'This must do', Cora decided while looking at herself in the mirror. She had changed several times, but there was no more time to change again. She was standing in taupe linen pants with a dark orange coloured blouse on top. She chose brown sneakers with an orange touch in it. Her hair was pinned up, so it was not hanging directly in her face, but still loose enough to highlight her face. She hoped Robert liked her outfit, she was not sure what style he would like, and at the same time, she was not sure she cared. She liked this style herself and that was what counted.

She checked her make-up, it was not much that she used, just some bronzer and mascara. Enough to lighten her face, but not cover herself in plaster.

With a spring in her step, she walked towards the pub, when she noticed that Sorcha was walking towards her.

"You look radiant, are you going on a date?" Sorcha greeted Cora with two kisses on her cheek.

"Maybe I am." Cora did not want to tell her.

"Tell me everything." Sorcha hooked her arm in Cora's.

"I am already a bit late, is it alright if I tell you after?"

"Is it Robert? Is he back?" Sorcha leaned against her shoulder "please tell me." Sorcha begged, when she saw in Cora's eyes that she was not going to tell. "Alright, alright." She pulled her arm back. "Promise me you will tell me everything when you are back home!"

Cora laughed. "I promise, and now I have to run." She looked at her watch, she was late, hopefully Robert did not mind to much. A bit out of breath she stepped inside the pub, her eyes were scanning the room, but she did not see him. He would not let her down, would he? Of course not, she said angry to herself. He was the one suggesting meeting up here at the pub. She decided to wait at the bar.

Robert had almost run through the shower, but he felt refreshed. He had used his favourite parfum, Guerlain - Patchouli Paris. He loved the musky smell, but he got insecure all of a sudden. What if Cora did not like this smell, he should have gone for a safer option. Why did he not just use his DIOR -Sauvage. Well, it was too late now to do anything, there was no time for another shower. He should leave. One more look in the mirror. He had a dark blue chino combined with a lighter blue linen v-line shirt, for comfort he chose brown sneakers, the same colour as his belt. Well, this should do. He picked up his phone and noticed that there were some missed calls. He quickly checked, twice from his mother and one from Rosamund. He contemplated if he should call back, but he decided that they could wait. He had said that he would not be available for the coming days. Whatever it was, they needed to wait. He could not let Cora down.

Just before he entered the pub, he heard his name. He turned around and saw Rosamund walking towards him. He sighed, why did she need to be here, right at this moment. He glanced into the pub, but he could not see if Cora was there. He looked at his watch and then greeted his sister. "Hello Rosamund, I did not know you were in the area."

"Hello Robert. I did not tell you that I was coming."

"Wait a minute." Robert stepped back. "How did you know where to find me?"

Rosamund did not look back at him, instead she lowered her eyes. "Mama, wants you back at Downton tomorrow morning. She says it is important."

"Everything is important with Mama. I do not understand her. She wants me to find a partner, but at the same time, she does not let me live my own life." He saw Rosamund taking in a breath to reply, he quickly continued. "I will call her tomorrow morning and do tell me; how did you know that I was here." He repeated his question.

This time Rosamund looked at him. "You know how Mama is. She wants you at Downton, for the simple fact that you are the next Lord Grantham. And it is not done, that the viscount does not live on the estate."

"I will ask again. How did you know where I was?" He ignored her last remark, he perfectly knew that he was supposed to live at Downton, but he could not be free and not be himself while his mother lived in the same house. He had found freedom the moment he moved to London, and he was not giving that up so easily. Even with the situation his father was in. The last month's he had told him everything he needed to know to take over the business, but he had already suspected it. Patrick was not ready to step down, so he would still be at the background. There was no need for him to live at Downton.

"I tracked your phone."

"You did what!" Robert exploded.

"Mama had asked me to put a tracker on your phone and I used it to find you."

"I cannot believe you Rosamund. Since when are you following Mama this close. You used to stand up to her and go your own way."

"Never mind that. I am sorry that I used the tracker. Can you please call Mama?"

"Since you are up there with Mama, you can let her know that I will call her tomorrow." He glanced into the pub again, was Cora still there? Was she even there, had she come?

"Is somebody waiting inside for you?" Rosamund asked. "Is it John? Come we should go inside; I want to catch up with John." Rosamund pulled on his arm and dragged him inside.

Robert felt his cheeks colour, how could he get rid of her, at that same moment he spotted Cora. She was sitting at the bar. She looked amazing, he chuckled when he saw that she was also wearing linen. He wanted to walk towards her and burry his face in her curls. She suddenly turned around, and he saw her spotting him. She started to smile, but when she saw that his arm was still held by another woman, a shadow came over her face.

Why was he not here yet. Cora got really worried that he would let her down. Then she felt a presence and turned around. There he was, her heart jumped, and she felt butterflies, he looked incredibly handsome in his dark blue chino. Then she noticed another woman next to him. She had wild red curls, her figure was to die for, Cora thought. The dress she was wearing accentuated her small waist even more. She moved her hand to her own waist, and even though she was small, this woman was in an even better shape. What should she do, how could he set her up like this. She was excited and now he had crushed every hope she had. She got up from her barstool and walked towards the door, she had to walk passed Robert unfortunately.

"Cora, where are you going?" Robert said, even though he did know where she was going. She had taken the wrong conclusion.

"I think it is better if I go home. It was nice meeting you again." She nodded towards the other woman.

"Please stop." Robert grabbed her hand, what made an electrical wave go through her hand. "This is not what it looks like."

The other woman had in the meantime turned towards them and smiled at her.

"I am not sure what else I can think of this."

"Cora, can I please introduce you to Rosamund." He still held her hand, he freed his other arm from the women's hand. "She is my sister."

Cora felt a stone drop in her stomach. His sister? Why did she think he was there with another date? She made a fool of herself. Ashamed she shook Rosamund's hand. "Hello, Rosamund. I am Cora Levinson."

Levinson? Levinson, that name did ring a bell. Robert thought.

Rosamund shook her hand with a polite smile. "I think, I better go. I am sorry for barging in, I thought he was going to eat with John. Enjoy your evening." She turned towards Robert. "Please call Mama."

"I will." Robert answered. He still tried the name Levinson in his head, but nothing came up.

Cora brushed with her thumb over Robert's hand. "I am sorry." She muttered.

Robert pressed his lips on her cheek, close to her ear. "I am sorry for being late and coming inside with my sister. I can understand why you thought I was playing with you. I promise that I would never do that. I am so relieved to see you again after all these months, come let us sit down. I can eat a horse; I am that hungry."

Cora chuckled. She had been surprised when he kissed her cheek, but she loved the sensation, and she could get used to it. The same as she could get used to hold his hand. They were strong and big, but at the same time soft and caring. Her own slender hand fitted perfectly inside his.

"So, when my father was recovered enough, I decided to come back home." Robert wrapped up his story. He had told Cora everything, about his father's stroke and why he had to move up to Downton. She had been surprised when he revealed that he was a viscount. At first, she had not understood the meaning of viscount. He had forgotten that she was not born in the UK and that in the United States these titles were not used.

"I am glad you came back to London." Cora reached over the table and touched with her finger tips his hand.

"With that I can only agree." Robert smiled and took her fingers in his hand.

"But there is one thing I do not understand. Why are you here in Richmond, John is not here today, and you live in Westminster. How come you are shopping in a supermarket in this area?"

Robert forgot that he had not told her about his Richmond house. He had been vague the last time about his living situation. "I have a second home here in Richmond. Sometimes the busy city live gets too much, and I retreat to my house in this neighbourhood."

"I think I understand, although I could never live in the city centre. I love the peace and quiet that we have here. Now and then you can hear beautiful music flowing through the streets and that is what makes this place magical.