Edith stood to next to Tom in an easy silence. He had become the brother she had never had, and like most everyone else in her family Edith had come to enjoy his company because he reminded her of Sybil but also because of who he was in his own right. In the 2 weeks they had been in America Edith had found little pleasure in any of the events her grandmother had planned, and had developed a habit of sticking close to Tom. It seemed to work to both of their advantages as Tom was not particularly excited to be involved in so many elaborate social events either. Of course Edith's reasons were different to Tom's, but that was not public knowledge. Edith and her parents were the only people who knew of their arrangement, and so far this was proving advantageous to Edith. Her mothers attention had been quickly taken by Martha Levinson and her desire to parade her Countess daughter amongst her oldest friends, and the elite of New York society. Her father had all but followed her mother around like a lost puppy for the last 2 weeks; Edith didn't know if it was because he found himself feeling awkward in the States or if it was his devotion to his wife set alight by heavens knew what.
"I think I will get some fresh air, if you will excuse me Tom" Edith said as she quickly scanned the room for her parents before slipping out onto the veranda.
Robert had not been oblivious to Edith's wallflower status this evening and had noted with irritation that she had slipped quietly out onto the veranda alone. He knew he and Cora had had their attention taken away by Martha since the moment they had stepped of the ship 2 weeks earlier. She was eager to parade the two of them about town to every opera, dinner and event she could. Tonight was no exception, having the entire family invited to Mr. and Mrs. Hawthorne's welcoming ball. Old family friend's of the Levinsons the Hawthorne's had asked Martha if they could host a ball to welcome the Crawley's to New York. The very cream of New York society was in attendance and yet once again Edith played the wallflower and made only the minimum of effort towards being social. His daughter's lack of interest in the many events they had already attended was grating at him and he knew he could not keep his thoughts to himself any longer. He nodded his head toward the group he was currently conversing with and excused himself to seek out his wife.
He saw her standing in a group of women next to her mother. Her blue eyes sparkling as she laughed at the story of a woman he did not recognize. He was sure Cora knew them all, the young women she had grown up with now women with homes, husbands and families just like Cora herself. He did not like much about coming to America. The trip was always dreadful, the food tasted a little different, the parties seemed bigger and gaudier, his mother in law was relentless … but when he saw Cora, carefree and laughing with people she had known since infancy it made his heart swell. There was always something a little different about her when they were in the States. She was a little less the Countess of Grantham and a little more Cora. His Cora. She was a little more fiery, a little more spunky, a little more the girl he once knew, before their life and their responsibilities and age had mellowed them. He looked at her with her hair up showing the lines of her porcelain neck, the shiny diamond clip holding it in place. Her dress was the newer design that left her shoulders bare and showed more of her figure. It was covered in delicate beads that moved with her as se laughed and joined in the conversation. She had her dark gloves pulled up just past her elbows and in one hand she held a drink. It was as she bought her glass to her lips that she looked up and saw him approaching her. He was rewarded with a coy smile and a lingering look of appreciation from her eyes before she rejoined the conversation. He felt his heart burn inside him as he appraised the beauty and elegance of this creature he was privileged to call wife. She had been extra attentive to him since their trip had begun. Not that she was ever anything but attentive, but she seemed to anticipate his needs these last 2 weeks and had made sure he was as comfortable in the States as he had ever been. She had been particularly insatiable in the bedroom as well, he could think of but 1 night that had passed without the two of them enjoying each other in the evenings. He had wondered if somewhere in Cora's mind she thought this may be one of their last trips to the States. Her mother would not live forever, and although she was a healthy woman she was reaching advancing years. His eyes were set upon Cora as he made the final approach to her group of women, bowing slightly as he arrived and extending his hand to his wife.
"If you will excuse me ladies, I feel I must steal The Countess from your presence for a moment. I believe they are playing a waltz next and I happen to know it is her favorite." The women twittered in delight as he took his wife's arm and led her away to the dance floor. Out of the corner of his eye he could see Martha's look of absolute glee.
"The Countess?" Cora whispered into his ear as he led her to the dance floor.
"Your mother loved it" he whispered back, laughing a little as they both knew her mother was in heaven anytime Cora's title was mentioned.
"Of course she did" Cora laughed back with him as he pulled her a little closer than was respectful in England, but seemed just fine here in the States.
"I like dancing with you here" Robert said softly as he pulled her a little closer still.
"As do I. But even America has standards darling, any closer and we will cause quite the stir." Cora said with a cautious tone. Robert responded by pulling her an inch closer and enjoyed the way she gasped slightly.
"Let them talk" Robert whispered into her ear. Cora felt her cheeks get hot as she enjoyed the way her husband's hands held her close, the way he was looking at her, the way her heart pounded when he was so attentive. She could not hide the way she felt and she new her eyes betrayed her love and devotion to the man who was moving her around the dance floor. She leaned her head closer to his ear to be sure it was only he who would be able to hear her.
"Your attentiveness makes me come alive" she saw his own cheeks glow with a hint of red as she leaned back and looked into his eyes.
"It is rather warm, would you care for some air?" Robert's question was more of a statement as he did not wait for his wife to respond before he led her from the dance floor and out the side door leading to the back garden. He held her arm as he walked her through the dark garden and along a small path that led to little shed, presumably filled with tools and such.
Cora made to speak but Robert placed his lips on top of hers before she could get any words out. She accepted his kiss with pleasure, and after a moment she broke free enough to speak.
"Robert! This is so unlike you?" she gasped, both shocked and excited at her husbands attention. He responded wordlessly by stepping closer to her forcing her to back up until her back came in contact with the shed. He place one arm around her waist and the other above her head leaning against the shed. He dipped his head low and bought his lips to her slender neck. It was times like these he was most thankful for the newer fashions. His lips grazed across her neck and his tongue drew soft, warm circles across her skin. She shivered in delight and bought one hand involuntarily up to the back of his neck.
"Do you know what you do to me?" He breathed against her skin.
"You undo me" he answered his own question and bought his lips back to hers pushing his tongue into her mouth and seeking hers in a frenzy of heat. Cora responded in kind, her tongue finding his and her arm running across the back of his neck in a soft caress. Robert used the arm around her waist to pull her closer to him and leaned the weight of his body against hers so that they were crushed to each other against the side of the shed. The heat and passion of their embrace lit them both a fire. Cora lifted one leg from the ground and wrapped it around Robert's calf, dragging it up and down as she felt the desire in her build. His lips and tongue were dragging her into a passionate frenzy. Her other arm came up to the front of his chest and felt his muscles beneath his shirt and jacket. She slipped her hand inside his jacket and caressed against the stiffness of his shirt. His lips came back to her neck and began to trail down the front of the V of her dress. It was as his hand came off the side of the shed and touched her breast that she knew she had to pull away. She gently pushed against his chest and let her leg return to the ground.
"Robert, no" she gasped out of breath and her chest heaving. He smiled at her wickedly and pulled closer to her again moving toward her lips. Cora moved her head to the side avoiding his kiss and gently pushing him back with her hands both on his chest.
"Robert" she said sternly, "This is getting out of control."
"Thank heaven for that" he said playfully and he managed to catch her unawares with another heated kiss. She broke apart and detangled from his arms. She pulled her shoulders back in her most Countess like pose and spoke again,
"Robert we cannot do this" he looked disappointed and little boy like, "Not here" she added with a soft smile trying to soften the blow. She straightened her gloves and smoothed the back of her hair. Making sure she looked quite right she placed her hand in his and squeezed it tight. "You know it's not that I don't want to don't you?" She asked, looking into his eyes. He nodded slightly, still disappointed that his plan had not come to fruition. "You are too exciting for your own good Robert. If we stayed out here any longer I would not have the strength to stop. We would cause the biggest stir New York has ever seen" she looked at his face, forlorn and sad. She placed her hand against his cheek and gently stroked his face, "I promise I will make it up to you later darling, you needn't sulk quite so much" she laughed gently as his eyes lit up at her promise.
"I will hold you to that Cora." He said, finally ready to move back towards the ball.
"Please do!" she said enthusiastically as he took her hand and led her towards the house once more.
They spent a few more moments outside, needing the time in the cool air to cool their heated skin. Cora told Robert about some of the families she had grown up with and several items of gossip she had been made privy to that evening. He listened half heartedly as he wandered how much longer they would have to stay. In the distance his eyes found a solitary figure walking through the gardens to the left of them. In the darkness he could hardly make out who it was, but as the figure walked through the lighter part if the garden he saw that it was Edith. He squeezed Cora's hand and pointed her in the direction of their daughter. Cora's face turned to a frown.
"She is not keeping her part of the deal Cora." Robert said his tone suddenly serious, "In the morning either you need to talk with her, or I will"
Cora sighed, the reality of their trip came crashing back upon her. These last 2 weeks her mother had kept them so busy, and Robert had been so attentive that Edith and their deal had gone by the wayside. She knew it was time to get serious about it. She knew what would happen if Robert spoke to Edith, the irritation he would not be able to hide. It would be up to her to smooth things over, to remind Edith that the deal would be null and void if she did not keep her end of the bargain. Looking up at her husband's face part of her wished she they could just stay here alone. She knew she would do what needed to be done tomorrow, she would take care of Edith. But tonight, she would take care of her husband. Tonight she was his. Looking into his eyes she smiled lovingly, "I will talk to her tomorrow darling, I promise"
"Shall we go back inside?" Robert asked.
Cora shook her head, "No" Robert looked at her with a question in his eyes. "Take me back into the garden" she grinned seductively at her husband, and he led her down the garden path.