"I came here once when I was young, in old Lord Hexham's day. They were trying to unload a niece."

"I didn't know you'd been here before, Robert," said Cora on their way to their rooms. Fortunately they were nearby each other.

"It was a long time ago. I haven't thought about it for ages," Robert replied quietly as he followed her into her room. He looked around awkwardly, realizing she would need to direct Baxter to unpacking her things and change out of her travel clothes.

"Why don't you come back in a quarter of an hour," Cora said, just above a whisper while removing her hat. "I would like to hear about this niece." Robert rolled his eyes and kissed her check before making his way to the door.

After Barrow left him, Robert felt distracted since his brief conversation with Cora, but knew he needed to wait a few more minutes before going to see her. It always took her longer to unpack and refresh than it did him. In the silence that followed he thought back to that time in 1888. He was a young man, recently graduated from Oxford with the weight of the world on his shoulders. That July his father informed him of their financial situation and the need for him to marry money, but the season was already over. Before that Robert hadn't been thinking of marriage at all. He was ready to tour the continent and see the world. He was anxious to break free of the fetters of school and live his life. He knew this meant learning estate management and becoming accustomed to the title he would inherit some day and all the obligations that went with it, but that would also be an exciting change; a way for him to truly become a man. Marriage, however, sounded like a prison to him at that moment. But, there was nothing to be done, it was his duty and he was not raised to shirk his duty. He had to marry, or at least become engaged, to an heiress soon. That would keep the creditors at bay.

That August, his parents brought him to Brancaster Castle for the shooting and the niece.

August 1888

"Welcome to Brancaster Castle!," exclaimed Lady Hexham. Lord and Lady Grantham greeted their gracious hosts and thanked them for inviting them. Then Lady Hexham turned her attention to Robert.

"It's a pleasure to see you again, Lord Downton. I'd like to introduce you to our niece, Lady Evelyn."

"A pleasure, my lady," replied Robert as he bowed properly over her hand. He had a mask of stoicism that revealed nothing. This did not escape his mother's notice.

"You could try to smile, Robert," admonished Lady Grantham quietly as the party moved further into the castle. Robert's response was a mild grunt and shrug.

August 1924

"How did it go with Edith?" Cora asked as Robert climbed into bed.

"Well, I think. She seemed relieved to not be shouldering the secret anymore."

"And that you accept Marigold as your grandchild," added Cora.

"Yes. She asked for my forgiveness."

"Which you gave, of course," Cora remarked.

"Of course," replied Robert as he settled into bed and turned off the light on the table.

"So, do you want to tell me about Lord Hexham's neice?" asked Cora.

"Darling, you said it yourself, I need to relax," Robert said while pulling her into his arms. "I don't see how hashing up old business will help to calm me. However, there are other activities that can achieve that goal." He gently moved closer to her and wrapped his arm around her shoulders.

"First tell me a story, then we can move on to those "other activities," said Cora firmly while her hand caressed his cheek, letting him understand she was amenable to his advances.