A/N: Of course, Downton Abbey doesn't belong to me - and most of the dialogue in this scene comes straight from Season 2...
Cora stands outside her home, awaiting the arrival of Richard Carlisle. Out of the corner of her eye, she sees her daughter glance uncomfortably from her to the approaching car. It's unlike Mary to be this nervous. Cora knows her response to Sir Richard staying has been a little too muted and unenthusiastic. She should be delighted that Mary has invited someone to Downton, yet why choose the director of a notorious newspaper empire?
The car stops and the man himself steps out; she notes the dark business suit and the papers under his arm.
"We're so pleased to have you here, Sir Richard. I do hope the train journey wasn't too tiring."
What does Mary see in this man? She feels oddly threatened by his too-confident smile and those piercing blue eyes which, she imagines, miss nothing.
"Not at all. I got a lot done."
Cora decides to ignore the man's not-so-subtle reminder that he works for his living:
"Do come in and have some tea." As she ushers them inside she catches Mary's eye and smiles encouragingly. While she is resolved to welcome Sir Richard, she fervently hopes nothing will come of this particular match.
The weekend at Downton proves highly satisfactory, enjoyable even. There are few surprises. The Earl undoubtedly disapproves of him, yet just about manages to hide it behind good manners and aristocratic breeding; his mother doesn't bother to hide her disapproval. And the heir - ha! those middle-class roots have been long forgotten and discarded, considering the way he has ingratiated himself into the family.
The American Countess is the only one to show him anything resembling warmth. He is sure every guest has been treated to the same effusive greeting, yet still he responds to her polished smile and charming words. When she seats him beside her at dinner, they talk with effortless ease, the conversation deftly steered away from her daughter and his profession to the safer topics of Downton and the London season. He wonders how many guests she has she has entertained in his place - and how many of those guests were potential suitors?
At least she has the grace not to correct his every faux pas; he is even granted a sympathetic smile when he apologies for getting those blasted titles wrong - again. "Don't worry. Sometimes we only learn through making mistakes."
Yes, he concedes as the car drives him to the station - certainly an interesting visit.
They watch in relief as the car holding their daughter and Sir Richard leaves Downton. Robert turns to her:
"Do you think anything will come of it?"
"Oh I don't know...this is Mary we're talking about."
"I must say I can't see the attraction."
Cora briefly considers the question. She can see the attraction for Mary. Beneath those Nordic good looks, Richard Carlisle possesses an unusual blend of cunning, intelligence and self-assurance. He would offer her daughter a new life and a powerful position in society. But apart from all of that, he is substantially different from Matthew Crawley...and substantially different from her idea of a son-in-law...
"What are your plans for the day, darling?" She sees the expression on her husband's face and quickly wishes she hadn't changed the subject.
"Presenting medals to the local regiment back from the Front." He raises his voice in exasperation. "How can I even look them in the eye? These men have served their country and I haven't."
"It's not as if you've haven't seen active service, darling... and you are doing an important job..." she trails off, unable to muster much sincerity or enthusiasm. She knows her husband too well - there is nothing she can say to convince him he is not shirking his duty. Instead she gives him a small smile and kisses his cheek affectionately. His despair is a small price to pay for him being here with her rather than risking his life in France.
"You see, I want you to marry me."
"I can't help thinking tradition demands a little mention of love."
But Lady Mary Crawley doesn't love him - he can see that from the awkwardness between them and the way she looks beyond him as if willing the train to come. So he takes a different approach - he treats the marriage proposal the same way he would a business proposition - he tells her what he can offer her:
"We could be a good team." She is watching him now - he finally has her full attention. "We're strong and sharp and we can build something worth having, you and I...if you'll let us."
He sees the astonishment in her face - clearly she was not expecting a proposal quite like this. The talk of strength and partners and teams suggests a wholly different world from what she is used to.
Naturally she promises to think about it.
As he sits on the train, watching her recede into the distance, he wonders...does he love Lady Mary Crawley? The very idea fills him with horror. Richard Carlisle is not a man to let raw emotion get in the way of a good deal.