Thanks a lot to my English teacher who read proofed it for me.

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Rating: M (but a soft one)

Summary: "24 years ago you married Cora, against my wishes, for her money."

Disclaimer: Downton Abbey and its characters don't belong to me. I make no money from this work of fiction. I only own the plot line.

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Cora's Fortune

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"Cora, hurry up! The carriage is waiting for us."

The twenty-year-old American girl sighed.

"Is this all right to be introduce in London?"

Her mother turned and scrutinized her from head to toe.

"Very pretty. But we are going to be late if we don't leave now. I know that it is supposed to be fashionable for a Lady to be late, but you are not a Lady. Do not forget that, they certainly won't let you."

"I will just have to show them, won't I?"

Mother and daughter left the house and climbed into the carriage.

"Don't make a fool of yourself, Cora. I know that you father would like you to marry into aristocracy, but there is much more to a husband than just a title and you will be stuck with the same one for your whole life."

"I know that, Mama. And do not worry; I don't plan to settle for anything less than a love marriage."

"We'll see about that," her mother chuckled, somehow relieved.

They had arrived a few days before from Cincinnati. Mr. Levinson had some business in London and his wife wouldn't hear of letting him go without her. Their daughter had been reluctant to come but it wouldn't have done for her to be left behind. As their only child she was to have an impressive dowry and then to inherit a considerable fortune at her father's death. Each and every one of her suitors knew that and it was the reason they were pursuing her in the first place. She was of course very aware of that but she enjoyed being courted and was intelligent enough to know that this distraction would only last a moment. Her mother had assured her that she would find new ones in London but she was afraid of being considered rustic because of her American origins.

The fact that her father had actually remained in Cincinnati had upset her no end since he was the cause of the journey she had never want to be part of but she gave into her father's pleading to comply with her mother. She had mostly relented to please her father but it was her mother she had blamed when sea-sickness had threatened to overwhelm her during the boat trip. Tonight was their first outing since reaching London for the unpacking had been a huge affair and they both had suffered during the journey.

Cora ignored the butterflies in her stomach when a maid took off her cloak and she bravely went into the room where she was introduced to the gathering. She was feeling a little lost and quite overwhelmed: everyone around her had this classy British accent and seemed to know each other or at least their family reputation. Her mother was already socializing but Cora was bored out of her mind and feeling quite lonely.

"Would you care to dance?"

She jumped slightly and smiled at the charming man who had addressed her. She was about to accept gratefully when a young woman slipped her arm under his.

"Oh, Sir Robert, you shouldn't waste your dancing skill on an American girl who probably doesn't even know how to waltz properly. Dance with me instead."

She then somehow managed to all but drag him toward the floor. Cora bit her lower lip, turned her heels and though the night was cold and damp, she went outside, onto the balcony. She breathed deeply, there was no point in losing her temper: the girl had merely said aloud what the others were probably thinking inwardly.

"You shouldn't pay attention to her. She's set on becoming the next Lady Grantham and would try about anything to achieve that. Of course, my mother's encouragements are not helping the matter."

The charming gentleman was back, but she was not ready to let go of the bitter feeling just yet.

"You should attend to your fiancée then. Her happiness is more important to you than mine."

He leaned against the railing beside her, sighing.

"She is not my fiancée, and I have no intention whatsoever of marrying her."

Cora had an apologetic smile. The man had been nothing if not nice to her and she had all but snapped at him. He changed the subject.

"Have you been enjoying England so far?"

"I cannot say that I have seen much of it. I have been staying in the hotel since we checked in and that wasn't very long ago. Tonight is my first outing."

Cora knew she was rambling but it was so nice not to be lonely anymore that she couldn't help herself. He didn't seem to mind and he had asked after all.

"Would you care to dance?" he offered again.

This time she had the time to accept the proposition and she did just that. He offered his arm and they both went back to the ballroom. He wasn't extraordinarily good but he was a decent dancer and at least did not step on her toes. When the music stopped, she curtsied while he bowed.

"Pray forgive me if I do not ask you for another dance, but I am feeling quite tired of swirling around now."

Cora's heart sank a bit. The dismissal was clear; she was not worth another dance. She managed not to let her sigh. The season was only beginning... what a bore it would be! She took the arm he was offering, so he could escort her back to her mother. It had been nice of him to invite her though.

"Robert! Please dance with me now, I cannot stand another one of the numerous so-called gentlemen of this room to step on my feet while he oils his way around the floor." A blond woman interrupted their silent walking.

"I am afraid you will have to find someone else, Rosamund. My own feet are rather sore. Besides it is far from being your first season, so it should not be too hard for you to find someone else."

His answer didn't surprise Cora: he couldn't very well accept after what he had just said to her. The lady seemed a bit put off but left them to look for a more willing partner.

"Another Lady Grantham to be?" Cora asked, trying to recapture the atmosphere.

"It is very unlikely that I would marry my own sister, don't you think?"

A slight blush crept on her face as she apologized. He dismissed it and gestured toward the seats in front of them. He hadn't led her to her mother, but rather to the side of the room where some chairs were provided. She nodded and took place, gratefully surprised when he sat down next to her. If he noticed, he didn't show it and managed to keep a light and interesting conversation flowing. Several young women came near them but to Cora's relief none of them interrupted or really disturbed their chat. Another gentleman approached her to invite her to dance though and since she couldn't find an acceptable reason to refuse, she had to go. Fortunately once the music stopped, Sir Robert Crawley cut in and led her into the next dance.

"I thought you were too tired," she commented quite boldly.

"I was, but this was the only thing I could think of to prevent him or anyone else driving you away from me."

Cora blushed and knew better than to push the matter. She was grateful for his attention and found his company agreeable. They shared some more dances as the evening went by, resulting in Cora enjoying the ball more than she would have thought possible. When the evening came to an end, a light kiss on her gloved knuckles made her blush once more. Her mother respected her dreamy silence as they were waiting for the carriage to be brought around but a woman's voice pierced through her haze.

"I do understand why you would like to spend time with the girl, but kissing her hand is a bit overdoing it, don't you think? I mean, she is not even a lady! She is American for crying out loud!"

Her mother's firm grasp on her elbow, pulling her inside the carriage prevented her from turning around and seeing who was speaking. She knew it was about her for she was the only one here fitting the description. She guessed it was probably the mother Sir Robert Crawely had mentioned. Her own mother had been right and the outraged voice had tarnished her feeling about the evening. She was no lady indeed.

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