I wasn't too impressed with how the whole Simon Bricker thing was dealt with so I wrote my own version of how it could all be resolved, probably no way near as good as far too OTT but hey, enjoy, please R and R
Cora sat at her dressing table; she was clearly ready for dinner however in her head she was not ready to face anyone. Robert hadn't said a word to her for three days now it was beginning to take its toll on their relationship. He hadn't even asked her to explain, he simply assumed that if he hadn't come back when he did, she would have taken Mr Bricker to her bed. The thought that, even now, Robert didn't know her at all made her ache with sorrow and she made no effort to stem the tears that fell from her eyes. A sudden light click behind her made her spin around and awaken from her thoughts. After her encounter with Mr Bricker a few days ago, she had learnt not to simply expect it to be a servant. She was justified in her assumptions as well. Robert stepped through the door and caught her eye for a moment before she looked sadly away. It had been a momentary glance but he had noted the pinkness in her eyes and the tear trails on her cheeks.
"Cora" he said, slightly reproachfully. He opened his mouth to start the conversation he longed to have but thought better of it "are you coming down, Mama will be waiting"
"Is this the last time you going to speak to me tonight or will there be an actual conversation at some point" she replied turning around and briskly wiping the tears from her cheeks. Robert looked down toward the floor and kept his stone expression
"This is not the time Cora" he started but she stood quickly from the chair and was in front of him in seconds.
"It never will be Robert" she replied, her tears breaking through once again "when is an appropriate moment for you explain to your wife that you think she's a whore" she covered her mouth and turned away, half with the shock of what she had said and half to stifle the sobs that threatened to overcome her.
" Cora" Robert replied in shock. For a moment there was silence as both reeled from the shock of what was said. Cora composed herself, holding onto the bed post before turning back to her husband.
"That's what you think isn't it" she answered after a while, raising her voice "you honestly think that if you hadn't come back when you did, then..." she stopped and shook her head, turning away
"I don't think that, Cora I don't think that at all, I just"
"Then why won't you talk to me Robert" she shouted "why won't you look at me except with that air of disappointment and disgust"
"Please Cora" Robert shouted back "can we discuss this later, our guests…"
"Oh yes" cried Cora walking past him to the door "let's all go down and have dinner shall we" she flung open the door with a sob and walked out onto the landing
"Cora wait" he cried and followed, this was certainly not how he wanted people to meet his wife "stop this now" he shouted
"Why, we can't keep the guests waiting just to save our marriage" she shouted back as she stalked toward the stairs. Robert caught up with her in a few strides and caught her by the arm. "Let go of me" she sobbed and freed herself of his grip. If she had been thinking clearly she would have noticed how close to the top of the stairs she was, she would have held the banister as she swung around once more to speak to him but the tears in her eyes prevented her from seeing exactly where she stood. "if you knew how much I loved you…" she began as she took a step forward. It all happened so quickly that Robert wasn't sure how he had managed to react as he did. He noticed, looking still at the ground, that her foot had missed its mark on the step, he saw her fly forward and heard her terrible scream. In a moment however, he had grabbed hold of her and pulled her back from the stairs with every ounce of strength he had. It was the sickening smack that followed that made him look at his wife's face finally. He turned to see where she had landed and felt the colour drain from him. She lay, head burst and bleeding on the floor. The blood stain on the stone wall behind her showed clearly where she had smacked her head as he propelled her. Now she lay very still, her eyes closed and blood seeping slowly from her temple. Robert covered his mouth with his hands and tried to breathe. Before he knew what was happening however he heard a shout from along the corridor
"Mama" Lady Edith ran across the carpet and knelt beside her mother; Tom also ran across the floor but did not make for Cora. Instead he stormed over to Robert and ensured his fist made full contact with Lord Grantham's face. Robert went flying back to the ground with a cry as Mary left her room and ran over to stop the fight.
"What are you doing Tom, what on earth is going on" she cried
"he attacked her" Tom shouted, horror clear in his face "we saw him, he just attacked her"