When Robert woke up, his head was pounding. He knew he had too much beer last night. He sat on the side of the bed and saw a glass of water and paracetamol on his nightstand. He felt awful, not just because of his hangover. He didn't remember everything from last night, but he felt he did something wrong.

Slowly he got up and walked into the kitchen. He found Cora who was making breakfast for him.

"Good morning." He said, avoiding looking at her.

"Morning. How is your head doing?"

"Bad." Was the only thing Robert said.

"Next time, don't drink that much." She put down a plate with bacon and beans in front of him. "Eat this, it will help with the hangover" and she walked away.

Robert grabbed her hand. "Cora?"

"What!" She snapped.

Robert lowered his head. "I think I have to say sorry."

"You think?" Cora said with raised eyebrows.

"Well, I don't remember yesterday evening, very clearly."

Cora pulled her hand back. "Just don't drink that much in the future, alright?"

Before Robert could say something, she slammed the kitchen door shut. It made Robert's head burst, but he obviously deserved it.

The following weeks had been rough. Cora felt like she was failing in every department. She wasn't pregnant, that clearly was upsetting Robert. Violet wasn't happy with the way she was presenting herself in the society. It turned out she was expected to arrange dinner parties.

She had argued with Violet, that if nobody told her stuff like that, she couldn't know it. But Violet had ignored her protests and started inviting people over to their home. Violet also insisted that they needed a housemaid and a cook. But Cora had nothing else to do during the day, so she was happy to clean and cook herself. Even for the large dinner parties Violet arranged.

Her mother was complaining she didn't call often enough, but with the time difference it was just hard finding a suitable time. One day she had said that Martha was the one who wanted her to marry a British man, so she should stop complaining, or move over here.

Cora had made herself a cup of coffee and was sitting outside on the roof terrace. Feeling down, she had just argued with Violet, she didn't even know what the start of the argument was. She felt a hand on her shoulder, what startled her. She looked into the eyes of Rosamund.

"I figured you could use a friend." Rosamund said.

Cora's eyes started tearing up. "You want something to drink?" She said swallowing away the tears.

Rosamund held up a cup and said. "Let those tears out. It doesn't help putting your feelings away. She walked around the bench and sat down opposite of Cora. She took Cora's hands in hers. "Mama, can be harsh sometimes, but she means well."

Rosamund had been present when Violet went off on Cora just now. Cora was still fighting the tears, what if Violet, who was still inside, saw her tears. Rosamund moved next to Cora on the couch. She wrapped an arm around Cora.

"Robert is bringing Mama home, let them out." She said.

Cora looked over her shoulder and saw indeed an empty living room. "I don't know, if Robert and I made the right choice." She said with a strained voice.

Rosamund didn't say anything, she just rubbed Cora's arm, encouraging her to talk on.

"I am a disappointment to your mother. I don't know how to behave in the British upper-class. We don't have all these rules and little things in America."

Rosamund pulled Cora closer. "I don't even know how to behave around all these high-class women. And I am born into it. Don't you worry to much. You are doing a really fine job."

Cora rested her head against Rosamund's shoulder and let out all the tears she was saving now for weeks.

"I am also a disappointed to Robert." Cora sobbed.

"What." Rosamund pulled back a little. "Why do you think that?"

"I am still not pregnant, and Robert wants a boy so bad."

"Darling, Cora. You are together for about two months now. Give it some more time, God willing you two will be blessed with a little one." Rosamund smiled at her. "Is my brother treating you alright?"

Cora got confused by this question. Did Rosamund know about the terms of their marriage. Cora looked at Rosamund, before she could say anything, Rosamund said: "I know the reason why Robert chose you."

Cora lowered her eyes and wrangled her hands in her lap. Rosamund put her hand on Cora's. "I know you love Robert, and he will learn to love you too."

"You think?" Cora asked unsure. She didn't believe Robert would ever love her.

"If it isn't love, he will at least treat you as a very, very dear friend." Rosamund stopped when the sliding doors opened, and Robert stepped outside.

"Cora? Are you alright?" He said when he saw her red eyes.

Cora nodded. "I am, don't worry."

Robert walked over and gave her a quick kiss on her cheek. "I hate to see you cry. Are you homesick?"

Cora cupped Robert's cheek. "I am alright, I promise. Now, it is time for me to start dinner. Rosamund, are you staying?" Cora got up from the couch. Wiped away her tears and straightened her back.

Robert looked at the two women in the kitchen. He was happy Cora had found a friend in Rosamund. It made her life a little bit easier, and also his. Because Rosamund could teach Cora all the ins and outs of the society.

He went into his office to finish some work. Mama had a rant on him in the car, that he was lacking behind. He also told her his idea about buying back the estate. He wasn't sure how she felt about that. He himself wasn't sure either. Was he ready to be a real lord and keep up the estate? He knew how to tell other estate owners how to handle business but doing it yourself was different. And did he want to live so far out of London?

Downton Abbey, was located in North Yorkshire. He had visited the place many times and every time he drove up that driveway, his heart fluttered. This once, was the family home. Now only the title was left, and if he didn't have a boy, even that title would get lost.