A/N: So I realize there are quite a bit of (absolutely wonderful) Cora/Robert prequel fics, and I hate to jump on that bandwagon. But I somehow feel like this might be a little bit different since it won't closely highlight their courtship, but rather dive into the more intimate moments in their marriage. The length of this fic is still being determined however it is at least 10 parts at this point in time. That's all I have to say about this fic in general. The chapter titles will be telling of what happens in each update. This one deals with Cora and Robert consummating their marriage.
As I've said earlier, I am still relatively new to this couple so any constructive criticism you might have would be helpful. Or if you don't have anything in terms of that, I will gladly welcome any sort of feedback if you think this piece to be deserving. Anyway, enjoy! And as always, I own nothing.
A/N II: Oh and I almost forgot to say this Chapter is rated M because it implies sexual content. Nothing is outright filthy (at least I believe so), but there is some sexual imagery that might offend some so just putting up a disclaimer to be safe.
Hands wrapped around the edges of her bedpost, Cora exhales as Simmons loosens the strings to her wedding corset. The high collared lace dress that once clung to her body was now draped over the back of her plush floral chaise. A piece of furniture from her childhood home in Cincinnati that her mother insisted she pushed into the deepest corner of her room. Both would serve as reminders of her former life. Present for now, but slowly pushed aside by the English tradition being forced upon the young bride by her mother-in-law. After tonight, the white dress would disappear to the depths of her armoire. Reserved if a girl were to result from the union, forgotten if she were lucky enough to give him an heir. The chaise would no doubt go eventually. Lady Grantham would make as many backhanded comments about how "awfully American" it looked in her home. She would most likely enlist Rosamund, and if she was expertly crafty Robert as well to dismiss the only bit of Cora's country from their house. It would be a dreaded day at Downton indeed.
"Lady Cora?" Simmons voice shakes Cora from the edges of her mind. "Shall I help you with your shoes?" The middle-aged woman in black waits for the newly christened bride to perch on the edge of her bed, and extend her feet one at a time.
"Thank you, Simmons." Cora returns in a soft tone. She tries to keep herself steady, despite the nerves that course through her veins unrelentingly. Her mouth forms into a half smile that quivers, but she bites down on the inside of her cheek to steady herself. "I would be quite lost without you, I'm afraid." A peal of nervous laughter rings throughout her words.
"You'll catch on quickly, Milady," The other woman glances up at her with a kind smile. "From what Lady Grantham says, you're quite the learner." She adds in a more blunt manner before standing with the pair of white shoes strewn with pearls and crystalline beads.
"For being an American, you mean?" Cora supplements with a teasing half smirk.
Simmons freezes with her back to her newly assigned Lady. After depositing the shoes she turns ever so slowly before remarking with a slight defensive edge, "I didn't mean any offense by it, Milady."
"Oh I know," Cora flips a nonchalant hand. She stands from the place at the bed, uncoordinatedly reaching for her house robe at the same time Simmons does. "Sorry," She grins sheepishly. Retracting her hand, Cora then slips into the satin material.
"There's no need to apologize to me, Milady." Simmons assures her while taking the liberty of tying the front of her robe into a tight bow. "You've done nothing wrong."
Cora hums out of amusement, muttering underneath her breath. "According to you, Simmons."
She then follows the maid's wordless gestures to sit in front of her vanity so she can let down her midnight locks, coiffed and twirled to perfection a top her head. Cora watches her nimble fingers carefully free the sapphire and emerald gilded ornaments from her hair with a fascination she's never witnessed before. She then feels the soft fibers of the fine brush working through her mane. Cora's eyes flutter closed momentarily, her mind wandering off again. It won't feel pleasant the first time. Maybe not even the second or third. But eventually the pain wears away.
A slight rapping from the adjoining door stirs Cora from her thoughts. It's time, Cora thinks. Her head reels with anxiety and excitement. The bottom of her stomach bubbling with anticipation at the expectations brought on with her new role.
Before Cora could give her answer to the repetitive knocking, the adjoining door squeals open and she sees Robert through the reflection of her vanity mirror. A bewildered expression crosses his face when he realizes she isn't alone. "Oh forgive me, I thought Simmons had gone down. I'll just leave you until…"
Wanting to alleviate him from his immediate embarrassment, Cora pipes up without even thinking. "That won't be necessary. Simmons was nearly finished." Instantly, she felt uncomfortable stating her demands in such a way that was now expected of her. Feeling a twinge of self-consciousness, she lowers her gaze before lifting it back up to her temporary lady's maid. "Thank you for all your help, Simmons." Her sincerity shines through her tone even with her plain expression. The maid takes her dismissal quite graciously, reminding her Lady if she needs anything at all to ring the bell.
Cora slowly pivots from her chair as the front door to her bedchambers slips shut. She faces Robert, a demure glimmer dancing within her brilliant blue orbs. This marks the first moment they are seeing one another in house robes. The entire setting's intimate even before any action begins to unfold.
Quickly looking away out of bashfulness, her hand finds the back of her plush vanity chair for support. "It was very kind of your mother to loan me Simmons until I could find a chamber maid of my own."
"I'm sure she just wanted you to feel comfortable in your new home," Robert replies with an easy smile. His eyes trail over the slender body of his new wife in the most discrete manner he can muster.
"Or use it as a painful reminder that I am a clueless American in her home." The words tumble out before Cora can stop them, causing her to wince. She remembers, don't say anything stupid that might embarrass yourself. Right now he's merely infatuated with your money. Do you want things to continue in that manner?
"Please dearest," Robert intones softly before slowly closing the space between them. "Let us not argue about Mama tonight." His hand slides across the one she's resting on top of her dressing chair, sending her heart in a flurry of uneven beats with just the simplest of gestures. He adds with a bit of flirtation evident, "Not when we are to be celebrating."
"You're right," She turns her hand over until their palms are touching. "I am sorry," She offers softly, hoping he won't interpret her disdain for her mother-in-law so readily.
"No need to apologize," Robert squeezes her hand.
Their conversation halts momentarily and they stand in her dressing room, hands fused together. Then Robert clears his throat, finding a way to broach the subject in a most gentlemanly manner. "So…would you be more comfortable in here this evening? Or in my dressing room?" He feels his palm growing hotter at the insinuation, wondering if she notices.
Cora pauses for an instant and tries to rack her brain for an answer she's been prompted to give in this sort of scenario. Do whatever you can to please him. That is crucial. Swallowing back any insecurities that might plague her, Cora forces her eyes to meet her husband's. "I will be comfortable wherever you please, M'Lord." She replies neutrally. And then before she can stop herself, the pitter-patter inside her chest dominates all reason. Cora continues in a way that would make her mother reproach her for showcasing the innermost contents of her heart, "As I am always comfortable in your presence, no matter what the setting."
Robert nods, "I suppose we shall stay in here tonight then."
With the decision being made, Cora feels her entire body purring with the unexpectedness of this endeavor. His hand, which once held tightly to hers, now brushes against the length of her face. Her breath catches in the back of her throat as it continues to travel along her neck sensually before stroking down the front of her pearly hued robe. As his knuckles graze the curves of her body, Cora tries not to fully collapse on the spot.
She sighs when his lips press against the soft skin of her neck, tongue swirling in sensual patterns while he releases the tie of her dressing robe. Robert's face leans back to take in the white cotton slip that fills in the spaces underneath her white corset embellished with pale pink designs. Cora blushes at the sudden exposure, not used to allowing any man so close to what lies underneath her formal dresses.
He must sense her discomfort for he takes care to tilt her head back and engage in eye contact she seems insistence in deviating from. "You look quite lovely this evening." His compliment plays at Cora's heartstrings, threatening to unveil the care she's taken to fully disclose her feelings for him.
Her smile must feel warm because the heat is ascending to the fullness of her cheeks (she's absolutely certain of this), as he slowly draws her body nearer so she can feel the extent of his delight to be with her. Snaking her arms up around his shoulders, Cora rises on tiptoe to fully encompass his lips with her own like they practiced so carefully at the conclusion of their wedding ceremony. However this time his mouth parts suddenly, startling her when his tongue slips in between her lips to touch hers. But the kiss eventually deepens once the foreign nature of it all dissipates. After several moments of their mouths trying to find an even rhythm and Robert nearly pressing her fully against her dressing table, his hands glide down the sleeves of her robe before taking hers and leading her towards the bed.
Her heartbeat quickens with uncertainty, fear, and ultimate longing to know what this most romantic gesture of love fully encompasses. She's read about it novels. But reading can only enhance one's knowledge to an extent that falls short of experiencing it all firsthand. Her breathing becomes ragged when Robert somehow pins her front against the bedpost near the foot of her bed. He gently removes the outer layer of her dressing robe, and then works to unlace the intricacies of her corset. She was surprised when Simmons didn't remove it earlier. But when something inside of Robert stirs his desires to ravish her after the mechanical piece hits the floor, she understands.
Feeling him through the thin fabric of his trousers, Cora feels herself damp with arousal as his mouth teases the exposed skin of her shoulders now. She groans when his thumbs dig into her hipbones. Her right hand flies to the top of the post, clutching onto the sturdy piece of furniture as he continues to grind his lower body against hers. Unable to bear intimate distance from him, Cora whirls around to face him. Unfortunately the action is done clumsily, causing her head to slip against the hard wood. But the accidental bump does not suspend their kissing. Robert doesn't appear to notice as he pushes her sideways back against the bed.
The first time is for your husband, the words swirl about her head while he takes off his outer robe. Cora inches back on the bed, watching him as he unbuttons the top portion of his nightwear. But that doesn't mean you can't exert your power as his wife. Without giving it a second thought of self-consciousness, Cora loosened the straps of her slip. The fabric fell to the midline of her waist, revealing her plump breasts. Robert seemed quite excited by her confidence and does away with the remainder of his clothes.
He crawls on top of her at that point, planting wet kisses in places that make her skin flush with pleasure. But as soon as she's given into the sensation of him swathing her in sweet sentiments, the immense wave of pain washes over her when he pushes in between her thighs.
"Aww…oh!" Cora gasps quite unexpectedly at the contact, causing Robert to pause above her.
"Darling," He mutters with concern, "are you alright?"
You mustn't let him feel guilty if it hurts you, my child. And you know Robert would feel completely guilty at the thought of ever hurting you. Cora nods wordlessly, forcing herself to relax into the pain that her mother assured her was natural. It helps her to think about other things during the ordeal to overcome the aching that surges deep within her with each thrust. She recalls their encounters earlier in the day. He looked at her with such fondness, his hand trembling quite similarly to her own. Now he was satisfying his desires, and would most likely be returning the favor for her it if weren't for her body's unyielding tightness. Bringing her face up to hide in the crook of his neck, she plants fervent kisses there so he knows to continue enjoying himself despite the pain it causes her. If I can't be a proper English woman, I will at least be a proper wife. She promises herself while her inner thighs burn quite unpleasantly.