Returning from the prison Robert was exhausted and much to his displeasure he remembered that not only was Sir Richard coming to dinner that night but the Bransons would be making their first appearance at Downton since being married. The day as a whole was overwhelming and accordingly Robert said very little during dinner that night. He was not displeased with Branson. The young man's behavior was not what he thought it would be. Branson was being amiable and polite. It seemed everyone had adjusted to him, and he, in turn, was keeping himself in check. Robert studied Branson and Sybil, the ease of their interaction, and then moved on to Mary and Carlisle. Here there was no ease. Both were playing a grave game and trying to hide it, Carlisle less so than Mary. The more he watched, the more obvious the hostility was. And something had happened to Mary. She was different, not as confident or blunt perhaps…he couldn't quite define it, but she had changed.

Before going down the following evening, he decided to speak privately to Mary. Cora's remark about how he had "abandoned" them had been haunting him for some time now. As he crossed the hall to Mary's room he realized how self-absorbed he had become. He should have checked himself in this long ago but there was no point to focus on what he had or had not done. He would try to correct things now. Robert opened the door and found Edith, Mary and Anna.

"Goodness. One of us must be in trouble. You never come in here." Edith noted from her place on the bed.

Robert smiled and shook his head. "No, no one's in trouble. I only wondered if I could speak to Mary for a moment."

"Me?" Mary asked.

"Well you are the naughty child." Edith chided, passing into the hall. Anna followed, looking less pale than she had in the previous weeks. Mary glanced up at him.

"So you've not come to scold me then?"

"No, what would I scold you about?"

"Oh, I don't know. This is very odd, though. There must be some reason."

Robert nodded slowly and seated himself on the bed. He opened and shut his mouth a few times before deciding on what to say.

"Is everything alright between…you and Carlisle?"

Mary laughed but her eyes were panicked. "This is what you came to ask? Of course we're alright."

"But my dear...it's quite clear you're not- and it isn't just that you two aren't …enamored with one another. There's something else you're not telling me, some secret."

Mary smiled but she immediately cast her eyes downward. She snatched her gloves off of the vanity and hastily pulled them on, making her way to the door.

"I promise, papa, everything's fine."

"Mary, please."

She paused, clutching the side of the door that lay halfway open. "There is one thing…" she said quietly. Mary paused before finally shutting the door and muttering, "I probably shouldn't be telling you this but… Anna thinks that she's pregnant."

Robert couldn't think of how to react. This was not at all what he expected to hear. Shocked, he only stared at Mary.

"She told me a week or so ago. She plans to have an examination tomorrow to find out for sure. I wouldn't say anything about it to her until then…and don't worry. I'll have her confide in me. That will save you some embarrassment, I think."

"Yes, of course." He mumbled, "I hope she isn't, for her sake. She doesn't need any more strain on her life just now." He swallowed and added shakily, "We should go down." Robert made his way to the door. He took a step into the hallway but then turned back. "But Mary, if there is anything wrong- and I'm still not convinced there isn't- please, come to me."

Mary's eyes were rather bright and she choked out, "Of course."

It was late the next day when Mary came into the library, looking very grave. Robert sighed.

"So Anna is…?"

"Yes. She doesn't appear to be distraught, though."

"Well that's something."

"Do you want to speak to her?"

Robert sighed. "Only if she feels like it. I don't want to force her."

"Alright. I can only imagine what she must be going through." Mary paused, lost in thought. "I'll send her in."

"Anna, won't you sit down?" Robert asked.

Anna slowly lowered herself into a chair, wringing her hands.

"Your lordship, I take it Lady Mary's told you about…told you my news."

"Yes, she has." Robert seated himself across from her, unsure of how to continue. "I think we ought to tell Bates as soon as possible…if you agree, of course."

"I do, my lord."

"I don't think it will be possible to go tomorrow but we might try for next Friday."

Anna nodded.

"Then it's settled." Robert said, raising himself from his seat. He heard Anna get up and begin to make her way from the room.

"Anna, wait a moment." He called. The girl turned around, midway between his desk and the door. Robert approached her slowly.

"This will no doubt feel very odd coming from me . I can understand if you would rather communicate your needs through Lady Mary but… should you need anything in the coming months please don't hesitate before making it known."

"Thank you, my lord. I can't think of anything at present but if I should I'll inform you of it."

"Good."

Once he was alone Robert buried his face in his hands. He would be dreading this next prison visit. If Anna's news was making him feel this terrible he couldn't bear to imagine how Bates was going to feel.

.