Blankly, she stared at herself in the mirror of her vanity. She took no heed of her travel attire. She took no heed of Miss Lacombe bustling around her, collecting her final two suitcases and making a quiet exit. And when Robert popped his head around the door, she paid him no heed either. Indeed, she simply couldn't fathom it. Could not fathom how much had changed. In the space of a few seconds, she experienced a varying range of emotions. Happiness, sadness, shock, disbelief, anticipation, uncertainty, excitement, anxiety. Cora barely knew where to start trying to process all of these feelings and numbness quickly descended on her like a cool vapor of rain.

"Cora?" Robert's hesitance was plain. Over the past three days he had watched with some distress as she began to retreat into her old shell despite reassuring her that all would be well until he was blue in the face. When he had her attention, she seemed to take it on board. But more often than not, she had a faraway look in her eyes which had concerned him a great deal. "Cora," he tried again, a little more firmly this time. She glanced at him with a vague expression so he stepped into the room and took her hands in his. "It's time to go darling. The carriage is waiting." He squeezed her hands, hoping to break her out of her trace. It seemed to work.

"Alright darling. I just want to do a last check of the room to make sure I haven't forgotten anything. I'll be out in a moment." She smiled at him and he nodded, releasing her hands and making his way to the door. When he looked back she was peering at the vicinity of her bedside table, he suspected, feigning interest.

"You know that I couldn't be happier, more thankful or more proud that you are my wife Cora. This is both the end of an era and the beginning of another and I know you can rise to meet it. I know that you will be a great Viscountess and a wonderful Countess when the time comes. You are a strong, intelligent, beautiful woman and I love you with all my heart. Whatever comes our way, we will face it together." Cora now stood with her gaze locked on Robert as he finished his impromptu speech and watched as he smiled softly before disappearing out the door and along the hallway. A warm tingling spread through her veins, enveloping her in heat.

Her hand rested in his as the carriage trundled through the main gate, pulling them towards their family and servants who were assembled en masse on the driveway. The flag of Grantham fluttered in the breeze against an imposing sky of grey, the Abbey more grand than Cora ever remembered seeing it. "It's time," she heard Robert's voice in her head from earlier. Then she felt her hand being raised beside her and turned to see him press a kiss to the back of it, giving her one final boost before they halted.

"Thank you for being patient with me." Her voice was barely audible as the driver guided the horses into the final turn. She did not need to say anything more for him to know what it meant to her.

"I will always do my best to be," he replied. The carriage stopped. "Are you ready?"

"I have you by my side so yes, I am ready." And unlike earlier at Rooksway, Robert was relieved to see the smile she gave him reach her eyes. Charles stepped forward and opened the door for them. Cora turned and took his hand, making a graceful exit as her relieved husband put on his hat and followed after her.

Rosamund swiftly stepped forward to greet her new sister-in-law. "Cora my dear I am so thrilled you are home!" she gushed. Out the corner of his eye, Robert saw his mother flinch. The two women exchanged pecks on the cheek as Robert shook hands with his father.

"How was it?" Patrick enquired. Robert only just managed to catch himself. His parents were still under the veil in thinking that events had developed in a proper fashion.

"We enjoyed our time away immensely sir." He even felt himself blush a little at his admission. Patrick watched as Robert's gaze turned to his wife and he glanced back over to where Violet still loitered by the front door, shooting her a look. Rosamund and Cora had linked arms and were headed straight in her direction, chatting away seamlessly. She approached them slowly.

"You look well." Cora held her mother-in-laws' steady appraisal and waited. "You'll find some mail on Patrick's desk besides Robert's." With that, she swung around and strode inside leaving her family to follow in her wake and the servants to disband. Patrick sighed and shook his head, frowning.

"Where is Marmaduke?" Cora asked Rosamund as she examined the small pile of letters in the library.

"He is in London meeting with his father to discuss an expansion of the business. They are thinking of opening up a bank in Bath and Marmaduke feels that-"

"Oh my!" Cora gasped. She scanned the contents of the letter she had just opened while Rosamund had been talking and then looked up. "Sorry to cut you off like that Rosamund."

"It's quite alright. May I be permitted to know what has captivated you so?"

"Mother writes that she is coming over to meet her new extended family," Cora informed her excitedly. "She'll be here in a week!"

"That's marvellous news," Rosamund gushed. "I don't recall why she wasn't at the wedding?"

"My father wasn't well. I had a telegram saying that she would be staying to look after him and must have forgotten to mention it to you. Lady Grantham knew though and she seemed rather indifferent, to put it kindly."

"That's Mama to a tee. She still hasn't really warmed to the idea of you so I daresay she will be thrilled that her counterpart is now on a ship here as we speak." Rosamund rolled her eyes and Cora couldn't help but giggle at the thought.

"Who is on a ship here?" a sharp voice preceded its owner through the pillars. Cora quickly straightened her face.

"My mother is on her way here to stay now that Robert and I are back," she said, trying to withhold her enthusiasm. Violet's expression turned sour.

"You mean she has invited herself without asking?"

"So it would seem," Rosamund interjected. "But what does it matter? She's family now."

"It matters," Violet retorted.

"How?"

"Her lack of manners in first asking if it was a suitable period to come."

"And if she had asked and Cora wasn't here I'm quite sure you would have put her off," Rosamund countered.

"Yes I would have." Cora felt her heart sink into her stomach. "These first few weeks are a vital time for Cora. She has a lot to learn about how things work here."

"Because the last few months she has been here she has been paying no attention whatsoever." Rosamund's voice was dripping in sarcasm.

"Mama who are these letters from?" Cora interrupted. Having decided to let them squabble as they usually did, she had returned her attention to the remaining letters. Some were from her friends in London and one appeared to be from a shop in Thirsk but there were four others containing names she did not recognize at all.

"They are the replies to your advertisement for a ladies' maid in the York newspaper," Violet stated, as if it were obvious.

"But how did you know that I needed a new ladies' maid?" she responded incredulously.

"You don't need one though. You have a perfectly good ladies' maid already."

"She isn't what Cora needs. She needs a maid who understands the way of things here."

"Mama you are being ridiculous. Cora's maid has served her since she was married to that Duke! She has plenty of experience in such matters."

"Actually Rosamund, I do still need a new ladies' maid," Cora confessed. Both women stared at her.

Violet recovered first. "Well I'm glad you can see sense in this case."

"It wasn't a choice," Cora muttered sadly. "For either of us."

"Oh I'm so sorry." Rosamund put a comforting hand on Cora's upper arm and Cora cast her a grateful look.

"All the more reason to look into those candidates as soon as possible," Violet remarked pithily. Cora's heart clenched. "Now shall we relocate to the Drawing Room before our tea gets cold?"

He gently knocked on the door that divided his new Dressing Room from his wife's new bedroom. It had been a long day unlike what they had become accustomed to over the last couple of weeks and they had both been feeling the effects by the time dinner was over. Ever since news of Martha's impending arrival, Cora had been under constant scrutiny from her mother-in-law, despite everyone else's best efforts to keep the barbs at bay. Eventually, Cora pleaded a headache and escaped to the sanctuary of her bedroom, though she didn't really think of it as hers yet. As soon as she was properly settled in and had acquired her new ladies' maid, she planned to put her stamp on the room known as Mercia.

"Come in Robert," a weary voice called out.

Robert grasped the knob and stepped into the surprisingly dimly lit room. But the lack of flickering candles was not a romantic ploy of some sort. Indeed when he rested his gaze on his wife, she was already curled up in bed facing his side and the only candle still lit was the one on his bedside table.

"I must confess that I'm struggling to stay awake darling," Cora mumbled. "Though I assure you it has nothing to do with you," she added quickly and winked up at him as he sidled up, loosening his dressing gown.

"Well I'm glad to hear that," Robert replied in amusement. He discarded his dressing gown onto the settee at the end of the bed and slid in neatly to join her and she immediately shuffled into her usual position curled into his side with her head on his chest and her arm draped over his waist. Robert wrapped his arm around her and his hand lazily trailed up and down her side in contentment.

"Robert?" Cora whispered.

"Mmm?"

"I hope you aren't disappointed about tonight."

"Why should I be?"

"Well this is the first night in our marital bedroom after all. I've just been so overwhelmed by everything today that I'm quite fatigued." Robert dropped a kiss down onto her head.

"I'm not disappointed sweetheart. Not even slightly. I could see how tired you were earlier. Anyway, we have the rest of our lives to look forward to spending together in here among other places." Cora couldn't help but laugh.

"Other places? I'm intrigued."

"I'm not saying anything about that now. You are tired remember?" He felt her nod against his chest.

"Perhaps I'll dream about some of those places tonight though," she sighed happily.

"I already have my dream in my arms." Cora tilted her head up to face him, eyes shining.

"As do I my love." He bent down slightly and touched his lips to hers in a soft kiss, holding it for a moment. Then he gently pressed another one to her forehead as he felt her settle back against him.

"Sweet dreams my darling," he whispered. Cora was asleep within moments.

One week later…

The carriage containing Mrs. Martha Levinson came to a halt outside the Abbey. Cora glanced at her husband in nervous excitement. It had been nearly two years since they had last seen each other and so much had changed. Before Robert had come into her life, her parents were her only real source of comfort in her world of oppression. Had they known John for what he really was, she was absolutely certain that they would not have delivered her into his arms, Duke or not. But then, they still didn't really know a shred of the truth as with almost everyone else and Cora never planned on telling them. She stepped forward eagerly as Charles opened the carriage door.

A short, plump woman dressed in a very fine auburn travelling coat with pheasant feathers sprouting from the back of the design of her flaming hair, stepped onto the gravel and beheld her daughter.

"It's a lovely spectacle coming up the driveway but I prefer the grandeur of Blenheim Palace," she declared. Cora heard a loud sniff behind her that she knew belonged to Violet and hurried forward to embrace her.

"I'm so happy to see you mother," she said as she kissed her cheek. Martha reciprocated.

"And I you. Come now though I'm very keen to meet your new husband after everything I've heard about him." Robert's complexion coloured and he swallowed.

"Hello Mrs. Levinson," he said, sidling up beside his wife. Martha raised an eyebrow and offered her hand which he took and pecked the back of.

"Surely we can skip the formalities." It was not a question but a statement. "Call me Martha."

"If you wish," Robert replied uncomfortably.

"Shall we?" Violet snipped. Everyone turned to her.

"And you must be Violet."

"I would prefer Lady Grantham," she returned stonily.

"Suit yourself. Now who is going to give me the tour?" Violet felt the wind leave her sails at being so readily brushed off.

"How about you Robert?" Cora suggested. "So you can get to know each other better," she added cheerfully. Robert inwardly groaned. If there was one thing he had been dreading it was being alone with Cora's mother, not that he'd told her that. But given all he had heard about her, especially over the past few days, he was sure that he was going to be scrutinized from every angle. At least he could comfort himself with the knowledge that he already had the woman he loved by his side for the rest of his life.

"How about I show you to your room and let you get settled? Then when you are ready come and meet me in the library."

"Oh I think my attire is sufficient to set off now but thank you anyway. And I should like to stretch my legs after being confined these past few days." Patrick, who had been standing to the side quietly, now came forward.

"That settles it then. Patrick Crawley at your service," he said, giving a nod. "Now I must be off as I have a meeting in the village. I'll see you at dinner." With that, he set off towards the gate.

"You are walking?" Martha enquired.

"I prefer it if the weather is decent," he called back. He did not mention that he had no desire to be around Violet now her American counterpart had arrived for he could already feel the fireworks whooshing about his ears.

"Well then, where would you like to start?"

"From the beginning of course," Martha waved her hand. Robert's lips twitched.

"I'll see you two later," Cora smiled brightly and headed indoors. Violet was quick to follow.

"But I had planned to take mother to tea in the village tomorrow," Cora protested as they sat on the Drawing Room sofa.

"I'm sorry but it is unfair to cancel on them now," Violet replied curtly. "Some of them are not travelling from local areas."

"It's also unfair that you have arranged these interviews the day after she arrives. Why you would think I wouldn't have made arrangements is beyond me." She was fast becoming very irritated.

"Taking tea in the village can always be changed to another day. I did say last week that you would have a lot on your plate now you are back."

"But what is the hurry?"

"You said yourself that Miss Lacombe has to go to the bedside of her mother and would only stay until you are back and settled which means she can now leave at any time. She doesn't have to wait for you to find a new maid. She knows that one of the other maids downstairs could easily fill in until you have a replacement. But if what you have said of her character is true, then I daresay she would prefer to hand over to her successor directly," Violet concluded. Cora's shoulders slumped. Violet was right. She was taking away her faithful maid's valuable time with her sick mother and the thought made her own stomach churn. She briefly considered releasing Miss Lacombe from her duties that night but quickly ruled it out. If they found a successful applicant tomorrow, then hopefully she would be willing to stay a little longer if her father was still managing to take care of her mother. Instead, she resolved to tell her maid about the interviews tomorrow, perhaps to even ask for some advice. She knew she was likely to receive an earful from Violet in the next 24 hours and that it wasn't proper to be consulting an employee on such matters but if there was any servant that she trusted, it was Miss Lacombe. Because Miss Lacombe was more than just a servant to her, she was a friend.

Cora sipped her tea thoughtfully when Robert appeared with Martha on his arm. "Excellent, I'm so glad I didn't miss it. I'm parched. Though you wouldn't have any coffee would you? I am starting to feel the effects of my journey."

"Oldroyd?" Sitting forward, Cora glanced to where the butler stood to attention by the door.

"At once My Lady," he nodded and set about his task.

"As soon as Cora came to stay I made sure to have coffee in the house, otherwise she could be a bit grumpy in the mornings," Robert chortled.

"I was not!"

"You were," he grinned wryly. "Remember the morning Papa had arranged for us to all head up to the Peak District for the weekend? You were most perturbed when you learned that you would have to be up at 7 o'clock."

"That was one time," she whined. Robert smirked and led Martha over to the chair beside the sofa then sat down himself. "So how did you get on then?"

"Oh splendidly," he assured her, noting with some satisfaction the look of disdain that had spread across this Mama's face.

"You were right to let Robert show me around. Downton had very much grown in my estimation this last hour and indeed, so has he." Cora relaxed back into her seat, grateful that Robert had wasted no time in convincing her mother of his credentials and that of his family. Not that she assumed that he would have had an easy time of it to start with knowing her mother.

"I'm glad to hear it. Now mother, I know I wrote you and said that I would take you to Downton Village tomorrow for tea and to show you around there…"

"Yes."

"Well there has been a slight change of plans."

"And why is that?"

"Cora will be interviewing candidates for her ladies' maid position," Violet interjected.

"Oh yes I remember she said that her maid was leaving. Well I shall be sure to be there and offer my support. What time are you starting?" Martha turned to Cora.

Violet blanched. "It is kind of you to offer but I assure you that we have it under control."

"I'm sure you do but she is also my daughter and as such I have an interest in who, besides Robert, looks after her. What time Cora?"

"2 o'clock in the downstairs Sitting Room."

"I liked that room," Martha remarked. "Not too big, comfortable and practical."

"I'm pleased you approve of it," Violet said, her jaw set firm.

"There you see? I'm sure we are going to get on just fine." Violet felt as though she had been steered straight into a nightmare.

It had been three quarters of an hour since she had started the interviews and during that time Cora's nerves had calmed considerably thanks to the indomitable spirit of her mother. She had felt rather ill prepared for this process and had struggled with her questions at first and Martha had been quick to step in, much to Violet's annoyance. But now she was starting to hit her stride and the knowledge that there were only three women left spurred her on as she contemplated her walk with Robert after this was through. She knew that both Martha and Violet would want to discuss each candidate in detail but she was much more in favour of a walk to clear her head of all the information she had been absorbing first. Charles Carson opened the door and announced the next applicant.

"Miss O'Brien My Lady."

A young woman with dark brown hair, sharp brown eyes and a petite frame came forward and sat on the opposite seat with a prim and confidant air.

"Good day Milady," she said and Cora noted her thick northern accent.

"Good afternoon Miss O'Brien. You've been a ladies' maid before I understand?"

"Yes Milady, to Lady Shackleton. But she recently passed away and the family wasn't able to offer me any other work that was sufficiently demanding which I prefer."

"I knew Lady Shackleton. Her passing came as quite a shock to me. How did you find working for her Miss O'Brien? I always found her to be very shrewd."

"Indeed she was Lady Grantham but it never bothered me. I simply got on with my daily tasks to her exacting standards so am well practiced in all skills required of a ladies' maid."

"And why do you want to come here and work for me?" Cora asked.

"It would be a fresh start for me Milady. And please forgive my forwardness but you are also young so if I were to get the job and please Your Ladyship, then I could be confident of a secure future for years to come." She reached into the handbag she had resting on her lap and extracted some papers. "These are references from Lady Shackleton's housekeeper and the woman that trained me in my village." Cora took them and studied them briefly. As far as she could see, they were both sterling reports. She could see Miss O'Brien had a few things in common with Miss Lacombe. Both women had decent experience despite their lack of years which in itself was not a disadvantage under such circumstances. She was sure Miss O'Brien would bring as much energy to her work as Miss Lacombe had and she was certainly very sure of herself. The only thing she was presently lacking was a personal approach. Miss O'Brien seemed to read her thoughts.

"There is one other thing I should like to add Milady."

"Yes?"

"I am aware that being an American marrying into the British aristocracy requires an uphill battle to be properly accepted into society in most cases." Cora cocked her head to the side and frowned, taken aback by this abrupt declaration. "As such, I think it is important that she goes about her business everyday utilizing every possible advantage. A good selection of dresses can go a long way towards making a good impression." Cora noted her constant eye contact throughout this speech. She did not show it, but she was impressed by this young woman's perception.

"Well thank you for your application Miss O'Brien. I shall be writing to you soon."

"Thank you for your consideration Milady." Miss O'Brien stood and nodded before making her way out of the room.

"Well she seems very promising," Violet observed. Cora wasn't surprised by this admission. Miss O'Brien fit her idea of what a ladies' maid should be to the letter. No-nonsense, well qualified and intelligent. And for once, Cora was very much in agreement with her mother-in-law.

Unplugging the decanter for the third time, Patrick Crawley poured himself another generous helping of scotch. His meeting with the villagers had not gone well and he had returned home with a headache. He had elected to have a rest in his Dressing Room but it was short lived as the gong rang all too soon for his liking. The conversations at dinner had been rather taxing as well. His wife had remained as prickly as ever towards their guest, had hounded Cora for a decision about the ladies' maid issue and had decided that his lack of input on anything was a decent reason to tell him off in front of the table at large. He had been very relieved when Violet had retreated to the Drawing Room with Cora and Martha in tow and had promptly excused himself to the library leaving Robert in a pickle about which way to go. How he wished Rosamund were here. They had always enjoyed a drink together after dinner every other night despite social protocol demanding the ladies go through to the Drawing Room instead. But now she was married he knew that those days were numbered and she had not said when she and Marmaduke would be back from London having gone down at her husband's request. He took his drink and went back to his perch by the fire and sat staring into the flames. He felt so worn out.

The door from the saloon opened and Robert appeared. Unexpectedly, Martha was right behind him. "I hope you don't mind Patrick but it's a personal tradition for me to join Isidore in a nightcap after dinner. I'll wager you wouldn't have thought that we have traditions being American."

"It is my wife that would most likely view it that way," Patrick corrected. He watched as Robert poured them both drinks. "So you left Cora at your Mama's mercy did you?" he eyed his son beadily.

"She said she'd be fine," he replied.

"Of course she will be. Us Levinson's have thick skin and it'll serve her in good stead in her new role." Martha took a seat opposite Patrick. "You seem troubled." Robert settled beside his father who had returned his gaze to the flickering flames.

"Running the estate keeps Papa very busy. It's a heavy burden of responsibility which I do my utmost to help carry and alas, necessary to preserve and protect for future generations."

"Indeed." Patrick agreed.

"There's nothing more?" Martha inquired and Patrick sighed. How he wanted to tell the truth in that moment. But he couldn't worry Robert. He couldn't cast a shadow over his son as he enjoyed being a newlywed. His fingers traced the rim of his glass and he turned to find they were both looking at him expectantly.

"No, just the usual contemplating of how to proceed with any given estate issue," he confirmed and with that, Robert thought nothing more of it.