AN: Part 2! Thanks for all your lovely reviews. I didn't expect to get such a great response! This didn't exactly happen as I planned and I could end it here, but if you guys want it I could add another chapter. Which would contain smut. It's up to you. Please review and have a fantastic day!

Robert Crawley paced aggressively around his bedroom. He had seen this coming of course, he wasn't blind. He knew that his wife was miserable, but he really didn't know what to do about it. He tried to be kind to her, but he mostly came off stiff and awkward and made her even more uncomfortable. He chuckled ironically when he realized he would never have to worry about her happiness again.

He told himself that he should be glad she had left. He had her money and he was free to marry whoever he liked. He could find someone more suitable or even someone he loved. It didn't work though. He felt sick to his stomach and his heart was racing. He needed to do something, but he didn't know what.

He started when someone knocked loudly at his door. "Who is it?" He called harshly.

"It's Carson sir. Your father sent me." Robert opened the door to reveal the severe looking footman.

"Yes Carson?" He said tiredly.

"Your father is wondering why you and the lady haven't come down for dinner yet." Robert sighed. As much as his family disliked Cora, divorce was still scandalous and they would take a while to accept it. It wasn't a conversation he wanted to have right away.

"Tell my parents that Cora is not feeling well and that I will be dining in my room." Carson nodded, but gave Robert a strange look. He went to turn away, but quickly pivoted back to face the surprised lord. "If it isn't too forward of me to say sir, I saw the lady leaving today."

Robert swallowed deeply. "Carson, I-"

"I won't say anything sir." he interrupted quickly. "I just want to say that all the staff will miss her. She was very kind to us. If you do happen to see her, could you please tell her that she will be very missed by many in this house?" Robert nodded and watched him walk away. He retreated into his room and closed the door.

Cora was curled on top of the covers when she heard a knock on the door. She pulled herself up and wiped her eyes. When she opened the door she found the proprietors daughter with a tray of food. The girl smiled at her brightly. "My mother thought that you could use something to eat ma'am."

"Thank you. Please thank your mother for me also." She tried to smile at the friendly girl who was really only a few years younger than her. She wished she could still be so young and hopeful.

"You're welcome ma'am." The girl flounced away and Cora looked down at the food. It was much heavier than what they usually ate at Downton, but she was ravenous. She dug in and was surprised to find it was delicious. She finished every bite and set the tray on the end table when she was finished.

There was another knock at the door a while later and Cora answered it, expecting the girl back to collect the tray. She was completely bewildered when the person on the other side was her husband.

"Robert! What are you doing here?"

He cleared his throat. "I needed to talk to you Cora. Can I come in?"

"I suppose." She opened the door wider and allowed him to move past her. He walked in and faced the wall. He seemed to be collecting himself. She sat down on the bed facing him and folded her arms in front of herself.

Robert took a deep breath and turned back towards her. "Cora, I love you."

She looked at him dumbfounded. "You what?"

He kneeled in front of her and took her hand. "I love you and I couldn't let you go without telling you. I love you and I don't want you to go. Please stay with me. I will do whatever it takes to make you stay."

Cora still looked flabbergasted. "Where is this coming from Robert? I don't understand." She stood up agitated. "You can't you just decide you love me after I leave Robert. It's cruel and it's insulting that you think I would fall for it. You made it very clear the time I told you I loved you that you did not share my feelings. You told me to stop being ridiculous." Tears began streaming down her face at the memory.

He stood up quickly and went to her. She allowed him to pull her into his arms. "Cora, I am so sorry. I was an ass and I didn't realize how amazing you were."

She pulled back and looked up at him. "Even if you didn't love me, why did you let them treat me like that?"

He thought carefully. "I suppose it was because I am absolutely terrified of my mother." He looked up at her carefully, encouraged when he saw a small smile. " I've never had to stand up to them before and I didn't know how to start." She was looking at the floor and he couldn't see her expression. "Cora, do you think you can forgive me? I promise, I won't allow them to abuse you anymore. I will be different."

She finally looked up. "My mother always told me that people don't change."

"Your mother also told you it was a good idea to marry a titled Englishman. I think it's safe to say she doesn't know what she's talking about."

Cora snorted and laid her head gently against his chest. "You promise?"

"I promise." he swore emphatically. "I will love you and protect you for the rest of our lives."

She raised her head and gently brought her lips to meet his. "Forever" he whispered into the kiss.