Prompt from Countess of Cobert for what happens in Series 4, Episode 2 when Robert calls Cora into the library.
"Cora?" He steps out, speaking directly to her. She turns, her face a mask of horror and confusion. "Could I ask you something?"
She follows him inside, stunned and attempting to control her puzzlement that threatens to overwhelm her. As he turns from the desk, though, he asks a question he never planned on asking. "Are you quite well, Cora?"
"I - I..." She trails off, aghast and flustered, perhaps in need of a breath to take but dizziness overcomes her and she clasps the sofa head, feeling her body sink with the weight of the blow.
"Cora!" He rushes to her side and takes her hand. "What is wrong?" She opens her mouth but the words do not come, her brain a mess of confusion. Why would Anna of all people...
"Oh..." She sits quickly and he crouches by her side, squeezing her palm. "Robert... Do you ever wish that life could be easier if we were not so well thought of?" His brow creases. "Perhaps, we could be happier if we had only each other to worry about? Things like burnt clothes and ladies maids a thing of little importance..."
"Cora, what has brought this on?"
"Do you love me, Robert?" He startles at this confrontational proclamation, tempted to deliver a sharp, puzzled response - how could she doubt? - but her pale complexion persuades him otherwise. "Cora, how could you ever doubt that?" A soft kiss closes the topic, yet as he stands, muttering his excuses low into her ear, she feels no less comforted or assuaged; only the confusion is left, buzzing high pitched in her ear.