Pacing through the hall, Robert put his hands in his pockets, took them out and put them back again. He had gone to the toilet twice in five minutes already. Rosamund took Cora to get something to drink. He had said they could go together and he would wait inside. If they called them back inside earlier he could warn Cora and Rosamund. He also did not want to show Cora how nervous he was, he wanted to be strong for her, but it was not easy. The way Simon’s lawyer defended Simon, was almost scary. He did not understand that people could defend the bad guys. It was obvious that Simon was in the wrong, but his lawyer did everything in his power to plead him free. They team that was representing Cora was better. Robert knew that, but there was a little voice in his head, that was nagging him. Cora had looked so small in that court room and he had seen the looks Simon gave her. He still had not got the message that his avenges were not desired. With every day that passed, Robert felt more and more guilty. They had send Cora into Simon’s arms.
“Where is Cora?”
Violet’s voice shook Robert out of his brooding. “Rosamund took her to get something to drink.”
“And they did not offer you to come with them?”
“I was the one suggesting they should go together. Cora needed that.”
Violet huffed. “When I look at you, you are also at the end of your rope.”
This surprised Robert. “I admit, I will be happy when this is all behind us. We should never had send Cora to his office.”
“Robert.” Violet put her hand on Robert’s arm. “We cannot change what is in the past, but only what is in the future.”
Violet’s gesture surprised Robert, he did show his surprise. He never knew what to do when his mother showed compassion, it was so out of line with her normal behaviour.
“There is a ruling, we should go back inside.” His father came around the corner. “Where are Rosamund and Cora?”
“Here we are, we are ready to go back inside.” Rosamund came walking towards them with Cora directly behind her. Robert saw Cora’s pale face, she looked frail. He waited for his father, mother and Rosamund to go in front of him. When Cora walked past him, he put his hand on her back and pressed a quick kiss on her head. “You can do this. You have withstand all the interrogation, what ever the ruling will be, it will be over after today.”
“I hope so.” Cora said timid.
He squeezed her side in the hope to encourage her. At the door back into the court, he saw Richard and Helen waiting.
+++
“I am glad this is over.” Rosamund said, with a deep sigh when she sat down on the big sofa. After the ruling, they all went to Violet’s and Patrick’s house. It seemed the most logical decision. They did not want to go to Rosamund’s house, because the last time they were there as a whole family, was after Marmaduke’s funeral. Violet had said, that it was easiest to go to their house, since they had a cook and a butler. Both Cora and Robert did not had the energy to protest. They would love to just go home and let everything sink in. But they realised, that the family wanted to celebrate, and that was normal.
Simon had lost, he got a community sentence. The judge said, that there was a combination of Sexual assault and harassment. But as Simon had a clear record, he got a lower punishment. Cora was content with that, even though he had gone way to far, she still felt responsible for everything that had happened. So did Robert, he would never forgive himself that they had let this happen.
“We can now finally let this awful business rest and focus on the fun things in life.” Rosamund said, while taking the cup that she was handed. “Do you have something strong for in this tea?”
“Of course Milady.” The butler said.
“Well, speaking of fun business.” Rosamund looked at Cora. “How is the rebuilding of Downton going?”
This was the first time since day’s that Robert saw a genuine smile on Cora’s face. The days leading up to this trial, she had gotten quieter and quieter. What ever he said, she reacted blank or not at all. The day that she went dress shopping was the last day he had been allowed to touch her. No he should frase that differently, It wasn’t that she didn’t allow it, but she just wasn’t approachable. When he tried to make a move, there had not been any reaction. He had given up and decided to wait for her to come back to him. He had seen her working on new projects at work and heard her talking with the constructors.
“There is a change that they will be finished earlier than expected with the great hall and stairs, and they will try to finish the dining area for the wedding.” Cora now looked at Robert. They were seated next to each other, Cora stretched out her hand. Robert took it eagerly in his hand, he was once again amazed by how perfect her small hand was, with slender fingers and soft skin. “It looks like, we can have the dinner at Downton too.”
Robert raised his eyebrows. “We said we would have the dinner at Downton? Did we not?”
Cora smiled. “We did, but we were talking about putting up a big tent outside. If the contractor is right, we will not need that tent, and our wedding will be a real posh one.”
Again Robert’s eyebrows raised. “You did not want a posh wedding? Did you change your mind?”
Cora squeezed his hand. “I know how much you care about that, and I figured that you deserve to have the wedding you want.”
“But it is also your wedding, my darling. If you do not want a posh wedding, we can go for the simpler style you suggested first.”
“We will talk about that later.” Suddenly aware that they were not alone, Cora blushed.
“A posh wedding, well, well, well.” Rosamund teased.
Violet suddenly said. “I think this is a very good decision. Robert you are from a noble family and your wedding should represent that.”
“A wedding at Downton does already represent that, Mama” Rosamund said.
“You know perfectly well, what I am talking about. A simple wedding at Downton is not the same as a real wedding.”
“You mean that all the people that marry on a Monday morning at the townhall, on a budget, do not have a real wedding?” Rosamund countered.
“You know perfectly well, what I mean.”
“No, I do not know that. Please explain to everybody here, what you mean.”
“That is enough.” Patrick said loudly. “Let us raise a glass on today’s victory.” He stepped aside for the butler to hand out glasses of champagne.
Robert had not even noticed that his father had arranged champagne. They all stood up with a glass in their hands.
“As a family we will stand strong.” He Patrick started. “Before we toast, I want to apologise to you, my dear Cora. We made a big judgement error and you had to suffer from it. I am very relieved that it is all settled now, and Mr. Bricker will never be able to come close to you.”
“He will still be able too.” Robert said under his breath.
Patrick looked at him. “With the restraining order, it will only cause more trouble for him than he already is in. I doubt he will ever try anything again. And if he does, our lawyers will skin him alive. Now.” Patrick raised his glass. “Let us celebrate this victory.”
“Victory.” They all cheered.
Cora turned towards Robert, she got on her tiptoes and kissed him, her hand that was holding the glass went to his back. Her other hand, was put on his cheek. The kiss was long, which surprised Robert, she never kissed him like this in front of his parents. He did not care, not one bit. He wrapped his arms around her and pulled her close to his body.
“That is enough.” Violet said resolute. “Dinner will be ready soon and I do not want to lose my appetite.”
Robert felt Cora stepping back directly, but he pulled her close again and pressed another kiss on her lips. “That appetite will come back.” He said smiling, while letting Cora go.
The family walked towards the dining room, Cora stayed a bit behind and stopped Rosamund. “If talking about the wedding day is to confrontation for you, you will let me know?”
“I promise. But you have to know, I also promised Marmaduke something.”
“Oh?” Cora let go of Rosamund’s arm.
“He made me promise to never look back on what was, but only look forward to what has to come. We had a wonderful time together, yes it was short. But you know, I was blessed to know what real love is and I will cherish that always.”
Cora took Rosamund’s hand in hers. “I know you are strong and that you promised Marmaduke to be strong, but if there comes a day that you do not know how to be strong. I will be here, please know that I will always be here if you need someone to listen to you.”
“Thank you, sis.” Rosamund pulled her hand back. “Dinner will be cold if we do not follow them.” And she walked towards the dining room.
Cora looked at her for a minute before she followed. Rosamund amazed her, she looked like such a strong woman and she probably was a strong woman, but everybody struggled with emotions sometimes. There was nothing to be ashamed for, but in this family it looked like emotions were banned. She was happy Robert was not an exact copy and he was more open towards her. She could only hope Rosamund would truly be alright with this upcoming wedding.
Verhalen van Traan 