The deep Abyss

Untitled Part 4

Violet was upset. "Such scandal, Robert! How selfish of her to try this a second time!"

He turned to her. "Mama, what in the blazes are you on about? Try it again?" She was having some sort of feverish dream and wasn't in her right mind. Not surprising considering what happened days ago."

"Lord Grantham," Clarkson called. 

Robert shook his head. he'd talk to Mama later. "How is she?"

"The head injury caused some memory problems. That is... she still thinks she's pregnant. I wasn't quite sure how you wanted to deal with that, so I didn't say. the last thing she seems to remember is going to bed."

"It was mentioned this had happened before, but Lady Grantham didn't go into any details. Could you fill me in?"

He watched as Clarkson thought for a moment finally, he nodded. 

Robert listened, stunned that this was the first he ever heard of this. Cora tried to kill herself while he was on South Africa? Why did no one say?

*********

"Milord," Carson said, opening the front door. "How is her Ladyship?"

"She'll be ok Clarkson said. They're keeping her there to to make certain all is well."

I'm glad. Lady Mary and Lady Rosamund are in the library. They would like to speak with you."

Robert nodded and went in. He needed a stiff drink for when he spoke to Rosamund.

He poured himself some whiskey then turned, telling them about Cora's condition. "Rosamund. I learned a curious piece of information and I would like to know why you all felt it necessary to keep it from me."

She nodded, knowing what he meant. "She told us, papa. I don't think Mama told you because she didn't want to upset you."

"You see," Rosamund said. "It happened because Mama failed to tell her you were found and returning home. Cora thought you were dead and she decided she could no longer live because of that. She didn't believe going home would make her feel any better about it. I had come to give her the good news when I found her trying to do it."

"She didn't tell her?" He asked angrily.

"Papa," Mary said, taking his arm. "Calm down. You won't help Mama if you are angry. Just finish your drink and go to bed. I'm sure she'll want to see you in the morning."

He took a breath. You're right, darling, thank you," he said, giving her a kiss.

++++

Cora lay in her cot. It was the most uncomfortable bed she ever slept in. She planned to speak to Robert about raising more funds so the cots could be upgraded but now she had to turn off all her negative thoughts. She could have killed the baby. She was surprised she hadn't. She heard movement in the hall and noticed two nurses making their rounds. 

"Are you serious? Lady Grantham doesn't remember her miscarriage from 2 weeks ago? No wonder she threw herself down the stairs."

Cora gasped. She was told the baby was fine when in reality it had died weeks ago! She felt sick, placing a hand on her now empty abdomen. "Oh my sweet baby, I am so sorry," she whispered as tears fell from her eyes she drifted off to sleep.