Cora was looking through the photo album she made of the honeymoon. It was already a month ago, Cora's life had changed immensely since she married Robert.

Adjusting to London was difficult, she was that American girl for a lot of people, and she didn't have friends yet. Robert was taking her to a lot of events, but she always stayed at his side. The upper-class women of London, looked down on her, so it was safer to stay close to Robert.

Her relationship with Robert was strange, most of the time she felt, he was just a friend. A friend who gave her a lot of pleasure in bed, she had to admit. But she wished there was more affection outside the bedroom.

The oven made a sound, Cora got up and put the wedding album aside. She could dream about that special time another time. Robert would be home soon, and he had asked for dinner to be ready. He had another meeting this evening. She herself had to go to Violet.

It was something Violet often did, inviting her for the evening. And every time there were other women attending, who Cora didn't know. Each time Cora got the feeling she was judged and tested by Violet. Violet hadn't approved of the marriage, that Cora just knew. In her eyes Cora was that American girl with no standards.

Robert stopped at the local supermarket to buy some flowers. He wasn't home a lot the last weeks, and he knew Cora must be lonely. He wished she just made some friends, so he had no reason to feel guilty.

When he opened the front door, he was welcomed by a wonderful smell. Cora was a real kitchen princess. She had quickly learned how to cook the British dishes. He never had a better home cooked meal before he met Cora.

When he entered the kitchen, he saw the wedding album on the table. He smiled and walked over to her. Gave a quick kiss and pressed the flowers in her hand. "For you." He said.

Cora kissed his cheek. "Thank you. They are beautiful." She put them in a vase and put out the dish on the table. Robert was already seated.

"What are your plans for tonight?" He asked.

He saw Cora's face change for a second, before she answered. "Your mother invited me over to one of her social evenings."

"Cora!" Robert said annoyed. "My mother is only trying to get you in to the society."

Cora sighed. "I know she means well…."

"What do you mean, she means well! For heavens sake, my mother wants to help you."

"No Robert. She doesn't. She wants to shape me into someone I am not." Cora sounded angry now.

"You knew what was expected of you, when you married me!" Robert pushed his chair back and walked away.

"Robert, you didn't eat anything! Robert?" Cora was steaming. She had slaved herself in the kitchen to make him a nice dinner and he barely touched it. She threw his plate into the sink.

"Cora? Have you met Lady Manville before?" Violet asked, when an unknown woman entered the sitting room.

Cora stood up, straightened her pants, and put out her hand. "How lovely to meet you Lady Manville, I am Cora." She was happy she had changed her jeans for a pantsuit.

The lady she shook hands with pulled up her nose and turned around. "Another American girl." She said under her breath.

"May I remind you that this lady is my daughter-in-law." Violet said.

Cora looked at her in surprise, this was the first time Violet stood up for her. But according to the look on Violet's face, Cora should not count on this too much.

Lady Manville turned around and said: "Ah, you married Lord Grantham."

"Indeed, I did." Cora answered

Some more women entered the sitting room, Cora got introduced to all of them. But after three names she already lost track of all the names. She was relieved when she saw Rosamund enter the room. Rosamund was Robert's sister, and recently had become a widow. Her husband Marmaduke had suddenly died.

Rosamund walked over to Cora and kept her company the whole evening. Around 23.00 o'clock Violet finally announced the ending of the evening. The chauffeur was already waiting, Cora got in and let out a sigh of relief when the door closed. Evenings like this were really tiring.

John had invited Robert over for a drink after the meeting, they went to a pub to get some beers.

"How is Cora doing?" John asked.

Robert just emptied his pint and ordered another one. "She is fine."

John looked at Robert. "Is she settling in? It must be strange moving from America to the UK."

"She is a strong woman, she will get used soon. I just wish she would make some friends."

"Robert. You know as well as I do, how hard it is to make friends in the upper class. Especially as an American girl. You need to help her."

Robert gave John an annoyed look. "I am helping her. I am taking her to all the events a plus one is invited. But she clings onto me those whole evenings."

"Sometimes I truly doubt why she married you!" John emptied his pint and said goodnight.

Robert stared at his glass, was he in the wrong here?

Very late into the night, Robert crawled into bed, and scooted close to Cora. His fingers slid under her shirt, and he kissed her collarbone. This woke Cora up. She swatted away his hand.

"Robert, you are drunk. Go to sleep." She turned on her side facing away from Robert.

Robert grabbed her buttocks and squeezed them, ignoring her words. He moved his hand to her hip and turned Cora on her back. He moved on top of her.

Cora squirmed underneath him, but he pinned her down. "We are married for one month now and you are still not pregnant!" He removed her pants, but when he tried sliding down her underwear, she firmly pressed her knees together.

"Not tonight! Go to sleep." She pushed Robert of her and pulled up the duvet.

Robert gave up and very annoyed laid down on his side of the bed.