Cora strutted confidently into the ballroom relishing the feeling of everyones eyes on her. She normally would have been embarrassed and would have stared at the floor but tonight she kept her head up and looked at the people around her defiantly. 'Let them look' she thought. Tonight she needed an audience.
It was finally the night that she and Robert would officially begin their game. She searched the crowd with her eyes until she found him leaning casually against a wall away from the mass of people. He smiled when he notice her glance and strolled towards her. He bowed slightly upon reaching her and quickly glanced to the side to make sure that the people around them were listening. "Miss Levinson, it is so nice to see you again. We met in Paris. You probably don't remember me."
Cora laughed lightly, "Of course I remember you, Lord Downton. We met at your sister's house. How was the rest of your stay in Paris?"
"Quite satisfactory. I hope you are enjoying London."
She sighed dramatically, "I'm told the city is beautiful but the weather has not been nice enough to really explore."
"I'm sorry your stay hasn't been to your liking. Perhaps one day when the weather is nicer I could take you out and show you around."
"That would be wonderful. Thank you for the offer."
"It's my pleasure Miss Levinson. I was wondering if you would like to dance with me?"
"Of course." He gently took her arm and led her to the dance floor. She whispered covertly in his ear, "Do you see them, Robert? They're already gossiping about us."
"I do see, but maybe we should tone it down a bit after this dance. I'm not normally quite so outgoing at these society parties. People might get suspicious."
When the music began they danced and followed along with all the other couples in the room. Cora waited until they were slightly away from the other dancers and answered, "I disagree. They'll think you're after me for my money, which is true, and that you just want to keep me away from other men who could be competing with you. We should both socialize a little with other people but for the most part you can keep close to me."
Robert nodded in agreement and they finished the dance in silence. They parted and went off to find people to talk to. He realized that Cora was right as he entered into a conversation with his friends. They all immediately began questioning him about the beautiful American he was dancing with. He played down their involvement, but finally answered their prodding. "Miss Levinson is a very nice girl I met in Paris and I want to get to know her better."
"I bet that fortune is rather nice also, Robby." his friend Richard teased. "I hope you're up for some friendly competition. I've got my eye on her too."
Robert laughed heartily, "I think I'm up to the challenge."
Upon walking away from Robert, Cora found herself rather more popular with the young women than she had been before. Girls she had never spoken to suddenly came up to her wanting to know what was going on between her and the young lord. She remained purposely vague. The last thing she needed was her reputation being ruined for being too forward. She did hope to have friends after she moved there permanently.
She realized quickly however that the women were not just expressing casual curiosity. The obvious jealousy that some of them were showing left no doubt that they were interested in Robert. She was very glad that she already had an agreement with him. Having to actively compete with all those women would have been exhausting.
Suddenly, the women around her started whispering to each other and fixing their dresses and hair. She heard a man clear his throat behind her. She spun around and found herself facing a rather impressive looking chest. Her eyes moved upward and she realized that the man's face was even more attractive than his torso. She offered her hand and he bowed down and kissed it.
"I don't believe we have been introduced Miss Levinson. I'm Richard Barton." He had not let go of her hand yet.
Cora collected herself and gently pulled her hand from his. "It's nice to make your acquaintance Mr. Barton."
"I was hoping that you would agree to dance with me Miss Levinson." he asked gallantly.
Cora glanced over at Robert who was watching them. He nodded his head slightly and she turned back to Richard. "I would love to dance with you Mr. Barton." He led him to the dance floor and was pleased to find that he was an excellent dancer and a charming conversationalist. When the dance finished he led her back to the group of women. They were immediately met by Robert who asked her hand for the next dance.
As they moved through the ballroom he asked her quietly, "Richard is rather handsome." Cora looked up and noted his glum face.
"We have an agreement Robert and I have no intention of going back on it. You have no reason to worry about anything." He nodded against her hair and remained silent for the rest of the dance.
Robert remained moody for the rest of the ball and didn't speak to Cora again until the very end when he insisted on walking her out. She confronted him when they were alone by her carriage. "What is wrong with you Robert? I told you you have nothing to worry about."
"That's the thing though. Maybe you shouldn't be held to this agreement with me. A lot of the men who showed interest in you tonight are wealthier than me and some of them have better positions. I don't want to feel guilty for holding you to an agreement that's not the best thing for you."
Cora smiled at how adorable he was being and then gently placed her hand on his arm. "Don't be silly Robert. I didn't say yes to you just because you were the first one to ask. I like you and if I'm not going to be marrying for love it at least needs to be someone I like and can get along with. I promise I'm not just settling for you."
He leaned towards her slightly and Cora's breath hitched. He looked down at her lips and moved in closer before abruptly jumping back. "Goodnight Miss Levinson. Give my regards to your mother." He moved away quickly without looking at her again and Cora was surprised to find herself rather disappointed that he hadn't kissed her.
She spent the entire ride back to the house going over the moment in her head. As she laid down to sleep that night she had one thought she couldn't get out of her head. Was she falling in love with Robert Crawley?
AN: Hi everyone. I am so so sorry that this took so long. I seem to have lost my muse for a little bit. Feel free to guilt trip me in your review. Maybe it will make me write faster. Robert and Cora both seem a little OOC to me here, but I think it works. Please review and again, I'm sorry.
