Now, the morning after, the only thing keeping Robert from running down to the servant's hall to check that Jane has in fact left is the pressure of Cora's hand at the crook of his arm. He was sure Carson would have mentioned that Jane had departed at breakfast that morning, but he hadn't, only heightening Robert's anxiety. He drags his thought back to pleasanter things in an attempt to calm his worry. He grins to himself as memories of earlier this morning come to mind. He had been rather late down to breakfast and no doubt the servants had been talking as Cora had not rung for her breakfast until well over an hour after her usual time. They had both agreed though, that their mornings activities had been well worth it, despite the snide remarks they had received from Mary and Edith, coupled with Rose's giggles.
"You're thinking about this morning again, aren't you?" The teasing tone to Cora's voice makes him smile, it feels like years since she had talked like that, when in actual fact it was probably only a week ago, before Jane's return.
The fact Robert was in deed thinking of the night before cheered Cora up no end, she was still in a turmoil of emotions but at least the night before had been a very happy memory in amongst a series of events she would rather forget. Whether Mrs Hughes had chosen the nightgown on purpose she didn't know, but whichever it was she was forever grateful. Now though, the morning after she was putting on brave face for Robert, Jane still being in the house really bothered her, more than she would ever admit. She had still wondered when she laid against Robert's side the night before, the air still thick with love, whether it was all a lie, whether in fact he still had some kind of desire for Jane, hence his refusal to dismiss her.
"I was, but then why wouldn't I? You are the most beautiful woman in the world."
"Lord Charming with his string of flattering comments to bestow upon his ladies is back again I see."
"Not ladies, my dear, there is just one lady." Her lips press gently to his cheek as love overcomes her again and she banishes her worries to the back of her mind, this man does really love her, he has done for years. But the moment is short lived, as someone clears their throat and Robert watches with amusement as Cora looks up into Carson's bright red face, her own a very pretty pink, her mind reeling with a million apologies she should make to her butler, none of which sound quite right. Robert almost laughs out loud; Cora his American wife who isn't supposed to care what anyone thinks of their relationship is blushing because the butler had discovered her kissing his cheek in the garden. And as for Carson, you would think he'd be used to their amorous ways by now.
"I am sorry to interrupt m'lord, but I forgot to mention at breakfast that Jane left at seven o'clock this morning." Robert dismisses the butler but his eyes are fixed on Cora.
"Why didn't you tell me Jane was leaving? Or did she only decide this morning?" Cora blurts these questions before she has time to think, the thought of Jane leaving fills her with a joy she knows is selfish, but she can't help it. The idea of her life returning to normal, no more worrying about her husband's affection. Without having to look behind her at every turn to check Jane was doing as she should and not overstepping the mark. Robert is not surprised by her questions, she had always enjoyed interrogating him. In fact, during her season she made a habit of interrogating men in ballrooms, leaving lots of them dizzy and very sweaty under the collar, she had always been a master at using her charm and intelligence to totally outsmart them, Robert had likewise been prey to these interrogations and the reactions they bestowed, in fact, he still was.
"It was arranged yesterday."
"What do you mean 'arranged'?"
"I overheard the conversation you had with her yesterday and I dismissed her." This was in some respects a lie, he had overheard the conversation but it had only prompted him to speak to Mrs Hughes about dismissing her, only to have the housekeeper agree to making sure a firm eye was kept on her but that they could not lose her valuable help at this time, at least until a replacement was found. The crunch had come after he'd Jane had come to his room later that evening but he wasn't about to worry Cora unnecessarily. "I can't have somebody working in our house that upsets you and talks to you the way she did yesterday. It was unpardonable. She was talking to you as if you were some chimney sweep, not the woman giving her a job." He catches a glimpse of Cora's mouth as it stretches into a grin and it makes his insides melt, a whole week without that grin has felt like a month.
Little does he realise her insides are melting as well, but not due to the grin she knows is creeping across her face, a grin that her mother-in-law would call unladylike, but because the words coming out of Robert's mouth are just so romantic and heartfelt and it's not often she sees that Robert, she knows he is in there but he rarely appears.
"Whereas, she should have been looking at you with respect. On top of that I overheard the conversation you had with Mrs Hughes last night and I couldn't bear hearing you talk like that, actually contemplating what Jane had said as being true. You sounded adamant that what I had with Jane could have been love. It wasn't Cora, it never could be, not while I was in love with you." Cora almost gross him there and then but she decides he deserves an explanation to the madness he'd overheard her saying to the housekeeper the night before.
"I had to let it out Robert. I had been thinking about it all day, Mrs Hughes was just the poor soul that had to sit through it." He wraps his arms around her waist and kisses her forehead, he vows he will hold her like this every day and make sure she feels protected and loved.
There is still one question burning in his mind. He wants to know if what she said to Mrs Hughes was true, was she really so in love with him that she'd rather see him happy with another than unhappy with her?
"Would you really have let me go if she made me happier than you do?" The words tumble from his mouth and he looks expectantly into her eyes, searching for the answer.
"Yes, I meant what I said, I will only keep you as long as I'm the person that makes you happiest." This reply makes his heart swell with love and crack with the thought of losing her, in equal measure.
"It's a good job you make me happier then anyone else ever will, or could, then, isn't it?" But he doesn't wait for reply but kisses her, dying to feel his lips on hers, to seal their love. She kisses him back, equally desperate to prove that nothing, let alone a maid, will come between them again.
Thank you so much to everyone who has read this story and particularly those of you who spent the time to review. This is the end of this story, but I have a couple of one shots and another multi chapter story about a young Cobert which I hope you will take the time to read, coming soon, probably staring with a one shot next Friday. Thanks again and of course keep watching Downton and praying for the return of a happy Cobert!