This idea came to me after reading that Julian Fellowes is planning on a prequel that covers Robert and Cora's romance! (Excited shipper right here! But anyways, these will be short snapshots of their relationship from their first meeting through their first year of marriage. Enjoy, and as always, please leave reviews and comments!

Cora walked into Downton and was greeted by a very grave looking Carson.

"How was your afternoon walk m'lady?" He asked.
"Carson? Whatever is the matter?" Cora ignored his question and looked at him, alarmed at his sudden change in demeanor.
Carson shook his head, unable to speak. He directed her to the library where the Dowager Countess was seated, staring into the fire. Suddenly, Cora knew. She felt her chest swell and she bit back tears as she approached her mother in law.
Violet turned to her and Cora was shocked by the change in her demeanor. Normally a woman full of sass and spunk, Violet suddenly looked old. Her eyes were filled only with sadness.
"I'm so terribly sorry" Cora squeaked out. It was getting more and more difficult not to dissolve into tears.
Violet reached up and took Cora's hand and patted it slowly. "Thank you my dear."
Cora, shocked at this sudden affection that Violet had never expressed towards her, resulted in her inability to hold back her tears any longer. She silently stared down at the Dowager Countess' hands which still clung to her own. "Where's Robert?" She finally choked out.
Violet shrugged and looked back to the fire. Cora, realizing that she needed to find her husband, proceeded to power walk out of the library and nearly ran headlong into Carson.
"Carson? Have you seen Robert?"
"I believe he went upstairs m'lady" Carson remarked. He looked as if he might start crying too.
"Please go tell Mrs, Hughes to cancel dinner tonight. We shall take it in our rooms."
Carson nodded and as soon as he was out of eye sight Cora ran up the steps as quickly as her dress would allow and walked quickly to Robert's room. She put her ear to the door, and, hearing nothing, knocked slightly. No response.
"Robert?" Cora turned the doorknob slowly and walked in almost soundlessly. He was sitting with his back to her, his head in his hands. Cora moved closer and saw that his shoulders were shaking. He was sobbing.
Cora, overcome with emotion, walked over and sat down next to him on his bed. "My darling. My poor, poor darling." She took his head to her chest and brushed his hair from his forehead. They had been married for 7 months and she had never seen him so much as shed a tear. He continued to cry silently and she rocked him back and forth silently, still crying herself. After a few minutes, Robert withdrew and looked over at her. "How is my mother?" He asked.
"She is alright" Cora said quietly. "But we shouldn't leave her alone for too long." She brushed away a stray piece of hair from her up-do and looked into his eyes.
Robert's eyes flashed quickly and Cora was unable to recognize the quick emotion she saw there. He placed his left hand on her cheek and she felt her face grow warm at his touch. He stared at her for a couple seconds before withdrawing his hand quickly, suddenly. He stood up.
"I must go see my mother." He walked over to his wardrobe, his back to her. "You should not have come in here without my invitation."
Cora frowned, confused at his sudden change in demeanor. "Robert..."
"Go now, please. I will see you at dinner."
"I cancelled dinner."
He turned around. "You should have consulted me first." He turned back around.
Cora felt herself beginning to grow upset and started to stand up to leave when Robert suddenly grabbed her arm gently. "Please go wait with my mother. For me." His face softened again.
Cora nodded silently and left his bedroom. As she walked down the steps she grew more and more distraught. Robert's behavior was very strange. He didn't love her, she knew. What else was going on?