"Well if we all have to go let us go together" Matthew said.
"Yes Edith, why not come up a day earlier with Matthew and I and we can all stay with aunt Rosamond, she won't mind", finished Mary.
"What a lovely idea. There you are Edith" Cora continued as she grasped her daughter's hand, "you needn't travel alone to London. It will make us feel so much more at ease. Won't it Robert?" she looked up at her husband standing by the fireplace.
"Yes quite. "He said, only half listening.
Edith shrugged her shoulders and smiled, "I suppose I should ring for Anna then, I am so behind on packing now that I will be leaving a day earlier" she said as she rose to ring for the footman.
The conversation continued regarding who they would be seeing and what they would be doing whilst in London over the next several days. Matthew had to go for business and had asked Mary to join him in order to get her out of the house and help breathe some life into her. The last few months had been horrendous for everyone. Mary had been amazingly strong through it all, and now he knew she found herself stuck between her husband and her father as they battled it out over Downton. He would also not mind paying a visit to a specialist whilst in London regarding his fertility or lack thereof, although he had not broached the subject with his wife yet.
Edith was only supposed to go for the day to see her editor, but now would be joining Mary and Matthew for their 4 day stay at Rosamunds. Perhaps this would be good for everyone thought Matthew. Some space. He could surely use some time away from Robert, and perhaps Cora and Robert could use some time to themselves. They seemed to have made up since Sybil's passing, but he could not say he felt they were back to their old selves. Would they ever be?
Edith rose to leave having had the footman locate Anna to assist her in packing, Mary offered her assistance and they both excused themselves. Cora watched them leave the room and smiled. Finally! After all this time they were acting as sisters should. Perhaps Sybil's passing had drawn them closer together she thought. Or maybe just their advancing ages. Whatever it was Cora welcomed it. She knew as all parents do that one day she would leave her children and all they would have of their childhood would be each other. She wanted them to have that, to be friends and confidants. One step at a time she thought to herself.
"I should excuse myself as well, I must go see Branson before we depart tomorrow" said Matthew as he rose and left the room.
Cora smiled at her son in law as he left. It warmed her heart that Matthew and Tom had formed such a bond, and now with Tom helping with the estate they spent even more time together. She was glad for them that they had a strong friendship.
She turned her head to look at her husband, still standing at the mantle by the fire, oblivious to the goings on of the last 20 minutes. "Did you see how Mary and Edith are getting along?" she asked him.
"Hmm?" he replied "What was that?"
"I said Mary and Edith are getting along so much better these days. Mary not only offered to have Edith go with them to London, but she offered to help her pack" laughed Cora, "It's a modern day miracle" she finished with a smile.
"Yes. It is nice." Robert said, half smiling. "I think I will take Isis outside for a while" he said calling to the dog lounging on the floor. "I will see you at dinner darling" he said and walked out with his dog trailing beside him.
Cora wondered what the next few days would be like. In their large house, just the two of them. Robert seemed so distant of late and she was having a hard time reading his moods and gazes. They had come through Sybil's passing eventually as one. She knew the bulk of the blame lay on her for that, but he had told her he had forgiven her. There wasn't anything to forgive he had told her, she was deep in grief as was he. Although they both still ached for Sybil and mourned her daily they had come through the worst of it together. This was not about Sybil. It had to be about Matthew, about Downton, about the changes at the estate and him feeling as though he were not Lord and master of his own home any longer. She made a resolve to spend their time alone worthwhile. To try to draw him out and help him to look at change as something good perhaps, something not to be feared but accepted. A sigh escaped her as she thought that perhaps that would be a bit harder than she thought. She took herself to her room to rest before dinner, she felt she would need it.
The next morning saw a flurry of activity followed by dead silence as Matthew, Mary and Edith departed for London leaving the house empty of all except Robert and Cora, and the servants of course.
Robert and Cora enjoyed Luncheon with idle chit chat about the kind of weather the children would probably face in London and what things Rosamund would have in store for the girls.
"She'll have a dinner every night they are there I am sure" Robert said rather forcefully, "My dear sister is forever the hostess and will not let a night slip by without wall to wall guests. I should imagine they will return quite exhausted" he finished.
"How lovely for them then. They deserve a little fun and excitement. Heaven knows this house has been full of such dreariness these last few months." Cora said, "Perhaps when they return we should consider having a party of our own. Mary and Matthew need friends of their own, and Edith still needs a husband." She declared, quite pleased with the idea.
"I suppose it couldn't hurt darling. If you are feeling up to it of course" Robert said.
"I think I am darling, thank you for your concern." replied Cora, " and you darling, are you feeling up to it? " she asked, her eyes searching his face. He looked older than he had in months, but it only made him seem more distinguished, more handsome to her. That face that had seen so much of war, worry, responsibility and duty. He must be worn out she thought to herself.
"Don't worry about me darling, I will do just fine." He smiled at her.
Cora had to spend some time with Mrs Hughes and Mrs Patmore following Luncheon to coordinate the running of the house and the upcoming menus. She mentioned the idea of the party to them both in order to prepare them mentally for the next few weeks. She had made a mental note to herself to ask Mrs Patmore to cook some of Roberts favorite dishes over the next few days, he needed to be spoilt she had thought. As she was about to leave she thought of one more idea.
"Mrs Patmore, tomorrow we shall not luncheon here. His Lordship and I will take a picnic in the East gardens. Will you be so kind as to arrange a picnic basket of His Lordships favorites please." She asked the Cook.
"Yes Milady, how nice Milady." Smiled Mrs Patmore.
Cora retreated back up the stairs and entered the library expecting to find her husband there. It was empty. Gosh this house looked empty with no one in it. Part of her wondered what Downton Place would have been like? A bit smaller would be fine for her at this point in her life she thought. She found she could not keep interested in her book or her needlework, so she took herself outside for a stroll before dinner. She decided the East garden would be her first stop in preparation for tomorrow's picnic.
Upon returning to the house she heard the dressing gong as she started up the stairs. Good heavens she thought, how long was I out there? She supposed she had gone further than she had planned as the East gardens were quite far from the house. But she had found the most perfect spot for their picnic and was actually becoming quite excited at the prospect. Surely a little break from their usual routines would help Robert begin the process of accepting change.
She entered the drawing room in a midnight blue dress with sparkles adorning the neckline and sleeves. Her hair carefully arranged on her head with a small yet charming clip holding it in place. Robert turned as she entered the room and she thought she saw his eyes widen slightly as he appraised the sight of her. This was a new dress, he had never seen it on her before. She had purchased it prior to Sybil's passing and had never had the chance to wear it before she died and they all wore black.
"You look very nice tonight darling" commented Robert
"Thank you Robert." She smiled at him. "As do you"
"I hope you don't mind my wearing my dinner jacket instead of the usual, I thought about wearing my tails but then decided it is just the 2 of us tonight" he said
"I quite like the dinner jacket. A little change can be a good thin dear" she smirked at him.
"Dinner is served My Lady" announced Carson.
They entered the dining room taking their usual seats across from one another. Cora frowned as they began their first course. This was insane, she thought. Sitting so far from her husband across this absolutely huge table seemed so very odd. When surrounded with family and friends this table worked wonderfully, but just the two of them and it felt like there was an ocean between them. Halfway through the first course she made up her mind. She stood up, surprising Robert as he hurried to stand as well.
"Cora what is the matter? Are you ill?" he enquired
"Robert I'm fine" she replied, "please sit, I'm coming over there" she said as she reached for her plate and glass.
"My Lady do allow me" said Carson as he reached out his hand to help Cora.
"I am fine with this Carson, but you can help me with another thing. Please have the footmen bring in the remaining meal and set it down on the table. His Lordship and I are quite capable of helping ourselves tonight, and then you may all enjoy your dinner" she instructed
"But My Lady…" Carson began.
"Cora I don't think…" Robert started.
"No no, it is fine. Please do as I have asked Carson, his Lordship and I will be fine. We can ring if we need anything" she finished.
With that Cora strode around the table, plate in hand to the seat next her husband. Robert stood and pulled out her chair for her and helped her situate herself in the chair next to him. As the footmen were finishing laying the trays on the table Cora remembered one last thing.
"Carson. Please also bring the wine and then retire to your own dinner" she said, smiling at the lovely indoor dinner for two she had just created.
"Cora what on earth are you doing? This is most usual darling" Robert said.
"Oh Robert, it seems so stuffy for me to be sitting half a world away on the other side of this table. I am your wife, it is not improper." She giggled.
"Of course it's not Cora, it's just another something to get used to I suppose" Robert said, a look of bewilderment on his face.
"Robert" Cora said, leaning closer to him and placing her hand on his thigh, "You know that I love you, I would do anything to see you happy. But darling, you have been wandering this large house lately with a look of terror in your eyes." She leaned closer still, rubbing her hand along his thigh. He looked at her hand and she could see that what she had only intended to be a closer sitting arrangement for dinner may have sparked something more. How fun she thought. "Not all changes are bad darling. Things are different now than they used to be, but that does not make you weak or your past actions wrong, it means that the world is changing and we can in fact change with it if we so choose." The last words she almost whispered in his ears as she had leaned in that close to him that her chest was almost touching his.
She straightened up and began to finish her dinner, looking over at Robert and stifling a laugh as she saw his facial expression change from astonishment, to confusion, then to a look she could not place. He did not take his eyes off her as she ate.
"Are you not hungry dear? " she asked innocently, cocking her head to the side and looking at him.
" I most certainly am" he replied, not touching his fork. His eyes were still on her and she swallowed hard as the real meaning behind what he had said dawned on her. She reached for her wine and took rather a long sip. He face was beginning to flush and she could feel the heat in her cheeks betraying her. She inwardly laughed at herself. She had only meant to change seats, not start a romantic tryst. But she couldn't say she minded. He was the one man that could get her heart and blood boiling and could make her feel giddy. They had been so lucky to love each other for all these years. Oh they had their times and seasons, but they had always come through.
"Isn't the duck divine darling" she said as she took another bite. His eyes stayed on her for what seemed like hours. Eventually he picked up his fork and finished the meal with her. But it was like no other meal she had had. Their close proximity allowed every stare and every gaze he gave her to seem more intense. As they neared the end of the meal he placed his hand on her thigh squeezing her leg, making her gasp in surprise. She had done the same to him she thought. But she had not fully understood the effect it had had until she felt his hand on her. It was electrifying to be so close to each other during such a public place. Although they were alone this was their dining room. They would never have done this on any other night.
"Robert" she began "I think …" but she could not finish her sentence as he had leaned in so close that his face was inches from hers. She breathed heavier, her chest heaving up and down. His hand still on her thigh crawled further up her leg and she gasped out loud, then he kissed her firmly on the lips. He was passionate and so gentle at the same time she could not breathe. Had she not been sitting she felt she would have fainted. She placed her hands on either side of his face accepting his kiss and returning it with as much passion as she could. His hand trailed further up her leg and she backed away breaking their kiss.
"Robert!" She exclaimed, "What on earth are you doing?"
"Now now Cora, I thought you were the one who promoted change" he teased, a smile lighting up his face and his eyes like a schoolboy.
"I do darling, but not in the dining room. Good heavens, stop that" she protested as he returned his hand to the top of her thigh and down toward her bottom.
He as laughing now as he leaned in to kiss her neck. His breath was hot and appealing and she felt her knees were weak as he kissed the top of her chest.
"Robert" she tried to sound forceful, but it came out like more of a coo than a request to stop.
She had no alternative, unless she wanted to have him take her in the dining room, which is where she felt this may end up if she didn't do something. She abruptly stood up and backed away toward the door. Robert had been taken quite by surprise and almost fell to the floor.
"Cora where are you going?" he asked, a forlorn look on his face, fearing he was being rejected. She did not want to reject him, and as much as she embraced change she could not embrace it on the dining room table.
"To the bedroom my dear" she smirked, "I have quite a headache you see" she said as she over the top feigned illness throwing her hand to her head.
"I see" Robert began, "allow me to escort you darling, I would not want you to be left alone in such a state" he laughed and followed her out the door. He was practically chasing her up the stairs, and he caught her on the landing, wrapped his arms around her waist and kissed her most insistently.
"Oh Robert" she murmured in delight. Her hands came to the back of his neck and played with his hair. He trailed kisses down her neck and the top of her chest as she groaned and her chest heaved in excitement. "Isn't change exciting darling?" she whispered in his ear.
"Yes Cora, so very, very exciting" he agreed. He picked her up in his arms and she gasped so loudly she was sure they heard her downstairs. He carried her the remaining distance to her room and slammed the door shut. Change was coming to Downton and perhaps he was not ready for it, but with nights like tonight, perhaps he was.