Robert couldn't put it off any longer, he couldn't avoid his Mama forever. He told Cora that he would walk her back to her hotel but she insisted on coming back to Downton. She didn't want Robert to face his Mama's wrath alone. The pair reached the Abbey and Robert hesitated to go inside. He looked at Cora.
"Don't worry Robert, I am right here with you" she says sweetly, smiling.
He exhales slowly and grabs Cora's hand and kisses it. They make their way inside, towards the Library hand in hand. Robert stops at the door and hesitates to open it.
"Remember what I said Robert, I'm right here"
Her voice eases him and he straightens himself up. Robert opens the Library door to see his Papa, Mama and the groundsman Forbes discussing future plans for Downton.
"Ahh my boy, there you are. I was starting to wonder where you got to" Patrick then noticed Cora. "Well Hello Miss Levinson, this is indeed a surprise. I hope you are well?"
"Yes your Lordship I am well and yourself?"
"I am too well, please sit"
Robert sighed, his Papa seemed in very high spirits. That was all set to change when he found out about Rosamund.
Robert and Cora sat down beside each other.
"Forbes I think were finished here. I would like you to stick with the original plans. That is all" Violet said firmly. She had a good head on her when it came down to bussiness.
"Very good Your Ladyship" Forbes then exited the room and Patrick sat down next to Violet.
Silence took hold of them all. No one knew what to say to each other.
"Something you'd like to say Robert?" Violet chimed in.
"Ar well there is Mama and I'm not sure how your going to take it Mama"
"For goodness sakes Robert, spit it out!"
"Very well Mama, whilst I was in the Village with Miss Levinson I saw Rosamund waiting to catch a Train to London with Mamduke Painswick"
"What on earth, why would she want to do that?" Patrick wondered.
"Because Papa, she is eloping. There going to get married, this evening"
Violet practically jumped out of her chair.
"She's what!?! No she cannot marry a banker. I wont allow this to happen. Robert why didn't you try and stop her?"
"I did Mama, countless times I tried to stop her. She's in love, that's all Rosamund cared about"
"He did Your Ladyship. Robert tried his best" Cora said as she defended him.
"Of course you did Robert. The question is what do we do next?" Patrick asked looking for suggestions.
YOU ARE READING
Downton Abbey. An Ideal Marriage
RomanceA first meeting between a 20 Year Old American Woman and a uprising young soon to be 5th Earl of Grantham. Robert is pressured by his uptight and snooty mother and his wise father to marry to save their family estate and reputation. Miss Cora Louise...
