"You did wonderful, my darling." Cora said when Mary helped her up the stairs.
"It was better than I expected." Mary answered. She looked at her mother, her skin was very pale, and Mary knew, she asked too much of herself. "Matthew asked me on a date before he left."
Cora stopped. They arrived at the top of the stairs, and she needed a minute to catch her breath. Mary's announcement was a perfect timing. "He did? That makes me happy."
Mary blushed. "I think this can be more than just a date." She padded her mother's back. She had still a nasty cough Mary thought. "You did too much today, didn't you?"
Slowly Cora started walking towards her bedroom. She smiled at Mary. "But this day is over, and I can rest now."
"I hope you will stay in bed tomorrow, or at least do not do too much?"
"We will see how I feel tomorrow. Do not worry too much."
Robert was sitting on the bed in his changing room. He had heard Cora in her room, but he was not ready yet to join her. He had sent Bates away. He was holding Jane's letter in his hands. He turned the envelope round and round. He should throw it away without reading it. But something inside him wanted to know what Jane had written to him. He thought of his beautiful Cora, sitting opposite of him in her stunning turquoise dress. He was happy with her, so why did Jane still pop up in his head. Could they have had a future together? He could not run away from Downton with her, and staying in Downton was also not an option. Once again, he turned the envelop around and he stared at his name on the front. With his thumb he stroked over the letters.
All of the sudden he was shaken up by a lout thwack, the sound came from Cora's room. He jumped up, dropping the letter while he rushed into her room.
Cora was on the ground next to a side table that had fallen over on hands and knees. Robert rushed to her. "Cora what happened?"
At that same time Sybil stormed into the room, when she saw her mother on the ground, she grabbed the oxygen and offered it to her mother, although she did not seem to have trouble breathing. Robert lifted her into an armchair.
"Mama? Do you want me to call Dr. Clarkson?" Sybil asked.
Cora shook her head. "I am fine." she said slowly.
"What happened?" Robert asked again.
"I was wondering where you were and got up to see if you were already in your changing room. I got dizzy and stumbled over that table." She pointed at the knocked over side table.
Sybil pressed her hand against her mother's forehead. "You do not feel warm. I will take you blood pressure to make sure it is not too low."
Cora padded her hand. "I ask to much of myself today. Nothing is wrong. I need to be more careful."
"Yes, you do. You scared me, Cora." Robert said with a deep voice.
Cora heard anger in his tone, and she could not blame him for it. "Tomorrow, I will do nothing, I promise you."
"When you are sure you are alright, I will go back to my room. Mama, Papa." Sybil greeted them.
Robert bent down to help Cora out of the chair. Cora put her hand on his cheek. "I am truly sorry for this. I did not realise that walking these few steps would be too much after today. I am sorry. But how wonderful was tonight. This event was fantastic, and we can be so proud of Mary."
Robert nodded. Mary did indeed splendid, better than he had expected, and at the end of the evening he had seen her and Matthew together, so he hoped that meant good news.
"Come, let us lay down and get some sleep. Are you staying tonight?" Cora asked.
This request surprised Robert. "Do you feel well enough for that?"
"I do not understand why you went back to the guest backroom after that night you stayed with me. I am not sick anymore, only recovering. I miss you next to me. I also do not understand why you are using the guest bedroom and not your dressing room?" Cora looked at Robert, she was not sure what she saw in his eyes. Was he still cross with her. "Darling. I truly will give you more of my time. I am sorry for the last weeks. Mary is taking control of the company."
Robert's guilt grew in his chest, why was Cora still apologizing, she did not do anything wrong. It was her right to do things she loved. He needed to tell her about Jane, but he did not know how. He looked into her eyes; he saw so much love in them that he felt even more guilt. Suddenly he pulled her close to his chest. "Thank you darling."
Cora moved her hands over his back in a soothing way. Softly producing sussing sounds. He must have been so scared these last days. "Let's get some sleep."
Robert scooped her up and carefully laid her down on the bed. He pulled the duvet cover up and quickly got in on his side. Cora had turned on her side and was watching him. As soon as he got closer to her, she stretched out her hand and rested it against his chest. Robert pulled her into his arms, he felt her sigh, her head rested on his arm, he knew they could not sleep like this, his arm would go numb. It was as if Cora read his mind, she shifted, so he could move his arm.
Cora lifted her chin "I am lucky to have you as my husband." She puckered her lips and Robert pressed his lips against hers. The sensation made all signals go off in his body, but Cora was still recovering, so he ignored the feeling in his groin, he felt heat creep up in his body. The little hairs were rising on his back when he felt Cora's hand slide over his side and back. She found her favourite spot and rested her hand where the curve of his hip started. He pressed a kiss into her hair and soaked up the feeling of her body against his.