A/N Sorry for the delay. I was sidetracked by my contribution to the Cobert Holiday Exchange. Hope you enjoy this new offering!

The sun was just starting to radiate out its warmth for the day as Robert and Cora took a leisurely pace along the ridge overlooking Downton Abbey. It had now been a week since they had first come to the cottage and morning walks were already a mainstay in their daily routines. Miss Lacombe had done a wonderful job tidying Rooksway and making it more homely and she had definitely found her strength in cooking. Robert and Cora had been enjoying their meals immensely while Robert also found having the cottage to themselves at night was also exceedingly excellent. He grinned to himself as his mind sauntered back to their activities of the previous night and turned to Cora who was walking along beside him, seemingly lost in thought.

"Cora?" Robert said questioned as her brow creased. He lifted his hand to the small of her back and gently ran it soothingly up and down. Cora startled out of her line of thinking and stopped in her tracks.

"How are we going to do this Robert?" she sighed.

"Do what?" Robert felt confused and his sense of foreboding suddenly heightened as he turned to face her.

"We can't keep going like this. You are on holiday with your school friends. That gives us one week left if I am right. So what are we going to do about John and your being away for an extended period? I still carry his last name and I want to be rid of it!" She clenched her fists together in anguish and immediately sought his embrace. Robert pulled her in to his chest and raised himself to his full height so he could lightly rest his chin on the top of her head. Cora clung to him, needing his reassurance badly.

"I am already doing something about that man Cora," Robert informed her softly.

"Really?"

"Yes. I have got my private investigator, Mr Murdoch tailing him and gathering evidence against him." He held his breath and waited for Cora to say something as last time she had expressly asked him to tell her first. Cora pulled back and studied him with her intense blue eyes.

"When will you see this Mr Murdoch again?" she inquired.

"In two weeks." Cora nodded and linked her arm with his as they continued to walk along, starting down the side of the ridge.

"Can I be there with you? I would like to know what he says."

"Yes, you may. Why should I have any objection?" Satisfied, they continued on in silence until Robert stopped by a creek. Robert suddenly had an idea that might help to lighten Cora's mood. He bent down and dipped his hand into the cool water. He then flicked it up hard sending water flying through the air and hitting Cora sporadically.

Cora squealed in surprise as she instinctively tried to turn away from the worst of it. She whirled around and dived behind a tree as Robert sent more water her way. Clutching the tree trunk, she could hear her lover laughing merrily.

"Cora, you can come out now. I promise I won't do it again." His voice echoed to her. Cora did not believe it and was still sensing mischief. Deciding to play him at his own game she peeked out from behind the tree. He was leaning over the water again and letting it run through is hands with his back to her. Cora looked over at the next tree behind her and broke cover for it. Robert heard her movements but she had made her target just in time.

"Seriously darling, you can stop hiding now. I am not near the creek." Robert sighed and made his way over to what he thought was Cora's hiding place, only to discover she wasn't behind it. He then realized that she was now playing him at his own game, waiting to catch him off guard. He went around the next tree and the next but still no luck. Starting to get frustrated he stopped and listened for a clue, but nothing was audible. He went to another tree and peered around it cautiously.

Cora saw her chance and snuck up behind him silently. Robert straightened up, now sure she had run off completely. What if she got lost? She still didn't know this area well. Robert's heart sank. How could a practical joke turn so wrong? He turned around and, "BOO!"

"ARH!" Cora flung herself at him and he stumbled back with the impact of her body on his. Steadying himself, he tried to recover but he had suffered such a jolt that he was gasping like he had just run a race. Cora was keeled against his chest, giggling like mad to the point where silent tears were flowing down her face.

"Don't do that," Robert said. "You nearly gave me a heart attack!"

"Well you started it," she countered. Robert shook his head at himself and grinned at her. Cora had definitely gotten the better of him this time but he would get his own back later.

The managed to calm themselves down and decided to head back to Rooksway having had quite enough morning excitement.

Upon returning to the cottage, both Robert and Cora were most perturbed. Two horses were tied to the gate post outside. Glancing at each other Robert pushed open the gate and stepped back to let Cora go through before closing it behind him. A firm knock at the door and it was opened almost immediately by Miss Lacombe.

"I am so pleased you are back Your Lordship," she stuttered nervously.

"Why is that?" The maid didn't answer her and instead lead them into the kitchen area. Robert and Cora stopped dead in their tracks. Rosamund and Marmaduke were sitting on their sofa drinking tea!

"Marmaduke," Rosamund swatted his arm. Marmaduke looked as if he had received an electric shock from her touch and immediately jumped to his feet, spilling some tea into his saucer in the process.

"Aw darn it Ros!" he grumbled and passed his accident over to Miss Lacombe to clean up. "Robert ol' chap how are you?" Robert hurried over and shook his counterparts' hand. "Hello," he nodded at Cora.

"Call me Cora," she assured him and also stepped forward.

"Cora," Marmaduke repeated.

"Brother dear," Rosamund interrupted and embraced him briefly. "Cora my dear, how are you?" Before she could answer however, Rosamund had also taken her in for a hug.

"Very well thank you," Cora managed to say as Rosamund drew back.

"My darling sister, I am most pleased to see you. I am confused by your appearance though when you knew what was going on during this period," Robert stated. Rosamund suddenly adopted a very serious air and her smile vanished.

"I've come to warn you."

"Warn us about what?" Despite his prompt, a weight in Robert's stomach was already plummeting to his nether regions.

"Durham knows." Cora let out a gasp and collapsed into the chair behind her. She stared at Rosamund's sympathetic face wild eyed. "I don't know how," Rosamund continued. "Yesterday when I arrived home, Marmaduke half pulled me into the house where some good old eavesdropping of Durham in our parent's Drawing Room revealed that Durham has been informed about you by some source." Robert's face was one of horror. His mind was immediately running through a list of suspects that could have betrayed them. The cab drivers, hotel servants, anyone could have been responsible but the reality was, he didn't have a clue. A loud sob from Cora jolted Robert back to the present.

Cora had drawn her knees to her chest and was rocking herself in her chair, silent tears of fear streaming down her cheeks. Robert was at her side in two big strides. "Cora, Cora, it's going to be ok." He gently massaged her shoulders and tried to keep his voice tender despite feelings of hate towards that man rising up through his rib cage.

"How can you say that?" she choked. "He knows Robert! He knows!"

"Then we will just have to come up with a way to counter him," Robert replied firmly.

"What will you do?" Rosamund asked anxiously.

"I will do what our parents were expecting."

"And what is that?" Marmaduke chipped in.

"I will find a couple of my old school chums, bring them on side with minim amount of detail and show up at Crawley House with them in tow and a pile of made up tales."

"I think that is a good plan brother. When will you leave?" Rosamund noticed Marmaduke's gaze settle on her at the mention of leaving.

"First thing tomorrow," Robert informed her with certainty.

"Shouldn't you see to this as soon as possible?" Marmaduke pressed with concern.

"Does that man know of our whereabouts?"

"No." Rosamund shook her head vigorously.

"Then it is decided. I will leave in the morning. I want to spend a few more hours with Cora." He chanced a look down at his beloved who was now just trembling and didn't seem to be paying attention to their conversation. Rosamund nodded in understanding.

"We will take our leave then. Marmaduke and I had agreed to get back to London by tonight anyway incase Papa and Mama started to suspect us too but we have an honest cover story for that."

"Oh?" Robert mouthed curiously.

"Marmaduke and I are engaged!" Rosamund squealed in excitement as he stepped up beside her, splitting a lopsided grin and putting his arm around Rosamund's shoulders. Roberts own hands fell from Cora as he rushed forward to clasp both of their arms with his hands.

"By Jove this is most excellent news! I really am so delighted for you." Robert offered his hand to Marmaduke who shook it happily.

"If you ever hurt my sister, you will answer to me." He stared Marmaduke down for a brief moment and released his grip.

"Don't worry about me little brother, I can take care of myself," Rosamund pouted as she turned her head to Robert, fiery red curls flying around with her.

"Mmmmm." He threw his sister a look.

"What?" she protested.

"Well," he paused dramatically. "It's just you sometimes get ahead of yourself." Rosamund's mouth fell open.

"Now Ros, my dear," Marmaduke started, sensing an imminent explosion.

"Robert Crawley how dare you suggest such a thing! You are so pigheaded sometimes. Marmaduke knows he is going to marry the sweetest, most accomplished, most beautiful woman there is!" Rosamund rounded on Marmaduke.

"Yes dear," he agreed dutifully before exchanging a quick glance of irony with Robert.

"Come my fiancée, we are leaving," Rosamund huffed and partially dragged Marmaduke out of the room into the hallway. The door slammed loudly and Robert went over to the window in time to witness Rosamund, arms and all, flouncing down the garden path towards their horses. Marmaduke seemed to be trying hard not to look too amused as he followed her. Robert sighed and turned to Cora. Much to his relief, she was smiling.

"Your sister really is a firecracker," she commented.

"Don't I know it," Robert conceded and sighed. Cora stood up and came over to him.

"I know you have to go, but I am not ready to be apart from you," she whispered.

"Oh God Cora, I wish I didn't have to go just yet either. But can you see any other way?" Cora shook her head sadly in answer. "My parent's will need solid proof. And I will protect you," he vowed, holding her spellbound by the eyes. He stepped towards her and enveloped her with his loving caress.

"Come, we still have the rest of the day together. I, for one, do not want to waste it."

"What do you have in mind?" Cora's voice trailed up to his ears, muffled from her burying herself in his chest.

Heavy breathing radiated through the air, affecting every last molecule of oxygen. It was hot, it was deep, and it was oozing with passion. A passion reaching its full blossom. Robert had pinned Cora securely against the wall of their bedroom with her dress bunched around her waist. Cora's grip on his hips with her thighs tightened as their frenzied lovemaking reached its zenith.

"Cora!" Robert hollered as he ground himself into her deeply, his mouth against her neck.

"Ro-Ro-Robert!" she stuttered out in reply as the world descended into darkness from their exertions. Cora felt him pouring himself inside of her and she tensed hard, her pulse all over the place. All she knew was that she didn't want him to slip out of her, not yet.

Her body slumped against his and both their breaths were rattling from their efforts. Despite her best attempt, Cora wasn't able to hold Robert in and she shivered at the cool air which was now between them. He had been so invitingly warm against her but it could not stay that way. Robert however, was not about to give in to his protesting lungs.

Before Cora even caught up with his movements, he had lifted her from the wall and lowered her onto the rug at the foot of their bed. His fingers made quick work of pulling off her beautiful blue dress completely. Cora was now right back to her senses with the air, which was only cool because she was so sweaty from their coupling, as it ran its pathways over the curves of her body. Cora felt like she had goose bumps for a very different reason however as Robert hovered above her, completely naked himself.

Robert ran his eyes over her appreciatively. Her chest was heaving with emotion, causing her breasts to wiggle teasingly. Her face was flushed a brilliant pink and he could see the bite marks he had left on her neck from his desire to have her as soon as Miss Lacombe had vacated the building. It was in that moment that Robert realized how much he would miss her. Not just their very pleasurable physical relationship but her personality, the way she looked at him with such love and trust, the feeling of her in his arms when he woke up each morning, their walks, her spunk, the list went on.

His emotions were welling up faster than he could keep up and Cora noticed a visible change in his body language. "Robert?" she murmured gently. Robert stared down into her intense blue eyes and felt as if she was piercing right into his soul. He took a few breaths to steady his nerves and lowered himself onto her, feeling her legs fall on either side of him instantly.

"I am just going to miss you so much Cora," he said in anguish. "So much." His lips were rough and demanding and Cora was quickly overwhelmed by his actions as well as his emotional admission. Her legs fastened themselves around Robert's waist instinctively as one of his hands palmed her breast. Robert finally had to draw back for air but he continued to rub against her, working towards their next encounter. When he heard her speak, her voice was lower than he had ever heard it.

"I will miss you too Robert. My life will not be the same until you return to me." She clawed at his back, scrapping slowly downwards with her nails over his muscles. That was all the encouragement it took. In one firm stroke, Robert entered her again and set a slow, tender pace. He rocked her gently, his manhood reaching beyond its usual limits. Cora clung to him tightly as she felt him stroking so deeply inside her and let out a loud groan.

Robert let one hand make lazy progress over her cleavage, stomach, hip and abdomen while he maintained a steady grip on her shoulder with his other hand. Cora leaned up into his touch which made her squirm beneath him as she was a bit ticklish on her sides. But when he moved his hand right down to her bush, she lost all thoughts of being ticklish. Feeling himself thrusting into her made Robert want to pick up their speed but he forced himself to keep it constant because he wanted to have a very clear memory of their lovemaking to take away with him. Instead, he softly ran a finger over her most sensitive point. Cora moaned under him in response. She arched her back and her little breasts pressed against his broad chest momentarily before she was flat on her back again, writhing with pleasure.

Wanting to share her bliss, Robert pulled right back out of her. Cora made several small sounds in protest but he had a plan. His arms circled and weaved under her until she was propped right up and her back was against his front.

"Lie on your stomach," he muttered into her ear and guided her towards the bed. Cora let him show her exactly what he wanted and soon she found herself on the bed with her legs dangling off the end. Robert stepped between her legs and took her from behind. He bent over her, adding some weight to his thrusts. He watched, almost in a trance as her hair slid off her back and around her neck on each side. He admired her small, womanly figure which was bouncing forward with each penetration before he pulled her back by her hips and was reminded of how easily he could hurt her if he ever lost his temper like that man had. Robert silently vowed to never hurt her in any way intentionally as he began to finally quicken the pace.

Their bodies slapped together as skin met skin. Cora gripped at the bed cover for dear life as Robert continued to hold off, and thereby hold her off from the height of their passions. The intensity was torture and Cora cried out in ecstasy despite still pulsating tightly around him. Her cry sent a wave of desire through him and she felt the change in him. Robert pushed into her once more and his damn broke, releasing its contents with gusto. He gasped her name and collapsed on top of her, panting hard.

Cora lay under him completely sated for a few minutes as they recovered themselves. Robert had brought his arms around hers, bringing them back to her chest and was whispering words of love and commitment into her ear as his heartbeat returned to normal. He rolled off of her and she shifted from her stomach onto her side, snuggling into his pro-offered embrace. Robert reached down and yanked the covers over them awkwardly as they were still not technically in bed. Sensing that they would both be too cold, Robert gave up fighting the covers and motioned for Cora to take refuge under the sheets. Quickly rearranging their position, Cora fell asleep huddled against Robert as he cradled her close to him.

Robert was up bright and early as he had a big day of travelling ahead. He had arranged for a horse to be tied up waiting for him and as the summer sun rose over the valley, Cora stood with Robert beside the horse at the gate.

Cora's tears glistened in the light as she held onto Robert by his arms, her fingers digging in desperately as though he would not leave her grasp. Robert cupped her face and leaned down to kiss her one more time. When their lips met, hers were stained with her pain of letting him go and his quivered slightly at the mere thought of leaving her. He let it linger, savouring this last intimacy with her. As with all things though, it had to end and he broke it. His clear blue eyes bore into hers and the sunlight outlined his handsome features.

"Please don't be gone too long Robert," Cora begged. "I need you."

"I will try not to be and will send you news as soon as I am able," he promised. In the distance, a rooster gave the announcement that morning was truly here. Robert let his hands drop from her face and untied his reigns.

Cora stood back as he mounted his chestnut brown stallion. Robert reached down and took her small dainty hand in his big one for one more moment.

"I love you Cora," he said in a hushed tone and squeezed her hand. Her tears ran down her cheeks as she let him go.

"I love you too Robert," she managed to wheeze out. Robert gave his mounts' reigns a tug and steered him towards the road. With one more look over his shoulder, Robert Crawley took off at a canter, tipping his hat down against the morning glare.

Cora watched him until he went over the brow of a hill and out of sight. Her Robert was gone and already she felt so alone. With some degree of resolve to get cleaned up before Miss Lacombe arrived she made her way back inside, sobbing slightly as she shut the heavy oak door behind her.

A/N Yeah ok this one got away on me a little bit. It seems I am still under the influence of the exchange...