Hello everyone, this is a response to the Valentine's Day Challenge on the Highclere Awards Forums. I do not own any rights to Downton Abbey or the characters; Mr Fellowes is the rightful owner. A big thank you to Blackcurrant Bonbons for being beta. All I have left to say is sit back, relax and enjoy reading.
And if you would let them hold you
Oh, how grateful I will be
These arms of mine
They are burning, burning from wanting you
These arms of mine
They are wanting, wanting to hold you
These Arms Of Mine – Otis Redding
Love is in the Air
February 14th 1916
It was a glorious morning at Downton Abbey. Sweet birdsong filtered through the budding green trees that decorated the sprawling grounds, whilst a multi-coloured array of gorgeous flowers blossomed in the gentle morning sun, whose yellow rays dappled the grand abbey, softening the chiselled corners of the ancient bricks. The heart-warming scent of love filled the dewy air, for both the Crawley family and the servants.
The staff were already bustling about with their morning duties, preparing for the day ahead. The footmen and maids bustled about the kitchen, moving around Mrs Patmore and Daisy who were making the breakfast.
"I love Valentine's Day, it's so romantic." Daisy declared happily as she placed a tray containing a dozen eggs onto the table, a dreamy look in her eyes.
Mrs Patmore eyed the young kitchen maid with curiousity. "Daisy, I thought you said that you didn't like Valentine's Day. Why the sudden change of mind?"
But before Daisy could answer, William came in, ready to deliver the food upstairs. William smiled hopefully at her, and Daisy smiled back eagerly. Her heart was set aflutter as he greeted her, her knees wobbling slightly. However, she could not look at the young footman without a small pang of guilt, remembering the way she had treated him whilst she had been infatuated with Thomas. She wondered how he could still smile at her after the way she had treated his heart so carelessly…
William continued to smile back at her, his face warm and happy. He knew his feelings for her from a year ago had not altered, only grown. But he could say nothing, for fear of a repeat of the painful events of a few years ago when his heart had been crushed.
Mrs Patmore watched the silent exchange between the two young servants knowingly, and had to hide a smile when she saw Daisy blush as William smiled at her.
"Well, this certainly explains why Daisy is so excited about Valentine's Day."Mrs Patmore thought to herself.
She broke the silent exchange between William and Daisy when she spoke. Both servants snapped to attention immediately, flushing guiltily. "William, take this tray upstairs. Be careful - it's hot." She placed a lid over the tray which was lathered in sausages and rashers of bacon, trapping the wonderful smell inside.
"Yes Mrs Patmore." William replied politely, as he carefully picked up the tray. Just as he was about to leave, he turned to Daisy and smiled once more before going out of the door and up the stairs.
Daisy watched him leave with a big grin spread across her face. She turned to find the cook watching her, a knowing smile on her face.
"What?" She asked.
"You're in love with him, aren't you?" Mrs Patmore replied, already knowing the answer, but still curious as to how Daisy would respond.
Daisy looked a little shocked, but quickly calmed herself down. She took a few minutes to answer, wondering how to word her response. She knew that if she denied it, Mrs Patmore would certainly know she was lying, so with that in mind she spoke the truth, it was going to come out at some point and she had nothing to hide or lose.
"Yes, I think I am." Daisy said smiling once more.
"What changed? I thought you liked Thomas." Mrs Patmore fired yet another question at Daisy.
"I did like Thomas, but when I saw how he treats William, he always puts him down. I felt something click inside and I realised he wasn't the person I thought he was. It was like his mask had been lifted and I could finally see what a heartless man he is." She could feel the anger course through her veins as she spoke of Thomas, but it soon left her to be replaced by a warm feeling when she spoke about William. "I realised then after all this time that I have feelings for William, I'm just not sure how he will react if I tell him." She sighed slightly worried.
"Thank God, finally she's seen sense." Mrs Patmore thought.
"Well there is only one way to find out, you will have to tell him how you feel. Oh and don't worry, your secret is safe with me, I won't tell William."
Daisy was relieved she could trust Mrs Patmore, "Thank you Mrs Patmore." She said gratefully.
"Well then let's finish this breakfast eh? Because it won't cook itself." Mrs Patmore stated brusquely. Daisy nodded her agreement and they went back to their duties.
Sneaking Around
While Mrs Patmore and Daisy had been talking in the kitchen, they hadn't noticed Mr Carson walking down the stairs, heading down the corridor to Mrs Hughes's room.
He sincerely hoped that her door wasn't locked, as he twisted the door knob. Thankfully, the door gave way, and he went inside noiselessly, shutting the door quietly behind him. He rested his head against the door and let out a sigh of relief that her office was empty and that he had not been seen, as that would have undoubtedly raised questions as to why he had gone into Mrs Hughes's room.
He moved away from the door and went to stand behind her desk which was in the corner of the room. He quickly took the envelope out of his jacket pocket, which was addressed to Mrs Hughes in his flowing script.
He placed it carefully on her desk, hoping that she would notice it. The letter inside was finally going to reveal his true feelings for her, after repressing them all these years.
He left the room, shutting the door behind him, making his way back up the hallway and up the stairs whistling, his mood cheerful.
What Carson had failed to notice when he had left Mrs Hughes's room was Anna's slim figure hiding in the shady doorway to the laundry room. She had seen the entire occurrence with intense curiousity. "What was Mr Carson doing in Mrs Hughes room and more importantly, why?" She wondered. She decided that she would speak to Mr Bates about it later, she knew he wouldn't say anything and she knew he would help her figure this puzzle out.
Old Romantic
Robert Crawley walked down the stairs in a happy mood with Isis padding along at his side. He felt that today was going to be a very good day indeed. As soon as they entered the study, Isis left her master's side and went to lay by the window, from which sunlight was streaming through.
"Good morning, Carson." Robert said politely.
"Good morning, my lord."
"Have the bouquet of roses for my wife arrived yet?" Robert asked, slightly anxious.
"Yes they have, my lord. They came early this morning." Carson said, moving to the side to reveal the bouquet of roses, the delightful aroma that emanated from them spread around the room.
Robert smiled, he walked over to inspect the flowers; they were truly magnificent and beautiful, perfect for Cora. He hoped that she liked her gift.
"My lord, would you like Miss O'Brien to take them up to her Ladyship?" Carson asked in his deep baritone voice.
"No thankyou Carson, there will be no need. I'll be taking them to her Ladyship myself." Robert replied, placing a small card inside the wrapping of the bouquet.
"Very well, my lord."
Robert moved back round to the table and sat down, and began to eat his breakfast while he read through the paper with little interest, his thoughts only on his wife.
After he had finished, he stood up from his seat, excused himself, and picked up the flowers, walking proudly up the stairs towards his wife's bedroom.
When he reached the door, he knocked gently with his free hand, while his other was behind his back holding the bouquet.
"May I come in?"
"Yes." Cora replied from inside.
He opened the door and walked in, moving strategically towards his wife who was sat in bed, the morning paper placed on the bedside table. He only moved this way so as to not give away what he was holding.
Cora watched her husband walk somewhat awkwardly across the room to her. She knew he was hiding something from her, which peaked her curiousity but she did not ask.
"O'Brien, you may leave us." Cora stated.
"As you wish my Lady." Miss O'Brien replied. She left the room, shutting the door behind her.
Once the door was shut, Robert looked at his wife lovingly as he spoke, "Happy Valentine's Day, darling." He moved his right hand into view to reveal the bouquet of red roses, and the small card which was attached to them.
She took them from him gratefully, smiling up at him. She inhaled the scent of the roses and her smile widened. "Oh Robert, they're beautiful! Thank you darling. I shall have O'Brien put them into a vase." She took the card and opened it.
Inside the message read,
Happy Valentine's Day Cora,
My beautiful wife, you have made me the happiest man alive. My heart is forever yours.
Love, Robert.
Tears sprang to her eyes as she read the message. She looked up to her husband who was smiling at her, his eyes filled with love.
She got out of bed and walked round to him, tears falling down her face, "Oh Robert," was all she said before she took his face in her hands and kissed him, her love for him flowing through. He wrapped his arms around her and held her closer to him, not wanting to let go.
When they eventually broke apart she said, "I love you so much." She left his arms, and went to her bedside table, opening the drawer quickly she found what she was looking for and picked it up, moving back to his side.
"Happy Valentine's Day, my love," she said. In her hand was a small present, delicately wrapped.
He took it from her and took the paper off to reveal a small black box. He looked at her curiously.
"Open it."
He flicked it open and gazed in wonder at what was inside. In the box lay two gold cufflinks on which was engraved the family insignia.
"Oh Cora, they're quite exquisite! Thank you! I shall wear them to the luncheon this afternoon." He closed the box, looking at his wife with love and longing.
He placed the box and the flowers on the table at the other side of the bedroom, before quickly moving back to his wife. He took her in his arms and kissed her passionately, smiling into the kiss.
They both knew where this was going to lead and it didn't take them long to fall into bed still wrapped up in each other.
Afterwards as they lay in bed together content, Cora said, "You do realise we haven't made love like that since we were twenty."
He chuckled at this, "I know, it has been too long." He kissed her gently.
He looked at the clock which was on the bedside table. It was 11.30am. He sat up in bed quickly, his mother was coming for luncheon at 1pm and they needed to get dressed.
"Robert, whatever is the matter?" Cora asked.
"Mama is arriving at 1pm for the luncheon, we should be getting ready." He said a little exasperated.
Cora was not ready to get out of bed just yet and she wasn't going to let her husband leave either.
She quickly straddled his chest, as she leant down towards his face she whispered in his ear seductively, "We don't have to go just yet. Just a little bit longer. Please, Robert."
She nibbled at his ear teasingly, and he groaned. "Cora…we really should…" He trailed off as he realised resisting wasn't going to work. He let her win, but took her by surprise by rolling with her so that he was lying on top of her, grinning wolfishly.
"Cora, you really are a bad influence. Do you know that?"
"I know, but you love it." She replied, smirking as she kissed him.
A Very Eventful Morning Indeed
They walked down the stairs just as Violet Crawley walked through the entrance doors into the foyer.
"Mama, so good of you to join us." Robert said, welcoming his mother.
"Yes, well it was the best invitation I've had today. As much as I don't like Valentine's Day, I didn't care to be alone."
"Oh Cousin Violet, it is a rather romantic day. Robert gave me a wonderful bouquet of rather beautiful roses."
"Yes, and Cora gave me these wonderful cufflinks." Robert announced, showing the cufflinks to his mother.
Violet raised her eyebrows, lips twitching. She could tell that the presents weren't all they had given each other that morning. That was clear from Robert's slightly ruffled hair, and Cora's rather rosy complexion.
"Very nice." Violet said ambiguously, as she began to walk through the foyer. She was greeted by Mary, Edith and Sybil, and they made their way into the dining room.
Robert and Cora joined them a short while after.
"Bad influence." He whispered as he lightly tapped her backside.
"You weren't too bad yourself old man." She replied quietly giggling.
"Old man eh?" He chuckled. "We'll see tonight." The wolfish grin was back on his face.
They sat down, behaving themselves as best as they could in the company of their children and Robert's mother.
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Until next time everyone
Sunset Whispers x
