"How do you know it wasn't love?" The maid's voice haunts Cora as she stands waiting for Baxter to arrive and dress her for bed. The conversation from earlier swims in her mind as she tries to decipher its meaning; Robert defended her and then comforted her afterwards but he didn't dismiss the maid on the spot, did that mean he still had some kind of desire for her? Or, did he not hear the whole of the conversation? Did the maid's kisses please him more than her own? Her uneasiness from earlier in the week returns, but before she has time to dwell on any, or all, of these questions the door opens and Mrs Hughes enters.
"Miss Baxter's been taken ill m'lady, so I'll dress you for bed tonight."
"Thank you Mrs Hughes. I hope Baxter feels better in the morning. If not send for Dr Clarkson. Can you apologise to Jane for me, I didn't mean to shout at her this afternoon."
"Of course m'lady." Cora doesn't hear her though, her eyes have glazed over and she is back thinking about Robert and Jane. The maid still has feelings for Robert, of that much Cora is now sure.
"Seeing her upset me, it wasn't even what she said, although a lot of that was painful. Seeing her, and talking to her just reminded me that she'd been there for his lordship when I'd been to busy with the war effort to notice he needed my support." She doesn't know why she starts telling Mrs Hughes; perhaps it's because she knows she's good with secrets and has always been loyal to the family. "She supported him. Perhaps fell for him, I don't know. But, his lordship felt he could be open with her, I mean he kissed her for God's sake." Tears stream down her face throughout this speech and when she screams the last part she feels a comforting hand on her shoulder and flinches, she'd forgotten the housekeeper's presence. "He let her in and it was only because I was keeping him out. He says it was lust but what if she was right and it was love?" She looks at Mrs Hughes in the mirror, all her goodness, all her kindness. "Because I do have some self worth but, above all I want his lordship to be happy. And if she makes him happier than I do," she pauses a new purpose consuming her, "I have to let him go."
"No, don't." Cora jumps and turns, startled to look at Mrs Hughes. She has never seen the housekeeper look so determined. "Your loving, happy marriage is something us servant's like to see. When the rumour flew around speculating about Jane's return Mr Carson and I had a handful of notices given to us, they wanted to leave. They were willing to give up their pay, housing and food because they thought your marriage was over and they were unwilling after so many years here to watch you suffer." Cora recovers slightly at the praise but it doesn't change anything, her feelings and Jane's are still the same as they always were. Mrs Hughes she realises is still talking despite Cora's thoughts being miles away, focused on her resolve to let him go. "I don't pretend to know what happened, but I do know that his lordship loves you. There's love in his eyes when he looks at you, but when he looks at Jane, it is regret that fills his eyes, sadness and regret."
Cora feels a comb being brushed through her hair and she mechanically gets in to her nightdress with Mrs Hughes' assistance, but her mind is miles away, trying to sort through the mix of feelings that seem to be her constant companion these past few days. She's forgiven Robert, but then she loves him. But the maid? She's just out to ruin everything, out to get the best for herself and becoming Robert's mistress is obviously something she sees as an advantage. Cora just hopes that if this is the maid's plans Robert doesn't fall for them. He shouldn't, she thinks, particularly after the romantic picnic they shared this afternoon coupled with Mrs Hughes' belief in his affections. But she wavers, her thoughts returning to the maid, the girl does have her charms, starting with the dark hair and blue eyes so similar to her own, and she has managed to seduce Robert before now. And then there's her son's prospects to consider, Cora knows from experience that you'd do anything for your children, although she doubts the maid has carried a dead body across a house before. But, if the maid wants a better life for her son, securing Robert in any way would be a good thing. Cora even thinks that perhaps, if she were in a similar situation she might try such a scheme.
She feels a warm tickling on her throat, breaking her train of thoughts, she looks up into her husband's face. His eyes are a slightly darker shade of blue than normal; a shade she'd grown accustomed to at their picnic that afternoon. Before she has a moment longer to study his face his lips touch he neck and she sighs, her heart quickening. All too soon, his lips leave her skin, leaving just the tickling chill of his breathing on her neck.
"Cora?" She only looks at him, unsure if she can form a sound other than a sigh. "You're not wearing this nightgown for the sole purpose of keeping me in need of you, are you?" It's only now she notices what she is wearing. A lace nightgown clings to her form, the hem at the front reaching no lower than mid thigh, the back of the gown falls in waves to the floor and the neckline is a very risqué v-shape. She inwardly gasps, did Mrs Hughes choose this on purpose? "Because if you did it to try and keep me thinking of you and not Jane you must know I love you. I told you so the other night, and today, lots of time." His voice grows husky and Cora takes a breath to steady her fluttering heart. "You're my life Cora, my dearest one. Jane is nothing, I promise."
"I didn't choose the gown on purpose. Baxter is ill and Mrs Hughes must have picked up the wrong one." She relaxes as Robert's expression softens.
"I beg to differ, I think Mrs Hughes made a very good choice." He pulls her close against him and she whimpers as he runs a hand up her thigh before bringing his lips to meet hers with a hungry desire.
This story was originally only 6 chapters but I have had some very positive feedback and a few people wanting to know of Jane's true motives not just what Cora suspects, so I have extended the story to show them in more detail, only by one chapter but I hope it pleases those of you who wanted to know. Thanks for reading and reviewing.