Flickering flames illuminated her beautiful features and dancing shadows kissed her porcelain cheeks.
Robert had entered the room without her realizing it and the very second his gaze fell upon his beloved wife, he found himself halting; staring.
"I am feeling rather breathless."
She startled. First, at his sudden presence, then at his words. "Why?! Are you feeling unwell?"
He smiled a little when she almost jumped to her feet, her blue eyes widened with worry. "Because, dearest," He began and took her hands into his the second she was close enough, "you steal it away, every time."
Cora paused for a moment before her eyes narrowed a little. "Robert!" She scolded him, freeing a hand to gently smack his upper arm. "You scared me!"
"Worry not, my darling." He chuckled. "I'm perfectly well."
A sigh of relief fell from her lips and she allowed her hand to find his again. "Good." Again, she paused.
Robert watched how her brows slowly furrowed into a soft frown. Their stares collided.
"Robert…" Warm cheeks.
His brows rose in response.
"Did you just… say I leave you—"
"Breathless?" He finished for her with a small, amused grin. "Indeed I did."
At that, Cora's cheeks got even warmer and she quietly drew a breath. "Oh…" She murmured and averted her gaze to their hands. "Charmer."
Robert followed her gaze and brushed a thumb over her knuckles. "Yours." His other hand slipped beneath her jaw to cup her chin, imploring her to meet his eyes. The fire was softly crackling and shadows were still dancing. They were alone in a house full of guests. These moments were rare, so Robert knew well how to make the very most of them. "For as long as you will have me."
Lord in heaven! She must have missed the moment her husband became such a romantic charmer but oh, she was not complaining. Her heart leaped as she finally allowed for their eyes to meet again and she swallowed a sweet nothing before she was able to speak. "Thirty-four years ago I swore to 'have' you until death do us part… and I'd willingly repeat this vow every second of every day for as long as I live, if I had to."
If he wasn't so practiced at retaining his composure, Robert surely would have replied immediately but instead he allowed for a sweet silence to lull them in. His eyes however, spoke volumes, telling Cora everything she needed to know. His wife's soft sigh and loving gaze told him she understood. Little did he know how his actions tonight had sent her heart fluttering and were still…. With her hand in his own and a crooked finger beneath her chin, Robert leaned forward to place a gentle kiss upon his beauty's crown, releasing a gently whispered "I love you".
The very second he leaned in, Cora's eyes drifted close- but as his words reached her ears, her breath caught. To hear him say those words was so rare… and over the years it had taught her to cherish them more and more. After savoring the moment, she opened her eyes, looked up at him… and then she responded in the only way imaginable. It was the same way she had responded to those three words for over thirty years now. Their secret ritual. "How much?"
A low hum of a chuckle reverberated throughout the still room. "To the moon and back, my darling. To the moon and back."
She smiled a smile reserved for her husband and her husband only. "I love you, too, Robert."
Cora's voice was naught but a velvety whisper; the sign Robert needed to finally pursue the only thing he had wanted to do ever since his breathtaking wife descended the grand stairs.
She had stolen his breath many times tonight and now, as he closed the already small gap between them and leaned in, Cora knew his lips were about to take vengeance – and her breath in return - for it.
Finally…