The four of them looked at the door. Dr. Clarkson, Isobel, Cora, and Robert were in the middle of an argument when Mary entered. Cora’s eyes shot fire when she looked at Isobel.
“I’m sorry. Are you in the middle of something?” She asked, holding an envelope and letter in her hand.
Dr. Clarkson was the first one to speak. “We’re discussing the arrangements.”
“Oh, good” Mary said. “we’ve had a letter from Evelyn Napier. He’s in a hospital in Middlesbrough and he’s heard that we’re a convalescent home now, and wonders if he can come here once he’s released.”
“Of course, he can come here.” Cora said with a compassioned voice. Evelyn Napier had been an old family friend and he should come here as soon as he was able to travel again. She was sad to hear he got wounded. So many dear young men were getting killed and injured.
“Well, now, just a minute.” Dr. Clarkson started.
“There’s no question of him coming here.” Isobel finished.
Cora let out a gasped. “What?”
“The Middlesbrough General will have their own arrangements for where their patients convalesce.” Isobel continued.
Dr. Clarkson said: “I’m afraid Mrs Crawley is right. Downton must function as part of the official system, or it cannot function at all.”
Cora had turned towards Robert with a desperate plea in her eyes. What were they thinking. Isobel was barking at her like a sergeant major and she gave orders to her servants. And now they were not even able to say who would stay here at their house?
“Now, I think perhaps I should make one thing clear.” Robert’s voice was terrifying low. “Downton is our house and our home and we will welcome in it any friends or relations we choose. And if you do not care
to accept that condition, then I suggest you give orders for the nurses and the patients and the beds and the rest of it to be packed up and shipped out at once!” He shouted the last words.
Cora felt a smirk around her mouth, she tried to control it. She loved Robert so much, especially when he stood up for what he cared for. And even though just before he was going to defend Isobel, she could hear it in the way he said: ‘Cora, I’m sure…’ But it did not matter. He was setting both Dr. Clarkson as Isobel in their place. They should understand that this was their home, and it was up to their goodwill that it was now a convalescent home.
Dr Clarkson looked at Isobel and after a slight hesitation he said: “Thank you, Lord Grantham, for making your position so clear.”
Cora was still trying to hold back her smile, she gave both Dr. Clarkson and Isobel stern looks, although inside she felt joy. Robert was irresistible when he was like this.
“Oh, just one more thing. The dog.” Isobel had not given up her fight yet, Cora thought. “What should we do to stop Isis getting into the patients’ rooms?”
Robert had turned towards his desk, but at this question he turned back around. “I can answer that…” He stopped for a second to give his answer more dept. “Absolutely nothing!”
“Ah.” Isobel followed Dr. Clarkson and Mary out of the room.
Robert had again turned towards his desk and was moving papers. Cora knew he did not really look at them. She stepped closer and put her hands on his shoulders and back. Slowly she moved her hands up and down. She felt his body react, like she had hoped.
Cora started massaging his shoulders, she felt him slowly relax under her hands. She placed a kiss on his neck. She took his earlobe between her thumb and index finger and softly tugged on it, immediately placing a kiss on it. “Thank you. My love, my hero.” Her hands moved to his chest, and she pressed him against hers. Robert was too tall to be able to lay her head on his shoulder from the back, so she rested it against his shoulder blades.
Robert put his hand on top of Cora’s, he could feel her desire in the way she pressed herself against him. He took her hands in his hands and turned around. “This is our home.” He said seductive. Robert brought Cora’s hands to his face and placed a kiss on top of her knuckles. He then placed his hand on her cheek and brought her face up towards his, their lips met, and they crashed into a passionate kiss.
Cora pressed herself firm against Robert, she felt he stumbled back against the desk. This aroused her even more, knowing he had not expected this move of her. One hand on her cheek, the other on the small of her back. She moved her hand down and took him in her hand. This erupted a gasp from Robert, and she felt him getting stiff. Softly massaging him, she felt his kiss getting more intense. His tongue against hers. His hand had lowered from her cheek to her breast. And even though she was wearing a corset, she could feel his touch. A soft moan escaped her throat. Robert intensified his kiss even more. Cora was melting into a puddle of desire for him.
Loud laughter came from the drawing room, there was only a screen between the two rooms and abruptly Cora stepped back from Robert. She quickly glanced at the screen and door, but nobody was there. They had not been seen. Cora put her hand on Robert’s arm and gave him a more descent kiss on his cheek. “I will thank you in full tonight.” She did not wait for Robert to respond; she turned around and walked back into the great hall. Her back straight and full of confidence, she had won this battle with Isobel. To be fair, Robert had won it for her, but that did not matter.
Verhalen van Traan 