"Can I ask you something?" Cora was sitting in the same office as Rosamund, working on some administration.
"You can always ask, I can decide if I answer." Rosamund said with a smile.
This confused Cora a little bit, but she was determined to ask the question. She had finally worked up the courage. "Why do you think Carson listened to you, but had troubles listening to me? I mean, you never lived at Downton. Right?"
Rosamund frowned. "That is a good question. I didn't think about that. You are right. I never lived at Downton, Carson knows me from the visits I had with Mama a few years back." Rosamund had an idea why Carson behaved the way he did. But she wasn't sure if she should tell Cora. "Why do you ask?" She said instead.
"Robert and I are talking about moving to Downton permanently."
"You are?" Rosamund had a surprised look on her face.
Cora's hand went absentmindedly to her abdomen. "I think we need to make the decision soon. Carson's reaction on me, is bothering me. I already have troubles accepting the fact that we will have a butler. But I certainly don't need a butler, who doesn't see me as the Lady of the house."
Rosamund's eyes went to Cora's hand. "I think Carson needs to adjust to the fact , (that) the Lady of the house will be an American." She paused. "Do you need to tell me something?" She nodded towards Cora's hand.
Cora coloured. "We aren't telling people yet, we want to wait for our 12-week scan, but yes. We are expecting. Please don't tell Mama."
Rosamund stood up and hugged Cora. "I won't tell, congratulations. And don't worry about Carson. When you make the decision to move, he will adjust to you being there."
Robert was walking on cloud nine. This morning, Cora had agreed to think about a permanent move. That was a big step, until now, she said they weren't doing it. Could her being pregnant again had changed something? He didn't know, and he didn't care. Cora was thinking about moving and that was a big step.
"Robert, are you listening?" John said.
Robert shook out of his thoughts. "I am sorry, I wasn't. But now I am."
"We need to go to that estate we visited when you were at Downton. There are some problems and I think it is better if we paid a visit."
"Do we really need to go?"
"I think it is better, but I could go without you." John said.
Robert breathed in, he knew Cora wasn't going to be happy if he left now. She was dealing with morning sickness a lot. They could ask the current Nanny if she could stay the day and the night, so Cora would not have to bother with taking care of Mary in the morning. "I have to discuss this with Cora." Robert said.
"It will just be one night. I am sure Cora wouldn't mind. We could go tomorrow and be back the day after."
"You are right, it is just one night. Tell the owners we are coming."
Robert found Cora in the kitchen. Mary was sitting in a highchair. She was growing up fast, with her 6 months, she started to sit up on her own. He brushed the top of her head and walked over to Cora.
He wrapped both arms around her and leaned into her back. Softly he kissed her neck. "How was your workday?" He asked.
Cora turned her head to kiss him. "Good and yours?"
Robert didn't answer immediately.
Cora turned down the heat and turned around to face Robert. "What is wrong?"
"Why should there something be wrong?" He asked.
"You hesitate to answer my question. 9 out of 10 times there is something you don't want to tell me."
Robert contemplated, he didn't want to tell her this way. Not just before dinner.
Cora put her hand on his arm. "Robert?"
Robert looked down at his shoes and started. "I need to go away for a night."
Cora's rubbing fingers froze on his arm. "When?" She asked.
"Tomorrow morning, John and I will leave early, and we will be back the day after, late in the evening."
"Just one night?" Cora asked. Her fingers still resting on his arm.
"One night, and I already asked Nanny to stay the night. So, she can take care of Mary in the morning, if you aren't able to."
Cora looked him in the eyes. "I think I have to accept this, I can hardly tie you to the house for the next 9 months. Thank you for asking Nanny to stay, that helps a lot." She kissed his cheek. "Now, dinner is ready, and our little girl needs to eat and go to bed."
Robert was out walking with John. They needed to clear their heads after this visit. The owner didn't want to see change was needed. The beautiful countryside made them contemplate on their life.
"John?" Robert asked. "Is there still no woman in your life?"
"Not really."
"Good women are hard to find. I have to admit." Robert said.
"You found yours." John said smiling. "And maybe I have found mine."
"When?" Robert asked surprised.
"When you were living at Downton, I had a lovely chat with one of the housemaids. She is called Anna."
"Are you in love?" Robert teased John.
"That is a little bit too early to say. But who knows?"
Robert took out his phone and texted Cora.'Sleep tight, my darling. Give Mary a kiss for me.'
He got an instant reply.'I miss you, kisses back from Mary and me. Good night darling.'
He smiled at himself. John was right. He had found the right woman. A beautiful woman, with a brain, who loved him. He counted himself lucky. He instantly felt shame, the first year he had treated her badly. How could he not have loved her the way he did now? He was more amazed about her unconditional love for him. She made the decision to love him, and she did with all his flaws even though he wasn't loving her. She gave him a beautiful miracle, their little Mary and now she was carrying their second child. His life was almost perfect, almost.