Aftermath
Chapter 5
"Granny, are you and Donk going to be friends?" Marigold asked. Cora was having tea with her in the nursery and the little girl was very inquisitive.
"I hope so." Cora answered. She wanted to be more than friends with Robert, but it would have to suffice.
"Mama hopes so too." Marigold said before giving Cora a scone.
"We all do." Cora agreed.
"Not Auntie Mary. She always looks like she ate a sour lemon." Marigold said. Cora started to answer, but heard a deep laugh from the doorway. She looked up and saw Robert. She had to wonder what he had overheard.
"Robert?" Cora asked.
"Yes. I was wanting to take Marigold for a walk in the garden but didn't realize she was occupied." Robert said.
"Granny can come with us!" Marigold said. She was completely innocent and unaware of the troubles between Robert and Cora.
"Oh, I don't have to. We're done here." Cora said as she stood up.
"No, no. I want Granny too!" Marigold said.
"Its no trouble. I'll put her coat and hat on, while you put yours on." Robert said. Cora handed him the items and rang for the maid. The nanny came in with Patrick and Cora quickly explained where they were going. She went back to her own room and put a hat and light coat on. By the time she was ready, Robert and Marigold were waiting on her at the door.
"We're ready, Granny!" Marigold said. Cora took one of her hands and Robert took the other. They walked downstairs and outside, while Cora remembered similar walks with their own children. She and Robert had frequently taken the children for walks when they were young.
"Are we walking anywhere in particular?" Cora asked.
"No. Just on a walk. Bertie told me about Marigold's playhouse last night. Maybe there?" Robert suggested.
"That sounds nice." Cora said. They continued the walk in silence. If it wasn't for Marigold, it might have been very tense. They finally reached the playhouse and Robert began playing with Marigold while Cora watched them from a nearby bench. It reminded her of much happier times and made her miss Sybbie. Robert came over and sat down on the other side of the bench.
"What a nice setting to grow up at." Robert commented.
"It is, but Downton is nice too. How's Sybbie? Can I ask you?" Cora asked. It wasn't that she wasn't worried about George and Caroline, but Sybbie was the last link to Sybil.
"She's alright. I think she misses you. I will try to give Tom some time off soon so he can bring her to London to visit you. Mary just keeps him busy." Robert explained.
"She keeps him busy so that he doesn't bring Sybbie to visit." Cora remarked.
"Maybe. I do not want her to treat you poorly. I've told her not to, but Mary…" Robert started.
"Mary had not love or respect for me. I don't know or understand why, but she has nothing for me." Cora said.
"Cora, I think that is putting it a bit strongly. You are her mother." Robert argued.
"I quote, 'You are nothing but a pretty ornament that drains Downton's coffers with your expensive dinner parties and clothes. You are nothing but a smiled American who has given the Crawley family a bad name.' Do I need to go on?" Cora asked.
"She said that? My God, Cora. I didn't realize it. Where was I?" Robert responded.
"It was the night you…threw me out. I believe you had gone to Grantham Arms to give me time." Cora said.
"Oh, yes." Robert said. Cora could tell from the tone of his voice he was upset.
"If you'd like to, ask Baxter and Anna. Although, Anna might deny it. She and Mary have always been close." Cora said.
"We should probably get back. Its getting cool." Robert said. He got up and got Marigold. He and Cora walked back without saying another word. He didn't deny anything, or even argue.
As soon as Robert walked back into his room, he sat down with a piece of stationary he had borrowed from Edith. It wasn't that he didn't believe Cora, but before he confronted Mary; he wanted his full story. Normally, he would have never written to a maid, but Baxter wouldn't mind. She had been working as a regular maid, not able to be a lady's maid, since she didn't have Cora there.
"Miss Baxter,
Please forgive my impertinence in writing you. I do not intend on putting you in a situation, but I am at Brancaster with Lady Grantham, and she has made a remark that Lady Mary was most inconsiderate on the night that I threw her out of Downton Abbey.
I wonder if you would be so kind as to explain in writing what was said. I know I have failed to listen or care before now, but Lady Grantham is really struggling. I would like to help her. I owe that to her after nearly forty years of marriage. You can write back to me here at Brancaster. Please do write in haste. If you could telephone, that would be alright as well, but I do not want Lady Mary to know.
Thank you,
Lord Grantham"
Robert sealed the letter and found the butler. It would be sent out quickly and he hoped that Baxter got back to him soon. He was uncomfortable with how thin and tired Cora looked. It had stricken him deeply. He had thought any love he had for Cora was long gone but seeing her had reminded him of all their good times. He realized how he had missed her. He just didn't know what to do about it.
Thank you for all the amazing reviews! I am writing this from the different points of view, and I know I switched between Cora and Robert this chapter. I hope that wasn't too confusing!