After an influx of messages and reviews, I have finally had the time to update this beast of a story! Thank-you all for your lovely comments and encouragements! Xx

He grunted in his sleep as she slipped back into his arms with a small sigh of her own. She often felt Mary's judgement heavily and this afternoon was no exception. Her eldest daughter had always been her opposite, even as a small child she had taken more of a shine to their butler than to her. Not that she had ever taken it personally, she and Sybil were inseparable and Edith, well Edith was Edith, but even they could talk when necessary.

"I just wanted to…" Mary's words slowed as she took in the sleeping figure on the bed. Cora drew her eyes to Robert who had quietly began to snore. Mary looked at her, her face unreadable as she stepped further into the room. "I should have known he would be in here."

Cora folded her arms, mirroring her daughter's stance. "He's very tired, he's had a big week."

"No Mama, you've had a big week. Are you really sure about this? I mean, I know you loved Papa, but what he did was horrible, and so soon after Simon, is this really the right thing to be doing?"

It was as though a blast of cold air had entered the room. Mary seemed to notice her mother's discomfort and sighed heavily, "You have had a massive week Mama, I don't even know how you're still going. I didn't come here to berate you though, I came to thank- you." Mary smiled at her mother, a smile which was so like her own, "everything is going so well and Matthew tells me I could never have done this on my own and I think he's right." Cora's eyebrows shot up, Mary was never one to admit her husband was right. "I think that's enough emotion for now, don't you?" Mary moved toward her and hugged her, her bony arms wrapping around her ribs for the shortest of times. "I really do appreciate it Mama." Mary pulled away smoothing her jumper and smiling at her mother. "I'll leave you to it."

Robert rolled more fully into her, adjusting his body so it curved around hers, his knee digging into the back of her thigh. She felt her body melt into his and the last of the tension dissipate, her eyes closing as she took a breath in.

This was heaven. Robert had always made her feel safe, something which Simon had failed to do. No use comparing them though, polar opposites. And anyway, Robert was here now and she should really be making the most of this. Soon they would have to go down to tea and then face everyone at Mary's party.

She had been shocked when Mary had asked for her assistance to organise the party, but pleased all the same. Cora really was very good at organising these things and was more than willing to help her eldest daughter out. She just hadn't imagined this weekend would turn out like this that was all. And boy she felt tired, exhausted really, hopefully after this weekend she and hopefully Robert can hop on a plane and disappear for a while. Or forever, she wouldn't mind an extended break where there was no newspaper or magazines for her to read about herself in. She squeezed her eyes shut and took in a deep breath, she was far too old for this. Well she wasn't that old really, but still Mary was turning 30 which would make her… oh god, possibly not the most comforting thought. A hand trying to pull up her shirt stopped that thought and her eyes fluttered open, a frown crossing her face.

"Robert."

"Yes my darling." His fingers danced across her stomach and she swallowed heavily, as he grasped at her skin. His lips brushed her hair and she squirmed into his touch as he continued his ministrations. He seemed to have forgotten that he was supposed to be annoyed at her for ditching him for his sister.

"I really don't think we should be doing this."

This didn't seem to deter him, "Why ever not?"

She rolled to face him, his hands sliding over her now exposed skin, his face too close to hers to focus on. "It's the middle of the afternoon."

"And?"

"Robert we're.."

"What?"

There was a knock on the door and she quickly pulled her shirt back down as he rolled onto his back with a sigh. That was exactly why she didn't want to.

The knock came again and she rose from the bed to open the door.

It was Sybil, looking bubbly and decidedly happy to see her mother. "Are you and Papa coming down for tea?"

Cora smiled at her youngest daughter, she had insight well beyond her years. Cora looked back at Robert who had covered his eyes with his hands, clearly annoyed.

"Yes darling, your father and I will be down in a moment." Sybil leaned in to kiss her cheek and was gone as quickly as she had come.

"Why does everyone insist on barging in here all the bloody time?"

Cora rolled her eyes, "You shouldn't even be in here. Your room is down the hall." Robert removed his arm from over his eyes and narrowed his eyes at her, "would you like me to go back to my room?"

"I didn't say that, but you shouldn't complain when this isn't even your room." Cora moved away from the door and to the vanity and began to reapply her lipstick. She supposed they would have to face reality sooner rather than later after all. He had decided to change the topic, possibly for the best as he sat up and began to straighten his own clothes which had rumpled with sleep.

"You were with Rosamund for a long time."

"You know what she's like, once she starts talking it's very hard to get her to stop." Robert laughed, "That I do."

She watched him in the mirror as he began to out on his shoes, "Mary came to speak to me while you were sleeping."

He looked up at her, "Oh?"

She stood, hoping he would get the hint about hurrying up, Sybil would begin to wonder and they certainly did not want that. "Yes, she." Well what she had said wasn't important to him, it was what it had made Cora remember which was important. "Do you remember the day that Mary was born?"

"Of course I do, it was snowing and I missed the whole thing."

She felt herself nodding, "how strange to think that was 30 years ago" she shook her head and stood, trying to push away the wave of emotion that was threatening to overcome her. She had felt so alone that day, Robert had been caught in a snowstorm and had missed the whole event. He had been profusely apologetic and of course she had forgiven him, but this time 30 years ago she was alone.

That was what was bothering her, she didn't want to be alone. Well, not without Robert. And she wasn't now it seemed. He took her hand and pressed his lips to her knuckle, his breath soft on her hand.

"And how much has changed in that time" he raised his eyebrows at her and she allowed him to walk them towards the door knowing they were very late indeed.

So much had changed. She would have never imagined her life turning out how it had. So much pain, yet so much joy too. He pulled their joint hands to his mouth, "but Cora I am so pleased that we can spend her birthday together now." He was looking at her with eyes that suggested that perhaps he would be more pleased if they could be spending that time alone.

He squeezed her hand as they approached the staircase, "who exactly will be down there?"

She snapped out of the fog which seemed to have engulfed her, "Oh, most of Mary's friends should be here by now and I think probably most of the family."

"I thought your mother was enough."

"Your family, not mine." She dropped his hand and lead them into the library.