This story is set in episode 8 of series 2 . Cora is recovering from Spanish flu and has just had the conversation with Robert where she tells him about how she feels she may of neglected him and asks him "we're alright aren't we Robert ?". I have often wondered what would happen if Cora knew about Robert's affair with Jane ! so here it is ! hope you enjoy it !thanks for everyone's reviews it really inspires me to keep writing !
Robert closed the bedroom door and walked out into the corridor leaving Cora alone to her thoughts . Spanish flu had drained of a lot of her energy and she was extremely pale and tired looking . She propped herself up on her pillows and looked as though she was in deep thought . Had she neglected Robert ?Were they really alright ? . She loved Robert , that much was sure , but did he still love her ? . They had argued and disagreed about Mary and Sybil and there had definitely been a little tension between them during the past few days . The lamps cast a warm glow and the room was quiet and still . Suddenly the door opened and miss O'Brien walked in . " I wanted to know If you wanted any food bringing up now that your feeling better your ladyship ." she said happily .
" No thank you . " replied Cora softly "I don't have much of an appetite at the moment . "
" Is there anything else I can get you ? "
" No thank you. "
Miss O'Brien bowed slightly and went to leave the room . " O'Brien ," Cora called after her " Thank you . I want to know how much I appreciate everything you've done for me . "
" It's only what you deserve mi' lady . " Said O'Brien and with a look of guilt in her eyes as she hastily left the room . Cora sank down into her pillows and shut her eyes .
She woke around an hour later feeling much better and her complexion had regained a little colour . She sat up and reached for the servants bell . A few moments later O'Brien was at the door . " I think I might be able to go down for dinner this evening " said Cora getting out of bed . She felt a little light-headed and shaky as she stood up and looked unsteady on her feet ." are you sure you shouldn't be resting mi' lady? " objected O'Brien .
" no , I'll be fine " answered Cora walking slowly over to her dressing table " I'm not sure I can stand another hour in bed ." O'Brien dressed her in a black evening dress and made her hair . " can I have my black evening shawl O'Brien? " said Cora feeling the cold a little .
" I'm sorry mi' lady but I was mending it and I left it downstairs . Would you like me to fetch it ? "
" yes thank you . I'll be in the library " replied Cora rising Weakly from her chair . O'Brien left the room watching Cora uneasily as if she thought she was going to collapse at any moment . As Cora walked out of the room she realised how ill she had been . Her head and limbs ached and her breathing was slightly hoarse . When she reached the stairs she had to cling tightly onto the banister to keep herself from falling and she began to wonder whether it really was a good idea to be out of bed . Eventually she reached the bottom of the staircase and began to walk across the hall towards the library .She went to step through the open door but suddenly she stopped . There , in the middle of the library , Robert was talking with the housemaid Jane .They were standing strangely close to one another and their hands were clasped in each others . Jane seemed to be sobbing but Cora just managed to make out the words "..can I kiss you..".Her heart sunk to the bottom of her stomach as she saw Robert lean closer to Jane and tenderly kiss her . Cora let out a sort of gasp and the two looked over with expressions of shock almost equal to Cora's . Everyone froze . Cora's legs felt weak and she reached out and leant on the door frame to stop herself from collapsing . Robert opened his mouth to speak but said nothing . There could be no explanation . Tears were glistening in everyone's eyes . At that moment O'Brien walked up behind Cora carrying her evening shawl . " I have your shawl your ladysh-" She stopped mid sentence and looked from Jane ,still held close to Robert,and back to Cora . Jane suddenly recovered herself and rushed past Cora and O'Brien and out of the room . Cora didn't even look at her as she passed .She was numb with shock . Cora's eyes were fixed on Robert who looked dumbstruck . O'Brien felt almost as uncomfortable as the other two . She looked pitifully at Cora and almost angrily at Robert . "How dare he ?" She thought to herself " how dare he ?After she had been so ill ,perhaps even close to death . " . There was a long silence . Finally O'Brien left the room .
" Oh my dear " said Robert when she was gone ." I'm so sorry ."Cora turned and left the room . Her heart was heavy in her chest and she struggled to hold back the tears that were gathering behind her eyes . She did not run , but walked very slowly , she was determined to keep her head held high and that the girls would not find out about what their farther had done . She steadily climbed the stairs trying desperately to hold on to her nerves . The room was starting to spin and her head as well as her heart was pounding dreadfully . " Mamma . " called Sybil from the bottom of the stairs . Cora swallowed hard to suppress the lump that was rising up the back of her throat ."y-yes my darling . " she stammered unable to stop her voice from quivering . " are you alright ?" asked Sybil noticing the strange tone in Cora's voice .At that moment Robert came out of the library , this was almost too much for her to bear . " I'm fine ."she said quickly to stop the tears flowing from her eyes " I'm just feeling a little ill that's all" and with these words she fainted and fell in a heap at the top of the stairs .