After traveling by train and then car for part of the day Robert and Cora arrived at the inn. It wasn't very fashionable, but since it was the off season it wasn't crowded either. They were shown to their rooms, a suite with a sitting room in between. Cora asked for this room to maintain appearances. She desperately hoped they wouldn't need so much space. Once they were settled and refreshed they decided to explore a bit.

"It seems odd to be visiting the sea at this time of year," Robert said. "But I think I rather like it without so many tourists."

"It's almost as if we have it to ourselves," Cora replied as she walked along beside him, holding his arm on the nearly empty boardwalk.

"It certainly is different from Downton. I have a hard time thinking of it as Yorkshire at all, except that is quite chilly," Robert said. "Are you warm enough, darling?"

"Yes, Robert, I am, but let's not stay out too long. I'm feeling a bit hungry."

"So am I, Cora," Robert said meaningfully as he stared down at her. "So am I."

They had dinner brought to their sitting room. It was arranged at a small table, but was nicely set. Robert kept remarking upon how different everything was and how different he felt. Truthfully, he couldn't take his eyes off of Cora. He wasn't really sure what he ate, the flavor wasn't objectionable, but he couldn't really attend to it either. She looked beautiful and her eyes kept meeting his with a smile. It was so good to see her smile.

Cora felt hopeful through the entire dinner. It was wonderful to be the sole recipient of Robert's attention. If she wasn't mistaken, she was quite certain she knew that look in his eyes. They were darker than usual and couldn't stop staring at her. He seemed to search her whole face and then some. Later, as they changed into their nightclothes the inn staff removed their dinner dishes, but left behind a bottle of champagne at Cora's request. Shortly after, they met back in the sitting room. Robert looked very handsome in his silk dressing gown as he poured their champagne.

"Good thinking with the champagne, Cora," said Robert appreciatively as he handed her a glass. They relaxed on the love seat, Robert's arm draped over the back.

"I was hoping you'd be in a celebratory mood, Robert."

"Oh, I am darling," replied Robert. She was exquisite, he thought. Her lips were lovely and he licked his own in anticipation of tasting hers. Then his eyes roamed over her figure; the neck he wanted to kiss, the breasts he longed to touch, and the tempting curves he knew so well. He kept expecting the now familiar feeling of guilt to intrude, but it didn't. With a very serious look Robert took Cora's champagne glass from her and set it along with his own on the end table.

His large hands gently came to either side of her face as he leaned in for a kiss. Cora sighed as they explored each other's lips slowly, neither feeling a need to rush. As the kiss deepened Robert's hands moved to her shoulders and down her body, feeling the curve from her breasts, to her waist and then hips. Cora moved closer, wanting to feel his body against hers. Despite her height, she was slight, where Robert was broad and so warm. He enveloped her in his arms and hers came around his neck, her fingers stroking through the hair at the base. She arched into him, trying to create pressure in the areas she needed it most, while his lips and tongue made their way down her neck, finding her earlobe, then her collar bone.

"Cora," he breathed.

"Are you alright, Robert?" she asked.

"I am so much better than alright, but we have entirely too many clothes on for what I'd like to do," Robert mumbled.

She felt his hands fiddling with her dressing gown and the buttons of her nightgown, but his fingers were too big and she knew he would frustrate soon, so Cora helped. He wanted her naked, but when new flesh was exposed he couldn't stop himself from pausing to explore. Then he pulled back and stood, offering her his hand. He slowly began to pull her nightgown up her legs, her body and over her head. Then he paused, holding her hands out to the side as he delighted in her form.

"I can't believe I allowed misplaced guilt to keep you away from me," said Robert apologetically.

"Well, it need not any longer," replied Cora.

She wanted the heat of his body on hers so Cora began to remove his dressing gown, but Robert kept getting in the way. The patience he had earlier was quickly disappearing. He did slow down long enough to help Cora undress him. Moments later they were in bed. Cora felt his hands and lips everywhere. They paused meaningful at her breasts, each nipple disappearing into his mouth in turn. Cora felt hot everywhere and increasingly damp between her legs. When she thought she couldn't take the attention to her breasts any longer Robert retreated only to return to her mouth. She moaned into his mouth and then felt his fingers explore the area she most wanted to be touched. When his finger sank inside of her Cora cried out and held Robert tightly.

"Cora," Robert groaned. "I need to be inside you, now."

Cora could only nod her approval. As he entered her body she felt elated, on fire, and at peace all at the same time. Robert moved inside of her, gently at first. He was not a small man and learned years ago to start slowly. Cora's legs came up around his waist and he surged deeper inside of her, striking a particularly sensitive spot.

Robert lost all ability to plan the pleasuring of his wife that he'd been focused on earlier. His pace quickened until he felt Cora finding her release. His own followed closely after and his body shook with the delight of it all.

As they lay in bed holding each other, limbs entwined, Robert said, "It is such sweet pleasure to rediscover you, my love. I'm so sorry for hurting you with my rejection. You've brought me back and I couldn't be happier." Cora reached up to kiss him and then laid her head on his chest to sleep.

When they returned to Downton a couple of days later most of their family and servants did not fail to notice the new light in their eyes.