AN: This story focuses on Cora and Roberts relationship as it pertains to season 2, episode 8. I've attempted to fill is the blanks, using dreams and memories, within that episode(Cora out with the Spanish flu and Robert…well….anyways), and I've also created some of my own pre-cannon fair. Some of my timelines might be off a little, as well as my understanding of Edwardian culture, but i tried ;)
I'm Just taking these characters out to play, everything and everyone belongs to the keepers and creators of the show. Rated M. Enjoy.
The pressure in her head was deafening. Blood crashed through her pulsing veins, keeping time with the heavy pounding of her heart, as it thundered in her chest and echoed through her ears. She gasped for air. Her fists clutched at the bedding beside her, knotting the linen around her fingers. She arched her back, straining. Cora's body was on fire. Budding perspiration laced her skin and made it glisten in the dim firelight. Her senses heightened by raptures bliss.
She closed her eyes and tried to focus on calming herself, their prolonged abstinence slowed her recovery. She inhaled raggedly as his lips moved on her neck, her skin responded with a thrill and she shivered. The weight of his body anchored her; the heat was comforting. With her eyes still closed she smiled to herself, her aching needs pacified for the time being. It was so good to be home.
Their trip had been planned for several months and was almost cancelled when the unexpected yielded the expected. Robert's father died suddenly of a heart attack, and as succession would have it, the ranks of nobility were passed down the line. Cora anticipated the transition would be a difficult one, especially for Violet who had always had trouble coming to terms with her American daughter-in-law usurping her authority. Now the widowed Lady Grantham had become bitter and spiteful, and reminded Cora of the woman she faced in the early years of her marriage, rekindling strife's that she and Violet had finally started to overcome.
Albeit unorthodox, Robert insisted that they continue with their travel arrangements, taking their daughters abroad for a long overdue visit to see Cora's mother and brother. After some forthright conversation it was decided that the Crawley's would travel to North America, with a single caveat, Robert would be staying in England. During his family's absence Robert hoped to settle in as the newly entitled Lord of Grantham and planned to work with his mother, preparing her for Cora's return when she would officially move into her role as Countess of Grantham.
After a weeks-long voyage, they landed in New York and stayed in the city; a modern, fast paced, outrageous place that served the Levinson's exorbitant lifestyle. Cora was grateful for the reprieve, to be away from her mother-in-law's smoldering, however after only a few days she began to feel suffocated, the city was never quiet, the Levinson's new house was always boisterous and filled with activity, if it wasn't her mother or brother entertaining it was her daughters wretched and contentious behaviour. By the end of the first month Cora was worn out and wished that she had been more emphatic in her opinions about travelling without her husband. After 3 months away, weeks of finding herself helplessly stuck between her daughter's pugnaciousness and her mother's acrimonious personality, she was ready to return to England. When they boarded the ship for their journey home Cora felt mentally and physically exhausted, a combination that would affect her resilience for the raging waters.
O'Brien held her post, helplessly watching over Lady Grantham as her condition slowly deteriorated. Cora's face glowed red as goosebumps chased the perspiration over her body. Her consciousness wavered, and subtle tremors had begun.
Filled with unease O'Brien looked at the basin, it was nearly empty. She had used a significant amount of ice water since early that morning, and it wasn't even mid day. She reached forward and grabbed Cora's hand, which felt hot and clammy.
With Cora's hand placed between her own, O'Brien bent forward in supplication.
Returning to England on a wave of motion sickness, assuming her role as Countess of Grantham, being thrust into managing a great house, and refereeing her daughter's contemptuous behaviours were all inundating tasks, yet Cora accepted these challenges without prejudice. What she was not prepared for was her maid, Taylor, coming to her room the morning after they arrived home with resignation in hand. Mrs. Hughes and a senior housemaid also joined them. Cora felt outnumbered and overwhelmed.
"My mother is very sick," Taylor stated softly. "Her symptoms came on suddenly while we were away." The maid swallowed thickly.
Cora's eyes bounced sadly between the three women standing in her room, noting the emotional contrast between them. "Do they know what's wrong?" Cora asked cautiously.
Taylor sniffed. "Cancer," she whispered.
Cora ducked her chin, the memory of losing a parent to cancer flooded her. "I am sorry," her voice trembled slightly. The housemaid watched Cora closely, bemused by her empathy.
"Of course, you must go." Cora moved to get out of bed and wavered, a combination of dizziness and an intimate ache deep within her muscles.
All three women reacted.
Taylor was first, and had her arms outstretched, offering the sleeves of her robe to her Ladyship. Cora stood and stepped into her dressing gown. Mrs. Hughes spoke while Taylor busied herself with Cora's breakfast tray. "I've asked Sarah to help you with whatever you need while we make arrangements for a new maid."
Silence filled the room as Cora processed what was happening. She turned to the Housekeeper, "Thank you." She nodded and smiled quickly at the Housemaid - a familiar face. "Will you please give us a minute."
"Of course, My Lady." The Housekeeper nodded and gestured that Sarah, the Housemaid, follow and together they promptly left the room.
After a few minutes Taylor came out of Lady Grantham's bedroom, drying her eyes with a handkerchief. She was surprised to find that Sarah was waiting.
"Mrs. Hughes instructed me to wait," Sarah stated matter-of-factly.
Taylor nodded, "she's gone back to bed." Then stepped aside making way for Lady Grantham's interim maid. "She's overwhelmed," Taylor continued "and unwell."
Sarah moved around the other woman, feigning ignorance.
Taylor sighed heavily as she grasped Sarah's arm. "Please be kind."
Sarah gave a peevish glance to the former Lady's maid as she pulled her arm free. She knocked briskly on the door and then pushed her way into her Ladyship's bedroom.
O'Brien nearly ran Mr. Bates down as he stepped off the bottom step and she rounded the corner. He steadied her and offered to carry the bowl of ice back to Her Ladyship's bedroom.
"You look worn out." He stated earnestly.
She looked over at him, puzzled by his concern. "I am." She stated flatly.
Cautiously she handed over the ice and then slowly, and silently, they climbed the stairs.
"Isn't there anyone else who can help?" He asked as they arrived at Lady Grantham's bedroom.
"No," she pulled back the bowl. "And you'll do well to tell His Lordship that she's worse."
Mr. Bates opened his mouth to respond, but O'Brien cut him off before closing the door. "Much worse!"
The days following Taylor's departure were difficult. Cora trusted Taylor implicitly, and now she was navigating the complexities of her life with a complete stranger. She felt alone and isolated by her predicament. Despite Robert's excitement to have his family home, he offered little support. He seemed distant and distracted, which Cora rationalized as part of his own transition, seeing as he had begun taking on a more active role in managing the estate.
When Sarah first started coming to Lady Grantham's room, they worked silently. They watched one another, working at first from non-verbal cues and gestures, and then slowly their conversations began to evolve on a superficial level. Initially they discussed Cora's preferences for things and Sarah's other work duties at the Abbey, and eventually they moved on to bigger, more gossipy things. Sarah shared everything that she wanted Lady Grantham to know about Downton and her staff. Cora listened attentively to Sarah's stories, finding herself drawn in, compelled to ask questions, pulling more information from her stand-in maid. One of the most frequent topics was the staffing challenges, namely Taylor leaving followed by the dismissal of an attractive junior housemaid. And then there was the recent acquisition of a young footman, Thomas Barrow who clearly intrigued Sarah, and Cora by association.
Cora sat at her dressing table lost in thought. They had been home for nearly a fortnight, and she could not recall the last substantial conversation that she'd had with Robert. He was frequently late to meals; he came to bed after she was asleep and was gone before she awoke, and sadly there was no intimacy. She considered a number of possibilities; however, her perceptions were influenced by years of observing her father's behaviour. She felt unsure. She felt vulnerable. She felt…
O'Brien knocked sharply and entered without waiting for a response. Startling Cora and pulling her from her thoughts.
"I'm sorry to keep you waiting M'Lady." She stated flatly.
Cora looked up and smiled, starting to feel more at ease with her interim Maid. "It's fine," she waved off the apology. "I know you're busy."
Sarah stopped at Cora's side. "Thank you," she said stifling an irritable sigh.
Cora stood, sensing Sarah's impatience to keep the evening moving. She swayed slightly, some lingering effects from her recent voyage. Sarah reacted, but Cora stopped her. "I'm fine," she closed her eyes swallowing down the knot in her throat. "I'm just…" Cora trailed off, raising her hand to rub her forehead. "I'm fine."
Sarah deliberated, taking a moment to carefully observed Her Ladyship. The stress of everything was weighing on her, it was clearly written over her tight features. "You look tired tonight, M'Lady."
Cora nodded and dropped back down into her chair. "I am." She let out an oppressed sigh, and after a moment she looked at Sarah, "this is a little bit more than what I'd bargained for." Cora dropped her shoulders, her hands falling into her lap. Stunned by her own admission.
"Things are coming together, M'Lady." Sarah said, biting back her irritation, annoyed by Lady Grantham's indulgence in self-pity. "I'm sure the Dowager didn't have it easy in her early days either." Genuinely smiling at the chance to stick it to her former employer while coddling her current. "I hear it took her a very long time to get the staff on her side."
Cora smiled up at Sarah. Her comfort with the housemaid growing she let out a single laugh, "Did she ever?"
For what it was, Sarah appreciated the banter. "You're meeting with Mrs. Patmore and Mrs. Hughes tomorrow," Sarah went on. "From what I hear they are finding this transition to be an easy one. And a welcomed change."
"I think that speaks to my mother-in-law's running of the place," Cora stood again. "Not me."
Silence filled the room as Sarah began unfastening the back of Cora's dress.
Cora was looking down at her hands in front of her, "Can I ask?" She adjusted her wedding rings. "Why did that other housemaid lose her job?"
She felt Sarah's hands falter on her back, and then resume at a quicker pace. "I don't know the reasoning, exactly, other than Mrs. Hughes said that she wasn't suited for a position in a house like this."
Cora considered Sarah's response. "Do you agree?"
Sarah dropped her hands and stepped away from Cora, who shrugged her arms from her dress. The maid collected her Ladyships nightgown from the foot of the bed and handed it to her. Cora's dress fell to the floor, she stepped forward and walked behind the screen to finish dressing for bed.
After a moment Sarah answered, "she had lofty goals, M'Lady."
"How so?" Cora's voice arose from the corner of the room.
Sarah was uncertain how forthcoming she should be. She had been contriving a plan to work her way into the position of Lady's Maid, and Cora was making things almost too easy, however she decided it was best to stick with an open-ended version of the truth rather than embellishing things for effect. "There were rumors, M'Lady."
Cora stepped out from behind the screen. "What rumours?"
Her Ladyships expression was curious, one that Sarah had difficulty reading. The maid knew it would be impertinent to look away, which forced her brain to work quickly. Saying less had the chance to equal a great deal more. "I never saw anything inappropriate, M'Lady, but it was rumoured that she was very flirtatious with His Lordship."
To Sarah's surprise Cora did not give much by way of response. "And His Lordship?"
"I couldn't say, M'Lady." Sarah watched her mistress carefully, for any sort of reaction. "Once Mrs. Hughes became aware, she intervened."
Silently Cora moved to her dressing table. She handed Sarah her corset before sitting down. She swiveled in her chair to face the mirror. There was a pause as their eyes met in their reflection. Sarah moved in and began removing pins that were holding Her Ladyship's hair in place.
Cora did her best to appear apathetic but as her thoughts collided small reminders from her past immerged. There was a long period of silence before either of them spoke again.
It was Sarah.
"Have you had many responses to your enquiry?" She asked, hoping to create a natural segue to her primary goal.
"I have had a couple." Cora didn't meet Sarah's eyes, instead she kept her focus on her hands.
A pause.
"Anything promising?" Sarah asked, doing her best to sound hopeful.
Cora looked up, her indifference radiated. "I'll be honest, not really." She sighed. "They all seem a bit…old." She gave a half smile, "Mrs. Hughes is reviewing the responses to give me her opinion."
Sarah smiled at her Ladyship, "I'm sure Mrs. Hughes will be a great help." And she carried on brushing Cora's hair before casually continuing "whoever the candidate is they'll be lucky to get the job." An air of envy laced her voice.
The conversation dwindled and they finished their work in silence. Sarah bid Cora a good night and turned to leave. She was nearly out the room when Cora spoke. "Would you tell me?" Sarah stopped and turned towards Cora.
"Tell you what M'Lady?" The maid knew exactly what Cora was asking.
"If you knew anything," Cora hesitated. "If you heard Lord Grantham had behaved," she paused again, her voice faltering. "If he was…."
Sarah stepped back into the room, pushing the door closed to ensure their privacy. She cursed herself, wondering if she'd gone too far.
Cora looked up again, finding her voice. "If he was indecent?"
Silence filled the room as the two women watched one another.
"I've told you everything I know, M'Lady".
The following afternoon Mrs. Hughes asked Sarah to join her in her sitting room. Filled with reservation Mrs. Hughes informed Sarah that she had been promoted to Lady's Maid, at the request of Lady Grantham.
"She tells me you've been so good to her, Ms. O'Brien. So very good."