Hey everybody! Hope you've all had a Happy Easter and enjoyed the bank holiday and whatever. Anyway, I write with good news for some of you, bad news for others - the torment will soon be over as far as this story goes. Reckon my chapter count will reach about 17/18, so we've not long to go now! This has to be one of my favourite chapters, I've planned having this in here since the beginning - if anything the image in my head of these upcoming scenes is what provoked me to set up this scenario. A few of you have mentioned the possibility of this, I won't say any more, but I know a lot of you will like this. :D Enjoy, m'dears x

Disclaimer: I own nuthin', it's all the work of my main man, Jules. :P

15. Here's The Moral And The Story

Since the careful construction of their reconciliation, Robert had taken great pains to ensure he kept his temper in check. It wasn't that he was superstitious of a crack-pot old wise woman had once said, he mainly wanted to handle things his own way. And when his anger took control, he had little power over himself at all. So when the latest implication to Cora's pregnancy revealed itself, he spent all his will-power simply trying to restrain himself from flipping his lid. But it was his silence that most worried Cora. By now she was accustomed to his temper, to see him struggle so forcibly with his rage was foreign.

As far as she knew, Robert had not yet chosen what he would do about Napier inviting himself to Downton. Robert had already begun formulating a series of unpleasant ideas on how to drive Napier into the ground but so far nothing seemed do-able without being traced back to him. (And Napier was certainly not worth prison time...) Only a few days after getting back from London, Sybil and Tom were due to arrive at the abbey on a Saturday afternoon.

Robert was out on the estate during the morning of that day, considering what in his life was going the way he wanted. But while he frustrated over his troubles and came up with all manner of methods of ruin for his heavily detested adversary, Cora was sitting indoors, half listening to Mary talk about what she wanted to do about Sir Richard.

"I might feel a bit guilty... we have been together a long time."

"Mary even you know you won't feel that guilty. You're worried about the scandal he'll cause."

"Papa suggests I might go to America..."

"Well it would help if you weren't around to see it in the papers. The gossip will die out quicker."

"Oh I don't know... Won't it be quite dull?"

"Mary, make your mind up. Deny it if you must but even I can see you're still in love with Matthew-" Mary opened her mouth to say something but didn't get the chance. "But darling I'm afraid your ship may have sailed. Matthew and Lavinia might be unsteady but they're engaged nonetheless. Wait til the wedding to believe it if you want to, but I think you'd be better off to start building a new life and save yourself the heartache."

"Where is all this coming from?" Mary asked, looking very stoney-faced. "I'm very happy for Matthew, I wouldn't want it any other way. I am dealing with the consequences of my actions. And anyway - we're right back where we were before the war. His prospects could be nothing if you have a boy. I'll have nothing and so will he."

"Except for Lavinia."

"Except... for Lavinia," Mary nodded slowly.

"Mama!" Edith came bursting in, much to Mary's clear annoyance. "Mr Napier was on the telephone," to Cora's surprise, Edith looked quite panicked.

"And?" Mary asked.

"Mama, he rang from the train station. He'll be here in a matter of minutes to give me his news."

Cora's mouth hung open, her daughters stared in surprise at the clear dread she displayed. She swallowed hard.

"This is very..." she tried to calm herself. "Unusual."

"Of course it's unusual. Did you invite him?" Mary asked, glancing from Cora back to Edith who quickly shook her head. "Then why is he coming here?"

"He wants to give me some information," Edith squeaked.

"Let's all keep calm," Cora said. "Mary, could you have someone go and find your father?"

"No. Get Edith to do it."

"Now just a minute, Edith is no lesser than you are so just mind your manners, young lady."

Mary tensed at her telling off but quickly regained her self-composure and uttered, "sodding pregnancy."

"What should we do, mama?" Edith asked.

"Well, I don't care. I'm out of here," Mary left the room, leaving Cora and Edith alone.

"Have Mr Carson know that when Mr Napier arrives, he is to be sent straight in here and there's no need to alert the kitchen."

"We won't host him?"

"No."

"Alright..." Edith said uncertainly, leaving to go and do as her mother had asked. Soon she returned, sitting near Cora in the chair Mary had vacated. "What do you think he'll say?"

"I have no idea..." Cora glanced at the clock, trying to work out what time Robert would be back.

The door opened and closed and around the corner came Carson, leading into the library the unwelcome intruder.

"Mr Napier, my lady," Carson announced. Evelyn walked in past the butler but quickly halted.

Lady Grantham was not looking at their guest, but Evelyn appeared to be wishing she was. Then things changed considerably as his eyes fell to her stomach.

"Will that be all, milady?" Carson articulated, not hiding his confusion over the way Evelyn stood and stared most impolitely at her ladyship's condition.

"Yes, Carson. Thank you."

"A pleasure to see you again, Mr Napier," Edith said with a smile, Cora still did not look at him. "Please have a seat."

"Er... thank you," he stiffly took to a chair, making a great effort to pull his stare from Cora.

"So, what is it you came to talk about?" Edith asked, starting the conversation. He frowned, looking at her as though slightly confused. Seeming to have remembered his purpose, he spoke.

"I came to deliver into your hands..." Evelyn took a cream envelope from his jacket. "This letter. From Captain Willows."

"How very kind..." Edith said, receiving the letter from him. "Could the Captain not have delivered it himself?"

"No, I'm afraid not... You see it's my... I've come to tell you that quite some months ago- In fact, not long after our visit here... Oliver succumbed to the terrible illness that so gravely affected the whole country... I'm afraid he was not quite so lucky... as Lady Grantham."

"Why did I never hear?" the upset clear on Edith's voice was enough to pull her mother's attention back.

"I have tried to contact you a few times... Particularly when it came time for the funeral."

"Why did I never get the letters?" Edith tried to contain her sobs, the tears were falling and there was no holding them back.

"I thought that first I might write to Lady Grantham..." Evelyn looked at Cora but she continued to pour focus on Edith. "To see if a meeting might be arranged... but I'm afraid that didn't happen and so now... here I am."

"I..." Edith's lower lip trembled, her hands now grasping the envelope branded with her name. "If you'll excuse me, I think I might have some time alone..."

"Of course," Cora said. "Can I do anything?"

"No, thank you mama... Maybe I might talk with you later..." Edith left the room, the door clicking shut behind her.

"You have said your piece, I think you ought to leave."

The sudden and sharp cut of the manner in which she ordered him, startled him. He was surprised to see her eyes on him, the brilliance of their icy colour the most effective and complimentary ally to her fiery expression. He swallowed hard, trying to find a reason to stay.

"I didn't want to hurt her," he said helplessly. He was looking far more the boy who broke a window to the man she'd taken as her lover.

"I know. But you shouldn't have come here."

He swallowed hard again, feeling the burn of her fixed eyes suddenly uncomfortable, he fidgeted nervously.

"I wanted to see you..."

"I, on the contrary, did not want to see you," she got up, supporting herself as she found her feet. His eyes were back on her bump instantly. Cora moved past him to the window, seeming not to have noticed. "Good day, Mr Napier."

"I just wanted to part on good terms," he said, rising to his feet also and standing some few paces from her.

"That can't happen now."

"And why can't it?" he demanded, she turned around. "I didn't go looking to do anything wrong - you lead me to your room."

"Yes, I did. And in doing so I made one of the worst decisions I've ever made. Why can't you leave me to deal with my own guilt?" she shouted.

"He doesn't deserve you. You don't deserve the guilt. What we did-"

"-Was very wrong and very foolish of me. Now I'd like you to leave."

"Is it mine?" he asked. "Did you know when I saw you that time in London?"

"I..." she took a deep breath and ignored his question. "This child's father will be Lord Grantham-"

"Does he know it won't be his blood?"

"How dare you!"

"How dare I what? How dare I ask after the future of my first child? How dare I come here?" His voice softened. "...How dare I fall in love with you?"

"You're unbelievable. Get out."

"I'm being honest. I can't help it. God knows I've tried not to..." he trailed off, his eyes moving to hers again in a way that made her doubt that he was being untruthful. She realised his physical proximity and backed away.

"What do you want?" Cora asked helplessly, finally weary.

"Nothing... I don't expect anything, I won't ask you to leave him or your family or even love me back. But woman have pity... I love you."

"Please just leave," she whispered.

"You could walk away from all this if you wanted to," he said just as quietly, the closing distance between them alarming her. "People in these lives always think they have to stick with their decisions, but they don't. I'm not even saying leave with me... I'm saying you have the choice to... And I hope you see that."

His hands were on her, making her gasp. He took his chance and leant into her, his lips to hers, a kiss he needed and a love she didn't want. The guilt was insufferable, the temptation irresistable, Cora kissed him back. His mouth delicious to hers, giving her the affection she'd missed. But it wasn't right. She found herself and pushed him away.

"I knew you loved me too," he whispered. His touch became insistent on her cheek, her waist, her stomach. He met her lips again but she pulled away, again he tried to force his affection but she resisted. He grabbed her mouth with his once more, soon to have his cheek burn pink with the force of her hand to his face, making him back up. Cora breathed deeply, she looked away from Evelyn and her eyes lifted to see Robert standing in the doorway. He was staring at her, something about his expression making her highly nervous.

"Robert," she breathed.

Very slowly and purposefully, Robert's hand left the handle on the door, he adjusted the cufflinks on each of his sleeves and then walked forward. Napier, having now noticed Robert's presence, straightened to his full height and tried to keep the fear from his eyes. Grantham's eyes were as startling blue as his wife's (but less attractive to Evelyn, than Cora's...) and they made him feel very much like the dog with it's tail between it's legs.

"Outside please," Robert said without a hint of friendliness and very much detesting the word 'please'. Evelyn looked at Cora and Robert's jaw tightened. Walking past Robert, Evelyn went out of the door while he heard Cora whisper, "I'm sorry."

Robert simply looked at her, turned and left. Cora followed them out into the entrance hall, anxious for what Robert would do that could not be done indoors. She knew it wouldn't come to anything that could be gossiped about or used in a scandal, Robert wouldn't allow that. Evelyn had taken enough from Robert, the Earl wouldn't let him have his decent character and his family's good reputation. Or so Cora had thought...

They didn't even make it outdoors, in the foyer as Carson opened the door, Evelyn turned around to say something when Robert gave him an almighty shove backwards out of the room, knocking him off his feet.

"Robert!" Cora shouted. Robert smoothed his jacket and walked outside while Carson and Thomas watched on in shocked amazement. By the time Cora got outside, Evelyn had more or less recovered and was back on his feet.

"I don't want to fight," Evelyn said, brushing himself down and trying not to look too flustered.

"You should have thought about your wants before you laid your hands on her," Robert growled, grabbing him by the collar of his shirt and twisting it up as he threatened him.

"Last chance Lord Grantham," Evelyn said, bolder now with Cora for audience.

"You don't give out the chances here. I do."

And with that, Robert released his hold, pulled back his arm and walloped Napier straight in the eye socket with a hard punch. Cora gasped, Carson was shell-shocked but quickly came to his senses as the fight ensued. Evelyn threw himself at Robert, barging straight into him and knocking him to the the floor, as they wrestled in the gravel, Cora screamed in horror.

They rolled over and over, dust flying into the air and loud crunching noises emitting with every successful hit. Robert stopped them rolling and held the younger man down, raising his fist and bringing it down with strength to hit home, setting blood to gush from Evelyn's nose. Robert's hands then went to Evelyn's throat.

"How dare you hurt her," Robert seethed.

"I... didn't..." Evelyn choked under the restrictive hold around his throat.

"I'll kill you for touching her, you unworthy bastard," he spat through clenched teeth. Evelyn struggled for breath, his hands grabbing at Robert's. But a sudden kick that misfooted the enraged Lord, set Evelyn back to attack. He got up, wiping his nose on his sleeve and spitting dust from his mouth. Robert got up again, quickly regaining his energy to go at him again. By now Mary, Carlisle, Matthew and Lavinia had congregated outdoors along with some passing footmen on being quickly informed by Carson.

"What makes you think you are worthy?" Evelyn jaunted. "If anybody hurt her it's you. You effeminate prick!"

Robert launched forward again, they grappled a moment, in a struggle of strength before Evelyn won and had Robert down in the dirt, firing punches.

"What the devil is going on?" Matthew asked. Carlisle looked highly amused by it, while Mary made sure Cora was alright.

"Mama?"

"Robert!" her voice was high and panicked.

Evelyn looked around on hearing her cry but taking the opportunity, Robert seized Napier by his scruff and sent him reeling across the floor with the impact of another punch to his gut. Though sweaty, worn and feeling his age, Robert's rage hadn't burnt out yet and he strode over to Evelyn.

"You can fight me til we're black and blue," Evelyn said, panting heavily, each word an effort. "But I know that baby is mine."

Robert had no limits anymore - to expectation or otherwise. He threw down his fist again, square on Evelyn's jaw until he rolled out of the way, leaving Robert to crunch his knuckles into the ground. As the horror continued, it wasn't clear who was winning in the bizarre ruckus. Cora couldn't take any more of it, she tried to go to them but Mary held her back insistently.

Then, at the end of the drive, a car revved away as it came to pull in, stopping short of the front doors to give way to the ensuing fisticuffs going on. Sybil and Tom quickly emerged from the vehicle, looking as shocked as everyone else. Tom looked at the spectators in disbelief.

"Anyone going to help me pull them apart?" he asked. Jolting into action, Matthew and Carlisle warily got involved, Tom and Matthew pulling Evelyn back as he went to throw another blow to Robert's jaw. Carlisle tried to manage the Earl alone, pulling him upright and barricading the direct route to where Napier was being restrained. Pulling away from Carlisle, Robert swallowed hard, taking a moment to try and regulate his breathing before moving back to his family while Napier shouted obscenities.

"Robert-" Cora started, her hands falling his chest.

"Sorry," he muttered. His hair was all stuck up and messy, his clothes ripped and scuffed in places, his tie half undone. Blood dripped from a cut on his cheek, a shadow already growing beneath his eye.

"Don't be sorry. Are you alright?" she asked as she smoothed back his hair, wincing for him as she inspected his wounds. He nodded, still breathing heavily.

Matthew and Tom physically dragged Evelyn to the now-vacant car and closed the doors on him. "I'll go with him to the station if you like," Tom offered.

"You've only just got here. I'll go. I can take one the servants to make sure he's no trouble," Matthew told him, he looked back to Mary who nodded. Thomas hurried over and climbed into the car with Matthew while Tom went to rejoin Sybil with everyone else.

"Are you alright?" Robert asked. Her arms went around him and she pulled him close.

"Yes... but don't ever do that to me again," she pressed her lips hard to his grazed cheek. His arms went around her, one palm flat to the smooth flesh of her stomach, the natural cradle holding and protecting their child. A child which - innocently and without intention, had caused and would cause such pain to him and Cora. He sympathised with it. The little unborn soul which would likely carry such joy with it as well as heartbreak.

"Never."