The sun was setting over Downton Abbey as Lady Edith's engagement ball began to get more lively. Two weeks had passed since Robert had returned from London with the astonishing news that Downton was saved. Mary and Matthew had returned home from their honeymoon five days ago and Mary had taken it upon herself to help Edith make preparations for her ball as she truly wanted her sister to be happy now that she had her own bliss.

All the guests had eaten and many were now engaged in the dances played by a band hired from York. Robert stood at the front of the hall as he watched his middle daughter gliding around the room elegantly, talking with guests and Sir Anthony never far behind her. Robert smiled as he caught her eye before turning his attention to the dancing. A light touch on his arm alerted him to Cora's appearance beside him. "You seem to be enjoying the spectacle before you darling," she observed.

"I am, it is a very happy night and one that I think I can safely say we both thought would not come." Robert watched Cora's expression out of the corner of his eye. She simply hitched a grin onto her face, musing about something she had once said to him in bed one night. But Edith would not be caring for them in their old age now. "Would you like to do the next dance?" Robert offered. "I would be honoured."

Cora looked up at him adoringly as she studied his handsome features and his bright eyes. "I would love to."

As the current dance came to an end, Edith began walking over to greet another acquaintance but was distracted as she witnessed her father take her mother's hand and lead her into the middle of the dance floor. Edith's spirits soared because she felt sure that she too, would still be ever so happy with the man she loved after many years of marriage. So very sure.

Four hours later Robert was feeling very depleted of energy as he nearly staggered into the library, intent on having a whisky before bed. He was not even halfway to his goal when Matthew and Martha came into his view. They were seated opposite each other, each with a drink in hand and talking quietly. Matthew broke off what he was saying as Robert appeared and busied himself with pouring himself a drink. "Sorry, I hope you don't mind us having these," Matthew said sheepishly.

"Why should I? You are my son and mother-in-law after all," Robert chuckled jubilantly. Drink in hand, Robert meandered over and took a seat beside Matthew.

"Matthew was just telling me about Cora's letter to Mary when they were in the South of France," Martha explained casually.

"Oh?" Robert was unsure what to make of this. He was not surprised that Cora had sent a letter or two during their trip but why this should be the current topic of conversation was beyond him.

Martha, seeing Robert's befuddled look, continued, "Matthew was telling me how Cora wrote to Mary and told her of the crippling situation we were all in."

"That was when she managed to convince me to accept Mr Swire's fortune," Matthew finished. He drained his glass and stood up. "I must confess that I am feeling quite tired from all the excitement this evening though it was most enjoyable. I shall retire for the night," Matthew nodded to Robert and Martha and made his way out of the room as Robert sat still as a stone, trying to digest what he had just found out. Matthew was the mystery family member who had saved his beloved Downton! Robert hadn't even considered him as a potential candidate after he had made his position crystal clear right before his wedding to Mary.

"Robert whatever is the matter?" Martha asked, shaking her head at his motionless form.

"Pardon?" Robert replied lightly, seemingly dazed.

"How much have you already had to drink tonight?" Martha enquired suspiciously.

"Not much as I was dancing with Cora for the later part of the night." Robert could feel his adrenalin beginning to rise again. Making a mental note to profusely thank Matthew the following morning, Robert stood up and also finished his drink albeit a bit too quickly as his throat burned in protest. "I just never figured out that it was Matthew who was responsible for us all still being here," Robert admitted.

"I see. I think I will stay down here for a while longer if that is alright?"

"By all means, goodnight Martha."

Cora was sitting in bed engrossed in a novel and barely looked up as Robert came through from his dressing room. He sat down on his side of the bed and removed his slippers before seeking warmth under the covers of their bed. Without thinking he began, "I thought you said you had nothing to do with it."

Cora had to yank her attention away from her book before turning to him with a frown. "With what? What are you talking about?"

"The money to save the estate. Sorry, I'm so tired I didn't think to explain." Robert shook his head as he tried to fend off the tiredness that was once again, starting to engulf him.

"But I didn't have anything to do with it," Cora reiterated. "How did it come about and who was it?" Robert told her what had transpired downstairs and for Cora, the pieces suddenly came together. "It is true that I wrote to Mary and I did mention that night the food ran out and we had to improvise. I assume Mary must have talked Matthew around based on however she interpreted that. However it came about, I am grateful," Cora concluded softly. Robert reached across and took her left hand and squeezed it gently as she put her book on her nightstand.

"I am too and it is nice to finally know to whom I owe my thanks but I can't help but wish that I had found a way to save Downton. It was my responsibility." Cora sensed his bittersweet feelings and snuggled close.

"Try not to dwell on that now. It is in the past so let it rest there and now let us look to the future." Robert sighed and wrapped his arms around her.

"You're right my darling, as always," he said ruefully as she began to draw lazy patterns with her fingers on his chest.

"And I'm thinking especially about the immediate future," Cora hinted as her hands travelled lower. Robert desperately rallied the last of his energy and was elated as he felt a twinge of arousal. It was not long before their nightclothes littered the floor and Cora was in his arms.

Sometime in the early hours after their exertions, Robert and Cora were both sleeping soundly in each other's arms as the worries that had held them captive for weeks on end finally lifted.

A/N And that's a wrap. Hope you've enjoyed this journey as much as I have enjoyed writting it for you :) I'll still do a one shot per week for each new Season 3 episode but won't start another big story until the season has finished now. Any idea's, flick me a PM because the floor is open!