Comforting Donk

Part title

Robert felt badly for leaving the library after tea. He knew the children wanted to talk to him and he could probably use their company but he was having a difficult time laughing about anything even the antics of children. He sighed as he sat back on the bench. "Lord Grantham!" A tiny voice called. He turned to see little Johnny Bates running to him ignoring Nanny's calls."
He waved to her. "I've got him!" He said. She nodded and headed back inside.
Robert picked up the boy and placed him on his knee. "May I ask you a question, Milord?"
Robert smiled. "Of course."
"Papa said you fought in the bear War with him."
"Boer," he said with a chuckle.
Bore. Do they do boring things?"
"No that's just their name like we're English.
He nodded not sure he completely understood. "Is Papa a hero?"
"Indeed he is , Johnny. He saved me more than once out there. Your Papa is a very fine man! I am lucky enough to know him."

"There they are George!" Sybbie exclaimed. "Donk! Johnny! would you like to practice cricket with us? We want to be better than Papa and Mr. Molesley."
Robert chuckled at Sybbie's enthusiasm. "where's Caroline?"
George crossed his arms " she's a girl! Girls can't play!"
"Who says?" Sybbie asked with the same look as her mother. Robert immediately felt an ache in his heart.
"Everyone can play cricket today!" Robert exclaimed. "And George don't be unkind to your cousin."
Robert took the bat from George and had the children line up. "Johnny you go first."
"Here Donk!" Sybbie said, tossing the ball. He was impressed. "Excellent throw."
Ok, bowling can be rough but I'll take it easy for now until you're all older and used to it," Robert explained. He didn't realize he had an audience behind him until Johnny hit the ball into a rather impressive arc and George cried, "Catch it granny!"
Cora turned just in time to catch the ball. Everyone cheered and Robert had to smile even though he was worried by the paleness of her face. Clarkson said the anemia would make her tired  and she'd been sleeping later than usual lately but she seemed to get a sudden burst of energy after tea. Maybe it was their grandchildren? They have lifted his spirits especially since Mama.
He sighed and ran over to Cora laughing. "And you said you would never play and look at you!"
She smiled. "I wasn't planning on it but I didn't want to get hit on the head."
"I am very sorry, Lady Cora!" Johnny said taking her hand and kissing it.
"That's alright she said.
++++
Later that evening Robert climbed into bed and took Cora into his arms. He realized she was shaking. "Darling, are you cold?"
"No, I'm..."
She sniffed.
"But you're crying! What's the matter?"
She tried to smile but ended up wincing. " my neck hurts terribly and has been since dinner started."
"Why didn't you say anything? Darling, please don't keep me in the dark. Let me help."

Cora sighed. She couldn't tell him about all her pains and what they could expect not so soon after Mama. She was about to lie down when she felt his hands on her neck as he gave her a massage. She melted in his hands which wasn't an impossible task for him to do to her after all thee years. Robert placed a few kisses along her neck stopping when heard a light snore. She fell asleep. He carefully laid her on the pillow and covered her placing a kiss on her cheek . Soon he drifted off himself.