This is my first Downton Story, I absolutely adore Cobert and just had to try my hand at writing them! I'm sure there will be more stories to come, in the mean time enjoy Xx
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She probably shouldn't go in so close to when they are due to go down, but she supposes its Christmas and really there is no one to tell her what to do. Robert was supposed to see in 5 minutes ago and it wasn't like him to forget her.
She pauses at the door when she hears quiet sobbing from her husband's dressing room, although they sound far too feminine for Robert. Curious now, she silently opens the door and is slightly struck by the scene before her. Mary has her back to the door and she can see Robert hugging her tightly and patting her back in a way which reminds her of when they were young. He looks up at that moment to see her and pulls away from Mary slightly, his eyes soft as he gives her a sad smile. Mary must notice the loss of his embrace as she pulls away completely and turns to face her mother.
"Sorry Mama I…." She takes in a deep watery breath and continues to silently cry as Robert pulls her back into a hug.
"You go down Darling, Mary and I won't be a moment." Cora nods her understanding and walks back through the door she came through to her bedroom. She brushes away a tear which seems to have escaped and shuts her eyes.
A small part of her is jealous that Mary would chose to go to Robert rather than her. But she has always known that those two have sort of special bond which she could never quite break through. She opens her eyes and with a small sigh she makes her way down to the library to greet their guests
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She had taken longer than she had thought as was one of the last guests in the library. Edith caught her eye and shook her head as she walked into the room.
"Mama, you're here, we thought you'd got lost" Cora gave her most polite smile knowing everyone was watching them. There certainly were a lot of guests, she instantly regretted such a big party so close to Christmas. Edith however went on oblivious to those around her and her mother,"Shall we go through? We're terribly late as it is" she looked around, "Where are Papa and Mary? Should we wait for them?"
Cora was the lady of the house though and ultimately the decision fell to her. She briefed a look at her Mother – in – law who looked slightly baffled before deciding.
"No darling, we'll go through and get everyone settled in their places, Mary and Papa won't be long." If Edith found this strange she didn't comment on it and took hold of the nearest males arm walking through to the dining room. The rest of the party began to follow and Cora walked over to Violet where she sat alone on the sofa. Violet however seemed to know exactly what was going on, brushing her away with a wave of her hand as she stood. "It's about Matthew isn't it?"
"I think so Mama."
"These things cannot be helped." She began to forward out of the door with the last of the guests leaving Cora momentarily alone with her thoughts.
Mama had shown an extreme leniency where Mary was concerned. A sense of understanding which seemed to stem from knowing the pain of losing your husband. She couldn't even begin to imagine the pain associated to loosing the man you loved. Nor did she want to imagine it. Of course certain happy events were sure to trigger memories, why hadn't she thought of that when they had asked all these guests to Downton? Although, Mary had seemed to be slowly recovering from the loss of Matthew, slowly. It was too late now though and she supposed no one would begrudge Mary the privacy of her room if she wished.
"Darling, thank goodness." A warm hand pulled on her upper arm spinning her around in her tracks. "Mary is coming down now, has everyone gone through?" She didn't get a chance to respond as he went on, slowly stroking his thumb along her arm.
"I told her to stay upstairs, but she said that would only make her sadder and she wouldn't want to disappoint everyone." Cora gave a tight lipped smile and a tilt of her head at the thought of Mary disappointing the masses. "She is just collecting herself now." He pulled her to him, his other hand finding her hair around her face as he pressed a sweet kiss to her lips, "I'm very grateful for you Cora." She pulled back slightly and raised an eyebrow, a much unexpected remark. He leant back in and kissed her again more passionately this time, his hands moving to her bottom giving her a small tug up when they were interrupted.
"They'll guess what you're doing if you stay out here much longer."
If she hadn't known any better she would never have guessed Mary was crying in her father's arms only minutes ago. She pulled away from Robert, but he grabbed her hand pulling it behind them and squeezing it gently.
"Oh Mary, I'm so glad you're joining us for dinner."
"Yes Mama, I will be fine." She gave her parents a tiny smile. Where it came to feelings, Mary had very much taken the English path of pretending she didn't have any. Robert squeezed her hand again before dropping it at Marys glance.
"Now, has everyone gone in without us?"
"Yes darling, I'm afraid they have."
"Wonderful, let's make an entrance." She raised her eyebrows at her parents, "Not that you really need any help." She walked off towards the dining room leaving her parents alone once more.
"What do you think she meant by that?"
"Oh Robert" she rolled her eyes as he pulled her back in for a kiss, a grin spread across his features.