The trip to London was just what they both needed. For Robert, it was a chance to reflect upon his life at Downton, and how much he treasured the memories there.
For Cora, it was a chance to get away from the whole situation regarding the next heir of Downton Abbey. She found the whole ordeal rather distressing, as she believed it was practically her fault, that Downton did not have a suitable heir. To make matters worse, Mary had decided to complicate Cora's life even more by constantly fighting with her, disrespecting her in front of guests and ignoring her when Cora asked her questions. Cora was at her wits end. She needed a break and London proved to be just that, with the girls at social events and Robert meeting with solicitors, she had the house to herself, and the staff.
Whilst in London, on their last day in fact, The Crawley family was invited to a ball at the Ravenhall's London mansion. Every Lord, Lady and their children would be there; it was the event of the season.
Cora had not been feeling well for the past few days, but had put on a brave front and persevered. O'Brien had noticed as she was fastening the clasp on Her Ladyship's necklace that she was breathing deeply and holding onto the dressing table in front of her, as she perched in her chair.
"Are you alright M'lady? I can find another dress if you're too warm." O'Brien pondered.
"No, I'm quite alright, O'Brien. But if you wouldn't mind opening the window please?" Cora replied with a forced smile.
O'Brien marched straight over to the window and promptly opened it, the whole time eyeing the pale American woman, who was now occupied with her gloves. O'Brien knew something was wrong; she had done for the last 5 days. Her mistress was different, she didn't quite know why but she was. O'Brien had put it down to stress and did everything to subtly check that Cora was in good health.
The knock at the door broke O'Brien from her train of thought. His Lordship made his appearance and ordered for O'Brien to make hers scarce.
"Is that everything M'Lady?"
"Yes, O'Brien, that is all. Thank you." Cora smiled politely.
As O'Brien shut the door behind her, Robert expressed his disinterest in the maid.
"I don't know how you can let such a scowl-faced miserable woman be your maid, I really don't "
"Oh Robert, she's very trustworthy and loyal and although you may not like her, I do."
Robert noticed that his wife's behaviour was unusual. Normally she would just shrug off Robert's small remarks about her maid, whereas today she was snippy with him.
"I'm sorry Robert, I'm afraid I'm not feeling very well." Sighed Cora
She slumped down in her chair, resting her head on the cool surface of the oak desk in front of her.
"Cora, do you expected me to believe that you are ill, when you have been stating your annoyance about going to this ball all day?" Robert chuckled to himself.
Cora just groaned in annoyance, she knew her husband would not be convinced, and so she would have to attend the ball.
The journey to the ball itself proved difficult for Cora, as the traffic in London was too busy to take the car, so they took the rural route in the horse-drawn carriage. More than once, Cora thought she would have to have the chauffeur stop the carriage, but she fought the urge as best she could, telling herself they would be there shortly.
Cora was glad to say the least when they arrived at the luxurious house. Upon entry they were greeted by a lavish staircase and several guests chatting amongst themselves. The Ravenhall's welcomed the Crawley family personally. Victoria Ravenhall, the wife of Thomas Ravenhall, greeted Cora with hug, which put her out of her comfort zone, the strong scent of Victoria's perfume permeating her nostrils and making her stomach churn.
"Shouldn't we go get out seats, there is an awful lot of people here, it wouldn't do if we had to stand all night long" Cora quickly interjected into the conversation.
Agreeing with what Cora said, they made their way to the grand ballroom.
The ballroom was a shimmering sea of colors, with Ladies in their prettiest frocks and finest jewelry swishing away to the music. The floor sparkled under the chandelier light, obviously polished for days. The spread on the long table was incredible with delicacies from all over the world.
The mood was in full spirits and the liquor free flowing, the temperature was high and the dancing divine.
Cora sat uncomfortably watching her daughters dance the night away with several possible suitors. Oh, how she would give to be carefree again! Robert sat deep in conversation with some rich Englishman that Cora had no regards for.
Cora's thoughts began to roam freely, she began wondering what her life would be like if she had produced an heir for Downton, if her life would be less stressful, and what would her son look like.
The world once again began closing in on Cora. The stifling heat from the glorious summer's night, suffocating Cora.
She couldn't breath!
The world was spinning around her, her corset getting tighter and tighter, constricting each breath. She stumbled out her chair, desperate to reach the balcony, to fill her lungs with the night air.
Robert caught sight of his wife staggering out her chair towards him.
"Cora, my dear why don't you sit down and say hello to Lord Murray?" Robert asked, fearing his wife was the worse for wine, something he was quite shocked by.
"I…" she stuttered
"Are you feeling quite well Lady Grantham? You look somewhat gray if you don't mind me saying" Lord Murray enquired.
Under normal circumstances, Cora would have been mortified by how upfront this stranger was being, but at that very moment she could not even speak, never mind argue with some arrogant aristocrat. With each second her body was swaying, her legs dangerously weak.
Her world went black.
Robert oblivious, at first watched in horror has his wife's body went limp and crumpled towards the floor like a discarded rag doll. Her skin clammy and pale shimmered in the sunlight streaming in from the large glass window, as she lay on the floor.
Sybil, who was just returning from a waltz with a very keen American gentleman, rushed to her mother's side and attempted to stop her from falling. She was not quite quick enough, and her mother's head cracked off the table in front of her. The shocking sound reverbing round the whole room.
As Cora lay unconscious and bleeding, Robert realized just how much he loved his wife. He cradled her weak body in his arms; while Sybil set about applying pressure to the wound on her mother's head using her father's favorite handkerchief- a gift from his wife that he had treasured ever since. Mary and Edith stood in shock, not knowing what to do, paralyzed by fear.
At first there was loud mumbling, but silence soon descending upon the ballroom, as they struggled to wake Cora up.
Only the fast beat of a woman's heeled shoes could be heard. Victoria soon returned with smelling salts, from her husband's medical bag.
Cora awoke with a start, confused and dazed.
"Oh thank goodness!" Robert sighed with relief.
"Is there anywhere we could lay her down?" queried Lord Murray.
"Yes, I'll show you there" Victoria ushered them.
Robert carried his wife to the guest bedroom in the grand manor. She snuggled against her husband's warm embrace, realizing just how much she relied on him.
He quickly placed her on the bed and sat by her side, cradling her hand in his.
"Cora, are you feeling any better?" he whispered to her.
"I'm alright Robert, I promise. It was just awfully warm in there. Although I seem to have bumped my head, trust me!" she joked.
"Oh Cora! I was so worried about you! You didn't half scare me. Don't ever do that again!"
With that, nobody seemed to matter in the room, as Robert embraced Cora. He hugged her with all his might. Cora felt genuinely safe in her husband's arms. It gave her hope that maybe everything would be all right. They would survive everything life threw at them.
Together.