New Beginnings Challenge: Opportunity Comes A-Knocking
Title: Opportunity Comes A-Knocking.
Author: northeto
Rating: K
Warnings: Spoilers for 1.04
Characters: Elsie Hughes/Joe Burns, Charles Carson
Word Count: 169
Disclaimer: I own nothing and make no money from fanfic. Downton Abbey and it’s characters are the property of Julian Fellows and whoever else owns them, ie, not me. I promise to put the characters back when I’m done with them.
“Yes, Joe asked me to marry him, although not in so many words.”
Mrs Hughes paused and the silence stretched between them, thick and muddled. Carson gripped the edge of his chair with one hand.
“I gave his proposal a great deal of thought. I’ve spent the better part of my adult life in service, and I’ve not regretted it. Not much, at least. I have a good job, with a good employer. I’ve made something of my life, and I’m not afraid to say I’m proud of that.”
She looked down to the small straw doll in her lap, and bit her lip.
“All those years ago I didn’t want to marry Joe Burns. I wasn’t ready. I was going to go places. But now I’ve done all that. I’ve changed, Mr Carson”.
She lifted her eyes to his.
“I want a husband. I want a family. I want a home of my own. So I told him yes.”
Carson found that suddenly, he was unable to breathe.