"Do we have everything?" Robert asked while picking up Mary. "The most important thing we have here." twirling her around.

Cora chuckled. "I think we have. Are we picking up Mama, or is she coming with Rosamund?"

"Rosamund got her to agree on not coming before Monday, so we will have two days for ourselves."

Cora's eyes grew. "She agreed with that? I am amazed." Cora didn't go to Violet after the last dinner two weeks ago. She couldn't bare it to be alone with Violet, she was scared she would slip and tell her that she heard everything. "Should I drive? You look a bit tired!"

"That is a good idea. I am tired, I feel a little bit off today."

"It is the excitement of living at Downton for a month." Cora smiled at him. Internally she worried a little bit. He was working too hard, going to the office early and coming home late. She hoped it was because of their month away. Robert had to arrange a lot of things. He promised Cora, to at least, take two weeks off.

Robert got in the car and Cora drove off, before they had left the street, Robert was asleep. Cora turned down the radio and hoped Mary would not wake up or start fussing.

Cora drove without stopping, she was afraid she would wake up Robert, but now Downton was in sight, and she was about to drive up the driveway. She put her hand on his knee. "Robert" she said softly. He murmured but didn't wake up. She stopped the car and put her hand on his cheek. "Robert!" She said a little firmer.

He opened his eyes and looked at her.

"Robert we are here." Cora said softly. "Wake up darling, you were fast asleep."

Robert stretched. "I was far away, I am sorry." Mary had also woken up from the stopping of the car, she was softly crying. Cora reached to the back and tried to calm her down.

"Home" Robert said when he looked at Downton.

"Dinner is ready, Milady." Carson, the butler entered the library, where Cora and Robert were sitting. Mr Bamford had left earlier that afternoon. Carson had been butler when Robert's father was still the owner. Robert had told her the story when his father sold the estate, it was long before he was born. Patrick and Violet had just been married, when they made the difficult decision to fully focus on the business and to let Downton go. Carson was still there, as was Mrs. Hughes. She was the housekeeper, she came to Downton a few years before it was sold. Cora had to adjust to Carson. He was very old fashioned and was holding on to the past. Everything needed to be done in proper order. Mrs. Hughes on the counterpart was a very sweet woman, who had everything in tight order. (,) but was bending with the modern times.

Robert took Cora's hand and they walked into the dining room. It was strange to be here, without Mr. Bamford and being treated like the lord and lady of the house. She found it difficult to accept somebody was cooking for her and that Andy was waiting on her.

"Give our compliments to Mrs. Patmore." Robert said when dinner was finished.

Cora and Robert were back in the library. Carson had left them alone, and also Andy had gone, after Robert said they could manage to pour in drinks themselves. Mary was upstairs sleeping in the dressing room, next to their bedroom. A nanny was with her, something Cora had troubles with, but they didn't bring a baby monitor. So, they needed someone to look after her.

Robert turned around and looked at Cora in front of the fireplace, the flames were putting a beautiful glow on Cora's white skin. He poured in some drinks and walked over to her. He put down the drinks and sat down next to Cora. His hand on her knee. "How does it feel to be the Lady of the house?"

Cora wanted to answer her real thoughts, but she didn't, instead she said: "It felt strange, and boy, that Mr. Carson, is he strict."

Robert chuckled. "He likes it the old-fashioned way."

Cora looked up at Robert, there was a glow in his eyes. He really was happy to be here. Robert saw her looking and leaned forward.

"Are you happy, darling?" he brushed her lips with his lips.

Cora's lips curled up into a smile. "I am when you are. Don't tease me." She tried to kiss him, but he pulled back. His hand rested in her neck, the other one was on her upper thigh. His fingers playing with her dress. "We could have some fun." He said.

"Here?"

"That adds to the fun."

"What if that Mr. Carson comes in, or Andy?"

Robert's hand had moved the skirt of her dress up, his hand now rested on her knee, there was only a stocking between his skin and hers. "We will have to be quiet." He gave her a cheeky smile and pushed her backwards. He got of the sofa and sat in front of her. Pulling her stocking and panties down, slowly and kissing the bare skin that he bared. Once, he pulled the stocking, and panties of her feet, he moved his kisses back up again. Cora felt his lips on her skin, she got chills all over. Robert's hands moved further upwards, and he was playing with her breasts. She quivered, Robert stopped and looked up. "Are you alright?"

"More than alright." She panted. "You know how to please me." She moved her hips and encouraged Robert to take off his pants. Her hands went into his boxer, and she felt how excited he was. She moved her hand up and down, until Robert murmured in her ear. "I want to feel you around me." They moved together like they never had before. Cora almost screamed, but could manage to hold it in.

Robert pressed his lips on hers, when he saw she was coming. "Sttttt, they will hear us." He chuckled, Cora also chuckled and rested back into the sofa.

Suddenly Robert stood up and scooped Cora of the cough. "Come with me upstairs Milady, I will bring you even higher."

Cora nuzzled her face in his neck and let him play with her the rest of the night.

Cora woke up. Robert was already up. Something had woken her up, but she didn't know what. There was a knock on the door. "Milady" a woman's voice said. Cora didn't recognize it, it wasn't Mrs. Hughes. Cora pulled up the covers, she wasn't wearing pyjamas. Quickly she got up and wrapped a bathrobe around her. "Come in." She said.

A woman of her own age walked in, with a bundle in her hands. "Milady, Mrs. Hughes found this in the library this morning." She handed it to Cora, who's cheeks coloured bright red. It were her stockings and panties.

"Thank you." She stammered and looked at the woman. "What is your name?"

"I am Baxter, Milady. Your lady's maid."

"My what." Cora corrected herself. "I am sorry, but you are my lady's maid? I didn't know I had one or needed one."

"Mr. Carson, hired me when they heard you and his Lordship were coming for the month."

"I am sorry, but I am not sure, what I need you for. I am not used to having people working for me."

"My job is to help you get dressed, I can help you with your hair and if you need something to be mend, I can do that for you." Baxter said.

The bedroom door opened again. Robert walked in with Mary on his arm. "Ah you met with Baxter already, good."

Baxter smiled at Robert. "Do you want your breakfast up here Milady?"

Cora was still a little bit confused. "I will eat downstairs, thank you. And I am sorry." She held up the bundle in her arms."