Chapter 11:

Since the moment Cora saw somebody standing on the road, or rather imagined it, she could not help but feeling observed. She pretended that everything was allright, she had gotten quiet good in pretending over the last weeks while pretending to be the brave mother and the calm Countess.

Her girls hade made her day nearly perfect and she had to admit that she had fun, the first time since Robert had left for war she really had fun. However, she knew that this day a new transport of soldiers arrived and as soon as they were back at the house the feelings of helplesness and hope were going to return. Though she knew it was not right, she caught herself envying the injured soldiers when their families visited. They were injured but at least they could be with their loved ones.

When Mary finally suggested that they should go home, she asked them to go ahead without her. Despite the feeling of being observed she wanted to spend some time alone, reminiscing about the quality time she spent with her husband at the pond. The girls did as they were told but Cora got a suspicious, worried look from Mary and Sybill asked: „Mother, are you sure you will be allrigt?"

Cora kissed her youngest daughter's cheek and said: „Yes darling, see you at dinner."

Then she was alone, staring at the pond. She remembered when Robert finally told her he loved her at this pond. She could see it clearly. They had kissed and then, young and stupid as they had been, they played hide and seek. When Robert found her he kissed her and one thing lead to another and a few weeks afterwards she found out she was pregnant. She never told Robert she thought that she conceived Mary at this occassion and now she would probably never get the chance to do so. She sighed and decided to leave. This place was too sad for her without her husband. She wanted to wander around for a while. When Cora got to the road and started towards Downton Abbey, suddenly she heard a noise behind her. Before she could even move, a familiar voice said: „Lady Grantham, would you give me the honor of your company, while I am onn my walk."

Cora smiled broadly but she did not turn. Instead she said: „My husband is missing in action. I don't think it would be appropirate for me, wandering around with anyone else."

„I happen to know your husband very well, Milady and I can assure you he does not care."

Finally Cora turned and looked at Robert. He looked fine but was leaning on a wooden stick. Now she knew that she had not imagined things before. He had been there all the time observing them.

Without saying anything else she approached him and they kissed passionately for a long time. When they finally seperated breathlessly, Robert cupped her cheek in his hands and looked at her. Then he pulled her close and she rested her ear against his chest feeling his heartbeat. None oft hem said something. Words were not necessary. After an eternity Cora lifted her head and said with tears in her eyes: „You are mean…. The last thing I heard , was you were missing in action. You know, the letter from the army arrived at the same time as yours!?"

„I thought so when I was in hospital but they told me writing another letter would not make sense, since the mail needs some time to get to England. So I decided I could surprise you as well.", Robert said smiling.

„How are the girls? I saw them walking home. They look great. I did tell you that the look like you more and more every day, didn't I? I have to look after them...",

Cora smiled and gave him a short kiss. „So you are on your own?", Robert asked. He smirked like a school boy.

„Yes. I told the girls I will see them at dinner.", Cora perfectly knew what he was up too.

„There is plenty of time till dinner. Any objections of refreshing some memories.", he took her hand and pulled her towards the pond.

„Sir, accompanying you on your walk is one thing but I am sure my husband would not approve of this.", Cora acted shocked.

„Bellieve me he does", Robert said to her before pulling her down behind some bushes.

1 hour later:

Cora's head was lying on Robert's chest and Robert was stroking her hair. They had not said a word for a while, both of them wanted to feel as much of the other one as possible.

Finally Cora pointed out: „Darling, we should get up. The girls are waiting and I don't want them to search for us and find us like this. Mary looked very worried at me and I'm sure if I don't get home soon she will start looking for me. Besides, with your leg we need more time."

Robert sighed. He had been worried how Cora would react to his injury but of course he should have known that she would not care at all. „Yes you are right…", he said kissing her forehead. Then they started to make themselves look again as if nothing had happened. When Robert tried to get up he winced. „Robert are you allrigt?", Cora asked in concern.

„I am sorry honey but I think fort he rest of our lives the roles are going to change and you will have to help me up, when I am sitting on the floor or grass.", he tried to smile though he looked rather embarassed.

Cora kissed him on the cheek and got up. Then she helped Rober,t pulling himself up. „Let's go, as I said the girls are waiting."

They linked arms and slowly they walked towards the big house. It was just now that Cora realized how heavily Robert was leaning on his stick and limping beside her but finally she knew that he was alive and was not going to leave her for any other war. She was nearly happy about his injury, though she thought it very selfish.

While they were walking Cora asked: „What about Matthew…is he….", she could not say the last part.

Robert stopped and looked into her eyes: „No he is not dead but he is seriously injured. He practically saved my life. I wanted to tell Isobel and Mary tonight. Unfortunately William was not that lucky, he fell at my side and later I was told that he was dead before he even hit the ground. Luckiy he did not suffer. I will tell the staff tonight."

Cora nodded slightly, not knowing what to say. No more word was said till they reached the house.

Carson's view:

The girls came home alone. I did not dare to ask if they had met their father because if they did not I would have destroyed his Lordship's surprise. So I went on with my work. When I was at the library once I saw a couple approaching the house walking on the grassplane. The man was limping and I knew immediatly that it was Lord and Lady Grantham. I smiled at the sight. If it had not been for his Lordship's limping one would not have imagined they were ever separated.

I sent for Lady Mary and told her to look out of the window, when she asked why I sent for her.

Rolling her eyes like her mother she went to the window and saw the couple. After some moments she gasped and whispered:

„No… no that can't be"

Then she put a hand to her mouth . After he had recovered from the first shock she yelled for her sisters. They rushed in and then Lady Mary simply pointed to the window as Mrs Hughes had done when the patients and his lordship arrived this afternoon.

Lady Edith's and Lady Sybill's reactions were similiar to their sister's but then suddenly all three of them ran out of the library laughing like small girls. Then I witnessed the most beautiful scene Downton had expierienced in years: The girls were rushing out the doorway not caring about the rule that Ladies don't run. Her Ladyship saw them first and pointed them out to her husband. Then she stepped back to let her daughters welcome their father back. Despite their rush the girls saw he was heavily leaning on the wooden stick and slowed down instead of simply throwing themselves around his neck and probably pushing their father off his feet, hurting him. Instead they went to hug him tightly one by one. Sybill first, then Edith and then Mary.

Then all oft hem embraced, her Ladyship included, for a very long time. When they finally separated Lord Grantham offered his arm to his his wife. Lady Sybill took the walking stick away from her father and linked arms with him, so he could lean on her too. Mary and Edith followed some steps behind, talking to each other peacfully.

Though spring had given us some beautiful days in the last few weeks, none of them had been perfect with his Lordship in war, today was indeed a perfect day.

,