A/N This one shot was born from a hint by a wonderful Cobert anon. I'm sorry it took so long anon. Enjoy!

The gathering at Downton Abbey that night was fast losing any sense of propriety. Rosamund had arrived from London with a whole trunk of liquor in tow claiming that since it was Cora's first birthday at Downton they ought to be celebrating 'properly'. But her definition of 'properly' was a firm contrast to that of her formidable mother, Lady Grantham. While Rosamund had spent the night pouring glass after glass of champagne for Cora, who appeared to have forgotten the word 'no', Violet had been sitting across the other side of the Drawing Room at the card table with a couple of her friends shooting daggers at her boisterous daughter.

As Rosamund approached the young first footman, Charles, in pursuit of more champagne, the Countess quickly excused herself from the round and blocked her daughters' path.

"Is something the matter Mama?" Rosamund asked innocently.

"Yes there is. You have got that young American girl drunk!" Violet hissed through gritted teeth.

"It's her first birthday here. Lord knows she could do with some loosening up. Ever since she's got here I've been getting reports of her personality wasting away from its former glory because she is too busy treading on eggshells." Cocking her head to the side, she raised an eyebrow at her mother.

"And who, pray, did you receive these reports from?" Violet muttered.

"Who do you think?" Rosamund shot back.

"Robert."

"What's this?" Violet peered over her shoulder to find her son looking down at her curiously with a host of other men right behind him. She turned back to Rosamund who was still staring at her accusatorily.

"I make no apology for the way I have treated her over the last few months. We must iron out the creases if she is to fit in this family," Violet stated matter-of-factly.

"Are you referring to Cora Mama?" Robert cut in.

"Yes she is," Rosamund responded and skirted around him, intent on completing her original mission.

A loud voice rang out from across the room, bursting through all other conversations and drawing everyone's attention. "Rosamund are you getting more drinks or not? I am parched over here!" Robert's eyes fell on his young wife, seated by the fire, her cheeks extremely flushed and her face unnaturally merry. He watched as she tried to stand up, only to trip on the train of her stunning navy dress and fall back onto the settee again.

Robert snapped into action immediately and hurried over to his wife who was clearly more than a little bit tipsy. "Oh Robert, I thought you had misplaced your person in the library," Cora giggled as she saw her husband of 11 months approaching.

"Pardon?" Robert pulled a face at her unusual remark.

"Oh Rosamund and I just thought that your friends must have kidnapped you for you were in there so long," Cora explained. Robert shook his head.

"We weren't in there any longer than normal darling," he said calmly as he now stood in front of her.

"Oh. Well perhaps now you are here you might like to spend some time with the birthday lass?"

"Lass? Are you reading a Scottish novel at the moment Cora?" Robert inquired with a half-frown. Apparently she was very drunk indeed.

"No," she giggled again and held out her hands for him. Taking her dainty hands in his he carefully pulled her to her feet and studied her intently. The way her hair was curled so ornately with one solitary curl in front of her ear, her scent which was currently an interesting fuse of lavender and champagne, the way her dress accentuated her small frame… Robert mentality shook himself as the heat in him rose to the ninth degree. Tugging subconsciously at his collar, he kept one of his hands locked with hers.

"Erm, shall we retire for the evening my dear?" he asked awkwardly.

"Robert are you alright?" Cora asked. Even with her partially blurred vision she could tell how uncomfortable her husband was feeling. He began to fiddle with his collar again, his complexion was much more crimson than a couple of minutes before and the grip he had on her hand was vice-like. Robert cast his gaze around the room, taking particular note of his school chums watching the scene before them with keen interest and turned back to Cora.

"I'm fine Cora but come, let us retire. You've had quite enough to drink for one night and I am ready for bed." Robert eyed her hopefully, trying to communicate the underlying reasons to her. Cora felt herself blush under his penetrative gaze and nodded her approval. Barely able to contain the grin that was threatening to spill onto his face, he led his flushed bride towards the door.

Rosamund had been sidetracked on her way back to Cora from ordering the champagne by a most handsome young man and had happily allowed herself to be engaged in conversation. But as her brother caught her eye with her sister-in-law on his arm, she realized with some vexation that Robert was escorting the excuse to continue all frivolity from the room. Quickly excusing herself she rushed over to the newlyweds.

"Where are you two going?" she asked incredulously. "The new flutes of champagne should be here any minute!"

"Oh yes, I actually forgot about that." Cora looked from Rosamund to her husband. "Surely we can stay a little longer darling?"

"I really don't think that is wise Cora," he replied as he watched his wife fight to maintain her balance.

"Mmmmm perhaps not," she laughed.

"But who is to help me drink the champagne?" Rosamund pressed.

"How about Mr Painswick?"

"Who?"

"The gentleman you were just with? He seemed to enjoy your company very much," Robert observed heartily.

"Robert!" she admonished, turning a delicate pink.

"Come now my dear," Robert said, eying his wife who was swaying happily on the spot. "Allow me to lead you to a much more stable location. Winking at Rosamund he guided Cora out of the room.

Ruckus laughter filled the air as Cora gasped for air while attempting to swat at her husband's tickling fingers. Alas it was quite hopeless for as soon as they had entered her room and Robert had made sure it was securely locked, he had swiftly deposited his wife on the bed and let his hands loose on her.

"Please," Cora pleaded as tears of laughter stained her cheeks. "Stop!" she cried and let out another shriek as he tickled her side. Seeing how exhausted she was from trying to fight it, he mercifully relented, allowing her a moment to recover her senses.

Looking at her husband languidly lying beside her she could not help but move closer, despite having just been the victim of his delightful torture. "It's so unfair," she said conversationally.

"What is?"

"I am ticklish and you are not. It is a total mismatch." Robert propped himself up on his elbow and faced her.

"Do you not want me to do that anymore? I won't if you don't like it Cora," he said gently. She smiled softly at him and reached up to caress his cheek.

"I appreciate you asking me Robert," she began. Robert observed her tenderly and reached out to tuck the solitary curl he had spotted earlier behind her ear. He loved it when she uttered his name with her spunky American accent and once again, as he gazed into the bluest eyes he'd ever seen, he wondered why he had taken nearly 10 months of marriage to fall in love with her. "I like it when you tease me so long as I can still breathe," Cora giggled, cutting into his thoughts.

"I see…"

"Robert?" Cora eyed him cautiously, sensing he was concocting something in his mind.

"You are my tease," he stated. "Perhaps we are more of a match than you think?" Cora frowned.

"I don't understand."

"You are so beautiful. Your eyes have a spell over me. Your skin is softer than a newborn's. Your personality is so different to that of women over here it is refreshing. And when you look at me like that," Robert paused. Cora was bright red and peeking up at him through lowered lashes. "I want to make love to you until the sun comes up," he finished, his chest heaving with emotion.

"Robert…" she whispered softly. The final barrier of restraint fell as Robert instinctively leaned down to kiss her. She circled her arms around his neck, basking in his declaration of his feelings for her, still a rarity despite his admitting his love for her a few weeks earlier. Deepening the kiss she pressed herself against him as his final words ran through her mind again. She wanted him and knowing she was wanted by him made it even more wonderful.

Soon every impediment to her skin had been removed as Robert urged her to towards the top of the bed, their bed. Deciding that once again he had the advantage, she reached for his dinner jacket. Her lips locked on his and she felt his tongue push for entrance but she did not give in. Since he had confessed his love for her, Cora had learned that a bit of tantalizing ensured amazing results. Shrugging off his jacket and ripping off his shirt, Robert moaned in frustration against her lips and she barely held back her pleasure.

His hands were everywhere, exploring her as she struggled to resist long enough to rid him of his pants. A gentle squeeze of her breast and she groaned, giving in to his attentions as his other hand trailed lightly over her hip and abdomen. Whimpering, she ran her hands down his chest as he grasped her under her bottom and lifter her up.

"Robert what are you doing?" she asked questioningly.

Carefully, he perched her on the top of the headboard with her back against the wall as he moved to align himself with her. Working his way along her jaw line with his tongue he reached her ear where he nibbled gently. "I'm trying something new." A shiver of excitement shot through her body as he drew back slightly to gain her permission. Wrapping her legs around his waist she took him inside of her, sighing with rapture.

Robert started to move inside her slowly, wanting to make sure his choice of location would withstand their movements but Cora, who was still feeling lingering effects of too much champagne, was already craving passion. Pulling him as close to her as possible she sought his lips, tasting him, her fingers twinning through his hair. Moans escaped her as she dug her heals into his buttocks, communicating her need to him and as with most things, he sensed her desire. Moving faster he began to hear a rhythmic thump, thump, thump as her back hit the wall with each thrust.

"Yes!" Cora gasped. "Oh!"

"Cora!"

As they continued their sensory feast, devouring of skin and playing an intense game of tonsil hockey, Cora felt the headboard wobble beneath her. Thinking it was just her imagination she refocused her attentions on her husband who was sucking at the jut between her collarbones. If he hadn't noticed anything then there couldn't be anything amiss. Running her hands frenziedly over his shoulders she continued to meet him halfway. Groaning loudly, Robert took his movements against her up another notch as she pulsated so heavenly around him. Thrusting hard he pushed her back and groaned… groaned…

Snap!

Cora was thrown back against the wall in tandem with Robert's movement and felt herself sliding onto the pillows as Robert furiously tried to find anything to grab a hold of and stem the human landslide. Losing his balance, Robert fell backwards as he reached for the only thing he could find… Cora. Still clinging to Roberts's shoulders she collapsed onto his chest, panting heavily and trembling slightly. She could feel how fast his heart was beating and knew it mirrored her own.

Carefully she pulled herself up onto his waist, her legs resting on either side of his hips and she realized that despite this most unpleasant turn of events, they had somehow stayed together. Then she glanced down at Robert and had to stop herself from laughing. Robert was staring up at her like a stunned mullet and appeared to be holding his breath. "Darling?" His attention shifted from her to the headboard behind her. It had totally ripped away from the bedposts and was resting precariously against the wall. And where Cora had been placed, there were several cracks evidently caused by their vigorous activities.

"Blimey," Robert mouthed. Cora twisted around to view the damage for herself and her hand flew to her face.

"Oh my," she concurred. A sniff brought her attention back onto Robert. "What?"

"Well I was just thinking…" he trailed off.

"Yes my love?"

"That little experiment did not go according to plan," he finished as he fought to suppress a grin.

"Oh I don't know about that," Cora replied casually, playing subtly with his chest hair. Robert raised his eyebrows.

"Go on."

"I thought that was a very racy and bold choice you made, to take me there. It was thrilling." For the second time in a matter of minutes, Robert found himself stunned to silence as he watched his American beauty toss back her hair and wink at him mischievously. Wriggling above him as she continued her preening, Robert jerked his hips up into her in surprise. Her movements had successfully reignited the flame.

"My seductress," he whispered hoarsely. "God Cora you torture me." Blushing at his admission she began to move with more purpose. The confidence he had shown with her that night through both his words and actions had empowered her to take the lead in their revised circumstances. Resting his hands on her hips, Robert was entranced by his wife and the amazing view he had of all her movements. She really was enthralling. Forgetting all about the ruined headboard, he gave himself up to his wife, his very own goddess.

On her way to breakfast the next morning Rosamund was met with a most peculiar sight. As she made her way along the landing towards the stairs, she observed a large object being removed from Cora's bedroom. It looked like a piece of furniture but her instincts were telling her otherwise. It was padded on one side but the short, wooden edges were ram shacked and there was an interesting looking hollow in the middle at the top. Stepping out of the way, she watched as two footmen, supervised by Williams the butler, trundled past and started slowly down the stairs. Wondering why on earth her brother and sister-in-law would be concerning themselves with rearranging their bedroom layout at such an early hour, she continued another few paces.

The distinct click of a door radiated down the landing and Rosamund paused as the sound of footsteps drew near. Turning around she found Robert approaching with an odd expression painted on his face.

"Good morning brother dear," Rosamund said chirpily.

"Good morning," he mumbled, not looking at her directly.

"Is it really?"

"What do you mean Ros?"

"Aren't you satisfied with your new bedroom arrangements?" Robert's eyes snapped onto hers.

"Excuse me?" he blinked.

"I saw a strange looking artifact leaving your room being carried downstairs by a pair of footmen," she explained.

"Oh that," Robert sighed.

"What was it? I've never seen one before." Robert grimaced inwardly at his sister's prying. Unfortunately for him, all her life she had been extremely prone to sticking her nose in other people's business without a second thought.

"It was nothing," he muttered and started walking again, his stomach protesting loudly.

"An unfamiliar object leaves your room before you even get to breakfast and you try to tell me that it's nothing?" Rosamund pouted. Indeed she loved intrigue and she was determined to weed out her brother's secret.

"Look it is nothing of consequence," Robert stated. "Please don't tell Mama and Papa what you saw though," he added, almost pleadingly. Immediately he recognized his mistake as Rosamund's face transformed into unbridled glee.

"I won't tell them on one condition." Robert gulped. "You have to explain what it was I saw."

"Rosamund please-"

"Those are my terms." Robert's shoulders slumped. He really had dug a hole for himself and he chastised himself for not knowing better after all these years.

"Very well," he consented.

Rosamund sat quietly with Robert in the otherwise deserted Drawing Room as he recounted all the particulars of the previous evening. Despite his awkwardness and reservations at being so candid he couldn't help but enjoy the memories so freshly ingrained on his memory and enjoyed himself as he relived the moments. Rosamund, on the other hand, was experiencing emotions of a different sort. As she cast her mind back to her brother's behavior to Cora at the start of their courtship, right up until very recently in fact, she was astonished that her prim and proper baby brother was now regaling her with his intimate antics with his wife. The transformation she had been witnessing of late was truly extraordinary and she had to agree with his observation. Cora really had cast a spell over him, the spell that was unconditional love. But at what cost?

"So there you have it. I don't think Mama and Papa need to know the truth about that headboard," Robert said firmly. Rosamund giggled.

"Well they won't hear anything from me," Rosamund promised. "But Robbie?"

"Yes Ros?"

"I think it is clear you and your wife are a hazard to furniture in this house. Try not to be too obvious in the coming months and years? I do not want to sit down on a settee that collapses under me," she said sternly. Robert had turned a dark crimson but couldn't contain his smirk at the image. And since their bed clearly needed strengthening, perhaps they ought to check that all other surfaces performed their tasks properly. A perfectly respectable idea indeed, he thought.

"Very good my dear sister," he replied jovially. A growl from his stomach caused him to rise from his chair.

"Please forgive me for being hasty Rosamund but breakfast will be getting cold and I have worked up quite an appetite." Rosamund giggled and followed after her brother to the Dining Room. Somehow, she sensed the beginning of a new marital era in the grand Abbey she called home. And she wasn't sure it would be safe to stay under the same roof for much longer.