Wrapping up this little story. I've got a few more things written that are ready to post in the next few days. I do hope this story has been entertaining! Enjoy the last chapter!

The call came just before 11 o'clock informing everyone within Downton's walls that their countess was, indeed, found unscathed. Every inch of the house seemed to release the tension that had been building while its Lady's whereabouts were uncertain. Mary's and Edith's responses were comprised of a few exhales and shared smiles. After asking Barrow to inform them when the party returned, they descended the stairs to ready themselves for bed.

Bidding her granddaughters goodnight, Violet requested that the car be brought around front for her departure. She was left in the hall to contemplate the evening, more relieved than she let on. Never, not once would she wish harm upon Cora. They could bicker and disagree until they were blue in the face, accusations being slung from both sides, but ill intentions were left to the criminals. Unsure of how to approach an apology, Violet felt it best to leave before Cora's return. No doubt she would be done in, not to mention Robert and Tom, and Violet expected that her presence would be unwanted. At least for the rest of the night.

Carson and Barrow, who had returned with defeated frowns and furrowed brows before they spoke with Mrs. Hughes, were now heading for the servants' stairs to relay the good news to the downstairs staff.

"Her Ladyship has been located and is perfectly fine. His Lordship and Mr. Branson are with her and they will all be home very soon." Carson removed his raincoat and hat as he addressed the gathering in the servants hall.

"Should we prepare anything to eat? They're bound to be hungry." Mrs. Patmore asked.

"Oddly enough, they all ended up in my kitchen, so Mrs. Hughes has given them tea and soup. They'll only want to dry off and go to bed." Carson turned to Bates and Baxter.

"Miss Baxter, I'm sure Her Ladyship will want a warm bath." Baxter nodded and headed for the stairs.

"And Mr. Bates, His Lordship might want the same or to go right to bed. But let's be prepared either way." The downstairs bustled once again, having slowed to a gridding hault when the search began.

Back at the Carson residence, the trio, heavy with fatigue, climbed into the car. In a miraculous surge of good fortune, the storm had been reduced to a drizzle and they took it as a sign that it was time to go. Cora sat in the back with her gown spread on the leather of the seat. Nary a word was spoken as the automobile sped through the countryside, but there were no impertinent emotions. Only those of contentment filled the air as they approached the house. More than once, Robert glanced over the front seat at his wife's portrait. Each of his lucky stars were praised for uniting him with the woman who was perched next to the window.

The crunching of the gravel under the weight of the wheels came to a stop. Barrow opened Cora's door and offered his gloved hand. His wet hair gave away his involvement in the evening's affair. She stepped out with her evening dress draped across her arm.

Robert stopped short when he saw that Barrow had beaten him to the task of assisting her dismount. He felt guilty for both his mother's remarks and the lack of his own while she was still within earshot. Anticipating that he would have a long period of asking forgiveness, he wanted to start as soon as possible.

"Barrow, I must apologize for ignoring you earlier." Cora tilted her head to the side and gave him a knowing look.

"No need, Your Ladyship." Cora squeezed his wrist and approached Baxter who was standing just inside the entryway.

Robert waited for Tom to come around the car. He knew he had to thank him for jumping into action. Tom was peeling off his gloves when Robert gave him a pat on the shoulder.

"Thank you, Tom. For driving and keeping my nerves at bay." Tom snorted and shook Robert's extended hand.

"This is still a bit damp, I'm afraid." Cora handed over the beaded fabric to Baxter.

"I'll dry it out tonight and I'm sure it will be fine. I've drawn you a bath, Milady." Baxter walked with Cora toward the stairs.

The normally caliginous hall at this hour of night was illuminated in anticipation for their arrival. They had departed in gloom and returned to a glow. All the while, Robert was following closely behind Cora, rather impatient for her to get up the stairs and into a hot bath. His body ached from carrying the stiffness of the search and he thought of the benefits that his own bath might bring. The tips of his fingers grazed the small of her back before she paused at the sight of Carson.

"Oh, Carson." She shrugged her shoulders, "We owe you and Mrs. Hughes a great degree after what I've put you through."

"Nonsense, My Lady. We are just glad to see that you are safe." He stretched out the last few words to emphasize his happiness.

Cora smiled, her gratitude having been received. She reached the turn in the stairs as she heard a "Mama" called from the gallery above.

"My darlings," she grinned with repentance as Mary and Edith hurried down the remaining steps. Edith took her mother's hand and Mary placed her own on Cora's upper arm.

"I sorry to have frightened you." Feeling truly embarrassed for the first time that evening, Cora ushered them back up the staircase.

"Well you're here now. And we'll let you and Papa get some rest." They both placed kisses on Cora's cheek when they arrived at the landing parted ways.

"Milord, I've started a bath if you'd like one." Bates rounded the corner, not giving the couple even a moment to themselves. Baxter ushered Cora toward her room and all Robert could do was watch her drag her listless body toward her bedroom door.

"Yes, thank you Bates." His legs took him to his dressing room and he began to strip his layers.

"Just lay out my pajamas and I can take it from there. I'll go directly to bed after my bath."

"Very well, Milord." Bates did as he was told and left Robert to his own devices.

Inside Cora's chamber, Baxter folded the shawl that had been draped around her shoulders.

"These clothes belong to Mrs. Hughes, so if we could have them washed and returned as soon as possible, I would appreciate it." Cora held to the bedpost as she disrobed down to her slip. Unbeknownst to her, she shared Robert's wish to lie down the second she was clean.

"Of course." Baxter scooped the clothes off the mattress and bent to pick up her shoes.

"And that will be all for the night. I'm absolutely worn out and will most likely go straight from the tub to the bed. Could you please bring a nightgown into the washroom? Don't bother with a dressing gown."

Baxter silently agreed and left to retrieve something soft that would ensure Cora had a good night's sleep.

Left alone, she slipped into the bathroom and let the steam encircle her sore muscles. A layer of mist had settled on the mirror and widows and a few candles had been lit on the table adjacent to the tub. Cora stepped in the water one leg at a time as goosebumps instantly appeared on her limbs. A burning tingle in her previously cold toes was enough to hault her submersion. As her feet adjusted to the new temperature, she sank beneath the surface and let the familiar shiver creep onto her chest. The noises of the rain, the thunder, the car, the voices all rinsed themselves away as she lathered her skin in the familiar scent of lavender.

Baxter deposited a fresh nightgown on the chair near the tub and lit a few more candles before retreating downstairs. Cora gathered that if she stayed in the bath any longer, she would succumb to the promise of sleep. Willing herself to dry off, she unwound the scarf that had kept her hair out of the water and tied her curls into a loose braid.

The creak of her door brought his attention away from the book he'd been attempting to focus on while he waited for her to emerge. Robert immediately closed it without marking the page and placed it on the bedside table. Looking back to Cora who had stalled in the doorway, one hand on the knob, he snickered an unvoiced breath through his nose and grinned at her.

The scene of the bedroom melted her heart. Her dearest Robert, hair tousled from a towel, was nestled in the bed they'd share for so long. The bed that had seen sickness, intimacy, injuries, births, and tears. He'd propped up against the headboard and had already turned down her side. The dim light emitted from the lamp combined with Robert's cozy state was too much to resist. She forfeited any notion of her usual bedtime routine and settled into bed beside him, tucking the comforter around herself.

"You came after me." She faced him and reclined just as he did.

"Of course I did." He replied, not understanding her surprise.

"I'm afraid I've been terribly foolish. Scaring everyone like that. I shouldn't have run off like a teenage girl." Now it was her turn to chuckle, hoping to mask her chagrin. She felt him clasp her hand under the covers.

"I shouldn't have let you go. I was so shocked at what Mama said that I couldn't think straight. But I hope you believe me when I say I did my best to put her in her place." His eyes were burdened, as if he was truly afraid she wouldn't have faith in his confession.

"I was afraid you believed her." Cora conceded.

Robert sat upright even more and shifted his body toward her's.

"After you stayed with me all night? After everything you did to take care of me?" His features changed to that of disbelief and she realized that her worries were futile.

She flashed a smirk and broke their eye contact as she brought their entwined hands out from under the blankets.

"I'm sure Mama will regret it in the morning," he said, picking up the slack of the conversation.

Cora considered his words. She wanted to know what he had said on behalf of her defense, but that kind of prodding, she thought, might send him back into his shell. He was being so tender with her and the last thing she wanted to do was spoil it. But the prospect of hearing his words of endearment was too enticing to pass up.

"What did you say to her?"

"Only that she had everything all wrong and you had been through a lot." Robert was still looking at her, though Cora's gaze was directed at their hands that were molding together.

"And you have," he continued, "It was...an...unfortunate time." He could feel his emotions clamming up, the walls rising. It had been months, yet he still couldn't talk about it openly.

"Darling, please don't bring Lord Grantham into this bed," she implored. This was exactly what she feared would happen.

"Can't we just be us?"

He blinked, the armor receding with her words.

"It was hell. There's no other way to describe it," Cora stated plainly. Locking eyes with him once again, she contemplated her next utterance. But he beat her to it.

"You're right." Robert gathered her into his embrace and hugged her to his chest, relishing in the lavender that enveloped every inch of her skin.

She would never protest or grow tired of the Robert only she was allowed to see. His guarded persona crumbled when they were tucked away for the night, sweetly savoring their familiarity. This side of him had always been there on vulnerable occasions, but Robert was doling it out more freely after his scare.

"But it's over now." He connected the two thoughts as he smoothed the sleeve of her night dress. Neither of them knew if he spoke of the evening's crisis or the dreadful time when Robert's future was uncertain. But in an odd way they accepted both because each one supposed it was etched in truth.

"And you will always be my Cora." He felt her head slide against his chest and saw her eyes flash up to meet his own.

"I only hope that I can be just Robert for you."

Years had passed, battles were fought, and fear made an appearance from time to time. But, in these serene instances, Robert and Cora knew they would always find sanctuary in each other.