As Robert's carriage pulled up in front of the house he had been informed belonged to the Levinsons, he felt nervous, almost as if he was once again a schoolboy arriving for his very first year at Eton. He hardly knew what to expect or how he would be received. He thought well enough of himself and his position to have every reason to believe he would be a welcome suitor, but it was the manner of the reception that concerned him, especially when it came to the vulgarity of Mrs. Levinson. In fact, as Robert gave his name and card to the footman at the door, he sincerely hoped to find only the daughter at home.
He was, however, out of luck. Neither the mother nor the daughter were at home and, unwilling to stay and wait, Robert had to settle for leaving without having achieved anything. As it was the first sunny day in nearly a week, he decided to send his carriage home without him and set off to walk towards the park to clear his mind.
He had not walked long before his eyes caught the sight of a young lady walking towards him from the direction he was himself heading. Tall and slender, her dark hair arranged in neat curls beneath a fashionable hat, Robert quickly recognized the lady as Miss Levinson herself.
"Miss Levinson," he called out as soon as she had arrived close enough. The young woman looked up, her blue eyes flashing in the sunlight. For a moment Robert was afraid she would not recognize him but before he could fret for long, a smile soon appeared on her face, speaking of recognition.
"Lord Grantham?" she spoke, with just enough tone of inquiry in her voice to not give an air of too much familiarity.
Robert closed the distance and greeted the young lady properly with a bow. She responded with a curtsy.
"May I join you?" Robert asked promptly, offering the lady his arm. She cocked her head to the side and frowned slightly before she spoke.
"You are certainly welcome to, but I would not wish to put you out of your way. You were going towards the park?"
"A moment ago I was," Robert admitted, hoping he wasn't being too forward, "but I assure you I'm quite at leisure. I had actually intended to call on you but found that both you and your mother were out."
"Oh," Cora replied, her cheeks blushing quite becomingly. "I'm afraid Mama went to visit an old friend, and I decided to take advantage of the improved weather and take a little walk in the park."
A short silence followed as Robert tried to think of how to proceed. He had never courted a woman before and suddenly felt quite uncertain of how he was expected to go about it. He was relieved to be saved by Miss Levinson who, much to Robert's satisfaction, seemed to have a talent for leading a polite conversation.
"It's a beautiful park," she remarked with a smile. "I can imagine it only improving as the spring progresses."
"Indeed it will," Robert eagerly seized the offered subject. He paused for a moment, a thought occurring to him, and then continued: "I would be happy to show you around it one day, perhaps when the first flowers start pushing thought the ground. It should not be much longer now."
"I would like that very much," Miss Levinson replied softly, casting her eyes to the ground. The colour on her cheeks still seemed heightened but Robert could not be sure if it wasn't only the effects of the fresh air playing on them.
They began walking slowly towards the house and he found himself again at a loss for what to say. Their conversation had flowed easily enough during their dance a week before, but now that Robert had made his decision to actually court the young lady, he hardly knew where to look or how to express himself. He felt he ought to make his interest clear enough, but at the same time he did not wish to be too forward too soon.
"I hope your mother is well?" he finally settled on asking, realizing he should in fact already have inquired after Mrs. Levinson's well-being.
"She is very well, thank you," Miss Levinson replied, a small smile appearing on her lips again. Her moment of confusion seemed to be over. "She thrives on dry weather when it's easier for her to socialize."
"Then this past week must not have been easy for her," Robert remarked conversationally, encouraged by the lightness of his companion's tone. He could picture the formidable lady confined within four walls and was thankful he had not been present to share the imprisonment.
"It has not been particularly easy for me either," the young lady sighed. She gave Robert an arch look that implied her patience had indeed been tested during the week, and he chuckled at her expression, realizing their minds had been on the same track.
"Then I do understand your desire to take some air today," he replied with a smile.
"It certainly is nice to be situated near a park," she mused, taking a more serious tone again. "My mother is not a great walker but she allows me to take a turn by myself so long as I do not go too far."
"If you wish to walk further I would be happy to offer you my protection any time, while I am in town," Robert offered, seeing an opportunity to seek more of Miss Levinson's company. "Not that this part of town is in any way unsafe, but your mother is quite right not to let a young lady wander off too far unescorted."
Miss Levinson seemed to suppress a smile at his words and Robert wondered briefly if he had said something amiss to amuse her, but then she quickly grew serious again and thanked him sincerely for his kind offer.
"I take it you enjoy walking as well, Lord Grantham?" she asked after expressing her gratitude.
"Very much," Robert replied eagerly. "Although I have to admit I get around to it much less while I am in town."
"The grounds at Downton must be excellent for walking," the young lady remarked next and Robert was delighted to find that she remembered the name of his home he had so effusively talked about the week before.
"They are the best," he replied simply, his eyes glazing over as his mind briefly rested on his favourite paths he so dearly missed. Then, realizing how his words could be taken, he blushed slightly and added: "You probably think me very arrogant, but I only meant to say they are the best for me. "
"Oh no, I do not think you arrogant at all," Miss Levinson replied and the gentle tone of her voice drew Robert's eyes to hers for the first time since they had greeted each other. "Your love for your home does you nothing but credit," she added, her cheeks colouring slightly as he held her gaze.
Robert smiled. "I am glad you think that," he said. "I would hate it to be otherwise."
Their matching blue eyes bore into each other's for a moment longer until Miss Levinson finally looked away and Robert released a breath he had not realized he had been holding. He had to admit Miss Levinson's unusually pale eyes were beautiful indeed and he found himself caught completely off guard by the intensity of her gaze. Whether he liked it or not, Robert could hardly even tell, but nevertheless he was struck by an unexpected surge of disappointment when they soon afterwards arrived at the doorstep of the Levinsons' home.
Miss Levinson, too, seemed hesitant to part.
"Will you come in?" she asked. "You did say you intended to call."
Robert bowed slightly, judging it best not to tempt his fate lest the mother had returned. "I have left my card but I would not wish to trespass on your time any longer this morning," he said solemnly. "But I would wish to take you out for a walk again another day," he added in a softer tone.
Once again, she smiled at him. "It would be my pleasure, Lord Grantham," Miss Levinson replied.
"Good day, Miss Levinson," Robert said, bowing again. "And please take my regards to your mother. I am sorry to have missed her today," he added with a slight twinkle in his eye that he was not sure would even be appropriate for Miss Levinson to catch.
"I will be sure to take her your regards," she replied, the sunlight, or perhaps something else, again flashing in her eyes.
"Good day, Lord Grantham."