A/N: My writing doesn't typically wander into this territory, but I have to go where the story leads me. Break out the fans, everyone! Thank you, as always, to SashaElizabeth.
Carson took in the sight of the dripping wet Earl and Countess of Grantham as they dashed out of the pouring rain and into the entrance hall.
"We're so sorry for the mess, Carson," Cora apologized, trying to stifle her giggling. "We, um, weren't expecting it to start raining." Robert cast his wife a sideways glance and winked at her as she caught his eye, causing her to blush slightly.
"Would you mind letting Bates and Baxter know that they can go ahead and retire for the evening? Her ladyship and I can ready ourselves for bed." Robert did his very best not to appear too eager to be alone with his wife.
"Certainly, my lord," Carson replied with an incline of his head. "Goodnight, my lord; my lady." The butler offered his employers a small smile before heading for the servants' staircase. As he disappeared through the doorway Cora began to sashay toward the main staircase, glancing back at her husband over her shoulder.
"Are you coming, darling?" she inquired, flashing him one of her most dazzling smiles. He quickly caught up to her and laced their fingers together before the pair of them headed upstairs toward the privacy of their bedroom. As they reached the first landing, Cora suddenly let go of Robert's hand and grabbed the lapels of his dinner jacket, pulling him close to her before wrapping her arms around his neck and fusing her lips to his. Caught completely off guard, Robert had to brace his hands against the wall for fear of crushing his delicate wife. When the need for air became too great, Cora reluctantly broke the kiss and began to thread her fingers through the hair at Robert's temples.
Robert shook his head and chuckled. "What on earth has come over you tonight, Cora?" he questioned as he ran his hands up and down her arms.
"You, my darling," she breathed as she ran her eyes appreciatively over her husband's form. Looking up into his soft blue eyes, she smiled lovingly at him before continuing. "I love the way your clothes are clinging to your body." Her hands began to roam over his chest before making their way back into his hair. "And, the way your hair is so curly when it's wet."
Robert took in the look of mischief in Cora's eyes. "You're certainly in a naughty mood tonight, Lady Grantham," he teased, his arms snaking their way around her waist.
"I don't think you realize the effect you have on me, Lord Grantham," she answered. Her nimble fingers began to loosen her husband's bowtie and undid the top button of his dinner shirt. Before he could protest, Robert felt his wife's lips upon his now exposed neck, leaving a trail of fire in their wake. He closed his eyes, his entire body tingling with pleasure. Seemingly of their own accord, one of his hands wandered below Cora's waist, kneading her behind as the other one worked to undo the myriad of hooks and buttons down the back of her dress.
"Robert," she murmured, her breath hot on his ear, "if we don't hurry and get up to our room I am going to have to insist that you take me right here on the staircase."
Robert paused for a moment, his mind wandering back to the early years of their marriage when they had almost been caught in several rooms in the house. A smile twitched on his lips as he thought of how tempting the idea was now. Finally opening his eyes, he gave his wife a chaste kiss on the lips before scooping her up in his arms and whisking her up to the privacy of their bedroom. Tempting as the idea of making love on the stairs was, it wouldn't do for the Lord and Lady of the house to be found in such a compromising position-especially if it happened to be by one of their grandchildren.
After entering their bedroom and kicking the door shut behind him, Robert set his wife down on their bed and knelt before her. With great care, he unbuckled and removed her shoes before running his hands up the length of her legs. Finally finding the clasps to her garters, he released her stockings and began to roll them down her legs at an agonizingly slow pace. He tilted his head up to look into Cora's eyes, noticing that they were now several shades darker with desire. She raked her fingers through his hair as he finished removing the silken garments, placing a kiss to each of her shins as he did so. He then removed the garters completely, slinging them over his shoulder. Cora giggled lightly as she watched him, her body continuing to tense in anticipation of what was to come.
Robert stood now and took his wife's hands in his, pulling her gently to her feet before undoing the final clasps and buttons at the back of her dress. He pushed the still soaking wet garment off of her shoulders and held it as Cora stepped out of it. Tossing it to the side, he watched as she silently raised her arms above his head allowing him to remove her chemise. But as he reached for the drawstring of her drawers, she stilled his hand. His eyebrows furrowed in confusion until he saw her hand pull the string herself, loosening the offending garment and allowing them to float to the floor where she promptly kicked them to the side.
Robert stared lovingly at his wife, causing her cheeks to color slightly. "How do you do it?" he questioned, softly.
"Do what, darling?" she inquired, tilting her head a bit in confusion.
"Become more beautiful with every day that passes," he answered.
Cora blushed a deeper crimson and lowered her lashes, a radiant smile breaking across her face. "Oh, Robert," she said with a slight shake of her head. "You silly man."
"Silly I may be, but it's the truth, my love."
Cora looked up at him with tears of love and happiness glistening in her eyes. She stepped toward him and wrapped her arms around him, resting her head on his shoulder. "I'm glad you still think me beautiful, Robert. Because I still find you as devastingly handsome as I did the first time I saw you."
"Hardly," Robert scoffed. "The young man you met that night all those year ago grew old, my dear. He must not have drank from the same fountain of youth as his darling wife."
"You haven't grown old, my darling," Cora assured him. "If anything, you've only grown more handsome; more distinguished."
"Well, if my darling Cora says it then it must be true," he said with a shrug of his shoulders.
"There is one little problem, however," Cora mused, her face taking on a thoughtful expression.
Robert deflated slightly. "A problem? What's the problem?"
"Well," Cora answered, "at this particular moment the problem is that you're wearing too many clothes. We're not exactly on equal ground here, darling."
Robert chuckled. "I have rather been enjoying the view."
Cora rolled her eyes playfully. "I'm glad, darling. But, I'd like to enjoy a view of my own." Removing her arms from around Robert's waist, she set to work on removing his dinner jacket, waistcoat, braces and dress shirt. She took his hands and led him to the bed, pushing lightly on his shoulders until he was seated before her. With every bit of the care he had shown to her, she removed his shoes and socks every now and then massaging the backs of his calves. When she had finished she stood and took his hands, mirroring his earlier actions by pulling him to his feet so that she could remove his pants and undergarments. Her eyes once again roamed appreciatively over her husband's body. She looked up at him with a teasing smirk.
"Hmm. That's much better," she whispered.
Robert wrapped his arms around her waist and lifted her up before placing her gently on top of the bed. He crawled in and hovered over her, his weight resting on his left arm as he cupped her face with his right hand. He traced his thumb over her lips before brushing a few stray locks of hair from her face. "My Cora," he said softly. "My beautiful Cora." His heart swelled with love as a brilliant smile spread across Cora's face, her cheeks turning pink at her husband's compliment. He placed a soft kiss to her lips before working his way down her body with his mouth, whispering adorations between every kiss. As his mouth made its way to her stomach, Cora was fairly certain she was about to explode with anticipation. She arched her back, aching to feel Robert's skin against her own.
"Robert," she whispered, her voice thick with lust. "Please."
It was all the encouragement Robert needed. As he settled his body between her legs, his eyes sought hers in silent askance. At her almost imperceptible nod of permission, he entered her slowly. As overcome with passion as they both were, he didn't want to rush this. Setting a pace that was both tender and deliberate, Robert endeavored to pour all of his adoration and affection for this magnificent creature into his love-making.
As the two of them lay entwined in post-coital bliss Robert pulled Cora closer to him, smiling to himself at hearing her sigh of contentment and relishing in the feeling of her head resting against his chest. Before sleep claimed him, he pressed a few soft kisses to her hair and murmured, "I love you, my dearest one."
"I love you, too, my darling," was her soft reply.