Robert went to see Cora before going down for dinner. He sighed.
"What is it?" Cora asked.
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"What do you think of Carlisle?I don't like him. You can tell Mary isn't set on him but is trying to put on a brave face."117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEygX2E3XHN
"Is there anyone else? I don't believe anyone would make her happier than Matthew."117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP0yajv6PkR
"I believe so as well, Robert, but as you said we dreamed a dream."
She gave him a kiss and took his hands, pulling him up from the chair. "Let's go my darling or we'll be late."
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Cora saw that Carlisle had scooted his chair closer to hers by the end of dinner his arm was touching hers. At one point she thought his hand was on her leg but she brushed it off realizing that was ridiculous. He wouldn't dare.117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8Q2mL6IQEG
"Shall we go through?" She asked. She glanced at Carlisle as she stood. She had not been mistaken. He grabbed her arm. "May I have a word, Lady Grantham?" He hissed in her ear.117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIJIqajJE2d
Cora nodded. She smiled at Robert and left the room.117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlDjxl4vAYe
He pushed her into the great hall. "What are you doing?" She asked getting nervous.117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY75CcBOUNy
"I need need to speak with you regarding a very serious situation and only you can help me."117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxlq8rMOhTv
She frowned. "And Lord Grantham?"117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjM8IDLe2FJ
Carlisle grinned sardonically. "Well it's best he doesn't know.... For now."117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfy8M11uIrS
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Cora sat in the library quietly reading a book. She'd been avoiding Robert all day since this morning. The bruises were fresh, and she told herself they were to protect her daughter. Sir Richard was powerful and possibly now the only sensible match Mary could make with Matthew intent on marrying Lavinia. It was easy enough to get away with keeping this from Robert as was focused on estate business. It also gave her too much alone time with the newspaper owner, much more than she liked. If Robert knew, he'd murder the man. So, Cora took matters into her own hands. She looked up when Carson entered with more wood. She smiled at him. "Thank you, Carson, but that isn't necessary."
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"Lady Mary seemed to think you were chilled, Milady. It's not a problem," he replied.
Cora nodded, thanking the butler.
"Mama!" Mary called.
"Yes, dear?"
"Sir Richard is returning tomorrow."
"Already? I though he wasn't coming back for a week."
"Well he changed his plans," Mary replied. "That isn't a problem, is it?"
Cora took a breath, willing herself not to cry. She thought she'd have a longer reprieve than three days. "No, of course not, darling."
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Cora was slammed roughly into the wall, face first, Her forehead htting hard. She bit her bottom lip to keep from crying out. “Richard...” his hand wrapped around her neck. “AhAhAh, Lady grantham, That’s Sir Richard to you, remember?” He said, giving her neck a quick squeeze. She blinked away the tears not wanting to show him how scared she really was. “Richard.. we must minimize the bruising.
“Must we? You’re correct but I can make sure they aren’t seen, trust me,” He replied, pressing his body against hers and pinching the top of her breast. Cora almost cried out but was shut down by Richard smacking her across the face. He let go and she dropped to the floor, sobbing. “Thank you for the fun,” He muttered, yanking her head back by her hair and roughly kissing her.
As he left, he reminded her to keep her mouth shut. Cora didn’t move until she heard the door close. She took a breath, whispering... “This is for Mary!”
Cora finally made her way to the washroom and leaned over the toilet, trying to quell the nausea of Richard’s attack tonight. There was no talk. he jumped on her the moment he stepped through the door. He was rough and probably cracked a few of her ribs. Her head swam at the memories and she wasn’t sure she could allow Robert to touch her again. She felt disgusting. That’s what Richard said. he called such hrrible things and he was right. This was her payment to save her daughter from scandal and she was going to do all she could to pay it in full.
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