Late May 1913

Robert stood in the library, pouring himself a fortifying drink. It was going to be a long night. Pleasant, certainly, but long.

"We didn't expect to find you down here yet."

He turned to the sound of Mary's voice. All three of Robert's daughters entered the library. He smiled to see them. "I see the compromise about the dress allowance worked out nicely," he noted.

Edith gave a little scoffing laugh. "Yes, well, allowing all three of us to get new frocks for the ball worked out quite well." Her blonde hair looked quite pretty with the teal green dress with peach feathers she had made brand new for the occasion.

"You all look lovely," Robert said to each of his girls. Sybil was in a pretty lavender with some intricate beading, and Mary was in deep red with black lace. He went to kiss each of their cheeks in turn and was rewarded by each of their pretty smiles.

"Is Mama delayed?" Edith asked.

"I don't know," Robert answered. "I didn't stop by her room before coming down."

Sybil frowned. "Whyever not?"

Robert tried not to smile. But it was Mary who answered on his behalf. "He likes to be surprised before a party. Don't you, Papa?" She had a knowing smirk on her face.

He had to admit, "Yes, that is true."

Sybil's face burst into a glorious grin. "Oh that's so wonderful, you're still so in love."

"Who's in love?" Cora asked, walking into the room.

Robert's heart skipped a beat to see his wife in an exquisite gown of blue, glittering with gold beading. It brought out the color of her sapphire eyes magnificently.

"Clearly Papa is," Edith said, remarking on the way her father's jaw had dropped.

Cora felt herself blush. It had been more than twenty years since her husband fell in love with her, but it still took her by surprise sometimes. "I hope this means you won't be cross by the dressmaker's bill, since I had something new made along with the girls," she said.

Perhaps if it were in any other circumstance, Robert would have been annoyed. But he couldn't possibly be just now. He crossed the room to Cora and took her hands in his and kissed her cheek. "Worth every penny," he told her. "You look so beautiful, my darling."

"Oh Robert, really," came the slightly scandalized but exhausted voice of his mother.

"The Dowager Countess," Carson announced with a slight clear of his throat, having obviously been preempted by Her Ladyships abrupt entry to scold her son and daughter-in-law for their show of affection.

Cora giggled as Robert sighed in exasperation. "Hello, Mama," he greeted wearily.

She greeted each of her family members in turn. "I take it I am the first to arrive of the guests to the ball?"

"Yes, and you make one more of our party teasing Papa and Mama," Mary said with that mischievous look of hers.

But Violet Crawley just waved her hand dismissively. "I have little patience for taunting banter."

"Since when?" Sybil muttered under her breath. Only Edith heard, and she suppressed a laugh.

Soon enough, the guests started arriving. The band had already begun their playing and the footmen were passing around drinks. Robert and Cora were busy dancing with the guests of honor: Jean and Lucien.

"You're a very good dancer, Baron Bolton," Cora noted as Lucien waltzed her around the floor.

"We Australians aren't as uncultured as people seem to think," he laughed. "But I do appreciate the opportunity to prove it to others."

"You've more than proved yourself to the Crawley family," Cora assured him.

Nearby, Robert and Jean waltzed with a similar conversation. "You're enjoying yourselves, I trust?" Robert asked.

"Yes," Jean answered. "We've made a home here. It's still new, but we are starting to enjoy ourselves. And I cannot tell you how grateful we are to you and Cora and Matthew and the rest of your family for everything you've done for us."

"My family likes to tease me for being a bit unconventional at times. A crippled valet, an Irish revolutionary as a chauffeur, taking my dog on estate business, sleeping in a tent in the Egyptian desert. What's an Australian baron as a friend when I've already got a reputation for all that?" Robert chuckled.

"Oh no wonder Lucien likes you," Jean laughed.

The tune ended and the partners broke up. Cora made her way to Robert. "We decided it was time we each danced with our own husband and wife," she said, reaching out for him. Lucien did the same for Jean.

When the next song began, Cora happily danced with her husband and gazed around the room at their party. Mary was dancing with Matthew, which Cora found to be a very good sign indeed. Sybil danced with Larry Grey, which Cora found unsurprising but perhaps not the best match for her youngest. Edith danced with Timothy Grey, Larry's younger brother. Their father, Lord Merton, sat off to the side chatting with Mama.

Cora's attention moved away from her own family to her friends. Jean and Lucien danced slightly too close together, and they were so focused on one another, she was sure they believed they were the only ones in the room. They made a lovely couple. And Jean, in her pink silk gown with the black and silver lace overlay, looked every bit the part of a baroness. It had only been a short time since Cora had met her new friend, but she was so proud of Jean's progress. She had been unsure and quiet at first. Perfectly polite and friendly, very proud and dignified. But she had grown into her role and found her place. Cora knew she had a bit to do with that, and she was glad to be of assistance. She knew what it was to enter this world and need guidance.

"They're a breath of fresh air, I think," Robert said, noticing where Cora was looking.

"I agree. I'm so glad they've come here and gotten settled. I know they won't be going to London for the season, them being so new to England already. I'll miss them while we're away," she said.

"I think I shall as well," Robert agreed.

"They're very different from us in a lot of ways," Cora said, "but you're right, a breath of fresh air."

They danced beside the Blakes, who were talking and laughing together, unaware of anyone around them. But over the music, Robert heard Lucien remark, "You look so beautiful, my darling."

Robert smiled. "Perhaps not so very different." He kissed his wife, not caring that everyone else was around. They smiled at each other and continued to dance.

THE END