Cora and Robert walked into the dining room that was now a filmset. The staff that was already seating, quickly got up. Robert urged them to sit down again, they were actors now. Quickly he and Cora joined the rest of the family behind the cameras.
Cora smiled at Mary and Edith, who gave her a worried look. She touched both their arms, to reassure them. Suddenly there was a loud screech in the room. And they heard the voice of Molesley.
“Do you want to marry me?” his voice sounded.
“Yes, Mr. Molesley.” Baxter’s voice sounded.
When they entered the dining room there was applause coming from everybody. Cora quickly grabbed Baxter’s hand. She was overjoyed for her.
They were all quickly sussed down by the crew, filming was starting.
+++
Robert handed Cora a glass and set down next to her. They were sitting in Cora´s sitting room. The library was crowded, filming had finished, and they all had a little celebration. Robert noticed Cora was getting quiet, he suggested to take a drink in her sitting room, for a little bit of rest. The rest of the evening would be long enough, with the buffet dinner.
“I am glad that the filming is over.” Robert sighed.
“Life is almost going back to normal.” Cora briefly touched Robert’s hand. “The proposal this afternoon made me think of our girls’ weddings.”
“I am sorry, we never been there for Sybil’s wedding.” Robert said softly.
Cora smiled at him, but before she could say anything Marigold and Sybbie came into the room. “Here you are.” Sybbie said.
“What is it.” Robert said a little bit annoyed that they were disturbing them, he felt Cora’s hand on his leg.
“We will be back in a minute darling; Grandmama needed some rest.” She said. The girls turned around and left them alone.
“I am so glad Edith was able to get her back and keep her.” Robert said.
Cora raised her eyebrows in surprise. “Do you really?”
Robert took her hands in his and turned towards her. He loved the winkling he just saw in her eyes. Her grandchildren had a special place in her heart. His Cora had always loved their own children, but for the grandchildren there was even more love. “Yes, I am really glad Marigold is with Edith.”
Cora lowered her eyes, she blamed herself for everything that happened. Edith had not felt safe enough to confide in her. She had failed Edith. “In the end it is all good, but Edith was in a horrible situation, and we did nothing.”
“We did not know; how could we have done anything?”
Now Cora looked into Robert’s eyes. He was still looking at her and the look in his eyes made her want to wrap her arms around him and kiss him, but she kept herself from it. “If I were more attentive to Edith during her younger years, she would have known she could tell me about her pregnancy. Now she was all alone in Switzerland, giving up a daughter she did not want to give up.”
“She was not alone, she had Rosamund. Cora, do not blame yourself for this.” Robert squeezed her hands.
“There is nobody else to blame. I still feel ashamed I did not see what was happening. I never realised how much Michael meant for her.” Cora felt silent, she felt a lump in her throat.
“But now she is with Bertie, and he makes her happy. Little Peter is a wonderful addition to the family.” He saw Cora’s lips curl up in a smile. He knew Cora never forgave herself for what happened with Edith, but she should not be so hard on herself. Yes, Edith had slipped their attention and they never saw her potential. But luckily Mama and Rosamund finally told Cora the whole story and she arranged for them to be together here at Downton. And now look at her. The Marchioness of Hexham. She outranked them all.
“What are you thinking?” All the sudden Cora’s face was really close to his.
“How Edith’s life has changed and how amazing she is doing right now.”
“All our children did amazing.” She pressed her lips against Robert’s. “Let’s go back to the rest, it is almost dinner time.”
Robert sighed. “Dinner in the library, it is a good thing Mama is not coming down to witness this.”
Cora got up and pulled Robert also up. “Come on, the modern world has come to Downton, and we should embrace it.”
+++
When they walked into the great hall, there was Bertie helping Miss Dalgleish to a plate.
They could not hear the whole conversation, but suddenly Bertie said rather loud. “Where is your ghastly accent.” And everybody felt silent. Cora quickly walked over; she had a proud smug on her face. She took the plate from Bertie and gave him a warning look.
Robert chuckled, that was one of the looks, you did not want to get from Cora. She could really kill with her eyes. Quickly Bertie made himself out of the way and Cora filled Miss Dalgleish’s plate. But she reclined and went downstairs to say goodbye to the staff. Robert stepped closer and whispered. “Now, I know what you and Miss Dalgleish had been doing.”
Cora gave him a proud look, put some more asperges on her plate and went into the library.
When everybody was done eating, Thomas came to Robert and Cora announcing that Dr. Clarkson had arrived.
Quickly they followed. Just before they would great him, Robert took Cora’s hand. “Whatever he will tell us, we will make the best of it.”
Cora wrapped both arms around him and pressed her face against his chest. “I love you darling.” Still with her arms wrapped around his him, she looked up.
Robert pressed a kiss on her forehead. “You are my everything.”
Verhalen van Traan 