In honour of Dame Maggie Smith, I added a scene between Violet and Patrick.
"My dear, why are you so against the relationship between Robert and Cora?"
Violet pushed her pillow up behind her back and looked at Patrick. "Do you need help getting in your bed."
"I had hoped to stay here tonight?"
"Patrick, what is it that you want of me?"
Patrick slowly got up, he had practiced with his physiotherapist, and he could walk short distances again. He shuffled towards Violet's bedside and sat down. "I want you to see how happy Robert is. Did you see how his eyes glow when he looks at Cora?"
Violet huffed.
"I mean it." Patrick took her hand in his. "We had a forced marriage, but it turned out alright. Did it not?"
Violet closed her hand around Patrick's. "We did turn out alright. I just want to make sure Robert makes the right choice. He needs somebody who can be the Lady of the house. Somebody who knows how to be a countess."
"Times are changing my dear, and I do believe that Cora can be that. Look at this afternoon, how graceful she took your unkind words."
Violet grinned. "I was unkind, was I not?" She squeezed Patrick's hand. "Do not tell Robert or Cora that I said that. I will try to be more forgiving and overlook that she is an American."
"Good. Now can you please ring so I can get some help getting into the bed?"
Violet shook her head. "I am your wife, am I not?"
Patrick gave her a confused look.
"I can help you. I am relieved seeing you moving more and more each week. You scared me."
"I will never get full function back, especially not in this hand." He pointed at his left arm. "But I am glad how I came out of this. We can still make some adventure's together."
Violet smiled softly. "You remember that time in Egypt?" In the meantime, she got Patrick's chair, so she could roll him to his side of the bed and lift him up. He shifted until he laid in the middle of the bed.
"That was an amazing time."
"With some help we can make a trip like that again." Violet crawled back in bed and rested her hand on Patrick's arm.
With a deep sigh, Cora tossed the duvet off her and stepped out of the bed. Patrick had wished them a nice evening and dinner, and Rosamund had been upset that they were not eating at Downton. Cora had felt guilty, but Robert made her believe that Rosamund would be happy she could go back to London, back to her Marmaduke.
When they arrived at the pub, the barman had looked at them strangely. She guessed that it was the first time Robert slept there. It was weird that he did not stay at Downton of course. Dinner had been lovely, and they had stayed at their table for a long time and talked about nothing in particular.
But now since Robert kissed her goodnight, she was lying awake in bed. So much had happened in such a brief period. Was she going to learn how to stand up to Violet? Or would she not be strong enough? The only thing she had clear was that she was going to fight for Robert. She knew that she could take Violet's harsh words as long as Robert was next to her.
Cora turned towards the bed and sighed again. She suddenly decided, slipped into her slippers, and walked out of her room. She knocked on the door next to hers, but when she touched the door, it slowly opened. This surprised Cora, but she quickly recovered, closed the door behind her and walked towards the bed. Robert was lying on his side and sleeping peacefully. She took off her slippers and slid under the covers, carefully without making too much movement. Trying not to wake Robert, she scooted closer.
Robert felt a cold draft and felt somebody getting into his bed. He was surprised but could not be more excited about it. He let Cora scoot closer to him, letting her believe he was still sleeping. When she finally found a spot, with her hand resting against his back he decided to turn around. He scooped her up and wrapped his arm around her. Her head was now resting against his neck, he felt her sigh.
"You could not sleep?" He asked while pressing a kiss to her crown.
Cora sighed again and curled up even more against him. "What if I am not strong enough?"
"I will always defend you."
Cora angled her face up. "You will not always be next to me. And I do not want to be unkind towards your mother, but I have to admit, it is hard not to react."
Robert moved his hand over Cora's back. It felt magical that she was lying next to him in bed. As with her hand in his, her body fitted perfectly against his. Her small figure curled up against his chest. When she nestled her head in the nook of his neck, he had felt complete. "You could be surprised that my Mama would not mind when you bite back."
"She will send me home."
Robert pressed a kiss on her forehead. "I would bring you back or leave with you." He cleared his throat. "Now let us get some sleep."
Cora put her hand on his chest. "I do not want you to think that I do not like your mother."
"Why would you say that? I could not be mad if you did not like her. She has not given you many reasons to like her, did she?"
"She is your mother, and I do believe that she did a good job in raising you."
Robert chuckled. "It could have been my dad who did that?"
"You cannot fool me, Robert." She brushed with her fingertips over his neck. "Your mother is old-fashioned, and she would never let your father be the one responsible for the children. I think you had a Nanny, and your mother picked up when you two were old enough to learn more about how to be a lady and a lord."
"Have you been reading into the English nobility?"
Cora smiled, with her fingernails she still scratched softly over his skin. "I have indeed. I want to know more about your background and how titles work. I also think that it must have been hard growing up in the time your mother did."
"Cora, all this does not make it right that she is so unkind towards you." Robert put his hand on top of hers.
"Maybe not. But you know, we are who we are, and your mother has to get used to me and that is alright. Even though I will have a hard time from time to time, I am glad that I met your parents and am looking forward to getting know them even better."
"This." He kissed her lips. "This is why I like you so much."
"Only like?" Cora smirked.
With a chuckle Robert pressed his lips on Cora's again. "It is more than liking. It is something deeper than love even."
"I feel connected with you." Cora murmured while kissing him again. "And you are right, that is deeper than love."
"It is strange how life can be. We did not know about each other at the beginning of this year and now we are lying here together in this bed."
Cora snuggled closer against him. "I can get used to this feeling."
Robert coughed.
"Are you feeling ill?" Cora wiggled her hand from underneath Robert's and laid it against his forehead.
"I am fine Cora. Can we please get some must needed rest now?"
