"Bravo, Mama. That must have been a real sacrifice."
"And bravely born," Cora added.
"I don't know what everyone's on about," Violet tried to play innocent.
"But, I - " Cora protested.
"All is well, my dear. All is well," Violet insisted as she patted Cora's shoulder and walked away from the couple who stood there - slightly stunned but smiling. They watched silently as Molesley Sr. celebrated his trophy with his son and Isobel.
"I have to admit - I did not expect that to happen," Cora said after a moment as she turned to face her husband. "Did you?"
"I thought she might do that. You see, like her son, Mama has the ability to recognize and point out true beauty. And they both point it out less often than they should."
"Robert..." Cora smiled.
"I mean it. You look absolutely beautiful this afternoon." He reached out to brush her cheek lightly with the back of his hand before adding, "stunning."
"Well, unlike your Mama, you are not giving anything up by saying so. Quite the opposite," she smirked.
"Oh?"
Cora leaned over to kiss him softly. "Walk back to the house with me?"
Robert offered her his arm. As they stepped outside, Cora couldn't help but tease him.
"So how often do you think you should point out beauty? You said you don't do it as much as you should."
Robert paused. "Do you think I do?"
"That's not what I asked."
"But that's my answer. As long as you think I do, it's enough."
"So long as I am satisfied, you mean?" She giggled as he nodded. "I am. And equally satisfied with the beauty I don't always point out, you know." She reached up to stroke his cheek as he did to her inside. Her finger drifted down to the dimple of his chin. "You are a beautiful man, Robert Crawley."
"Beautiful?" he questioned. "I don't know about beautiful..."
"Oh, I do," she flirted as she ran her fingers up and down his sleeve. "I love you in this suit."
Robert smirked. "I'll be sure to make a note of that."
"Oh, I think you will be sure to remember," she teased. She slid her arm from his to subtly graze the material encasing his behind.
"Cora?" he rasped.
"Yes?" she giggled.
"Could we walk a little faster?"
Super short, super pointless. I've been re-watching random episodes and ideas that come to my head never seem to transfer as well to written words. Maybe one day!
