AN: The middle three, and a little of the final (5th) chapter are based on events from some of my others stories, I will not tell you which as it will give the plot away. You can guess, which is way more fun. The first chapter is a little dull, but needed to set the scene, so bare with me. Hope you like it and enjoy the mystery!
Rose's season had gone off more than exceptionally well and Robert was well aware that Cora was shattered and definitely deserved a treat for all her hard work. The plan in his mind was sound, perfectly formed and just begging for execution. The problem was there were very few parts of the plan that just relied on him doing something, one of which he'd already completed- the trip to the jewellers. He now needed to get everyone else on his side, including the tired servants.
With that thought in mind he made a beeline for the servants hall where, thankfully, all the servants were present. Once his plan had been described to the faces of annoyance before him, he was interrupting their lunch after all, the emotions displayed on the faces before him changed drastically, in most cases. Baxter beamed and agreed wholeheartedly of the romantic scheme; Bates and Anna shared a loving look; Mrs Hughes had eyes glazed with water and Mr Carson, well, he looked like he always does, efficient and calculating, no doubt working out what wine is needed and how he's going to organise everyone for the next day. Thomas and Jimmy looked totally fed up, Molesley slightly more cheerful, but then he supposed it would be a large amount of work for them, serving at the ball and all.
As he follows Mrs Hughes' warm voice and guiding hand into the kitchen towards the red faced and hot Mrs Patmore, who to say the least terrifies Robert when she is in the kitchen, no doubt because he'd heard many a story form Cora of how they'd fallen out over this dinner choice, or another. He tenses slightly until a young girl, Daisy he thinks, looks up at him and smiles after Mrs Hughes explains the plan to them. "How very romantic," he hears her gush, "I wish I had someone in my life to do that for me. But, oh, does it mean our visit on Thursday will have to be cancelled m'Lord."
"Goodness, no, otherwise her ladyship will become suspicious and we can't have that." He hears her laugh and he relaxes totally and begins to talk of some of the food he might quite like, a few favourites of Cora's and specifically some chocolate coated strawberries for the library. He then decides that perhaps it would be best for Mary to arrange the food for the event later in the week as she has more idea of what Cora does for big dinner parties, and how it all works, which he then tells them before heading back upstairs. After all, not only does Mary need to plan the menus, but they all need to decide how they're going to pull of this ball as accurately as possible and he needs everyone's help for that.
His mind wanders as he treads the well worn staircase back up into the house, what will Cora say, how is he going to pose the question to her, and if it all goes well when will they hold the big celebration, within the week he thinks, it would be nice for her to have some family representatives and Harold and Martha leave on Monday. More importantly though, how is he going to persuade his family to take part, some of them may have to take on some substantial roles, he can hardly invite Cora's old suitors back to play their parts. Before entering the drawing room, where he can hear everyone talking, one conversation will suit all then, he does something he hasn't done in years, he takes three deep breathes in and out to steady his nerves.
He quickly heralds everyones attention, something he's grown quite accustomed to in his role in life, and is relieved when lots of expectant faces turn to him. Besides, he needs to get this explanation over with quickly, Cora could appear at any moment. When he's finished Martha exclaims with clapping hands, Edith and Rose smile, his mother gives him her trademark sharp look, which as always he ignores, and Harold rolls his eyes. He turns to Mary last, preparing for her wrath. None comes, but her face is hard and expressionless, thinking he hopes, not about to criticise.
"There a problem Papa." His face falls.
"Fine then, if you don't want to do it, it doesn't matter I'll ask her the question at some other moment."
"Let me finish." He stands to attention at the tone of her voice, why is it with Mary he always feels like he's back in the army. "It's a wonderful idea. But we need more men, and we need a practice that's going to have to be done tonight if the ball is to be tomorrow, everyone needs to know what they're saying. Tony and Charles can be her suitors and if Rose invites Madeline that will increase the number of couples dancing at any one time. Lord Merton can come. But what about the main event, do you want it at Downton?"
"No, I think Martha and Harold should be here, so Cora is represented, so it will have to be before Monday, and the servants need time to prepare."
"Yes, quite, we could do it on Saturday perhaps?"
"Yes, I suppose so. But can we manage the turnaround for tomorrow?" A smile spreads over her features and she turns to face the rest of her family.
"We can, if we all work together. Crawley's stick together so this shouldn't be too difficult. Rose, telephone Tony, Charles and Madeline invite them to dinner tonight and the ball tomorrow, explain exactly what it's all about but make sure Mama doesn't overhear you. Edith, call on Rosamund and invite her to both, she's a key player as she was there on the day, she can fill in details and give us character rundowns of the people we don't know. I'll sort the food with Mrs Patmore for tomorrow and Saturday and explain in more detail to the servants. Papa, you need to keep Mama out the house tonight so we can have a run through of the ball, book a table somewhere or something. Oh, and I need a written account of the ball so we can reenact it tonight while you're out. Leave it with Bates and we will collect it from him." He nods as his family rush around him, well, that could have gone worse. The box from he jewellers suddenly burns in his pocket and he begins to panic.
"What is she says no?" The words tumble from his mouth before his thoughts untangle themselves. The answer comes as a chorus, overpowering in such a small room, accompanied with various raised eyebrows.
"She won't."
"Who won't say no to what?" The voice Robert holds most dear wafts in to the room like perfume and his eyes widen. Sooner than he realises she's in front of him, blue eyes piercing his vision. Martha, he vaguely notices, sits on the settee beyond her mouthing 'say anything' but his mind clouds over, what can I ask her? Suddenly an image of red faced Mrs Patmore comes to mind, food.
"The others didn't think you'd say no to my offer of dinner out tonight just the two of us." He breathes a sigh of relief as a grin spreads over her face from the corners of her mouth.
"And they're right. Who could say no to such a handsome man?"
"Most sensible Americans, not that there are any of those." Comes Violet's, as always helpful, reply from the settee, a side glance angled at Martha.
As Robert lies in bed that night, Cora naked beside him he fights the urge to jump out of bed, rush into his dressing room, collect the box from the jewellers and ask her the question now. But for a number of reasons he manages to refrain himself from doing so. The first reason is because he knows how hard his family and the servants are working to pull this off for him, for Cora. All he'd done so far was come up with the plan, take Cora out and purchase a ring. Carson had given him a note upon his return from his night out from Mary that had outlined all the changes that had been made to the scenario, who was playing whose part and decisions about the food. The second reason he hadn't asked Cora was because she'd seemed so genuinely excited about the 'family and friends' ball the following day, mainly due to the fact she wasn't having to put the work in. Furthermore she was now in a half delirious state beside him, which he knew would not solicit the reaction he wanted to his big question.
His mind wanders back over their evening together and his thoughts become clouded with the feelings of her pressed against him as they danced; the warmth of her skin, through her dress, on his hand. The smell of her perfume tingling in his nostrils; her laugh vibrating in his ear; her blush a perfect sight before him. Those thoughts gently close his eyes and he's almost asleep when Cora stirs beside him.
"Robert?"
"Yes my dear."
"I was just thinking, it's a little strange for Edith and Mary to be so willing to work together over something, which seems to be the case with this ball. Are you sure they're not hatching a plan?"
"Quite sure."
"Also, all the servants seem so behind this meer ball, which is confusing seeing as they are all so tired. They don't seem bothered with the extra work."
"I'm sure everything will make itself clear tomorrow."
"You're probably right." Robert takes an inward sigh of relief as Cora closes her eyes once more, thank goodness she didn't guess. A thought suddenly occurs to him, something he'd best mention when she's too tired to question him.
"Cora, will you wear your blue dress tomorrow, for the ball?"
"If you want me too." Comes her sleepy reply. He kisses her cheek before drifting to sleep the word 'perfect' dying on his lips.