Chapter Twenty-One
Cora stood back, watching the scene unfold. Her parents were at opposite ends of the room, conversing with various members of the Crawley family. She found Robert among a group of male relatives, his cousin James among them. Cora could tell there was a mutual fondness and respect for one another, as well as a weakness for teasing the other. James' wife, Jane, sat near Rosamund, although the latter was deep in conversation with Mr. Painswick. Jane looked rather dazed, as though she wasn't quite sure what she should do.
"Cousin Jane," she said, taking an empty seat beside the lady. Cora addressed her, as Robert had advised her to. "How was your journey to Downton?"
"It was fair, although Patrick was incorrigible. He's in the stage where he never stops chattering and constantly moves around. I told James we should have left him with his nanny, but he insisted we bring him," Jane told her. Cora nodded understandingly.
"Well, we're happy to have all of you. And I'm sure Nanny is quite able to look after him. When I stopped by earlier, Patrick seemed perfectly at ease with her and very well-behaved," she said, hoping to ease the lady's worries.
"Thank you," Jane replied, folding her hands in her lap. "It has been such a long time since we were here."
"Not since the death of Robert's father, I believe," Cora said quietly. "I hope you find Downton as well-maintained as before."
"Oh, more so," Jane said kindly, taking Cora's hand. "You've done so well here, Cora. And Robert seems much more taken with you than before, silly man."
Cora blushed. "Is it really so noticeable?" she asked quietly.
"It took him long enough," Jane replied. "Though now it seems that whatever he's doing, he can't keep his eyes off you for long."
Cora glanced over at her husband, meeting his eyes for a second. He grinned at her before returning his attention to the conversation. She smiled, looking at Jane again.
"Well, no marriage is perfect," Cora said, trying not to blush.
"I don't know. It's been years since James looked at me like that—possibly not since Patrick was born. I'm sure I've turned into such a terrible nag," she said, her voice rather sad.
"Patrick is such a sweet boy," Cora told her after a few moments, trying to change the subject. "How old is he?"
"He'll be five in March," Jane said, just as cheerless.
"He seemed rather taken with Mary. He kept asking Nanny if he could hold her or play trains with her." Cora smiled, hoping this would raise Jane's spirits.
"Yes, he's always asking for a younger brother or sister. I suppose it is awfully lonely for a child without a playmate. But James never wanted more than one." She looked rather bitter at this thought. "How many children do you and Cousin Robert want?"
"Oh, I'm not sure," Cora admitted, realizing that was a rather personal question.
"Well, I suppose it's as many until you get a boy," Jane said. "To inherit the title and the estate."
"Who will inherit if we don't have a son?" she asked. She wondered why she had never thought to ask Robert this question since it was so imperative to the future of Downton.
"As James is Robert's first cousin, he would inherit, although it would be a wonder if James out-lived Robert. Then Patrick would inherit the title," answered Jane, patting Cora's hand consolingly. "Although I'm sure that won't be the case. Your son will inherit, Cora."
Cora forced a smile, her thoughts drifting to Mary for a few moments.
"Mary is such a lovely baby," Jane said.
"Thank you," she replied. "Tell me, who do you think she looks more like?"
"Oh, she is the image of you, my dear, although it is difficult to tell at that age—their faces are so round. But your mother mentioned earlier that Mary greatly resembles you when you were a baby."
"I think she has Robert's ears," Cora said, smiling.
"She may have his ears, but they at least fit her head properly," Jane joked. Cora laughed. "And she'll be much prettier than Robert. Her hair is going to be gorgeous, just like yours. I always wanted raven-black hair when I was a girl, but unfortunately I was born with this fire-color."
"Nonsense, your hair is lovely—like goldenrod."
"James always calls me 'Ginger' when I get cross—a term of endearment he picked up from my mother when she stayed with us after Patrick was born." Jane looked terribly irritated just thinking about it.
"Why don't we slip upstairs and say hello to our little ones? I know Mary will need feeding soon and I'm sure Patrick would love to see you."
"Well, I doubt anyone would miss me," Jane said, rather glumly. Trying to maintain her optimism, Cora led Jane up to the nursery. As soon as she opened the door, Patrick came bounding over to them, his red hair mussed up from playing on the floor. Nanny had changed him out of his dress clothes and into his pajamas.
"Mummy! Mummy!" Patrick squealed happily, clinging to his mother's skirts. "Nanny said I could hold the baby if Cousin Cora said it was okay. Actually, she called her 'Lady Grantham,' but I know that's who she meant. Do I have to call Cousin Cora 'Lady Grantham,' too, Mummy?"
"Of course not, dear one," Jane said warmly, bending down to kiss the top of her son's head.
"Cousin Cora, may I hold baby Mary?" he asked, turning to Cora. "She was crying earlier and I tried to make funny faces at her, but she must not have liked them because she kept crying. Is baby Mary sick, Cousin Cora?"
Cora laughed. "No, she isn't sick, just hungry. We'll see if you can hold her after she has some dinner."
"What's she gonna eat? I tried to give her some of my dinner, but Nanny told me not to and even slapped my hand, which I thought was rude. But she's a nice Nanny—I like her more than Nanny Woom, although I do love Nanny Woom," Patrick chattered on for a few minutes more about how nice his nanny was, how she sang him to sleep and brought him sweets.
As Patrick jabbered, Cora walked over to Mary's basket. She was wide awake and gurgled happily when she saw Cora, something she hadn't done before. With dewy eyes, Cora scooped Mary into her arms and kissing the top of her head before settling down in the armchair by the window.
Despite the lateness of the hour, Cora waited up for Robert to come to her room. She had just returned from Mary's last feeding for the night. Cora would be woken by the nanny some time after three.
She lay on her stomach as she read, although she knew if anyone saw her they would say she was improper. At this thought, she smiled to herself.
The door opened and she turned her head, her eyes meeting Robert's. He rarely knocked anymore, especially when he was eager to see her.
"Heavens, Cora, you are quite shocking!" he joked, shutting the door quickly before approaching the bed. She laughed, closing her book and pushing it to the side.
"I knew you'd come in and scold me," she replied. Grinning, he took off his dressing gown before climbing onto the bed, resting his arm over her back as he lay on his stomach beside her.
"Don't be so indecent, then," he said softly, his lips next to her ear. Rolling on her side, Cora wrapped her arms around Robert's neck, kissing him slowly.
"I saw you disappear with Jane. Whatever was that about?" he asked. She laid her head on the mattress, tilting her face to look up at him.
"I had to feed Mary, darling. And Jane wanted to see Patrick. He's such a funny little boy," Cora told him with a laugh. "Always chatting—like an old woman. Why didn't you tell me that James inherits if we don't have any boys?" She looked very serious.
"I didn't want you to worry about it," he said, gently touching her cheek with his fingers. "There's no controlling what happens where that is concerned."
"Will you be terribly disappointed if they're all girls?" she asked timidly, running her fingers through his hair.
"Oh, my darling," he whispered. "I'll love them, not matter what happens."
"But what about Downton?" she asked, her fingers encircling his wrist.
"Well, Mary could always marry Patrick," Robert replied in jest.
Cora chuckled. "If she'd allow it—she's stronger willed than her Papa."
He laughed, kissing the tip of Cora's nose. "I think marriage has tamed me, don't you?"
"Perhaps a bit," she replied. "I've made you so much nicer, at least."
Smiling, he settled on his side, his arm still wrapped around her waist. "Oh, I think I've always been very nice."
"If you say so, Robert, dearest," Cora told him, snuggling closer. He laughed, nuzzling his face against her neck.
"What were you and James talking about?" she asked.
"Mostly business-talk with the other men. He asked after you, of course. Why?"
"Jane seems very unhappy. I think things are quite strained between them," Cora said, brushing her cheek against his.
"James has never been an affectionate fellow, if that's what you mean. And Jane is always sees the negative wherever she looks. They always were a rather peculiar match if you ask me."
"They don't seem to like each other anymore," she replied glumly. She hoped that wouldn't happen to them.
"We're not James and Jane, Cora," Robert told her.
"I know," she said with a sigh. "We were rather an odd match to some people. Even you."
"Had you no reservations?"
"None," she said in a firm voice.
Moved by his wife's resolve, Robert leaned forward and kissed her slowly.
"I love you, Cora," he said quietly.
She smiled, her heart beating faster when he said her name. "I love you, too," she replied, placing her palm against his cheek, running her thumb across his lips. "I think I love you even more than I like you."
With a laugh, Robert wrapped his arms tighter around Cora, enthusiastically pressing his lips against hers.
(Note: This is the end of this particular fic. I'm planning to pick up the Cobert story after I write a few other things-and after this next semester because it will be VERY busy. Thank you so much for reading and for all your encouragement and comments in the process!)