Cora put Mary in the car seat, she checked twice if everything was in the nappy bag. Robert was already in the driver's seat. "Cora, I am sure you have everything. Can we please just leave?"
Cora kissed Mary, checked her straps again and got in the car on the passenger seat. She leaned in to kiss Robert on his cheek. "Sorry, darling. I just don't want to forget anything."
Robert put his hand on her knee, "We will not be in the middle of nowhere, we can buy stuff there." He turned on the music, 'Wild Horses' from The Flying Burrito Brothers was playing. "You know, I think you can play this song too, and even sing it."
Cora looked at him in surprise. "How did you know, I was working on some songs?"
"I heard you practice them." He said smiling. "Are you ready?"
"I am." Cora smiled and leaned back in the seat. This was their first trip with Mary. Hence, it was the first trip with Robert after their honeymoon. She couldn't believe Robert finally opened up. Now every night before bed, he whispered in her ear how much he loved her. Some days it felt like he was trying to make up for the lost time. She didn't care, she loved him even more now he loved her back.
"Penny for your thoughts." Robert shook her out her memories.
She turned her head towards him, put her hand on his knee and said: "I was thinking about this trip and tonight."
Robert's cheeks coloured for a second.
Cora chuckled. "No, not that! I meant the dinner."
"Oh." Robert said softly, a little disappointed.
Cora squeezed his leg and moved her hand a little more upwards. "But, when Mary is in her bed, we can definitely have some fun together. It will be our first night at Downton as the owners."
Both Robert and Cora felt nervous driving up to the estate. The butler opened the door, and the chauffeur was ready to park their car.
"Not much has changed here." Cora smiled.
Robert took her hand. "Welcome home Lady Grantham."
"Thank you, milord." They both chuckled while following the butler.
It was strange to walk in this building again, knowing it was theirs now. Cora couldn't imagine living here, but she felt Robert did. She was conflicted. Should she give in and move here? Mary was just 3 months, so for her it wouldn't matter. But her life would change drastically again. Adjusting to London life had been difficult, especially with Robert being so distant. But adjusting to this? She didn't believe she could.
"Darling?" Robert looked at her.
"Oh, I am sorry, I was miles away." Cora looked up into the smiling face of Mr. Bamford. "How lovely to be here." He offered her his hand and when she took it, he kissed hers.
"Welcome, to your home Milady. I hope everything is as you wish."
Cora wanted to protest against this treatment, but Robert interrupted. "You are keeping the estate in a wonderful state, as far as I have seen. I can't thank you enough for this." He turned his face towards Cora and the look on his face told her she should not say anything about how she was treated.
That night when Robert came to bed, Cora turned towards him. "Robert, Mr. Bamford is treating me like royalty."
"Of course, he is!"
"Oh Robert. No, I am not. First of all, I married into the title, and we only bought the estate, that doesn't give us any privilege."
Robert put his hand on Cora's shoulder. "Darling, it does give us privilege. Our title isn't just a title, it's more than that."
"I don't think, I will ever understand." Cora scooted closer and put her head against his chest. "But as long as I am with you, I don't have to understand."
Robert wrapped his arms around her and kissed the top of her head. "You will learn it."
Cora lifted her chin, her finger rested on Robert's chin. "You will teach me everything." She kissed him.
Robert rolled over, so he was on top of Cora. "What do you say, should we christen this bed for the first time?"
Cora rested her hands on his lower back. "Only if this stays our second residence."
There was a hint of disappointment on Robert's face, but he quickly got rid of it. He started kissing her neck and collarbone. Cora felt her body tingle under his touches. She moved her legs, so Robert could enter her. Just before he pulled down his pants, there was a knock on the door.
"Milady." A soft voice sounded.
Cora gave Robert a surprised look. And pushed him off her. "Yes?" She answered.
Slowly the door opened, and a maid was standing in the bedroom. Carefully looking the other direction, once she saw Robert next to Cora, with an undressed upper body.
"Lady Mary is crying, and I can't seem to get her to settle down. Is it alright if I bring her here?"
"Robert! You said, she was sleeping next door!" Cora was already getting up.
"No, milady, stay in bed. I will bring Lady Mary to you." The maid closed the door behind her.
"I thought it would be better, if she slept in the nursery." Robert said.
"Robert, stop being foolish. We may be the owners of this house but we are still just Robert and Cora Crawley." Through the door she heard Mary crying and her breasts reacted on it.
The maid opened the door and carried Mary inside. "Here you go Milady." She said, handing Mary to Cora.
Cora immediately latched Mary on her breast. "What is your name?"
"I am Gwen, Milady."
"Gwen, can you please just call me Cora." When she saw the scared look on the girl's face, she said. "Or Mrs. Crawley."
"But, Mi…." Gwen started, but Robert interrupted her.
"Her ladyship and I will have a talk. Can you bring a crib for Mary, so she can sleep here tonight?"
Gwen rushed out of their bedroom.
"Cora." Robert started. "In this house you are a lady. So, the staff will call you, Milady or your ladyship. Can you please accept that?"
"For a few days, I can." Cora gave Robert a smile. This wasn't worth fighting over, in a few days they would be back in London and all this Milady and Ladyship hassle would be over. She joked with Robert being her Milord when they arrived, but now that the staff was saying it, it felt strange.