A/N. I'm sorry it has taken me so long to update. I'm very grateful if anyone is still reading this, and thank you for being so patient! :)
The next morning Robert found himself at the Levinsons' door almost as early as propriety allowed. His hopes had been renewed by his conversation with Sir Henry the day before, but he was determined not to miss any opportunity now to secure Miss Levinson's hand before Lord Greenborough could lay any claim on her. Even if Miss Levinson herself were indifferent to Lord Greenborough, her mother had made it clear enough that a future Duke far outranked an Earl in her estimations, and so Robert feared that any progress with his suit would not be easily obtained.
Having given his name and card to the butler once he had been admitted in, Robert waited alone in the entrance hall, silently observing the size and decorations of the house the Levinsons had hired for their stay. Judging by what he saw, and factoring in the fashionable and expensive part of town they were situated in, it was clear that they had more than enough money to throw around without much care.
If only he could have that luxury to save Downton.
A moment later the butler returned, informing Robert that only Miss Levinson was at home, but she would receive him in the drawing room. Robert let out a sigh of relief. Ever since setting off from Grantham House, he had dreaded the prospect of having to try to converse with Miss Levinson under her mother's watchful eye. Now, it seemed, at least one obstacle had been cleared from his path for the time being. He resolved to make most of this opportunity for a tête-à-tête that had been presented to him.
As Robert entered the drawing room, his eyes were immediately drawn to Miss Levinson who, sitting on the edge of one of the settees with her back straight, seemed to be working on some kind of embroidery. When his name was announced, however, she looked up, smiled most disarmingly, and stood up to greet him with a curtsey.
"Lord Grantham," she acknowledged him politely.
"Miss Levinson." Robert bowed. "I hope I'm not disturbing your morning."
"Oh, not at all," she replied quickly. "Mama has gone out early for they predicted rain for the afternoon, so I'm quite without company," she added with a smile. Robert could not but smile back at her.
"As long as I'm not disturbing your solitude, then," he replied courteously. "I know sometimes I like nothing more than to spend some time by myself."
Miss Levinson smiled again. "You have so many responsibilities and so many people depending on you that it must be a relief to have a moment for yourself," she observed, sitting back down and indicating for her visitor to do the same. "For me it's not quite the same. I get solitude enough."
Robert took a seat on a settee opposite to the one Miss Levinson occupied. He smiled at her remark, pleased that she appeared to have understood him.
"You are quite right," he said, happy to continue with the subject. "I do have great many responsibilities, especially since the death of my father, and sometimes…" he paused, suddenly remembering that praising the wonders of solitude was not exactly in accordance with the actual object of his visit. Deciding to change his approach, he fixed his eyes on Miss Levinson and continued in a lowered voice: "In truth, Miss Levinson, though I may speak of the merits of solitude, I don't mean that I would always wish to be alone."
The words alone perhaps did not hold very much meaning, but Robert took care to deliver them in a way that could not be mistaken by anyone capable of perception. As Miss Levinson blushed deeply, Robert was certain she had understood him.
Instead of replying, however, she turned her attention back to her needlework, as if not quite certain how to respond, and for a moment Robert feared he had been too forward too soon. It was not his usual style, and for as long as the silence lasted, he fretted that he may have overstepped a boundary.
"I cannot imagine you would ever be truly alone in such a big estate," Miss Levinson finally spoke, glancing up at Robert before turning her eyes back to her needlework. The fact that she had chosen not to change the subject gave Robert some encouragement.
"Not completely alone, perhaps," he replied, deciding to go on now that he had started, "but staff cannot fulfill the part of a family."
The colour on Miss Levinson's cheeks seemed to deepen again.
"Your family does not live in the house?" she ventured to inquire, this time without another long pause.
"My sister has recently married and moved to London," Robert explained. "My mother does still live at Downton but when I marry, she will move to the Dower House near the village. She has been speaking of it since the death of my father."
"When you marry?" Miss Levinson's head shot up. "You are engaged?"
"Oh, no, not at all," Robert hastened to reply, his cheeks reddening a little as he spoke. He had thought he had made himself clear, but perhaps his last turn of phrase has been misleading. In his mind, he had jumped too far ahead. "I only spoke in general terms. While I intend to marry in the future, I am yet to find myself a bride."
They both sank into silence for a moment, Miss Levinson's fingers moving diligently over her needlework, and for some time Robert lost his train of thought while watching the skilled movements of her delicate fingers. When they finally did open their mouths again to speak, it was at the exact same moment, resulting in them both falling silent again to let the other speak.
"Please, go ahead, Miss Levinson," Robert said politely after a moment of confusion.
"I only meant to say the weather looks quite nice this morning," the lady replied, breaking into a smile. "I don't think it will actually rain."
Robert returned her smile. "I was going to make the same observation," he replied.
"I hope you have not forgotten my wish to take you out to the park when the first spring flowers start blooming," he continued after a short silence, remembering the conversation they had had earlier. "On my way here I noticed that the first daffodils have started to come out."
"I had not forgotten," Miss Levinson replied, her cheeks colouring becomingly as she met Robert's gaze. "I would gladly see the daffodils."
"Would you accompany me for a walk then, tomorrow, if the weather holds?" he asked. "If your mother were at home to give her permission I would be happy to take you now."
Miss Levinson smiled again, this time appearing a little amused by his words.
"Certainly, I would be happy to go with you tomorrow, Lord Grantham," she replied, however, with perfect courtesy.
Robert smiled, silently congratulating himself for having secured another meeting so soon. "I look forward to it," he replied.
They lapsed into another silence and Robert wondered if he should take his leave, knowing that he had probably already stayed as long as was proper in his situation, but he felt reluctant to make a move. He was fascinated by Miss Levinson's long, dark lashes that shaded her eyes as she once again pored over her needlework, and he tried to imagine how she would look like sitting in the drawing room at Downton Abbey, or entering the library where he would be writing his letters of business. Miss Levinson…Lady Grantham.
It still felt like a stretch of imagination but, to Robert's surprise, not as ludicrous as he might have thought just a few weeks before. When she sat in silence, it was easy enough to forget that she was even American.
"Lord Grantham?" At the sound of his own name, Robert realized he had been lost in thought for too long and Miss Levinson was not looking at her with some concern. "Are you unwell?"
"Not at all, Miss Levinson, I was just…" he began, not quite sure how to explain himself. Then it occurred to him that he perhaps ought to tell her the truth. Well, at least part of the truth.
"Actually, Miss Levinson, there's something I should tell you or, in fact, ask you," he began again, absentmindedly picking up a roll of thread from the table and starting to fiddle with it.
Miss Levinson looked at him expectantly.
"I- I spoke with Mrs. Levinson at Lord Greenborough's dinner and I asked for her permission to court you." Robert paused as he saw Miss Levinson's eyes widen. "She did not tell you?"
"No, she said nothing," Miss Levinson replied, blushing.
"Ah," Robert said, pausing again. He looked at his hostess, trying to gauge her reaction, but she remained silent. "She did give me her permission," he said at last, leaning forward a little "but I would not wish to impose on you on the strength her permission if it is against your wishes."
Robert could feel his heart beating faster. He had been far more forward than he had ever intended when setting out to call on Miss Levinson in the morning, but he was keen to mark his attentions in a way to could not be misconstrued. Besides, it was best to know as soon as possible whether he had any chance at all or not, for surely, if she had decided on Lord Greenborough, this would be the opportune moment for Miss Levinson to tell him so, freeing him from any need to take his attentions further.
He looked at her expectantly and felt his hopes rising as the surprised expression on Miss Levinson's face slowly began to turn into a smile, starting from her lips and soon reaching her brilliant blue eyes. Robert took it as encouragement enough to prod further:
"Do I have your permission to court you, Miss Levinson?" he asked softly, again finding it impossible not to return her infectious smile.
For a moment longer she kept him in suspense until, finally, she nodded her head.
"Yes, Lord Granthman, you do," she replied.