The birds were singing merrily outside Cora's window all perched in a thicket as Cora began to find her senses. She was lying on her stomach and her hair was sprawled messily over her feather pillow which had proven to be most comfortable. She stretched out her legs stiffly and sighed, not caring what time it was. Opening a sleepy eye she found the sun streaming into her room on account of Robert forgetting to pull the curtains the previous night. Blinking to adjust herself to the brightness Cora rolled onto her back and pushed herself upright, fighting the urge to flop back down in the process. An uncertain knock on her door alerted her to Robert's presence.

"Come in Robert, I'm awake," Cora called out. Robert popped his head around the door, pleased to see she was sitting up. He gave it a kick to reveal that he was holding a breakfast tray for her and her jaw slackened in surprise. Robert grinned as he came over to her.

"Breakfast is served my dear," he announced as Cora hastily plumped up her pillow behind her.

"You made me breakfast?!" she said incredulously as her voice returned. Robert had surprised her once again and she felt herself blushing as he placed the tray down in front of her. Cora then inspected the offerings more closely before looking up at Robert in amusement. "Do you want me to lose weight? This is all fruit!" Robert fidgeted.

"I must confess to raiding the Downton larder this morning with the help of our cook, Mrs McKinley. All of the servant's got quite a shock to see me but I gave them no information as to why I am here or for how long. I just asked for some food that I could take away to one of the cottages so they probably think it is for a tenant I guess," Robert shrugged. "I also found out that the police are searching for you in London but no further at this stage." He watched as the colour drained from Cora's face. "Why are you reacting like that Cora? You are safe up here now," Robert said in what he thought was a comforting voice.

"Yes but what about the hotel staff or the cab driver. Surely when they realize-"

"They won't give us away," Robert cut in confidently.

"How can you be so certain?" Cora asked, flabbergasted.

"Because I have bribed them into silence. And if they know what is good for them then that is exactly what they'll stay: silent." Robert's confession hit Cora like a ton of bricks.

"What do you mean by that Robert? What will you do to them?" she asked. For the first time since they had met, Cora felt genuinely unnerved by him. Robert took in her stricken expression and sat down on the bed, reaching for her hand as he did so.

"I don't plan on doing anything to them Cora, except ask if they have a conscience. I told them enough to get them on side without adding in anything worth gossiping about, nothing more except the aid of some pennies. It is a small price to pay to protect you as far as I am concerned." He squeezed her hand as Cora let out a sigh of relief. That wasn't so bad then.

"Well I hope it works!" she said earnestly and reached for the bunch of grapes in front of her. "I would like to go for a walk today. I feel ok this morning, not too sore so I would very much like to get acquainted with my new surroundings. Will you be so good as to show me?" Her eye's shone at the mere prospect of it and Robert knew he wouldn't be able to deny her request.

"Alright then but if you get tired then we will turn around. Might I suggest this afternoon later on?"

"Why later?" Cora pressed him, already feeling impatient.

"Because there is no food in this house Cora! I can't just keep going back to Downton for food all the time because it'll look fishy to the servant's. There is one maid in particular called Sarah that we took on last year who has a knack for finding things out and distributing the information. I don't know why Papa can't get past his sense of moral employment obligations and just get rid of her." Cora chuckled.

"I daresay Lord Grantham will have his reasons darling." Robert's features softened.

"That is the first time you have called me 'darling'," he noted.

"And you had better get used to it," she added. Robert nodded enthusiastically.

"Anyway darling," he winked at her, "I need to contact my family and feed them my story about being away on business. You finish your fruit and I'll be back later." Robert raised her hand and explored the wonderfully soft surface of it before guiding it towards her lap. He half stood and leaned in to her ear, brushing some wayward hair out of the way. "I love seeing your hair down." His voice was little more than a whisper despite the fact that they were very much alone. Cora's complexion became rosy as he headed for the door, his real mission now coming to the forefront of his mind.

The hallway was dark, concealing the grandeur of the paintings that lined the walls and the bust of King Henry VIII that was located halfway along. Elliot showed him into the library where a gentleman stood with his back to them and his arms clasped tightly behind his back. He was easily as tall as Robert but his frame was thinner and his hair was blacker than black.

"Lord Downton Milord," Elliot announced, prompting movement from John. He turned around slowly as Elliot left Robert to face his angry employer. John was standing in front of Robert in several long strides. Robert offered his hand to shake but John didn't take it.

"I do not recall ever being introduced to you Lord Downton though I am aware of your existence," John said as he tossed propriety out the window.

"You are correct Lord John," Robert confirmed smoothly.

"Then why are you here? I do have a pressing matter you know," he spat. Robert's stomach muscles clenched and he felt his temper flare but somehow he managed to keep his composure in check.

"If you are referring to the unknown whereabouts of your wife, I am here to offer any assistance I can in finding her. I can't imagine the distress you must be in so I would like to provide any assistance I can." Robert looked at John right in the eye and waited for a response.

"That is most generous of you Lord Downton but I daresay the police will find her soon. She isn't a very bright woman so I doubt she will have gotten far." Robert's anger began to rise again, a bubbling sea of hatred towards the man who had so severely hurt the woman he loved. In his opinion, Cora was not only bright but inquisitive, a great traveler and he suspected she had a wicked sense of humour hidden too.

"I see. Very well then, the offer stands nonetheless." Robert bowed deeply.

"I am sorry you have wasted your time Lord Downton. I do appreciate the offer but I am afraid I really must be getting on," John finished as he nodded curtly and swept past Robert out the door.

Robert followed him back along the hallway and down the stairs, reeling at his appalling behaviour and his sunken cheeks. He suddenly found that he could comprehend what Cora had endured a whole lot better and he felt his stomach doing sickly somersaults.

"Miss Lacombe, get downstairs at once," John bellowed as he nearly walked right into the terrified young woman. Robert watched as Elliot hurried out the door after John, carrying his top hat, coat and walking stick.

"Wait just a moment Miss Lacombe," Robert called after her as she scuttled across the foyer positively terrified. The young woman turned around and eyed him timidly. She was wearing a Ladies' Maid uniform and Robert immediately suspected that she had been Cora's. Robert walked briskly over to her and she took a step back.

"It's alright," he assured her. "I have only got a minute to convey this before the butler returns so listen carefully."

Lord and Lady Grantham found their son sitting on his favourite chair in the drawing room just as Oldroyd had said. He was whispering to Rosamund frantically but the two immediately broke apart when their parents appeared.

Patrick was visibly cross and Violet looked like she was about to throw a fit. They both stopped in front of him as he stood up to face the music. "Hello Papa, Mama. How are you?"

"How are we?" Patrick spluttered. "Don't think you can just waltz back into this house after disappearing completely for untold hours. Do you have any idea how worried we were?"

"Papa, Robert is a grown man. I am sure he can take care of himself for the day," Rosamund piped up.

"That's not the point. Lord Durham's wife is missing. Did you stop to think about how it would look if you had disappeared for an extended period at the exact same time?" Patrick roared.

"No," Robert answered truthfully. His father did have quite an unnerving point.

"So where were you?" Violet said in a dangerously low voice. She still had her suspicions and was already dreading Robert's response.

"For your information I have just come from Brougham House, where Lord Durham resides. I went there to offer him any assistance I could to find his missing wife," Robert retorted. Violet felt like she had just been slapped face such was the shock. Perhaps she had been imaging things between him and that woman the whole time. Indeed she must have or there was no way Robert would have done that.

"Oh," she acknowledged.

"That was a very nice thing to do Robert," Patrick said, his tone now filled with pride. "Considering you don't know the gentleman I am quite impressed." Robert was very tempted to tell his parent's about John's not-so-agreeable manners but thought better of it. "That doesn't explain where you were last night though?" For one brief moment, Robert had thought he had been successful at diverting that particular line of thought and was put out by the realization that he had been wrong.

"I ran into an old friend of mine from Eton yesterday and he invited me out for a few drinks in West London. Needless to say I never made it home," Robert lied. Rosamund snorted loudly and burst out laughing, her face full of glee. She knew he was lying but the possibilities to imagine if it were true had her on the edge anyway. Rosamund's reaction however, was a great help to Robert as his father seemed to be satisfied with the explanation.

"Well I can't say I am so impressed with that lad," Patrick observed. "Still, at least you are home in one piece, especially since we have been invited to the Wakefield's for dinner tonight."

"Lad? Papa you make me sound like a boy," Robert moaned. His father raised his eyebrows as Violet coughed and sat down, holding her tongue with all her determination but Robert could read it all on her face anyway. "And I won't be going to the dinner tonight, you'll have to make my apologies."

"Why not?" His father was starting to get irritated now.

"Because I am leaving in a few minutes for a few days," Robert said calmly. "That old friend I spoke of has invited me on an excursion of sorts around the English countryside and I have agreed to go with him. He might also come to see Downton but I'm not sure." More lies, but it was worth the risk to be with Cora.

"So you arranged all this without asking my permission?" Patrick growled.

"I hardly think I need your permission to spend some time with my friends," Robert fired back.

"Show your Papa some respect," Violet spat.

"But he is right," Rosamund interrupted. "He can fend for himself and with his friend I am sure they will do quite well together."

"Thank you sister." Robert turned and flashed Rosamund a grateful look.

"How are we to know that though?" Patrick demanded. "You haven't even said who he is!"

"He is a friend from Eton as Robert has said. I know him so stop fussing and let Robert be on his way. You have packed haven't you my dear brother?"

"Yes, it's all in hand."

"Good, come along then and I'll see you off."

"Goodbye Papa, Mama and I'll see you in a few days." Patrick took a step towards his son but Robert skirted by him.

"What about Miss Hollingsworth Robert?" Violet called after him. "She will be at the dinner tonight and I know you two got on well together when you danced."

"Please Mama, you mustn't assume that something will come of every dance I have with an eligible young lady," Robert replied wearily. "And if you must know, her attentions are firmly elsewhere. Now I really have to go or I'll be late." Without another look back, Robert vacated the room before there could be any more delays. Rosamund followed him out the door to his horse leaving his mother to deal with a horrifying revelation: her son was grown up. And they could no longer keep the reins on him like they used to. This simple fact was thoroughly alarming and her attention shifted to her husband who seemed to be experiencing something similar.

Outside, Rosamund walked briskly behind her brother as he went down the front path and out onto the street where his faithful mount was waiting, held by a stable boy. "Be good to her Robert," she ordered in a low voice.

"You know I will Rosamund." Robert slotted his foot into the hold and swung himself up.

"My baby brother is going to become a man, finally!" she chortled. Robert's face turned bright red.

"Do you mind? That is not your business," he hissed under his breath as Rosamund dissolved into a fit of devious cackling.

"Oh Robbie you are too serious for your own good sometimes," she cooed as Robert locked his jaw in agony over Rosamund's stirring.

"Right, I'm off then," his voice slipped through gritted teeth.

"Safe travels," Rosamund yelled as he started off down the street at a canter.