Slowly without waking Cora up, Robert got out of bed. It was only six in the morning he saw when he looked at the clock. He could have slept longer, there was no rush today. He glanced back at the bed, where Cora was still sleeping. She had curled herself up, under the duvet. Her dark curls spread behind her head, when she came to his room last night, her hair had been in a braid.

Quickly he walked towards the bathroom, he felt a sneeze coming and he did not want to wake her up. She deserved more hours of sleep. As quiet as he could he sneezed. To his annoyance he had a cold, Cora had warned him, but he had been stubborn. It would be nothing and over soon, he was sure of it. He just needed a hot cup of tea with some honey and citron in it.

He was brushing his teeth when the bathroom door opened, and Cora walked in.

"Why are you awake?" He asked with his mouth full of toothpaste.

"The bed was getting cold, I was waiting for you to come back, but it took so long and now I have to pee." She disappeared into the toilet area. When she came back, she brushed with her hands over his back. "Are you coming back to bed?"

"I was planning on going for a walk." He sniffed.

"You sound like you should stay in bed." Cora stepped next to him and placed her hand on his forehead. "You do not feel warm."

"It is just some sniffles and a blocked nose. I will be fine."

"Please come back to bed. I really want to sleep some more."

"I am not sure why you need me for that, I would be a distraction." He brushed over her cheek.

Cora wrapped her arms around him and pressed herself against his chest. "I would never mind having you as a distraction."

Robert chuckled. "Next time I will try and stay in bed longer. But I normally do not go back to bed once I am up." He scraped his throat. "Are you sure it was a smart move to sleep in the same bed."

"We did not do anything except share a kiss?"

"Yesterday, you were concerned that we would sleep in the same room. You, yourself said it was too early. And suddenly you stepped into my bed." Robert brushed over Cora's cheek. "Do not get me wrong, I did not mind. It was very magical to feel your body against mine." He averted his face to blow his nose.

Cora gave him a soft smile. "I will go back to my room and get ready for the day." She got on her tiptoes and kissed his jaw.

Robert was left speechless. He had not meant for her to leave. Did he mess things up now? She was still smiling, but he basically rejected her now. He sighed, what made him cough.

Cora got out of the shower and wrapped herself in a towel. She glanced at the mirror, but it was all fogged up. She had taken a hot and steamy shower.

She was not sure how to feel. Robert had not sent her away last night when she came to his bed, but just now he had. Was he regretting things? She was confused, he confessed his love for her. They said they would walk through this journey together.

At the moment she was not sure they would even go on a short adventure. Her worries about Violet came bubbling back up again. She clearly did not like the idea of Robert being together with an American. Would that change if she knew Cora was from a rich family? She had not seen Violet long enough to know how she felt about those things.

She tried to do her hair, but there had not been a hairdryer in her bathroom. She had to resort to a messy bun, hoping it would look alright. A quick splash off make up, and she was ready for this day. Was Robert still going to show her the village and the rest of the estate? Last night he had said that she should wear comfortable clothes and shoes. She put them on and opened her door, at that same time the door of Robert's room was opened.

"I am sorry." They said at the same time.

"Why would you be sorry?" Again, they said it at the same time.

Cora smiled softly. "You go first." She gestured towards him.

Robert closed his door and stepped closer towards Cora. "I did not mean to send you away. Everything is just so confusing. I do adore you and want to see what we can build together."

Now Cora stepped forward and slid her hand in his. "So, what is the problem? What is confusing you?"

"I do not want to see Mama hurt you." He brushed with his thumb over her hand.

"Let us go down for breakfast, then we can talk more." She put her hand on her stomach. "I am starving." A wide smile played around her mouth. "I am sure that a lady is not supposed to say those things."

Robert kissed her cheek. "Probably not, but who cares. At least I do not care, so please speak the way you are used to."

While she started walking. "I will try to watch my language and learn how to adapt. How are you feeling?"

Robert sniffed. "Still congested, but it is as I said only a simple cold."

"Ready to go back to the house?" Robert snuggled against Cora, while they still sat down in the Temple of Diana. The view over the lake was incredibly beautiful this time of year. He was getting annoyed by his blocked nose, it meant he could not kiss Cora properly.

"A couple of more minutes please." Cora sighed.

"I will bring you here many more times if you want."

Cora leaned heavy against Robert, who had his arm wrapped around Cora's shoulders. "I would not mind. I loved the tour you gave me today. I feel weird saying this, but I do not want to go back to London."

"I can picture you up here with your paper and pencil, working on your next book."

This made Cora chuckle. "Is this a hint that I should start working on it." She looked up at him, his hair was curling up in his neck, she brought her hand up and played with the hairs in his neck.

"I would never tell you what to do, but when you start that will mean I can read a new book soon."

"You will need to play a lot for me to get that book done."

"Do I hear a collaboration?" With his free hand he touched the tip of her nose.

"Your name would be on the cover. 'co-facilitated by Robert Crawley.' Cora laughed out loud.

Robert watched how her laugh took over. He enjoyed seeing her trying to contain her giggles, but every time she looked at him, her giggles turned into belly laughing again. He loved how her eyes were lighting up every time she looked up at him.

When Cora felt her giggles slow down, she angled her face up again and leaned in for a kiss, but just before she could touch his lips, Robert's fingers were on her lips. "That is not the best idea, my dear."

Confused Cora kissed his fingers. "But I like kissing you."

"Not with my stuffy nose, what if you also get sick."

One more kiss on his fingers. "We kissed last night and you cold was already there and I do not mind, we can be sick together."

"Just safe your kisses darling."

With a sigh Cora sat straight. "We better go back then if I cannot kiss you." She pouted.

Robert struggled not pulling her close again and kissing every bit of her face. "We should indeed go back; we will be late for tea of we stay longer."

Cora waited for Robert to get up, the moment he turned around, towards her, she got up to and quickly moved towards him. Before he could react, she pressed her lips on his. "I just can't help myself; I have to kiss you!" She winked and took his hand in hers.