her. I'll never forget the first time I saw her dress down a maid." Robert chuckled. "I was afraid myself."

The ladies of the house all giggled at his description. Then their attention was once again at the window and they clasped their hands in joy, letting out sighs. Robert couldn't help but take a peek out the window, only to witness his Butler and Housekeeper locked in an embrace. Kissing passionately beneath the old oak tree. "Come now ladies, enough... You have seen enough." Robert ordered, ushering them all away from the window and drawing the curtains.

...

Elsie pulled away to look into Charles eyes. She needed to see his face, watch his words fall from his lips as she had for so many long years. It was her way, she had always watched him. How his tall, broad body swayed so elegantly down the hall. The gentle touch of his hand when he comforted her. The slight curl of his lip when he smiled at her sweetly. The serious look in his eye as he worked studiously at his ledgers. The sorrow in his deep eyes when they had lost the young ones. The fierce furrow of his distinguished eyebrows when he was enraged. Now she would see the unguarded look of love. Feel his love as he placed his hand on her cheek, sliding it back into her hair and drawing her lips closer to his. She breathed in deeply and trembled at his touch. She had longed for this, dreamt of this moment so many times over the years.

Charles' eyes lingered on the beautiful face of the woman he loved for so many years. She was as lovely to him as the day she walked into Downton. Her deep blue eyes held a fire beneath them he had seen many times. He gazed longingly at the soft pink of her full lips. He always loved the way she would gently tug the lower into her mouth when she was feeling upset or nervous. Like she was doing now. He watched the tears slowly slide down her cheeks and raised his hand to catch them. His palm burned as he made contact with her soft skin, his fingers sliding through the silk of her auburn hair and pulling her closer to him. He would taste her now. Express to her what he could not find the words to say. I long for you. I need you. I want to feel you.

Their lips finally met. Elsie still on her knees in front of Charles, slid her arms around his shoulders. Charles wrapped his arm around her waist holding her tight to his body, while his other hand remained in her hair gently caressing her neck as their kiss deepened. Their mouths opening timidly, their breaths quickening and becoming one, their tongues gently touching and tasting one another. Elsie's hands glided smoothly across his broad shoulders and back, wanting to feel every part of him. She pressed herself against him tightly as her fingers grazed through the thick silver locks at the back of his head. She moaned against his mouth, causing Charles to tighten his grip on her and groan in return. She could feel his length pressing against her and her pulse raced at how much she wanted It, wanted him. "Oh, Elsie." He moaned as his lips left hers and kissed along her neck. "I have loved you for so very long. I have wanted you like this since the day we met."

"Charles..oh...mmm... Charles, as good as this feels, I think this activity is more appropriate in the privacy of one's room. Not in the open, for all to see." Elsie purred into his ear.

Charles continued to kiss and suck gently along her neck, his fingers playing with the buttons of her dress. She had not realized he had worked several buttons open to expose her neck and the top of her chest. She was too lost in the sensations his mouth and tongue were giving her as he lovingly worshipped her exposed skin. "I could not care less, my love. You are all I see." He said kissing her lips gently and pulling back to look into her eyes. "You are all I have ever seen. I love you Elsie Hughes. I am so sorry. I should have told you. I should have done things diff..."

Elsie placed her fingers over his mouth, silencing him. "No! No, Charles. We are not to talk of what we should have done. Lets take what we have now and make the most of it. I will spend the rest of my days giving myself to you fully, if you will have me."

Charles lifted Elsie onto her feet, then brought himself up on one knee. "I want all of you Elsie." Charles smiled up at her, taking her hands in his. "Mrs. Hughes, you are the most important person in the world to me. Could you find it in your heart to take this stuffy old Butler and make him the happiest man alive by becoming his wife?"

Elsie smiled at him as she leaned over and kissed his lips, then whispered. "I suppose I could, Mr. Carson."