Robert left their bedroom feeling aroused and guilty at the same time. Of course he wanted his wife. She was everything to him and she was beautiful. The years had not diminished this in the least or his attraction to her. As he stroked her cheek just now he nearly lost himself in the softness of her skin and the blue of her eyes that had darkened with desire. But he also saw pain there, pain he had caused. Robert made his way to the library, poured a drink and sat thinking. There had to be a way out of this.

Cora's pain at Robert's rejection was very real, however, as she lay in bed that night, not sleeping, she realized that Robert had given her an important clue. He hadn't rejected her. He rejected the idea of finding pleasure in their loving. It was a start.

"We need to talk, Robert," Cora said on their walk the next day.

"I know. I'm sorry for hurting you," apologized Robert. "It's just that I can't see my way out of this."

"Where did you sleep last night?"

"I didn't sleep much; in the library, I suppose. Early in the morning I went to my dressing room."

"Tell me what you're thinking, Robert," Cora said as they approached a bench and sat to talk. Cora wanted to see the look in his eyes, and that was hard to do as they walked.

"As soon as we get close, when it goes behind holding hands or a simple kiss, when it turns into real desire, I feel guilty. How can we indulge in that kind of pleasure right now?"

"I see," Cora replied quietly. They each looked away, Robert studying his feet.

"Do you?" he asked.

"I think so and I think I have a solution," Cora said hopefully. She reached her hand out to his chin. "Look at me, Robert." When their eyes met she went on, "Maybe we need to get away from here."

"I don't see how that would help, darling," Robert said as he shook his head.

"Let's try it. There are so many memories here. A change of scenery might make the sad ones less potent. It's worth a try, Robert. We can't go on like this."

"I know. It just feels wrong to take a vacation when we're in mourning," Robert argued half-heartedly.

"It's not a vacation, Robert. It's a way for us to heal from our grief. We deserve this."

"What about the estate? We can't just abandon everyone," he worried.

"We'll only go away for a couple of days. Tom can manage the estate and Edith is well able to handle the house," Cora supplied helpfully.

"All right. I'll talk to Tom. You talk to Edith," said Robert resignedly.

"Thank you, Robert. You'll be glad. We both will," she said as she reached up to kiss him. Cora had expected another chaste kiss, but Robert came back for more and deepened their kiss as he moaned into her mouth. He wanted her, badly. Maybe this would work.

Robert asked Tom to remain at the table when the ladies left that night. He was still unsure of his feelings for Tom, but he needed to ask this favor of him.

"Tom, Cora and I need to go away for a couple of days," he began.

"Is anything wrong?" Tom asked concerned.

"No… well, yes. I hate to abandon you, but we need…we just need to get away," Robert said uncomfortably.

"These last couple of months have been hard for all of us, Robert. If time away will help, then take it. I can manage," offered Tom.

Robert paused and studied his drink. "Thank you, Tom," he said at last. "Thank you."

"Edith, your father and I are going away for a couple of days," began Cora.

"Why? Is this really a good time to leave? Mary is still so fragile," Edith questioned. "And we're all in mourning."

"I asked your granny to spend her days here while we're gone. I know it seems unusual," Cora replied.

"I guess I just don't understand," Edith said shaking her head. Then after a pause she asked quietly, "Is everything alright with you and Papa?"

"No, Edith, it isn't. On the surface we may seem the same as always, but there is definitely something wrong," Cora replied as she looked away.

Edith wanted to inquire further, but she could see it wouldn't be appropriate to pry into her parents' personal affairs. She knew the time after Sybil's death had almost torn them apart. If there was a problem now, Edith wanted them to resolve it.

"Alright. Mrs. Hughes and I can manage the house," she said. She touched her mother's hand and added, "Take care of yourselves, Mama. We all need you whole."

"Thank you, Edith," Cora replied with tears threatening to spill.

Neither Robert nor Cora wanted to go anywhere with other people. In London or York it would be impossible to be alone, they'd run into people they know too often. So they headed to a comfortable inn in Bridlington, a Yorkshire county town on the North Sea. It seemed an odd choice at this time of year, but it suited their needs perfectly. As the train pulled out of Downton station Cora watched Robert physically relax. They were in a private 1st class car of course, but when they entered Robert sat opposite of Cora. As they pulled further away from Downton and the train reached cruising speed he shifted to her side, reached his arm around her back and pulled her against his body. Cora put her head on his chest and breathed deeply. Robert gently removed her hat and dipped his head toward her neck, catching her scent. She felt his warm moist lips below her ear. It sent a warm flush through her body, but she tried not to react and instead let him explore. Thankfully he did, hesitantly.

Robert followed his instincts. He kissed her neck and pulled her ear lobe into his mouth. He felt her pulse and breathing speed up as he continued to taste her cheeks. By the time he found her lips he was quite lost; his whole body hardened and his mouth came down on hers more forcefully then he would have liked. With one hand on her back and another behind her head, Robert plunged into Cora's mouth.

Joy surged through her body and her hands began to explore Robert. In the midst of it all one of her hands dropped down his chest and brushed against his growing arousal. It wasn't intentional, she knew not to push him too soon. Honestly, she had no idea his body would have responded so quickly, although her own was. The touch slowed Robert down. He slid away from her slightly and pressed his forehead against hers. They each attempted to catch their breath. When he could speak again Robert said, "I'm sorry. My body is obviously willing, but my mind is not yet."

"It's alright, Robert. It's a start and really, we probably don't want to take things too far on the train," Cora responded.

"No, I suppose we don't," Robert chuckled. At that moment the conductor knocked on the door asking for the tickets. Robert smiled mischievously at Cora as he reached in his pocket for the tickets.