Robert lay awake, staring and the darkened ceiling of his dressing room wondering how he could endure another week and four days stuck in that cold, uncomfortable bed by himself - not to mention the further month without being able to enjoy the full extent of his married life. It all felt like nothing short of torture. "Cora," he called out. "Cora, are you still awake?" He heard movement in the next room and the the door adjoining their rooms opened.

"What's the matter, Robert? Are you alright?" Cora asked softly as she came to his bedside. She looked angelic in the soft light of the candle she placed on the nightstand.

"I was just lonely," Robert admitted sheepishly. "I was missing you."

Cora smiled brightly. Since he'd been injured, Robert and Cora spent the majority of their time together and, when they had to leave each other, he actually seemed disappointed to see her go. Even during their courtship, he hadn't been as sweet and attentive as he had been in the past couple of days and, even thought she hated to see her husband hurting, Cora was loving all the attention he was paying her. "Oh Darling," she cooed as she leaned down to kiss him, "I miss you, too." She kissed his forehead, then his cheek, then his lips. "I miss your warm, strong arms around me at night," she whispered in his ear between kisses, "I miss you kisses."

Robert groaned as his body began to react to her actions. "Cora, please don't tease me. All I want to do is take you in my arms and see if we can top our last encounter, but I'm afraid I have a month of isolation left. Don't taunt me my l… my Lovely."

Cora smiled through her momentary disappointment. He'd taken to calling her "my Lovely" just in the past few days and it always got her hopes up that one day he might leave off that last pesky syllable. She knew it was foolish to hope for his love. Even so, she was now completely convinced that she was very much in love with him. Their marriage was meant to secure for each of them the kind of lifestyle they desired and love had not been a part of the deal. It hadn't even been considered and, up until a few days before she had all but given up on it. After all, it was possible that Robert already had someone else in his life that made him feel the same way she felt whenever he so much as said her name. Cora prayed that he didn't, but him having a mistress certainly wouldn't be unheard of, especially in a marriage like theirs. Just thinking about Robert - her Robert - in the arms of another woman was enough to bring tears to her eyes. She nuzzled and kissed his neck. "Cora, what's the matter?" Robert asked sensing there was something more than flirtation in her kisses.

"I've just been thinking too much. It's nothing, really." Cora said trying to fake a smile.

"Cora, please tell me. It breaks my heart to see you unhappy." Robert said as he stroked his wife's cheek. He pulled back the covers and she got into bed with him.

"We shouldn't be doing this," she said. "The doctor said to wait two weeks." She was smiling in spite of herself.

Robert held her hand tightly. "I will risk a longer recovery time for a chance to make your life here happier. I want you to feel comfortable and secure. Please, Cora, tell me what's troubling you. I want to be the one you can turn to for comfort." A boyish smile crossed his lips. "Or is it just my body you're after?" he said theatrically raising the back of his free hand to his forehead and flopping backward onto the pillow. He winced at the impact, but the pain disappeared at the sound of Cora's laugh.

His wife kept giggling as she snuggled down next to him. The mask of aristocratic propriety her husband always wore was beginning to slip away more and more when they were alone. He would be silly and joke with her now. They were really starting to feel more at ease with each other in the privacy of their bedrooms at night than with everyone else and they were growing closer each day now that fate and a frightened horse had made Robert stay at the house and spend time with his wife. Cora didn't want to ruin their budding friendship, so with a heavy sigh she told him what was on her mind. Robert was a little surprised by her concern, but he was also very pleased that she wanted him all to herself and he couldn't find words to express how happy it made him. "I'm sorry," she started to apologize again "I know it isn't my place, but…" Robert cut her statement short with a passionate kiss.

"There isn't anyone else and there never will be. I could never do that to you. I care about you too much. You're my one and only, Cora." Robert smiled at his wife. He still wasn't ready to make a declaration of love but he hoped what he had said made her feel like she was loved and appreciated as much as she was. He was pleased to see his wife settle contentedly down next to him. He kissed her again to make sure she ended her day with a smile.

"I adore you, my darling husband." she said as she ran her fingers through his hair.

"One day I hope I can make you as happy as you make me. I know it might not seem like it, but I am trying." Robert said drowsily.

"I'll wait as long as it takes, Robert." Cora whispered.

The sun shown brightly as a carriage pulled up to Downton Abbey and Dr. Lenox emerged. Lord Richard greeted him. "I know I wasn't expected here for quite a while, and I hope I'm not disturbing you, but I wondered if I might look in on Lord Robert for a moment.

"Of course," Richard said, "I believe he's still in bed."

"That's fine," the doctor said, "and how is the Lord's young wife handling her husband's convalescence?"

The Earl smiled broadly. "She' s always at his side. He couldn't ask for a more attentive or concerned spouse."

"I'm glad she's so supportive," the doctor said.

They reached Robert's bedroom and his valet knocked lightly on the door before entering and drawing back the curtains. The morning sunlight washed over the mound of covers on the bed and it began to stir. "What the devil is going on?" Robert grumbled as he rubbed his eyes.

The doctor approached the bed. "I was in the neighborhood and thought I should check up on you. I had given you quite a list of activities to avoid and I wanted to see how you were adjusting to the changes in your routine, but I see you're doing far better than I'd expected."

"Yes, I have made the required adjustments and am now just waiting for this recovery to be complete," Robert said proudly. A soft, feminine sigh got the attention of everyone in the room. Robert looked sheepish as the doctor cleared his throat. "Well, maybe not every adjustment." He smiled down at his sleeping wife. "Two weeks is an eternity."