I told you I was spamming....
This one isn't a/u, but it is 'younger' Carson/Hughes, which is now Frak's thing, but I did indulge for the 'battle'.
Title: Pride of Place
Rated: T
(300) words
Charles and Elsie tacitly lagged behind on their way to church.
Once she was sure all the other servants were out of hearing range, Elsie was the first to speak.
“Is it true?”
“Yes, it is.”
“You must be very pleased with yourself.”
“I rather thought you might be pleased too,” he huffed.
She sighed. “Yes, yes I am. And a tiny bit jealous. I have been at Downton longer than you. I had hoped by now…”
Charles took the chance and quickly squeezed her hand.
“Mrs Palmer can’t stay on forever.”
She grunted. “I think she’ll be carried out of Downton in a box.”
“Be careful. The young maids will say the same about you one day,” he teased.
“Even the old girl suggested she view a cottage today, and Mrs Palmer just pretended she didn’t hear her.” She stopped and frowned. “Or else she didn’t hear, one or the other.”
He chuckled. “Apparently you and Mrs Palmer have more in common than you think. I’ve noticed you ignoring the Dowager Countess on more than one occasion.” Then, he brushed his hand along her sleeve. “The family knows it’s you keeping things running smoothly. They know how many times you’ve covered for her. I’m sure they’ll reward you and make you housekeeper as soon as Mrs Palmer finally admits defeat.”
“You have so much faith in the family.”
“And so should you.”
Elsie grimaced. “I’ll have to stop calling you Charles now, I suppose. Mr Carson. It does have a nice ring to it.”
Charles suddenly leered. “You do realise the best advantage of my promotion to butler, don’t you? A room of my own. The butler doesn’t have to share.”
Smiling, Elsie held his gaze.
“Mmm…Mrs Palmer being hard of hearing is not all bad, after all.”
Title: Pride of Place
Rated: T
(300) words
Charles and Elsie tacitly lagged behind on their way to church.
Once she was sure all the other servants were out of hearing range, Elsie was the first to speak.
“Is it true?”
“Yes, it is.”
“You must be very pleased with yourself.”
“I rather thought you might be pleased too,” he huffed.
She sighed. “Yes, yes I am. And a tiny bit jealous. I have been at Downton longer than you. I had hoped by now…”
Charles took the chance and quickly squeezed her hand.
“Mrs Palmer can’t stay on forever.”
She grunted. “I think she’ll be carried out of Downton in a box.”
“Be careful. The young maids will say the same about you one day,” he teased.
“Even the old girl suggested she view a cottage today, and Mrs Palmer just pretended she didn’t hear her.” She stopped and frowned. “Or else she didn’t hear, one or the other.”
He chuckled. “Apparently you and Mrs Palmer have more in common than you think. I’ve noticed you ignoring the Dowager Countess on more than one occasion.” Then, he brushed his hand along her sleeve. “The family knows it’s you keeping things running smoothly. They know how many times you’ve covered for her. I’m sure they’ll reward you and make you housekeeper as soon as Mrs Palmer finally admits defeat.”
“You have so much faith in the family.”
“And so should you.”
Elsie grimaced. “I’ll have to stop calling you Charles now, I suppose. Mr Carson. It does have a nice ring to it.”
Charles suddenly leered. “You do realise the best advantage of my promotion to butler, don’t you? A room of my own. The butler doesn’t have to share.”
Smiling, Elsie held his gaze.
“Mmm…Mrs Palmer being hard of hearing is not all bad, after all.”