Heading out for a change – part two

What if Lady Grantham decided to have some space from Lord Grantham after all the burdens within the family and because of the wall that had slowly built itself between her and her husband?

Taken slightly out its story...

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Almost one week after the meeting with Jane, Lord Grantham were now sitting on the train back from London. He had been forced to go there to see his lawyer again in some matters about the estate. During his stay in London, he had got a telephone from Lady Grantham, saying she was about to leave for New York to stay with her mother for a while. She needed some time away from everything, she had said. And she would be gone by the time he got back.

It had to happen at some point, he thought to himself. The marriage and the feelings for his wife were far from what it had been. He was staring out the window as the sceneries went quickly by because of the speed of the train. The thing that mattered the most to him now was when he would be able to see Jane again.

Robert was glad the days in London were over; usually he saw them as a positive distraction from his normal life at Downton Abbey, but at this point he couldn't wait to reach the train station. It had been difficult to concentrate on the matters he was there for since Jane was in his thoughts and heart all the time.

Ever since their special afternoon together Robert had been filled with emotions that he couldn't remember having before. It was actually the first time he had felt it as strong as this. The tingling warmth was spreading in his stomach and chest as he thought of her face. He couldn't help but smile to himself.

He had to go straight up to Downton when he reached the station since Mr. Bates was travelling with him although what he most wanted to do was to go and see Jane. But he knew he couldn't.

–"I will manage on my own tonight, because I have to go over some papers,"he explained to Bates as they arrived at Downton and stepped outside the car. –"Very well, mi lord,"Bates replied, and headed inside with the suitcases.

As Robert stepped inside he was greeted be Mrs. Hughes and Mr. Carson whom were welcoming him home. They both felt sympathy for him since lady Grantham had left. They didn't say anything about it to him, but had understood that something was not as it ought to between his Lordship and her Ladyship.

After he had freshened up a bit and changed, dinner was consumed in a peculiar silence. There were only lord Grantham, Lady Edith and Tom that were sitting at the table. Lady Mary and Matthew had a couple of days on holiday in Manchester.

Only empty words were spoken. He didn't want to show much interest in either of the two just now. His daughter he knew were only occupied in one of her attempts to find a potential husband; this time the newspaper man in London. Of course Robert understood her as well, but he couldn't find it in his heart to care this evening. And Tom only reminded him still too much about what had happened to Lady Sybil.

Lord Grantham didn't eat much; his appetite were not on top and he felt tired after the trip, so he excused himself and walked into the library where he poured himself a glass of scotch. He sighed heavily and took a sip of it. The fire was lit and Robert walked over to it, and as he stood staring into the flames Jane's face came before him. It was not only warmth from the fire he felt. He closed his eyes for a moment and wished he could be with her. Despite the circumstances it felt right being with Jane.

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The next afternoon Jane had freshened up and changed her dress after finishing off work at the pub. She stood in her little kitchen cleaning the dishes after she had eaten her dinner. Robert was constantly on her mind and she wondered why she hadn't heard anything from him in a week. She missed him and longed so much for him. Maybe he has gotten cold feet, she thought to herself.

Suddenly there was a knock at the front door. Eagerly she dried her hands and went to open it hoping it would be him. As she opened the door and saw him, her heart jumped with joy and she couldn't help but smile. –"Robert..finally,"she busted out.

She let him in and closed the door. And there they embraced tenderly and intensely. –"Ohm Jane, I have missed you so,"he said. –"I wanted to come earlier, but I had to go to London to my lawyer,"he added.

-"I understand, Robert. No problem. You don't need to explain to me, "Jane looked at him with those warm understanding eyes. –"But I want to," he answered. He drew her closed to him and kissed her passionately.

-"How have you been, Jane? Is everything alright?"he asked. –"I'm fine, thank you, except I almost go insane when I can't have you with me,"she declared. Robert took her hands in his and squeezed them tenderly.

–"My love, I don't know what to do. I think of you all the time now and want to stay with you constantly, "he moaned. –"Yesterday I almost walked down here in the dark...I longed so much for you,"he added. Again they kissed and found their way to the bedroom. Again she cried with passion and pleasure in his arms.

Afterwards she lay beside him caressing his hair and face. –"You are such a handsome man, Robert,"she expressed lovingly. He shrugged and smiled not quite believing her. –"But you are,"Jane said trying to sound more convincing in her voice. –"You are the most handsome and most kind and considerate man alive,"she added.

He was giggling.-"Please don't make me blush, Jane,"he said pulling her even closer to him. –"Jane, I love being her with you. You make my troubles go away for a while. I feel at peace when I can have you in my presence,"he confessed stroking her hair.

-"There is also something else I need to tell you, Jane. She lifted her head from where she had rested it on his chest and looked curiously at him. –"You see...Lady Grantham has left..."He took a pause and sighed heavily.

-"She has left for New York to stay with her mother for a while, and I don't know when she is coming back,"he continued. –"Oh..I see, "responded Jane. –"I am so sorry for the way things have turned out,"she went on, feeling partly guilty.

-"Her Ladyship is a very kind and warm person, and I never wanted for to hurt,"Jane said and hoped she sounded convincing as she bowed her head.

Robert lifted her face with his hand under her chin. –"My dear Jane, you are not to blame in this; anyway she don't know about us,"he said. –"And honestly I do not know the outcome of this; I only know that I have found you again, Jane and I want to be with you. I cannot see my life without you now,"he added.

He leaned down to kiss her mouth again. And as they made love for the second time that day Robert prepared himself to give it all up for the woman in his arms.

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