A/N: Thank you to everyone who has read and reviewed this story thus far. It has been one of my favorites to write.

Chapter 4

Cora gazed at her husband as he slept beside her. Despite her brother's unnecessary interruption, the previous evening had proved to be a most welcome distraction, not only for Robert but for herself as well. She knew that her mother didn't mean any harm. She was immensely proud of Cora as well as the fact that she had married well. Cora had always sought to please her parents and was glad that she had made them proud. However, she was more than a little uncomfortable at the thought of Martha's impending soiree. She was looking forward to seeing all of her friends, of course; but, she couldn't shake the feeling that something bad was going to happen.

As she continued to look at her husband, tears began to well up in her eyes. She had never thought it possible to love someone as much as she loved him. Because she was so desperately in love with him, she could not bear the thought of him being upset by all of these former 'suitors' her mother had insisted upon inviting. He was in a constant state of guilt over having taken so long to realize his true feelings for his wife. He was forever worried that he had somehow managed to drive her away a bit during that time, or that some small part of her still harbored some sort of resentment toward him for the months he thought he had wasted. No matter how many times she told him that she was not angry or upset over something that happened in the past, she knew that it did very little to assuage the guilt he continually carried with him.

Continuing to gaze adoringly at her husband, Cora began to trace her index finger over the strong features of his face. Smiling to herself, she leaned up and placed several feather-light kisses to his cheek and jawline before fusing her lips to his. This achieved exactly what she had hoped it would, and within moments she felt Robert's arms tighten around her waist and his lips move in tandem with hers. When the need for air became too great, Cora reluctantly broke the kiss, and pulled back to smile at her husband.

"Good morning," she whispered, a smile lighting up her features.

"A very good morning," Robert agreed, reaching up to brush a few stray curls from her forehead. "Any morning that begins like that can be classified as 'good'. I'm glad to see you in a jovial mood this morning, darling."

"I'm in a very good mood, my love," she responded, taking his hand in hers and kissing the back of each knuckle. "I got to wake up in your arms." She snuggled further into his embrace, resting her head on his chest and sighing contentedly as her face once again broke into a grin. "And last night was just…"

"Magnificent," Robert finished, his grin mirroring that of his wife.

"That it was," Cora agreed. "A much-needed distraction, don't you think?"

"I agree," Robert answered. "Listen, Cora, I don't want you to fret over this ball tonight. Everything will be fine, alright? Let's just have a good time and let your mother show us off."

Her husband's sudden acceptance of the situation took Cora by surprise. "Really?" she questioned. "Robert, I don't want you to feel uncomfortable."

"I'll be fine, darling; I promise. I have to admit that I'm less than thrilled that your mother has invited all of these men that were once so interested in you. But, I have to take the words your father spoke to you last night to heart." Here he reached for her left hand, and brought it up between them and ran his thumb over her wedding rings. "You're my wife; not theirs. I'm the one that has the privilege of being called your husband."

Tears of joy and relief flooded Cora's eyes. Unable to contain herself, Cora threw her arms around Robert's neck, once again crushing her lips to his. Robert wrapped his arms more tightly around her, rolling them both over to where he now hovered above her. Breaking the kiss, Robert looked deep into Cora's eyes while running his fingers through her hair. "I love you, my darling," he said. "And, I know that you love me. I'm so undeserving, but there's not a day that passes that I don't thank God for giving you to me."

Cora's heart began to swell at her husband's words. She loved these private moments between the two of them, when his English reserve melted just a bit, and they didn't have to be the Viscount and Viscountess Downton; they could just be Robert and Cora. "My sweet Robert," she breathed in reply. "No words I could find would tell you how much I love you. You have been my life's greatest blessing. Don't ever paint yourself as undeserving, my love. We were meant for each other. I truly believe that."

"So do I," Robert confirmed. "And, I intend to spend every day for the rest of my life showing you just how much you mean to me."

The twinkle of mirth in his eye was not lost on his wife, and she answered by wrapping her legs around his waist before answering, "There's no time like the present."

Robert arrived more than a little late for breakfast. As he entered the dining room, he did his best to not make eye contact with his father and brother-in-law. No doubt they suspected the reason for his tardiness, and the very last thing he needed was another of Harold's inappropriate comments.

"Good morning, Robert," Isidore intoned. "Sleep well?"

"I did, sir, yes," Robert replied, endeavoring to maintain a straight face as images from the previous evening flooded his memory.

"I'm glad to hear it. So what do you and Cora have planned for today?"

"We don't really have any plans other than lunch with Harold. I'm sure Cora will want to have as much time as possible to prepare for the ball."

"She needs all the time she can spare," Harold muttered from across the table. He looked up to see two pairs of eyes glaring at him. "What?"

"That's quite enough, young man," his father admonished. "This attitude of yours is getting a bit out of hand. Why can't you just be nice to your sister?"

"Because she's my sister," Harold stated matter-of-factly. "Siblings aren't supposed to be nice to each other." Robert couldn't help but chuckle at this statement. He remembered saying almost those exact words to his wife the night before.

"Well, can you at least try?" Isidore asked. "After all, Cora lives on the other side of the Atlantic now. We don't get to see her very often. I'd like for this to be a peaceful and happy visit if that is alright with you."

"I'll try," Harold replied. "I can't promise anything, but I'll try." His father simply rolled his eyes in response.

"So, Isidore," Robert interjected, hoping to move the conversation along, "how has business been lately?"

"It's been excellent, Robert," Isidore answered, grateful for the change of topic. "I've acquired several new clients, and opened several new accounts. It's never been better."

"I'm pleased to hear it. Cora always talks with great pride of your success."

Isidore smiled at the thought. "That's my Cora," he chuckled.

The remainder of the day passed with relative ease. Harold endeavored to be on his best behavior during their outing, even being kind enough to help Cora from the carriage and hold the door for her as they entered the restaurant. This sudden change in behavior made Cora a bit suspicious, but she knew better than to question it.

After being dressed for the evening, Robert dismissed Carson and knocked on the door that joined his room to Cora's.

"Cora?" Robert inquired. He did not go in as he normally would have done. She had told him she wanted her new gown to be a surprise. "Are you ready? Everyone is waiting downstairs."

"Almost, darling," she answered. "You go ahead. I'll be down in just a moment."

Robert made his way to the bottom of the main staircase where his in-laws now stood. The guests were due to arrive any moment, and he could hear his mother-in-law fussing over the food and flowers. Nothing was ever really to her liking. Harold looked almost bored to tears, and Isidore just shook his head as his wife continued to flit about in a frenzy barking orders at the servants.

Just when Robert was about to excuse himself to the sitting room to pour himself a much-needed drink, he heard the rustle of skirts from the upstairs landing. Looking up, his jaw went slack at the vision before him. He watched as Cora gracefully descended the staircase. Her new gown was stunning. It was lavender with a slightly plunging neckline and lace on the cap sleeves. The color of the dress made Cora's eyes shine a most brilliant shade of blue. Her dark hair was coiffed into a very intricate design and was encircled by the tiara that Robert had given to her as a wedding gift with flowers designed out of diamonds and an amethyst in the midst of each. The matching necklace completed the ensemble. Robert cleared his throat as he realized that he was unguardedly staring at his wife.

"You look absolutely beautiful, darling," he breathed as she reached the bottom of the stairs. He took her gloved hand in his, kissing the back of it.

Cora answered him with a soft, "Thank you, Robert," her cheeks blushing a delicate shade of pink at his compliment. Holding her head high, she turned to Martha with raised eyebrows. "Well, Mother? Do I look like your idea of a viscountess?"

"Of course you do," Isidore interjected, placing a kiss to his daughter's cheek. "Doesn't she, Harold?" he continued, giving his son a meaningful look.

"You look very pretty, Cora," Harold muttered, looking thoroughly put out at having to spare a compliment for his sister.

"Yes, you look marvelous, my dear," Martha confirmed just as the doorbell rang.

Exhaling a shaky breath, Cora looked up at her husband. "Well, here we go," she whispered nervously. "Are you sure you're alright with this, Robert?"

"Of course, my dearest," he answered, squeezing her hand gently in affirmation.

Robert had actually resigned himself to the thought of this ball over the course of the day, and had discovered that he was quite looking forward to meeting some of his wife's childhood friends. That was until the butler stepped into the hall to announce the arrival of the first guest.

"Mr. Andrew Livingston."