Sitting in the back of the car Cora leaned her head back and let out a sigh. She and Robert were leaving the Dower house for the forth time in the last week and a half and had yet to come to an agreeable solution. For their visit on Thursday Edith had been with them, and yet her grandmother's pleas had fallen on deaf ears. It seemed to Cora the more they pleaded with their daughter the more she dug her heals in. Thursday's visit had only managed to irritate Edith to the point of her making the threat to leave Downton altogether and take up with Mr Gregson on a permanent basis. It was as if Cora was having an out of body experience, watching the situation spiral beyond her control, another daughter slipping beyond her reach.

Edith's threat had pushed Robert over the edge and his anger had been fierce. He had not been able to control the words that spilled from his mouth, the fire raging in his eyes. Cora had been angry at Edith's threat as well, but she had kept her mouth clamped shut as Robert's tirade went on. She had visibly flinched as he expressed how Edith would be known throughout society if she made good on her threats, "hussy, mistress, prostitute" were some of the words he had used to describe how society would view their daughter. He had thrown out the old faithful's she had come to know when he disciplined their daughters, "No daughter of mine", "I cannot begin to tell you how disappointed your mother and I are of you", "I forbid it!" and then of course, "There will be no money!" … Cora had shut her eyes tight when those words spilled out of her husband's mouth. Of course she knew he was upset, knew he was devastated, but those words were the ones she knew Edith had expected and he had played right into her hands. "Keep your money" Edith had spat back, "You can't buy me papa" and she had stormed out.

Cora recalled the ride home. The argument that had taken place in the very seats they now sat, the argument that had continued into her bedroom and through part of the next day. She had been livid at his lack of self control.

"You are not a fool Robert, and yet you insist on acting like one!" Cora had hissed at him in the car.

"What would you have me do Cora? Sit back and watch my daughter make herself into a common prostitute!"

"How dare you say that about her!" Cora had felt the need to defend her daughter instantly.

"Cora she is a mistress, and adulterer! Shall I sit back and let it happen?!" Robert had still been red faced and angry. Cora knew he would need time to calm down but couldn't stop herself from pushing it.

"Threatening her will not work. I have tried to explain this to you and yet you won't listen. Can't you learn from past mistakes?! For heavens sake Robert, I will not lose her." Cora had thrown her hands up in frustration. Robert had spent most of the evening in the drawing room as she had retired early to bed. It had taken nearly until dinner the next evening for them to speak to each other properly.

"I am sorry Cora" he had said when he walked into her room as she was readying herself to go downstairs for dinner. He had put his arms around her waist as she looked at herself in the mirror, he rested his head on her shoulder and leaned into her neck giving it a soft kiss. Cora had reached her hand up to touch his cheek.

"I am sorry too. I just don't know what we need to do, but I know making threats will only push her further from us. I can't lose another daughter" she had said softly, the tears welling in her eyes.

Now they sat in the back of the car, driving away from Violet's house again, again with no hope. Cora could not help feeling like this was pointless. They would never get to a solution. At least she and Robert had not fought as well, and for the most part they had been dealing with this situation as a couple. That was one silver lining at least. As she considered the thought that they were not going to reach a solution it all became too much for her. When Robert looked across at his wife he saw silent tears had started down her cheeks and it made his blood boil for what Edith was doing to her.

"We will figure this out Cora. I promise" he tried to console her. She shook her head.

"I don't see how Robert. It's just becoming too much to bear" and reached for her handkerchief to dab at her eyes. It would not do for the servants to see her return to the house puffy eyed and tear stained. Robert reached his arm around her and pulled her close.

"I will find a way Cora." He kissed the side of her temple and tried to make her feel safe again. He knew he had to find a way. For her he would do it. He would control his temper and find a way around this nightmare. This never ending nightmare.

Once they returned home Cora excused herself and made her way to the nursery. She had been drawn to her grandchildren even more during this time of conflict. Robert had often found her on her hands and knees playing dolls with Sybbie in the nursery, or rocking Robbie and humming. It bought her comfort and joy to be with these little angels. The babies of her babies. They gave her a sense of serenity when everything else felt so confused. It was the shot in the arm she needed to make it through her days, she could not bear to think of life without them, and always left the nursery with a smile on her face.

After quite some time Cora head the dressing gong sound and knew she had far outstayed her allotted time in the nursery. She kissed them both on their foreheads and left the nursery to get dressed for dinner. Passing Edith's door she found her feet slow to a stop and linger in the hallway. With her palm of her hand she gently touched the outside of her door and felt her knees weaken at the thoughts going through her mind. The terror she had for Edith. Before she knew what she was doing she had knocked on Edith's door and was quietly entering. Edith had already dressed and was waiting for Anna to join her after attending to Mary to help finish her hair.

"Hello Mama, I don't believe I have seen you all day" she said with a quick smile.

"I was out with your father earlier" Cora explained, "and have been in the nursery for most of the afternoon I suppose. They make me lose track of time those two babies"

"Were you with granny again?" Edith asked, a small frown playing against her lips.

"You know we were Edith. We are all very concerned" she explained through a long sigh.

"Oh Mama, I just don't see what you hope this is all going to accomplish" Edith began, Cora could see she was set for another fight and Cora did not have the energy for it.

"That goes both ways darling" Cora replied and quickly added, "I didn't come here to fight with you Edith so let's just not start" she completed as she walked to wear Edith was sitting in front of the mirror. Cora picked up Edith's comb and began to lay soft strokes through Edith's hair. Edith closed her eyes for a moment and felt like she was a child again, her mother combing her hair at night in preparation for bed. She couldn't help but smile.

"You have always had the most interesting color hair of any of us. Like golden straw" Cora commented as she continued combing.

"It never felt very interesting" Edith answered honestly, "It felt different to everyone else's in the family. I always wanted Sybil's hair" Edith regretted mentioning her sister's name as soon as she had and quickly glanced in the mirror to see her mother's reaction. Cora smiled at the mention of her youngest daughter's beautiful locks.

"She did have beautiful hair, but you all have your own beauty. That's what's makes you all so wonderful. You were always all completely different." Edith could see that Cora truly meant it her mother finished combing and sat down on the corner of the bed. Edith's heart hurt as she could see the defeat in her mother's countenance. She did not want to make her parents so dissapointed, so sad.

"Mama, I hope you know I am not trying to be difficult just for the sake of it. I truly love Michael and I can't just let him go because you say so." Edith began gently, trying to once again get her mother to understand. If her mother was on her side she could get papa to see too.

Cora shook her head gently, "I don't think you are being this way for fun Edith. If you could have been privy to the conversations I had with your grandmother before we set sail to England it would make your head spin" Cora laughed slightly at the memory. She and her mother had not exactly seen eye to eye on their trip to England to buy a title. Her mother had pretty much had to … good heavens that was the answer! Cora's eyes opened wide and she looked up at Edith who had seen the change in her mothers face.

"Edith!"

"Yes Mama?" Edith was a little confused.

"When your grandmother wanted to bring me to England I was not very impressed with the idea. I didn't want to leave everyone I knew and my whole life for a place I did not know. I put up quite a fight, and in the end she had struck a bargain with me." Cora explained

"Ok?" Edith was wary.

"Edith, I want to strike a bargain with you." Cora went on.

"No Mama, I am not you. This is different" Edith tried to argue but the look on her mothers face was enough to stop her in her tracks.

"Please for once just listen!" Cora almost hissed at her daughter, why were all her daughters so stubborn!? "I would like to take you to America to visit your grandmother"

"Mama!" Edith exclaimed in horror.

Cora held up her hand to silence Edith. "You won't believe me now but I have been thinking it is time for us to visit mother for quite some time, but then Matthew died and with the last few years there was never a good time. Regardless, we can go now. Visit mother and see New York, see Newport and I haven't seen my brother Harold since we took you girls back in 1902."

"Mama, this has nothing to do with that, do not insult my intelligence" Edith huffed.

"Edith, I don't really care if you believe me or not, but I have wanted to go to America for years. Why would I not want to visit my own country? Regardless of what you may think. Anyway, we could go, all of us could and spend some time there. A few months perhaps." Edith's face winced, Cora continued "If you come with us, promise to be involved in social events and accept any invitations you may receive then, when we return to England if you still feel the same and want to continue on your current course then we will not stand in your way" Cora new she was making a gamble. New Robert would be not agree easily. But she felt it was her only choice. She could get her mother on board to arrange the most elaborate and well attended parties. She would bring out all the bachelors for her granddaughter and hopefully show Edith that there were other people out there. Other possibilities, that at the very least could help cast a shadow over Mr Gregson.

Edith sat still for several minutes. Cora knew she had struck a cord with her and kept her silence. Finally Edith spoke, "What about Papa? He will not agree"

"Leave your father to me. If he will agree, will you agree?" Cora felt her heart beating like a drum. After what seemed like an eternity Edith stood and answered her mother, "Yes. I will."

Cora's heart soared through her chest. "Thank you Edith" she breathed as she jumped off the bed and hugged her daughter tightly.

"I must tell you mama, I don't see anything changing though"

"That's fine Edith. I just ask that you give it a chance. That you participate 100%" Cora said as she rubbed Edith's arms.

"I will" Edith replied. They heard a knock at the door and Anna walked in. Cora realized the time had gotten away from her for the 2nd time that day and she quickly excused herself to get dressed. O'Brien would scold her for being so late. Nothing could get in the way of Cora's mood. She had struck a bargain with Edith, made a pact that could lead to an end to all of this. As she approached her bedroom door she remembered the one flaw in her plan, and he was dressing in the room next to hers. How was she going to handle Robert?