Disclaimer: I do not own Downton Abbey.
"What do you make of Mary's behaviour tonight?"
"It was not unlike her," said Robert. Watching Cora slowly massage the lotion into her hands and elbows – her daily ritual – he couldn't help but smile. "Matthew's replies were quite witty."
"I guess so."
"Mary's little performance reminded me of another story."
"Oh?" Cora looked up at Robert, who had seated himself into the armchair. Curiosity always made her look a little childlike, expectation in her eyes obvious. Of all three only Sybil inherited this trait – but then again, Sybil was still a child. "What story?"
"The Story of Hades and Persephone".
Now the curiosity in her eyes was quickly replaced by slight confusion.
"How so?" she smiled, seeing amusement in his eyes. "Has one of our daughters been kidnapped and I don't know?"
Robert's smile widened. "Fortunately, no. No, it's just… Persephone had another name." He paused for a moment. "She was also known as 'Cora'." Cora let out a surprised chuckle. It certainly was an unexpected twist.
"What are you getting at? As far as I am aware, you did not kidnap me."
"No, but you definitely were miserable in my 'kingdom', and for quite some time. For which I am very sorry."
"Oh, darling." Cora stood up and took a step toward, reaching her hands for him. "But that is about it. Well, you do have a dog, but, apart from this, you are nothing like Hades. And, luckily, I don't have to return to my mother every half a year."
They both laughed; Robert stood, too, and took her hands. They were so warm and soft, but he highly doubted that it was thanks to the lotion. Oh, how he loved her. Admired her. She had been upset, and he knew it. The question of succession bothered her more than she let it show, and even more so since she never really stopped blaming herself for not giving her husband a son. With James and Patrick dead, Mary's prospects unclear and all the distress they had had lately, he almost forgot that perhaps she needed comfort, too.
"True. I am no Hades, but you are spring itself. My beautiful goddess, queen and wife. My Persephone." Robert leaned closer to kiss those smiling lips. "My Cora."
She eagerly kissed him back. Sometimes his knowledge of ancient history and mythology was most entertaining and, well, appealing. Unwillingly separating herself from him, Cora breathed out:
"All this talk made me crave pomegranate. Do you think we can get some right now?" Long, delicate fingers made their way to the buttons of his grey pyjamas. "You could feed me a few seeds." She teasingly opened her mouth, as if ready to taste the sweetness and tart. The mischief in bright blue eyes, which was easily recognisable, made Robert's insides jump up and down. He prayed that Mrs. Patmore would have some in the kitchen, and if not pomegranate then at least something similar… because the night promised to be full of the most terrific fun.
