Cora had been idling in the library she knew that Simon would be coming soon with the painting giving her yet another reason to see him. The Akra would be leaving port in two weeks for the East Coast of America, she still had time to book passage on it. Just the thought of the voyage made her shiver at the possibility, was she really going to cross the ocean with another man? Was she going to break her vows? A part of her mind screamed that she already had while another just told her it was a mild indiscretion.
These thoughts were shoved aside as she heard the front door open. Simon appeared with Carson directing some footmen. The men were carrying a large rectangle wrapped in brown paper. Noticing the commotion Robert lingered by the door. He watched as his wife and Mr. Bricker spoke rapidly and confidently about the painting going so far as to share a laugh. A space was cleared on a table, Robert smiled at his wife's obvious joy of the painting. Cora began pulling on the string securing the brown paper on the parcel. Mr. Bricker laughed before coming up behind her his own hands coming up over her own to help pull on the knot. It could have been seen as an innocent attempt to help but the way his arms came over and the way Cora leaned back into his touch was anything but innocent.
Edith was walking towards the telephone, her intent to call the The Sketch and let them know that she would be coming in when she noticed that the color had drained from her father's face. Standing beside him she looked into the library and saw the scene before her, that her Mother was once again wrapped up in the arms of Mr. Bricker. Lord Robert finally noticed his daughters presence, as he looked at her Edith raised her head and she said nothing. The Earl of Grantham sucked in a breath as he realized that Edith's silence and absolute showing of non-shock at the sight was confirming his suspicions.
Edith then moved away from her father and continued her way to the telephone.
Robert continued watching his brain trying to rationalize what he had just witnessed. Soon footmen appeared with a ladder and the painting was going to be mounted. Finally Cora and Mr. Bricker separated. His wife quickly ascended the staircase while Mr. Bricker made small talk with the footmen. He climbed the ladder and waited for the footman to pass up the painting. It didn't take long for the portrait to find its home among the others.
"All put back together." A footman declared.
"yes, took some doing to find the right match. I might find some other art in America when I go in a fortnight." Mr. Bricker announced.
Robert's eyes widened and he knew. Turning quickly he fled the library his legs carrying him swiftly down the hallway before taking the stairs two at a time. The door of his wife's bedroom was closed, not caring if it was locked or not he shoved his shoulder against it the door flung open.
Cora turned startled at her husband's appearance. "Do you love him?"
"What are you talking about?" She spat.
"Mr. Bricker! Your sudden desire to see your Mother in America. Do you think I didn't see it?" Robert said harshly.
Cora looked at her husband, she truly looked at him. All the passion that she thought he had lost was on full display now. Simon had reminded her of what Robert had been like thirty years ago. He had been slimmer and so full of life. She had married that man, went on adventures with him and started a family. The years had changed them all. The folly of youth being replaced with useful hesitation. Seeing her husband now, with his fists clenched and teeth bared she knew that the Robert she had fell in love with was still there very much part of the man she had grown tolerate over the past months. Her insides had turned to water, her father had described this very feeling when he had played cards in high stakes match for the first time. The euphoric feeling of having a winning hand being dashed by another's hand being revealed. Was she about to lose everything? Her mind thought of Rose's parents, their open hate for one another. Would she stay married to Robert in name only? Would he ship her off to her Mother and tell the papers it was because of her brother? The faces of Sybbie and George flashed into her mind and she couldn't breathe.
While Cora was feeling the weight of the world crushing down upon her Phyllis was feeling the lifting of the weight from her shoulders. She was free, Thomas Barrow had no hold on her. No one had any hold on her anymore. Any mistakes she made from now on she would admit to as soon as she made them. Happily she went to her sewing machine to mend the hem of a dress.
At the hospital the smiles were quickly wiped off the faces of Isobel and Richard. Two villagers burst into the hospital carrying a third. William Molesley had been found among his roses. Cursory examination showed no outward injuries. Most likely he had suffered a heart attack. Listening through his stethoscope Clarkson noted bradycardia and called for atropine. The chances of the atropine restoring full function of the heart were limited and with the advanced age of Bill Molesley it was unlikely that heart wasn't undamaged to begin with. "Telephone the Abbey."
Isobel did as she was instructed, snatching the phone and asking the operator to put her through. In the servants hall Carson heard the buzzing of the telephone and answered it. He listened quietly as Mrs. Crawley briefly described the situation and gave the news that this would most likely be the last time that Bill Molesley would be able to speak to his son.
