So this started going one way and then turned smutty at the end just because. The story will hopefully get back on track next chapter.
His wife had been insatiable last night. She'd woken him up with the touch of her hands on his body and her wet kisses against his flesh stirring him from his sound sleep and arousing him before he had even become fully awake. He had not minded one bit of course, it had been a wonderful way to spend the wee hours of the morning, however today he suffered a little from lack of sleep. He had returned from America with thoughts of Cora foremost in his mind. The distance of an ocean between them had been painful and a reminder to him of how much he needed his wife by his side, how lucky he was to have her. Even though it had been difficult, the time apart had served as a boost of energy to their long, mostly happy, marriage. He had always enjoyed the physical connection he and Cora had, but not being near her, not having the ability to hold her was worse than he had ever dreamed it would be. They had been apart before, the war of course, trips to London over the years … but for some reason this time had been the worst of all. He found himself to be fidgety without her around, prone to pacing, fiddling with his waistcoat, wrapping his fingers against the dinner table, and generally being out of sorts in every way. He had known he would miss her when he left, but how much, how deeply, how physically painful their separation would be was a surprised to him. He had spent much of his time since his return finding moments to steal time with her. If he had his way he would take her away to London just the 2 of them for a week or 2, spend their days strolling arm in arm through the park, explore the art museums she loved so much, take tea in the afternoons after shopping for the grandchildren, make love next to the fire in their room at night and under the covers in the morning. He could lose himself in a daydream like this. If he thought about it for very long he might just end up doing something about it, and even though he wanted to he had the nagging feeling there was something amiss with Edith and he needed to figure that out first. But perhaps if everything was alright with Edith he could act on his desire … just perhaps.
Cora had woken late to find Robert already gone. She felt a little badly that she had woken him last night knowing he would keep to his schedule regardless of how much sleep he'd had, but then she remembered the way she had felt wrapped in his body and she was not sorry for it at all. She stretched out and enjoyed the way her body felt refreshed after she did so and then rang for Baxter. She was over an hour behind her usual morning schedule, no doubt the servants would be discussing why. When she was younger she would have been embarrassed to think of that, but now she did not care. It was not a secret she and Robert loved each other and shared a bed. Why should it be? This was their house after all, and although she believed in discretion and privacy she also had to roll her eyes at some of the lengths people would go to in order to keep up appearances. It was this line of thought that bought her around to Edith. What was this Switzerland trip really about? Cora found it hard to believe Edith would leave for such a lengthy trip until there was word of Michael Gregson. Rosamund learning French was almost laughable the more she thought of it. Rosamund could care less if she was understood by someone else; as far as she was concerned they should learn to understand her. The more she thought of it the more she was convinced they were lying about the reason for their trip. The length of the trip also concerned her. Why so long? There was only one reason Cora could really consider as necessary for such a long time away but she could not bring herself to accept it. Edith would have told her, she would have come to her for help … wouldn't she? Perhaps Edith was helping Rosamund with something … perhaps there was an issue Rosamund needed time to deal with. As much as she hoped this had to do with Rosamund her motherly instincts told her otherwise and it frightened her. She was determined to have an answer about this before the day was over, it couldn't be what she imagined … it just couldn't.
It took all morning for Cora to track down Edith and she only managed to do so as they were walking into luncheon.
"You are a difficult woman to find darling" Cora said with an easy smile slipping her arm through Edith's. She felt Edith tense slightly and tried to keep the smile on her face. She had decided the best way to get Edith to talk to her was with kindness instead of accusation. Edith was a very independent woman, she obviously had an ally in her aunt Rosamund … perhaps even Violet, she had no reason to confide in her mother except for the bonds of their mother daughter relationship – it was the only card Cora had to play.
"I have been in the village with Aunt Rosamund" Edith explained as they entered the dining room. "There is so much to do and we leave next week" Edith extricated herself from her mothers arm and took her seat.
"Goodness" Cora said light heartedly, "That is soon." She looked up as she took her own seat at the table and Robert's eyes caught hers. "We must make a list after luncheon darling, I'd be more than happy to help you"
Edith shook her head, "Thank you Mama but Aunt Rosamund and I have it all under control. I am feeling rather tired after our busy morning anyway and I thought I might rest after luncheon … I did not sleep well last night" she explained as Barrow began serving.
Cora looked around the table and noticed Rosamund's absence, "Where is Rosamund?" she asked pleasantly.
"Oh, Aunt Rosamund stayed with Granny for luncheon, we called in on her on our way home from the village" Edith explained before turning her attention to Tom to ask about the success of the pigs. Cora could tell she had been dismissed and their conversation over. She was glad Barrow had made it around to her and was now offering the tray he was holding to her, she gladly took the silverware and made her selection with a strained smile.
Robert had listened to Edith and Cora's conversation with interest and took note of Edith's dismissal of her mother. He did not think of Edith as cruel, but he felt she had been so to her mother during luncheon. It was not overt, it had been subtle and done politely he doubted anyone not paying attention would have noticed but he had. He had made a note to find out about Edith's strange plans for her trip, that coupled with his inability to take his eyes off his wife had made him privy to every detail of their conversation. He was not the first to notice things, he could admit that about himself, he was not the most observant person in the world, he knew this about himself, but even he could tell Edith was acting strangely. She was obviously tense when her mother had been holding her close, her answers to Cora's questions were stilted and minimal, and her refusal for help had been instant. Robert knew without a doubt that the Switzerland trip was a farce, but what he didn't know was why.
Cora had settled into the study after lunch attempting to get some thank you letter written from the bazaar. She was failing miserably as she stared out the window at the Downton landscape, her thoughts circling around Edith. She could not deny her feelings were hurt, Edith had dismissed her help without a thought, but what concerned Cora more was why. She had noticed her daughter stiffen at her mother's closeness, why would that be? What was there to hide? She knew if she was to help Edith and find out what was going on she would have to put her feelings aside and focus on her daughter. It was one of the truths of parenting that your own feelings take a back seat to the well being of your children … not matter how grown they may be. Cora had decided she would give Edith time to rest, and then in a few hours go to her room to check on her. It would be private, they would have time to talk, and her daughter would be well rested. It was the best plan Cora had, and she clung to it.
Robert had watched Edith leave luncheon and make her way upstairs to her room. He had decided after a few hours he would go up there and try to talk with her. He had to figure out the problem, it was bothering him the way she had acted to Cora at luncheon, but more than that it bothered him that something was wrong with Edith. If Rosamund came back from mama's soon he would corner her himself, try to find out from her what was going on … but he knew his best chance lay with Edith, Rosamund was difficult at the best of times. He knew that better than anyone. He had a few hours to kill and Tom and Mary had taken a car out to the Wesley farm. He had not gotten back into the estate's affairs since being back; he had given himself some time to recover from the trip, to spend with Cora.
With his wife on his mind he went in search of her, finding her quite distracted behind the desk in the study. She had her back to him and was looking out the window with a pen in her hand. He walked silently up behind her glad that she had not heard him. She really was distracted if she had not noticed the creaks in the floor or the sound of his shoes on the wood. God he had missed her. The way her head was tilted to the side gave him the most exquisite view of her porcelain neck, the line of her shoulders, and the grace of her hands. She was remarkably beautiful, age had done nothing but make her more so. For a moment he just stood silently behind her drinking in her form, then finally he decided what his actions would be. With a silent motion he leaned over her without touching and placed a soft kiss against her neck.
The warmth of the kiss bought Cora out of her daze.
"Robert" she exclaimed softly closing her eyes for a moment as she enjoyed the feel of his lips kissing her neck gently.
"You – are – lost- in – thought" he replied, accenting each word with a kiss up her neck and back down. Cora tilted her neck to the side more giving him greater access; it felt nice to have his lips on her skin, each kiss melting away her concerns. She didn't want to tell him until she knew for sure what they were dealing with; she wanted to handle it gently because if she was right it would break his heart.
"Just daydreaming" she whispered her response as she dropped her pen back onto the desk. She sighed as he used his fingers to pull her blouse to the side slightly allowing him access to her shoulder and he laid several kisses along her milky skin there.
"What – about?" he asked kissing her shoulder, her neck, the back of her neck below where her hair was swept up … the place he knew drove her crazy. He felt her shudder beneath his lips and he smiled.
"What are you doing?" she whispered, her breathing had become heavy already as her husband lay hot breathy kisses in her most sensitive and tantalizing places. He knew she loved it when he kissed the back of her neck, it drove her wild and when he did it she was putty in his hands. He as doing it here, in the study knowing how crazy it made her feel … what was he doing?
"Kissing – my – wife" he answered as he began a trail along the other side of her neck, moving her blouse out of the way as he went, Cora tipping her head to the other side so he could reach all the places he wanted to. She was glad she was sitting down as she had already felt her knees going weak at his attentions, her skin was tingling and she felt her skin heating up. She reached her hand up and threaded it into his hair as he kissed his heated path along her skin.
"Oh … mmm" she sighed as he increased the intensity. She could only imagine the embarrassment if someone were to walk into the room now. How could they explain this away? It was obvious that Lord Grantham was rather passionately kissing the neck of Lady Grantham, who had her hand threaded through his hair and was sighing loudly at his attentions. This was not something one could pretend was something else. "Robert?" she began, deciding she should make an effort to stop him. She let her hand drop from his hair and began to turn in her chair so she could face him.
Robert took the opportunity to come face to face with his wife pulling her up out the chair by her hands and into his arms in one swift motion, she barely managed to gasp before he met her mouth in a deep and passionate kiss that she had not been expecting. He slid his arms more firmly around her body pulling them closer together as she laced her arms around his neck appreciatively. Oh God he had missed her. He had only meant to kiss her neck and rub her shoulders when he had entered the room, but just being near her was all too much. He moved forward, forcing her to step back with him until he had backed her up to the desk and she could move no more.
"Robert?!" she gasped his name as she broke the kiss for air, "I … you … what has come over you?" she asked with a wicked smile she could not hide. He placed his lips at the base of her throat and kissed his way back up to her lips as her hands caressed his shoulders.
"I missed you Cora" his voice was raspy, gravelly; it almost came out as a growl.
"I missed you too" she breathed as his lips crashed against hers again. Their time apart had fuelled their fire to new heights, neither of them had been prepared for it but both had felt it. The separation had been so intense, so all consuming it had frightened them both. One day, eventually one of them would succumb to death and leave the other, and his trip to America had highlighted to each of them just what that would be like. All of a sudden Cora did not care that they were in the study. No-one would come in here anyway, Tom and Mary were out, Edith asleep, Rosamund with Violet, and Rose … she was somewhere and probably wouldn't come to the study anyhow. "Oh Robert, I missed you so much" Cora mewled against his lips as one hand reached across the front of his chest and gripped his lapel in her hand pulling him as tightly to her as she could. Their lips and tongues swirled in a heated exchange of need and want as Robert slid his hands down her back and reached under her firm bottom lifting her up and onto the desk.
"Robert!" she exclaimed as she instinctively opened her legs so he could stand between them. His mouth found hers once more and kissed her protests away as his hands slid down to lift her skirt up.
"Oh God" she breathed when he again placed his lips against her neck. She felt his hands pulling her skirt to her waist and the wickedness of what they were doing came flooding over her. They couldn't. Not here. They had never. She would tell him. They needed to go to their room. She would tell him. In just one more minute she would say something. She would – but his lips on her flesh and his hands resting on the undergarments on her thighs caused her such an intense feeling of longing and excitement she couldn't speak – not yet.
"Cora" Robert moaned against her throat as she ran her hands up the inside of his jacket and underneath his waistcoat. He shouldn't take her here. Not in plain sight, in daylight, in the study … he couldn't think anymore. She was accepting his advances so eagerly, he wanted her, this was his house and damn it he would do as he pleased. He lifted his hands and slid her undergarments from her waist and swiftly down her legs as she wriggled to help him. With hungry hands she unbuttoned his pants and pulled him close to her, wrapping her legs around his waist. A sudden realization of what was about to happen washed over her and she paused.
"Robert, are we really going to … oh God!" with one quick motion he entered her as she sat on his desk and he felt powerful, wicked and excited all at once. Cora arched her back at the feel of him and threw her head back passionately. She pulled her head back to his and gripped his shoulders tightly as he moved against her. She heard him groan and moved one hand to the back of his neck and pulled his mouth to hers. They were already taking a big enough risk and she silenced him with her lips. Within minutes the excitement of their wickedness combined with his heated thrusting movements caused Cora to lose control. She leaned back, pushing the papers and items out of her way and leaned against her arm on the desk as her eyes glazed over in pleasure. "Robert" she panted as he kept up his passionate rhythm, "Yes, God yes" she cried biting down on her lip to hush her cries. She was sure they would be heard. The creaking of the desk, the sounds of their bodies coming together, the way they both panted and gasped for air, and now he muffled cries of pleasure. With great effort she pulled herself up and clung to his shoulders once more, joining her lips to his and gyrating against him as he growled into her mouth. "Cora!" he cried as his lips left hers and he buried them in her shoulder, his body shuddering between her legs. "Good God" he bit her gently through her blouse as his body rocked and shook into oblivion.
Cora recovered first and extracted herself from her husband, climbing off the desk and collecting her undergarments she hurriedly pulled them on and smoothed down her skirt. Her hair was probably a mess and she reached her hand to tidy it as best she could.
"Quickly darling, get dressed" she whispered looking around to make sure they were still undisturbed.
"Just a minute" he said, breathing hard leaning against the desk.
"You don't have a minute, get your pants fastened" she said as she ran to the side of the desk and began picking up some of the items that had gone flying.
Robert adjusted his pants pulling them back up and tucking his shirt in correctly. He smoothed his hair with one hand and helped Cora pick up the papers. Just as they were pushing the chair back under the desk the door to the study opened and they both froze.
That was close – Cora thought.
"There you are brother dear" Rosamund said as she sauntered in the room. She began prattling on about lunch and the problems Violet was having with her roses. Robert and Cora exchanged a worried look, then realizing they had gotten away with it Robert winked at her and they both smiled.
"If you will excuse me Rosamund, I have something I need to attend to" Cora finally said as she left the room headed for Edith's. Robert watched the study door close behind Cora before turning to his sister.
"I'm glad I have you alone Rosamund … I think you have a little explaining to do"