“So, I am the only one trying to keep everything going?” Mary said, annoyed. Robert had just announced he was going to London.
“My work can wait a couple of days, and you can manage perfectly here. Maybe even better without all of us surrounding you.” Robert answered. “I know you can do this, I have faith in you.”
“Papa? Would it be alright when I go out with Matthew tonight?” Mary changed the subject
Robert frowned. Why was she going out with Matthew when nobody was home. He knew he could trust Matthew and he wanted them to be a couple, but still. He would ask if Bates could check if she came home, just for his own peace of mind.
“Of course darling. Just be safe. You like him, don’t you?”
Mary coloured.
+++
“I was not sure if I should tell you.” Rosamund started, handing Cora a cup. “But Robert is coming today.”
“He is what? Oh, Rosamund, why did you not stop him?”
Rosamund sat down, “Cora, Robert sounded really worried on the phone. He is scared of losing you, and not only because you are thinking of a divorce. The updates I give him are, as you know, not very promising.”
“I am not on the verge of dying. My lungs just do not improve.” Cora said, annoyed.
“I think you are forgetting how worried we all were when you were on the verge of dying. You do remember that, do you not?” Rosamund rarely got upset with Cora. Why was Cora not seeing what they all had been going through. “Cora, you need to give Robert a change. You know I will support you no matter what you decide, but you need to give him a chance to explain.”
Cora sighed. She had already given him a chance to explain himself. She was here to get some distance and to clear her head. She had to admit that it did not make things easier. “What time is he coming?”
“He should be here within the next hour, I am going on a shopping trip with the girls. So you two will be undisturbed.”
Cora looked at Rosamund. She could not have wished for a better sister-in-law. She did not pick a side. She just let them fight it out themselves. “Thank you.” Cora said softly.
+++
Robert stood in front of Rosamund’s house, scared to knock on the door. He was happy to see Cora again, but not knowing how she would react made him nervous. Was she ready to forgive him? Or was it a bad move coming to London. He took a deep breath and knocked.
Shortly after his knock, the door was opened, and he was greeted by Mead, Rosamund’s butler.
“Welcome, Milord.” Mead took Robert’s hat and let him in the house. “Her Ladyship is in the drawing room.”
Robert proceeded towards the drawing room, in the doorway he held still. There she was his beautiful Cora. She was dressed in a simple jeans and t-shirt, but she managed to even make that look sophisticated. Cora was engrossed in something on her laptop and did not notice him. This gave him some more time to just look at her.
Cora stretched and noticed Robert. “How long have you been standing there?” She said.
“Hello, to you too.” He replied. “I arrived just now, but I didn’t want to disturb you.”
“So you decided to spy on me?”
“I did not spy, I. Cora? Why are you this hostile?” Robert slowly stepped inside the room.
Cora lowered her eyes. “I am sorry.” She looked up and saw his puppy eyes. She closed her laptop and got up, so he could greet her.
Robert directly took the change and wrapped his arms around her. He did not care what she would think. He needed her. To his relief, he felt Cora relax and she rested her head against his chest. Her hands moved upwards to his shoulder blades. It only took a second before she pulled away.
Cora pulled her shirt straight and stepped back. Being in his arms made her doubt her decision. The moment she noticed him, she felt something stir deep inside her, but at the same time, it felt somebody put a dagger in her heart. The betrayal was too much for her to forgive. Although her whole body longed for him.
“You want some tea?” She asked.
Robert was not sure what just happened. She welcomed his arms, and at the same time, she turned him down. “Yes, please.” He answered her question.
“How are you doing? Are the daily walks helping?” He asked when he heard Cora suppressing her cough.
Cora wished she had better news. To be honest, the walks did nothing but give her coughing fits. “I am not sure.” She answered truthfully. “My lungs are not clearing up, I cannot seem to get the mucus loose enough to cough it up. No matter how many walks, Rosamund forces me on.” Cora sighed.
“Is there anything I can do?” Robert inquired.
“Sybil was talking about percussion on my chest area, but she doesn’t have the strength for it. She can explain to you how to do it.”
“When they are back, I will ask her about it.” Robert stared at a painting on the wall. Being with Cora had never been this hard. They always had something to talk about. But now he felt only awkwardness. How did they get of the trail this much.
+++
Robert and Cora had gone out for a walk, and they both hoped it would help ease things up. Cora had been so out of breath that there was not much room for a conversation while they were walking. It had been mostly Robert who had done the talking.
“Did Edith tell you about the magazine she wants to work for.” Cora asked after they sat down on a bench. Cora had managed to walk to the end of Buckingham Palace garden, but before they walked back, she needed a minute.
“No.” Robert turned towards Cora. “That sounds interesting, I had expected her to do something with her writing talent.”
Cora raised her eyebrows. She had suspected a different reaction from Robert. “You are not upset?”
Robert chuckled. “You sound surprised.”
“Well….” Cora started.
“Ok, I admit, I understand that you are surprised.” Robert always was sceptical about everything Edith did. “Are you ready to walk back?” He gave Cora a concerning look when she coughed.
Cora blew her nose and got up. “This was nothing. It was not close to a coughing fit.” She padded his arm. “I think Rosamund will be back in the meantime.”
Verhalen van Traan 