May 1913

Robert thanked his chauffeur for driving him and awaited the footmen of Bolton Hall to open the door to the motorcar for him. Lord Bolton waited to greet him.

"Welcome, Robert," he said with that effusive smile of his.

"A pleasure, Lucien," Robert answered with a smile of his own. "I've not been here since I was a boy, actually. I do hope you'll give me a tour."

"It's all still new to me, but I'll see what I can do," Lucien answered with a laugh. "Come in and say hello to Jean, first, and then we can take a walk."

Inside, Lucien led Robert to the library where Jean was sitting at the writing desk. She looked up as the men entered.

"Lord Grantham, welcome to Bolton Hall," she said. "I'm sorry I wasn't out front to greet you properly."

"That's quite alright, Lady Bolton. And I think we must now dispense with titles among us, don't you think?"

She gave a small smile, her turquoise eyes sparkling with mirth. "I'd appreciate that, Robert."

"I'm glad, Jean," he answered. "This husband of yours is going to give me a tour to refresh my recollection of the estate."

Jean looked slightly startled. "Oh, I forgot that you must have been here before. It's strange for us to think that our home has a history that's far older than our presence here. I suppose just because it's your first time visiting us here that it's not the first time you've been to Bolton Hall."

"No," Robert told her. "I came here once or twice for dinner parties with my parents, but I was quite young then. I'm sure much has changed. And that you're making changes of your own."

"Well, we're doing our best," Jean answered with a sigh. "In many ways, we know better than to upset the apple cart. But just because things have been done one way for generations, does that mean it's the best way to do things?"

Robert shook his head. "I am certainly not the person to answer that question. I like keeping to the old ways," he said. "Matthew's been trying to question our ways since he got here, though he's starting to come around. But it's Cora who's always been the one to push up against tradition."

"Has she?" Jean asked in surprise. "Cora's been every helpful in teaching me how things should be done. She doesn't strike me as one to oppose tradition in the least."

"Yes, well, my mother beat her down over the years. But she's always saying just what you've said, that just because something's always been done one way, is that reason enough to keep it that way? I would say yes. Matthew would say no. Cora would be the only one to ask the question and try and decide what the best answer would be."

Jean smiled. "I suppose that's the position Lucien and I are taking."

Lucien nodded, adding, "Yes, I think there is great value to the traditions, and we want to respect that. But if things can be done better and we can make things better for people, we want to try to do that, too."

Robert felt himself start to frown. He didn't like this messing about with tradition. The reason things were done a certain way was because it was the best way to do things. Those methods wouldn't have lasted so long if they weren't proper. All this questioning gave him a stomachache. And he already had a headache from the nonsense happening at home. He'd come to Bolton to avoid all of that.

"Jean, we'll not bother you any further. But perhaps you can join us for tea after our walk?" Lucien asked his wife.

"That sounds lovely, thank you," she answered. She placed her hands on his waistcoat and leaned in to kiss his cheek. Robert felt himself blush to see the intimacy of it.

But Lucien seemed to pay no mind to such inappropriate behavior in front of a guest. "Shall we, Robert?"

Robert did his best to pay attention and comment appropriately as Lucien took him through the main parts of Bolton Hall. It really was a lovely house, and from what Lucien had explained, Jean had done well with it. But Robert's mind was elsewhere, still dwelling on the mess he'd left at Downton. And by the time they'd gone outside onto the grounds, Lucien seemed to notice.

"Forgive me, Robert, but is everything alright? I know we don't know each other too well yet, but I must say that I've not seen you so subdued before," Lucien ventured.

"I am sorry," Robert apologized. "I don't wish to burden you with my worries."

"If you'll permit me, I'd like to be a friend if you need one. I am happy to listen if you wish to unburden yourself to me."

It was a kindness that Robert had not expected, though with all the strange informality of the Australians, perhaps he should have known Lucien might be like this. "That's very kind of you." He sighed and decided to come out with it. "I'm worried about Cora."

"Is she alright?"

"I'm not certain. She's not been herself in the last few days. Quieter than usual. Quick to emotion in a way she's not been in many, many years. I found her crying in the drawing room yesterday. And in the evenings, she…" Robert trailed off, feeling distinctly uncomfortable to give voice to such things.

"Yes?" Lucien pressed.

Robert hesitated, wondering whether it was proper to say. But he recalled the way Jean and Lucien had been so open with their physical affection. "My wife and I sleep in the same bed each night," Robert confessed.

"I understand that's unusual in the peerage," Lucien said. "The servants were absolutely appalled when I insisted that Jean and I would be sharing a bed. I can't imagine being married and not sleeping beside my wife each night." Lucien spoke as though that were a perfectly acceptable thing to proclaim.

With an awkward cough, Robert continued. "Yes, well, we've done so for many years. And these last few nights, she's been quick to fall asleep and turned away from me so I wouldn't touch her."

"Hmm," Lucien hummed in interest. "Have you asked her if she's alright?"

"I tried yesterday, and she snapped at me that she was fine. I didn't wish to upset her further, but she's not gotten any better."

"Based on what you've described, I imagine Cora might be experiencing symptoms of ordinary menstruation," Lucien posited.

"Oh god!" Robert exclaimed. "You mustn't use words like that!"

But Lucien just laughed. "Robert, before I came to this country and took on the role of Baron Bolton, I was a doctor. There's nothing unseemly about the natural circumstances of a woman's bodily functions."

Robert felt his stomach go in knots. "Please," he said weakly.

Lucien was undeterred. "Is she usually like this during her monthlies? Or is this behavior unusual?"

"It is unusual," Robert muttered in response, though he was feeling a bit lightheaded.

"Then, given her age, she may be experiencing different symptoms as she approaches menopause. Or another hormonal change. Is there a chance she may be pregnant?"

Robert's eyes went wide. "I hadn't thought of that."

"Did she behave this way when she was pregnant with your daughters?"

"She did," Robert recalled. Oh god, was he going to faint? "She's not be pregnant in seventeen years!"

"I assume you've had marital relations in that time, though?"

"Y-yes." Robert felt his throat start to close up, discussing such things out loud.

Lucien shrugged, "Then it may be possible. I suggest you ask her. Even if she gets angry with you, I imagine she'd calm down and appreciate your attentiveness. And if she isn't pregnant, she's clearly experiencing something. I'm certain she could use your support, whatever it is."

Robert sighed. "I suppose."

"And I can see you're quite uncomfortable with such talk, and I do apologize, but I hope I've been a bit of help," Lucien said, putting his hand on Robert's shoulder and giving it a comforting squeeze.

"I think I ought to go home before tea," he surmised.

Lucien chuckled, "Yes, I think that might be for the best. Let's walk back to the house and call for your motorcar. You're welcome back anytime."

"Thank you, Lucien. You're a good friend."

"I'm very happy to be, Robert," Lucien answered.

They turned to go back to Bolton Hall. The visit certainly hadn't been what Robert expected, but he was quite eager to go back home now.