Several days had passed since the Masquerade Ball at Pembrook house and Lady Cora Durham had been very busy with social engagements. She had attended some with John but he wasn't a social creature and preferred to deal with business and stay at home though in the evenings he would make an exception. She had also been going to some ladies only tea parties which she was enjoying as she could be more herself. But her social engagements had not been enough to pull her mind away from one paramount fact. Cora could not stop thinking about Lord Downton, especially in her quiet moments and she could not grasp why. She had only met him once so why had he affected her in such a way?
Cora tried to focus on her book as she sat in her room and absentmindedly reached behind her neck with her left hand to massage it after John yanked at it the previous night. Soon she had read the same sentence multiple times and gave up. "I couldn't just let you fall." Those words spoken by Lord Downton had really struck a chord. She knew he was just saying that out of politeness but couldn't help reading more in it nonetheless. John didn't just let her fall, he was trampling her entirely. Cora wanted to cry but she was already crying so much these days she had no will to muster the tears. Cora hoped very much that she would see Lord Downton and his family and friends again.
John had informed Cora earlier that day that he would not be at dinner that night due to business and for a change, there were no engagements to draw Cora out. She was quietly pleased at the prospect of a quiet dinner to herself, it would make a nice change. John left at 4.30pm leaving her to her own devices. Cora relished the peace in the house and not having to worry that her horrible husband might barge in on her at any moment.
Cora had just put down her fork after a pleasant meal when Elliot re-entered the room with the evening post. There was two letters for John which he put to one side so His Lordship could receive them once home and gave Cora the third one. She examined the handwriting on the envelope and didn't recognise it. Curious, she opened the letter to find an invitation to an afternoon of cards and tea hosted by Lady Crawley. Cora's heart skipped a beat. Lady Crawley was Lord Downton's sister whom she had met at the Masquerade Ball. She happily rose from the table and hurried out of the room to her sitting room where her desk was. After inking an acceptance and sealing it, she rang the bell for Elliot. A few minutes passed but no-one came. Bewildered, she rang the bell again. A footman appeared looking red in the face.
"Luke, where is Elliot? I have a letter for the morning post," Cora said irritably.
"I am sorry milady, Elliot is currently indisposed." Luke was a tall young man and usually quite confident but in this moment he was struggling just to give eye contact. Cora frowned at his discomfort.
"What do you mean by indisposed? It is past nine o'clock. What could possibly be so pressing upon his time at this hour?" Luke shifted his weight from one foot to the other.
"I couldn't say milady but I will pass on that letter to him if you wish?" Luke offered.
Cora was starting to get a bad feeling that something had happened. She nodded to the footman and handed over her letter. "Very well, thank you Luke." Luke turned and walked out of the room much quicker than a footman ought to and Cora's suspicions increased. She stood silently for a couple of minutes, contemplating what to do. Slowly, she walked over to the door and opened it, listening carefully. She didn't know what she was listening for and was startled when she heard some urgent whispers coming from John's room.
Biting her lip, Cora crept along the tall, dark hallway past her own room and abruptly stopped when she saw John's door slightly ajar.
"Damn it Elliot be careful, that hurt!" John hissed at the old butler.
"I am sorry My Lord but I really wish you would let me send for the doctor," Elliot pleaded.
"No, that is one thing I absolutely will not allow." Cora knew that tone of voice well.
"But if that should become infected-"
"No means no. That is a risk I will have to take and I must not be seen until I am better. Elliot, if Her Ladyship finds out about this, you will be sacked. Understood?" Cora could almost hear John wincing as he spoke. He sounded like a wounded snake that was slithering under a shaded rock. She wondered why he would not want her to know about this and what his medical complaint was precisely.
"I understand My Lord," Elliot murmured resignedly.
"Why didn't you shut the door properly man? There is a draft coming through that crack."
"It must not have clicked into place My Lord." Cora heard Elliot's footsteps moving towards the door and quickly retreated behind a bust of King Henry VIII. The door clicked shut and she was swallowed by darkness. She then stepped out from her hiding place and scurried back along the hall and into her room.
Momentarily dazzled by the candles, Cora sunk onto her bed, her mind processing what she had just heard. Somehow, she did not think that John would pay her a visit tonight. Something was going on, she could sense it. She decided not to probe any further as John would surely beat her senseless and to keep going as though there was nothing amiss. The decision made, Cora reached over and rang the bell for Miss Lacombe.
Cora stopped in the porch facing the front door of Crawley house. The doorbell beckoned and Cora took a deep breath, trying to keep her nervous excitement under control. She knew it was just a ladies event but it was a good step if she wanted to become firm friends with the Crawley's, especially Lord Downton. Cora had not even moved towards the bell when the door opened and the butler stepped out. Totally caught off guard, Cora froze.
"Are you quite well?" The older man asked kindly.
"I am so sorry, yes I am thank you." Cora's cheeks burned.
"Then will you not come in? I am Oldroyd, the Crawleys' butler." Oldroyd gestured for Cora to come in and she stepped into the foyer which had a well polished wooden floor. Cora slipped slightly and treaded carefully toward the hall. A footman appeared and reached out to take Cora's bonnet and gloves. "Charles will look after your belongings, he is our first footman." Cora handed everything over and smiled at the tall young man. He stood to attention respectfully and then asked her to follow him.
Charles lead Cora to the drawing room where Lady Crawley sat at a table with two other women while another one looked on from the sofa. She eyed Cora curiously but gave no hint of a smile. "Ah, Lady Durham I was beginning to wonder what kept you!" Lady Crawley exclaimed as she rose from the card table and hurried over. Cora tore her eyes off the lady on the sofa and turned to Lady Crawley who quickly linked her arm and lead her to her seat. "We thought we would start off playing Whist and then take tea at four o'clock. I believe you are acquainted with Lady Wakefield?"
"Yes indeed," Cora turned to the handsome young woman, "Your ball was a delight."
"Thank you my dear Lady Durham," she said softly. "Forgive me for not standing. I have since found out I am with child," Lady Wakefield rested her hand over her abdomen and had the glow of a first time mother. Cora was quick to congratulate her.
"And this is Miss Hepworth," Lady Crawley said as she introduced her. Unlike the others she was petite and short as she stood up to greet Cora. "Miss Hepworth's family are good friends of ours, particularly with Mama and Papa." A cough from the woman on the seat caught their attention as the woman rose from the sofa and stood tall, one eyebrow arched at Lady Crawley. "And this is Mama, the Countess of Grantham.
"How do you do Lady Grantham," Cora said politely and curtseyed.
"Very well Lady Durham. I have been looking forward to today. My daughter has talked a lot about you since the Masquerade Ball and I should like to know what has come over her." Lady Grantham ran her eyes over Cora who suddenly felt like her corset was too tight. She didn't know how to respond.
"Oh Mama, never mind all that now. Take a seat Lady Durham and let us begin the game." Cora caught Lady Crawley's eye, silently thanking her for the intervention.
Cora had never considered herself an accomplished card player and had been quite surprised at her success as the afternoon wore on. As she laid down her ace of hearts to claim yet another trick Lady Grantham, who had been quietly watching them over her embroidery, suddenly spoke. "I see you are well versed at cards Lady Durham. I am pleased to see Lady Crawley is getting a run for her money." Cora glanced over at Lady Crawley who was partnered with Miss Hepworth.
"To be honest Lady Grantham, I did not expect so much success today. Usually I am all over the place when playing Whist." Cora watched as Lady Wakefield laid down another card.
"Well the cards have been in your favour which certainly helps. But a keen and observant mind is also key. Don't underestimate yourself because I don't." Lady Crawley added her card to the centre of the table but Cora's eyes were fixed on Lady Grantham. What on earth did she mean by that? The countess returned her focus to her embroidery as Cora struggled with her uneasiness.
"Lady Durham it is your turn," Lady Crawley said. Cora quickly pushed her musing to one side and examined the situation.
The tea was steaming hot and the aromas were lovely but Cora's focus was elsewhere. Lady Wakefield and Miss Hepworth had both taken their leave as the game had lasted a lot longer than anticipated and it would be soon time to change for dinner. Cora sat at one end of the couch with Lady Grantham at the other end, teacup in hand. Rosamund occupied a chair beside Cora. "So whereabouts are you from America?" Lady Grantham enquired.
"I hail from Newport," Cora replied.
"And it was your father that made the family fortune?"
"Yes." Cora's stomach squirmed. She knew that some English aristocrats frowned upon so-called 'new money'.
"Were you not able to find a suitable husband in America?" Lady Grantham pressed on.
"My mother felt that I would have a better chance over here than in New York."
"And why is that?"
"Oh for heaven's sake Mama, does all this really matter?" Rosamund cut in. She had hoped to talk to Cora herself as her Mama had originally been going to attend another engagement elsewhere but it was postponed at the last minute. And now she was stealing away the last opportunity of the day to get to know the intriguing young woman. Rosamund thought of her brother. She had seen a change in him since their meeting though he had tried to hide it but she too, wanted to get better acquainted with Lady Durham.
"Because New York is a madhouse," Cora said slowly having addressed Lady Grantham's last question. The Countess stifled a laugh.
"Yes I suppose it would be. Americans never do seem to handle themselves in quite the same calibre. That comes with tradition and experience." Cora felt the barb hit her square in the heart.
"Not all American's are like that Mama," Lady Crawley protested.
The drawing room door opened, "Are all like what?" Cora and the two Crawley women turned to find Lord Downton standing waiting for an answer. Cora's heart skipped a beat as she gazed up at him but he was looking from his mother to his sister, clearly expecting clarification from them.
"We were just talking about America," Lady Crawley informed him.
"Oh I see," Lord Downton said as he put two and two together. He flashed his Mama a look and then his eyes finally rested on Cora. "How lovely it is to see you again Lady Durham." Cora went to stand up but Lord Downton held up his hand to stop her. "You will spill your tea if you move too eagerly." She had forgotten about her tea which was no longer steaming and quickly took a sip of the now warm liquid.
"I should think Lady Durham will be on her way once she has finished her tea or she will be missed," Lady Grantham dropped the hint none too subtly. Cora took another couple of sips, now feeling thoroughly out of place.
"No hurry Lady Durham; I wouldn't want you to choke." Lady Crawley tried to dispel the thickening atmosphere.
"Yes you must enjoy your tea," Lord Downton agreed. "How will you get home?" He added uncertainly.
"I was planning to send a note back saying when to send the carriage as I didn't know how long I would be here. But it would be quite a while if I did that now for I confess I quite forgot." Cora looked away from him as her voice trailed off.
"Not to worry," he said. "I have an idea."
"Are you sure about this?" Cora asked for the third time as she sat on the beautiful brown mare outside Crawley House. "I don't want to cause you any disruption."
Lord Downton mounted his horse and guided it up beside hers as he chuckled. "I am quite sure. It would be an honour to escort you home."
"I am not a very confident rider," Cora began.
"Then we shall only let them walk," he finished and patted his jet black horse. "Your mare is a gentle creature. She'll not see you wrong and neither will I," he said softly as his eyes bore into hers. Cora felt her breath catch and she simply nodded.
Lady Crawley watched her brother lead her new friend out into the road from the drawing room window. Her brother was playing a dangerous game, even if he didn't yet know it. To even be tempted to start courting a married woman who had not yet borne her husband a son was not a decision that should be taken lightly. But she knew Robert was also a sensible man who would do anything to protect his loved ones. Rosamund only hoped that all would be well as time passed and that her brother would be happy. She turned to her Mama whom she heard standing from the sofa.
"We should get changed for dinner but I doubt Robert will have time," she said evenly. Rosamund knew her mother had a feeling about Lady Durham and her son as well. Unlike Rosamund, however, Lady Grantham saw Lady Durham as a potential threat to her son's chances of a good marriage should he pursue her and word get out. She sighed and followed after her mother, wondering how Robert and Lady Durham were getting on.