Many thanks to my wonderful beta granthamfan. You are amazing!
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Sorry for the late update, but I'm working really hard on this story to make it worthy of all your lovely reviews and kind words of support.

As soon as he walked through the sitting room door, Rosamund raised her eyes from her book to welcome him with a smile, making him feel a twinge of guilt. All he had given her in the last few days had been his grumpy mood.

Even if he didn't like to admit it, the unexpected responsibility his father had placed upon his shoulders had disturbed him more than he had allowed. Without being able to share his fears and insecurities with anybody, he found himself throwing his frustrations upon the only person who could understand him and- he believed- could still forgive him in the end.

Thus, even though he knew that her comprehension about their household situation and about his concerns would never prevent her from pestering him to no end, he endeavored to return her smile before falling heavily upon the settee in front of her.

They looked at each other for a silent minute. He knew by the amused glint in her eyes that she was about to have her share of fun at his expense. Robert spoke first.

"I owe you an apology."

"Do you?" She quirked her eyebrows and her amusement was evident in her voice. "I simply can't think why."

Robert chuckled softly. "Don't press your luck, little sister."

"I wouldn't dare," she lifted one hand in defense as a persistent smile slightly curved up the corners of her mouth. "Apology accepted."

Robert silently nodded his thanks and, picking up a newspaper, he crossed his legs to rest his feet over the coffee table.

"I wouldn't do that if I were you," she said with a teasing smile.

"Fortunately, you are not," he peeked over the newspaper, knowing that he would meet a grim look in her face. He winked at her prompting her to roll her eyes. And so, with an amused smile, he turned the page and added, "Don't worry about it. Mama just left a few minutes ago on some sort of errand. She won't be back anytime soon."

"If you say so," she shrugged, "But don't say I didn't warn you."

He didn't bother to answer her and continued paging through the paper trying to focus his attention on something, a task that soon proved to be completely impossible with so many worries crossing his mind.

Last night's dinner at Grantham House only had served to make things worse. If until now they had never discussed about possible candidates, last night his mother had made her opinion very clear when she practically pushed him on Lady Honoria the entire evening.

Robert briefly closed his eyes. She was only a harmless child! How could his mother even think about having him marry her? Suppressing a sigh, he wished he could wipe out the last couple days of his life. And why not, when the highlight of the previous week had been Miss Levinson's tread on his foot?

Well, not exactly, he thought as the disturbing memory of her soft lips against his made him feel hot under his collar. For the tenth time he started to read the same news, but this time Rosamund's insistent gaze upon him unnerved him.

"Stop staring at me," he complained without even looking at her.

"I'm not. I'm just interested in you," she said with that hint of disdain in her tone that never failed to annoy him. So, Robert lowered his paper and trained his eyes dangerously at her.

"All right. I am," she gave him a lopsided grin in defeat. "But, I am very curious to know your thoughts about last night, dear brother."

Once more he hid his face behind the paper as he strove to sound completely indifferent to her question.

"Nothing to be shared," he answered her, knowing that his sister wouldn't quit so easily.

"No word about Lady Honoria?"

He sighed heavily and heard her chuckling.

"Please, Robert, Lady Honoria is not that bad!"

"She is not that good, either," he said, and finally gave up on his paper, throwing it to his side on the settee.

"But she is such a lovely girl!" Rosamund grinned at him.

"Precisely. A girl. A child, Rosamund!" His voice sounded exasperated and he ran his fingers through his curls. "Until a few months ago, she was playing with her dolls! And now Mama wants me to marry her."

"Oh, please, Robert, you don't need to be so dramatic! She had already come out!"

"Oh, of course. When? Yesterday?" He didn't hide the sarcasm in his tone, and sighed once more. "She is just an innocent girl, too shy and too obedient to say no to all this nonsense. She barely spoke the entire night and most of the time she was so flushed that there was a moment I had thought she would faint." He looked at the fireplace for a moment before he turned his eyes again to her. "I'm sorry, but I really expect a little more from the person to whom I will spend my life with."

Rosamund kept looking at him and silently studied his face.

"I never thought you were so naïve, Robert. People like us almost never marry for reasons that don't involve money."

He gave her a wry smile. "People like us are almost never so desperate to marry for money. And don't you think you will be spared from all this, Rosamund."

It was her turn to sigh. "Tell me about it," she muttered and Robert almost smiled, knowing exactly why she had furrowed her brows. Then he took his turn to tease her.

"Was Lord Filton pleasant company last night?"

"Pleasant?" She dropped her book on the settee and rolled her eyes, just for Robert's amusement. "I can't see why Mama wants to push me on that old goat."

Robert chuckled again. "You should mind your mouth, young lady."

"Agreed! And you, young man, should mind your feet."

Both of them almost jumped, startled by their mother's voice coming from behind them. In an attempt to remove his feet from the table as quickly as possible and stand up to properly receive his mother, Robert lost his balance and fell on his back onto the settee, prompting Rosamund to cover her mouth to prevent a laugh. Even feeling the heat burning his cheeks, he was able to stand up in time to see the stern look on his mother's face. From the corner of his eye he watched as Rosamund struggled against an eminent fit of laughter.

"What does this all mean? I leave home for a couple of minutes and my children start acting like two wildlings?"

Rosamund couldn't control herself anymore, letting out the giggle she had been keeping in the back of her throat and Violet looked at her with a severe expression on her face.

"You, young lady, should know that Lord Filton is a man of undoubted honor!"

"I had never said otherwise, Mama," Rosamund lowered her eyes, trying to compose herself, but he knew she hadn't missed his amused grin.

"And you," Violet suddenly turned to him and made the small smile disappear from his lips, "should be thinking more seriously about your prospects with Lady Honoria."

Robert suppressed a sigh and furrowed his brows, but before he could articulate anything, Violet scolded him.

"Don't make this face at me, Robert! You know very well that Lady Honoria has all the necessary qualities to make a good wife for you."

"Specially her substantial inheritance," he didn't hide the irony in his tone.

"Huge inheritance," Rosamund added and Robert gave her a stern look which both, Rosamund and Violet pretend to ignore.

"And if you also consider that she is the favorite niece of the Duchess of Warrick," Violet continued, "who sooner or later will leave her a good share of-"

"Good Lord, Mama! I can't believe that we are having this conversation," Robert interrupted her. "The Duchess of Warrick is your friend!"

"Well, she is. And she is also a very old woman," Violet added and Robert exasperation only grew, making his voice harsher when he spoke once more.

"I may be too young to be as crude as you, Mama! But, I am old enough to refuse to be part of this particular disgusting game! Lady Honoria is only an innocent child!" He turned on his heels and walked towards the door, leaving behind him a flabbergasted Rosamund and an infuriated Violet.

"Robert Crawley! You can't leave just like that!" Violet's angry voice stopped him and he turned around to confront her. "Didn't you hear your father's words, Robert? Don't you know that a healthy marriage is this family's only chance?"

"I know perfectly well what my duties are and what is expected from me, Mama. And, I am also perfectly capable to choose my own wife. Now, please, if you excuse me, I'm leaving." This time he didn't stop at Violet's protests and walked through the doorway, shutting the door behind him with a relieved sigh. He had barely taken two steps into the foyer when his father appeared.

"What does all this commotion mean?" His father stopped when saw him. Robert opened his mouth to speak, but he prevented him lifting his hand with a look of sympathy in his tired face.

"Go ahead, my lad. I can manage it," he gave a significant look at the sitting room door, Violet's angry protests sounding clear through it.

"Thank you, Sir," Robert muttered and turned around, grabbing his hat to walk out the front door. But he couldn't make it to the gates and stopped at the front steps. Unable to move, he shut his eyes and took a deep breath. The shadow of guilt that transpired in his father's blue eyes hit him stronger than any harsh words his mother could have ever said to him. And, that was almost too much to bear.

When she had met Lady Eloise in the sitting room of their rented London house that morning, Cora felt as if she'd been saved. It had been with a disguised joy that she had accepted Lady Beatrice's eldest daughter's invitation for a stroll in the park and, later, to join her for lunch at her house.

Now, as the two of them walked through the streets of London under the watchful eyes of their respective lady's maids, Cora listened to her as she chatted cheerfully about the dinner party she had attended the night before.

The two young women had become friends almost immediately, which was easy since Eloise had a sweet and cheerful personality. In the short time they had known each other, they had discovered many shared interests which had deepened their friendship. Fortunately for Cora, Eloise seemed to have taken upon herself the mission of making her days in London less lonely, and lately the young lady's company was one of the few things that could brighten her days.

"I missed your company," Eloise finally stated with an honest smile that Cora returned.

"I really doubt this," Cora lowered her tone to add with a teasing grin, "Wasn't Lord Percy there?"

Eloise chuckled and her cheeks flushed slightly. "Yes, he was. But I missed you anyway."

"Thank you, Eloise," there was a look of gratitude in her face when she added, "for everything."

"Well, it is your fault, you know," Eloise grinned, trying keep the light tone of their conversation, "You shouldn't be such a nice person."

"Well, I'm pretty sure that there are plenty of people that would completely disagree with you," her amusement transpired in Cora's tone prompting Eloise to giggle. "But, I was talking about your friendship. It has been really important to me."

"You don't need to thank me, Cora. I can say the same about you," and she added, with that humorous way that Cora never tired of, "As for those who disagree with me, there is just one word for them: fools!" She grinned. "All of them!"

Eloise's lady's maid cleared her throat and the two giggling young ladies exchanged a look. Then, Eloise introduced a more serious topic trying to prevent a very unladylike fit of laughing in the middle of London's streets.

"Tell me, are you enjoying your first London Season?"

Cora thought for a moment how she could explain to Eloise her feelings without being dishonest or rude. "Well, I can't say I'm not," she finally said and when Eloise looked at her with a lopsided smile she felt her cheeks burning.

"I can't blame you for that," Eloise chuckled lighthearted, "Sometimes I myself feel tired of the English aristocracy and its rules and traditions, but," she gave her a teasing grin, "I could never, ever feel tired of seeing the parks blooming full of elegant people, the countless balls and dances, the frenzy and excitement surrounding the Derby and Ascot, the beauties we can see at the exhibition of the Royal Academy of Art," she said with a sigh and when she noticed the smile on Cora's face, she shook her head before she added, "Well, what can I say? I'm hopeless, I know. But, I really love the Season. And, I'm pretty sure you will agree with me before it ends."

"I could do it now," Cora finally confessed. "if only my mother would give me a little more…" she hesitated for a moment, looking for the right word.

"Space?" Eloise finished her sentence and both girls exchanged a knowing smile. "I know how you feel. Don't forget that I'm two years older than you, Cora. So believe me when I say that I'm all too familiar with the pressures of a matchmaking mother," Eloise smirked.

"Well, I think you are doing great."

"Because of Lord Percy?"

Cora nodded and Eloise gave her a coy grin before whispering, peeking over her shoulder to be sure that no one but Cora could hear her. "I hope so."

They walked in silence for a long moment, both of them lost in their own thoughts. Then, Cora spotted him- the tall and broad-shouldered gentleman standing on the front steps of a beautiful house.

Maybe he had felt her gaze upon him or maybe he had just raised his eyes to follow his path, but in the moment their eyes met, she felt once more that strange feeling overtaking her.

Only this time there was something in his expression that caught her off guard. A confusion; an embarrassment she hadn't seen in him before. Something that made this man standing there so utterly distinct from the confident and bold young man she had met a few nights ago. And that unexpected showing of fragility hit her in a way she wasn't able to understand. Especially because she hated him. Or at least, she wanted to.

Despite this, she feared that he would walk toward them at any moment. Propriety would oblige him to greet them whenever Lady Eloise saw him, which strangely hadn't happened so far, so absorbed Eloise was in her own thoughs.

Surprisingly, he made a slight bow and, donning his hat, he crossed the house's gates and quickly walked away from them.

"Oh!" Eloise seemed a little disappointed, "How sad that we just missed Lord Downton!" Cora pretended she didn't understand her and Eloise explained. "Look there, he had just turned the corner."

"What a pity," Cora tried to sound sincere, but fortunately Eloise wasn't paying attention to her as they stopped in front of the house he had just left.

"By the way, this is Lord Downton's family house. The dinner I was just telling you about was here."

The house had a beautiful facade and, in spite of not being so large or pompous like the others she had already seen in the city, the beautiful small garden in the front could speak for itself. She lingered for some time to admire the Grantham family's coat of arms carved on the gates, just one more thing that reminded her of how far she was from her home.

"Our families are very close. But, of course you already know it, since it was my mother who introduced Lord Downton to your parents at the ball," Eloise continued as they started to walk again. Cora just nodded as the memory of that particular night hit her. "I saw you two dancing. He is such a pleasant gentleman, don't you think?"

Cora had never been asked a harder question, and as she watched Eloise from the corner of her eye, she tried to figure out if there was any hint of irony in her voice. How long she had observed them after all?

"Yes, he is," Cora lied, not daring to face Eloise.

"Mama had plans to marry me Lord Downton."

At that, Cora nearly choked. Good Lord. Why him?

"Really?" Cora asked and tried to be as impassive as she could, the thought that maybe her dearest friend could be in love with that man disturbing her to no end. And the worst thing was that she was not sure why she was feeling this way.

Robert had recognized her as soon as the two young ladies had turned the corner, his gaze helplessly attracted to her. She seemed even more beautiful than that night at the ball, if that was possible. Even at a distance, the sight of her delicate smiling face could make him forget how to breathe.

Her face assumed a more serious expression when her eyes had met his, making him feel embarrassed for being surprised like that, so vulnerable, so pathetically stopped at his home's door. His fingers moved nervously by the brim of his hat while he tried to think about what to do next.

A few months ago, he wouldn't hesitate to walk to meet her with a confident smile on his face while his eyes boldly would never leave hers. But, now he felt unable to move. He wasn't ready to face her yet, not after everything that had happened between them the other evening. Especially not now, when his head was so heavy and his heart so dark.

He involuntarily bit his lower lip as he made his decision. He knew that at any sign of acknowledgement from her or Lady Eloise, he would be obliged to approach to greet them. So, before this could happen, he crossed the gates with hesitant steps. Looking at her one last time before leaving, he made a quick bow and put on his hat to walk resolutely in the opposite direction, quickly increasing the distance between them.

It wasn't the right moment to speak with Miss Levinson again. Probably, after all the criticism that she had expressed about him, there would never be a right moment.

He had walked through the streets of London aimlessly as images of Miss Levinson, his mother's angry face and the guilt in his father's eyes crossed his racing mind.

Losing all the family's money, being forever remembered as the Earl who failed for having endangered all that their ancestors had built was too severe a blow even for a strong man like his father. Now he understood why he had to forget his own desires. He had to be strong because he was the only one able to save Downton; but more than that, he was the only one who was able to save his father.

His errant walk eventually led him to Brentwood House's door, coincidentally just in time to meet George and Simon crossing the beautiful house's black gates. The eldest Dashwood showed his typical broad smile when he saw him.

"Downton! We were just going to Grantham House to rescue you!" George greeted him with a friendly pat on the back and Robert forced a smile of his own. After last night, 'rescue' had become a most accurate word.

"Missing the lovely Lady Honoria already?" Simon asked him without hiding his amusement prompting Robert to give him a wry look before answering.

"Deeply."

George let out a chuckle before covering Robert's shoulders with his arm. "How could you be so grumpy on a day like this?" Ignoring Robert's ironically raised brow, George continued. "I know exactly what you need to feel better, Robert Crawley! A walk in the park!"

"Oh, no; not the park," Robert shook his head. The idea of meeting Miss Levinson and Lady Eloise again was enough to make his stomach churn. "What I really need is something to drink. Something strong."

"It's too early for a drink," George stated and Simon let out an incredulous laugh.

Robert found himself almost smiling at the irony, but George ignored them and continued on his mission to convince Robert. But this time, it was Robert who spoke first.

"I'd rather go to the club."

George looked straight into his eyes and seemed to think for a moment before turning to his brother.

"Simon, could you please warn Chilton that we will have lunch at the club and that later Lord Downton will join us for tea?"

Simon thought about protesting, but the look on George's face was enough for him to change his mind. So he turned on his heels and crossed the elegant gates again, disappearing on a side path among the bushes. The other two watched him in silence and when George looked back at him, Robert knew already what he would say.

"Is everything alright, Robert? You've been sulking this entire week."

Robert hadn't said a word to George. And he never would. Although George was an old and close friend, that secret wasn't his to tell. So, as George's dark eyes watched him closely, he just shook his head and tried to show his best smile.

"There is nothing wrong. Just that my mother's nonsense about marriage is getting on my nerves. But, I really appreciate your concern."

"Well, isn't that what life has in store for us all?" George waved his hand toward his house in a large movement. "You know very well that my mother is no different. As all good mothers, she also thinks that her mission in life is to ensure that all her children make good marriages. So, here we are; all in the same boat, old chap," he added with a grin.

Robert smiled, this time an honest one, although he doubted that George would ever face the same fate as he.

"You just have to elegantly sidestep your fate for a few more years," George winked amused, "Unless you really want to settle down and fill Downton Abbey with children."

Robert rolled his eyes, prompting George to chuckle. "That's what I thought," his friend said before turning his eyes to the gates to see a smiling Simon walking toward them to announce that he had accomplished his mission.

"So, gentleman," George again gave him a friendly pat on the shoulder, "to Hyde Park!"

"Hyde Park?" Robert and Simon said almost in unison and George, who was already on his way, looked at them over his shoulder before saying, "Hurry up! You are being left behind."

Robert hadn't been surprised when he had seen them as soon as they had started their walk at the 'Rotten Row'. But even then, he had to control himself to not to turn on his heels and walk in the opposite direction when Lady Eloise tilted her head showing them a bright smile.

With that clear invitation, the three of they walked toward the young ladies. Robert had kept himself purposely a step behind the brothers, struggling to keep his eyes away from Miss Levinson.

"Lady Eloise. Miss Levinson," George took off his hat to politely bow to them, an action that was immediately imitated by the other two. "What a pleasure to meet you on this glorious morning!"

Robert bit the inside of his cheek. 'Glorious' wasn't a word that was usually part of George's vocabulary and it gave him the feeling that he couldn't have anything good in mind by starting a conversation like this.

"Certainly, Lord Brentwood," Eloise nodded with a smile. "There is nothing better than a walk outdoors in such nice weather. Don't you think?"

"Indeed," George agreed with that annoyingly perfect smile of his which made Robert suppress a sigh. While George kept the conversation going with the usual polite questions about the ladies' families' health, Robert had stood in silence, trying not to put too much stock in Miss Levinson's delighted gaze upon George, nor his friend's ability to turn any trivial matter in the most enchanting topic to a lady's ear.

After a moment and with the ladies' permission, they joined them to walk the rest of the path. There was no surprise when Miss Levinson took the arm George kindly had offered her, what just increased Robert's restlessness. But fortunately, Eloise offered him some comfort and he almost smiled for the first time since their early meeting.

"You're awfully quiet, my dear Lord Downton. Too quiet, I dare to say," she said, placing her hand gently on the crook of Robert's arm preventing Simon to offer his own. And knowing Simon, Robert knew he was very disappointed at losing the preference of both ladies. He watched as he placed himself at his brother's side, now walking a few steps ahead of him and Lady Eloise.

"Well, I could lie to you and say that it is only a terrible headache," Robert told her as they started to walk following the other three. "But you know me too well to believe it."

"Indeed," she giggled, "so as the wise man that you are, you will tell me the truth."

At that, Robert turned his head to look straight at her, not only to ignore the way George was talking with Miss Levinson, but mostly because Eloise was a good friend. She deserved more from him than his gloomy humor and scattered attention.

"No," he gave her a teasing smile, "I'll politely change the subject."

"You wouldn't have the courage," her challenging smile elicited a laugh from him.

"I am a brave man, you know."

Her mouth had formed a perfect 'O', that she covered with her hand when she pretended to be outraged.

"Lord Downton! You used to be my friend!"

"And I still am, you can be sure of it," they exchanged a smile before he continued. "I wonder if you will go to Ascot this year now that your brother-in-law had invested in horses."

"Ascot? Really, Robert?"

He just smirked when she had raised her eyebrows in disbelief.

Despite the attentions of Lord Brentwood and his equally charming brother, it hadn't gone unnoticed to Cora the affectionate way Eloise had slipped her hand in Lord Downton's arm. Neither was the unexpected smile that lit up his face as they talked quietly, with that annoying intimacy that only close friends were allowed. For a brief moment, she wished she could also be the reason for his smiles, but then, the impropriety of her own thought made her blush.

Fortunately, Lord Brentwood again had proved himself as an excellent conversationalist, distracting her from her worries and soon the brothers showed their surprise to find out that she had only been in London so far.

"So, have you never been in the countryside?" Mr. Dashwood seemed to be astonished and Cora watched Lord Brentwood cast a stern look at his brother.

"And would you like to visit it some day?" Lord Brentwood looked at her once more.

"Yes, I would," she said, feeling the heat in her cheeks.

"Then it will be my pleasure to take you," he smiled confidently at her. "And I am pretty sure that Lord Downton will be as happy as I am. What do you say, Robert?"

She saw Robert blink blankly as if he hadn't heard a word that Lord Brentwood had just said. And why should he if he had been completely absorbed in conversation with Eloise all this time? Sweet and beautiful Eloise, who could have married him. Why hadn't she after all? They seemed to be very fond of each other.

Lord Brentwood proceeded without even bothering to explain himself to Lord Downton who still looked at him, clueless.

"I hope you can accept my invitation to visit Waltham Park. It is my uncle's ancestor's home in Wiltshire. My uncle and aunt use to offer a house party every July and I would be honored to have you as my guest."

Eloise grinned at her as the others waited in silent expectation except, of course, for Lord Downton who had a strange look on his face. Cora suppressed a sigh and averted her eyes from him. She had a strange feeling that she was the reason for his uneasiness and, despite what he had told her when they were dancing, she still believed that he disliked her.

"The honor would be mine, Lord Brentwood," she answered him in a soft tone, trying to forget about Lord Downton for a moment.

"Good! You can expect to receive a proper invitation in a few days, Miss Levinson."

"I'm sure you will appreciate Waltham Park, Cora! It is such a beautiful place, a very good example of the English countryside. And Lord and Lady Waltham are such wonderful hosts!" Eloise gave her a grin in reassurance before Lord Brentwood added with one of his tempting smiles,

"That is true. It is also true that Downton Abbey is another remarkable place to be visited, isn't it, Lord Downton?"

Robert faced his friend's gaze for a moment while he searched for any hint of where he was trying to go with all of this, even though he already suspected. But then, he was forced to say something when he felt the eyes of everyone upon him.

"Indeed. Downton Abbey is my Yorkshire home, Miss Levinson. And it is as beautiful as Waltham Park, I can assure you."

Then he finally understood it. From the corner of his eye, he saw George's raised brows and the meaningful look he gave him over the ladies' heads. So that was it. The bastard wanted him to invite her to Downton Abbey too, certainly for the house party his parents also offered in July, usually one week after the one at Waltham Park. The one to which the Dashwoods were always invited. Robert bit his lower lip as the image of her walking through the gardens of Downton formed in his mind. But how would he convince his mother to invite the Levinsons?

But that was something he would have to solve later, because by that time all the others, except perhaps Miss Levinson, had already understood that he should also invite her to go to Downton. Judging by the look on Eloise's face, he was pretty sure that if he didn't she would be the one who would kick him. So he tried to seem as kind as he could when he spoke.

"I would be very honored if you would attend a house party at Downton Abbey, Miss Levinson."