Robert did not manage to see Miss Levinson again until two weeks later at a dinner given by the Marquis of Greenborough, hosted by his sister Lady Charlotte. It was not a soiree where he would have expected to encounter the Levinsons, or indeed anyone outside of the highest aristocracy, but it very soon became apparent to Robert, by the marked attention given to Miss Levinson by both the brother and the sister, that he was not alone in seeking to improve his family's monetary situation with an advantageous marriage. The discovery was unsettling to say the least, especially as Robert had to admit he could not compete with the future title of his rival.
His thoughts turned downright gloomy as he stood contemplating the infuriatingly handsome young Marquis and everything he possessed and could offer to Miss Levinson. He had just become adjusted to the idea of courting an American heiress and had been quite settled on the thought of Miss Levinson being the one whose hand he would seek, so the prospect of possibly having to pick someone else did not appeal to him at all. With a sigh Robert thought briefly of Miss Elizabeth Strauss, only to be reminded of how poorly she could stand any comparison to Miss Cora Levinson.
"You look as though you're not enjoying the party, Lord Grantham."
Robert was startled to hear himself addressed. His eyes had been fixed on the Marquis and he had lost sight of everything else occurring around him, including the fact that the very object of his thoughts had just crossed the room to speak to him.
"Miss Levinson," he greeted her, a little flushed. "I am so sorry I did not notice you. I mean, I had noticed you earlier but I had intended to…" he trailed off, afraid he was now making a complete fool of himself.
"Well, I am glad I'm not completely invisible," she replied playfully.
"I assure you nothing could be further from the truth," Robert replied with a smile as he took in the sight of her. She did look strikingly beautiful in her evening gown and her eyes seemed to positively sparkle in the light of the many candles in the room. "I don't know how anyone could not notice you."
"Unless of course they were too busy staring disapprovingly at Lord Greenborough instead," Miss Levinson replied coyly.
Robert blushed. He could only hope that the entire room had not seen the murderous glances he had, without even realizing it, been directing at his rival.
"I'm afraid you must have caught me lost in my thoughts," he made a vain attempt to excuse himself. "If my eyes were on the Marquis, it was purely a coincidence and I was not aware of it."
Miss Levinson smiled and Robert could not be sure if she had bought his explanation, but at least she had the courtesy to not press him further. He decided to take the opportunity to do some inquiring of his own instead.
"I was not aware you were acquainted with Lord Greenborough," he said as nonchalantly as he was able to. "Or perhaps it is Lady Charlotte you are friends with?"
Robert thought he could detect a hint of vexation on Miss Levinson's face as he spoke and she remained silent for a moment after he had finished.
"We were introduced almost as soon as I arrived in London and I have been in their company a few times since," she eventually replied just before Robert had been prepared to repeat his question in case she had not heard him properly. "But I would not say that any friendships have been formed," Miss Levinson added, glancing then towards her mother who Robert could now see was standing not too far from them. The older woman appeared to be observing their conversation quite intently.
Catching Mrs. Levinson's eye, Robert gave a short bow in her direction to acknowledge the acquaintance and then turned back to the daughter.
"They seem to be paying you a great deal of attention," he said, referring again to the Marquis and his sister.
"They have been very kind," Miss Levinson replied curtly and Robert could not help observing that the smile gracing her lips seemed a little strained. He wondered if it was because of him or the Marquis.
"I hope I'm not prying too much," he hastened to say in case it were his inquiries that she found offensive.
"I doubt there is much you could pry about that isn't already plain for the world to see," Miss Levinson replied wryly. Robert looked at her questioningly.
"I only mean that the whole room has probably seen what I assume you are trying so discreetly to inquire about – that Lord Greenborough is only paying attention to me because of my inheritance, and that I'm only accepting his attentions because of his title."
"I did not mean to imply that…" Robert began to reply, blushing at the thought of his own intentions, but he was interrupted by the announcement of dinner and the arrival of the Marquis himself to lead the lady to her seat at the table. Miss Levinson could only cast an apologetic look in Robert's direction before she was swept away while he was left alone to make his own way to the dining room.
To make matters worse, Robert soon enough found himself seated next to Mrs. Levinson at the dinner table while her daughter had been placed almost as far from him as possible right next to the Lord Greenborough at the other end of the table.
"It will be a good match," he was startled to hear Mrs. Levinson's voice from his left as he sat observing the two.
"I'm afraid I do not understand what you mean," Robert replied, turning his attention reluctantly to his dinner partner.
"I was not born yesterday, my dear Lord Grantham," Mrs. Levinson replied. "I have seen how your eyes have followed my daughter this evening."
"I-I…have not," Robert stammered. Again he had not realized how obvious he had been. "I mean…"
"I know you need her money," Mrs. Levinson continued bluntly, "as does the Marquis. But if my daughter is to exchange her fortune for a title, why should I let her settle for an Earl if she can have a future Duke?"
Robert felt his cheeks blushing from embarrassment at such a subject being discussed so openly at dinner, but he met Mrs. Levinson's gaze and, lowering his voice said: "And is that choice yours or hers to make?"
Mrs. Levinson smiled unexpectedly. "That is a good question," she said, taking a sip of wine. "I will say that I intend to encourage her in the direction I feel will benefit her the most, but she will not be forced into marriage against her will. Be it him or you who is asking."
Robert remained silent, contemplating the older woman's words.
"If she prefers you, there is nothing I can do about it," she continued after a moment. "But I won't pretend that I wouldn't prefer to see my daughter marry a future Duke."
"But I do have your permission to court her?" Robert asked, choosing to ignore the last part of her speech.
Mrs. Levinson shrugged. "There are worse things than being courted by an Earl, I'm sure," she said with a hint of a smile.
"Indeed," Robert said, feeling a little offended by her dismissive tone. "As the Countess of Grantham your daughter would have all the privileges of the highest rank and society. She would want for nothing."
"I have no doubt about that," Mrs. Levinson said. "And if you could tell me you wanted to marry her for who she is instead of for what she has, I would not be sorry at all if she happened to choose you."
This was an assurance that Robert could not, in good conscience, give to Mrs. Levinson.
"That is a wish that does you credit, I'm sure," he settled for saying before allowing his gaze to wander back to the subject of their discussion.
Miss Levinson did not look enthralled by Lord Greenborough's company. In fact, she seemed to be pushing food around on her plate while only half attending to the Marquis's conversation. Robert was not a particularly vain man, but even he had to admit she had appeared much more attentive while talking to himself. If she was not as set as her mother on the title of a Duchess, perhaps there was hope for him still.