Are You Sure?

AN: the characters do not belong to me. Thank you a million times to my wonderful, encouraging beta, Granthamfan. xx

By February 1889, Cora and Robert had been married several months, having spent their first few awkward holidays together. As they had married in the spring, each one marked a birthday as a married couple. Christmas and New Years had also come and gone as they fumbled their way through the rituals of gift giving, learning exactly how much sentiment to place upon each occasion. As ever, the watchful eye of Violet was upon everything that Robert and Cora did on ordinary days. It was much worse on holidays.

When Valentine's Day was drawing nearer, Cora and Robert each engaged in the now-familiar shopping for gifts for each other. Cora was relieved that she has learned Robert's taste in most things well enough to find choosing a gift relatively easy.

However, as she stood outside the shops in York, every ounce of confidence she had gained seemed to disappear. She had always felt more love for Robert than she had ever dreamed he had for her. But lately, things seemed to be changing in the right direction.

It was subtle at first; but it began with Robert lingering in the hall after they'd pass each other, smiling in her direction as she went on. If their hands touched while reaching for something at the dinner table, he did not withdraw his hand as if he'd touched a friend or acquaintance. No; he let his hand rest on hers for a few seconds. Not long enough to alert his mother's attention, but long enough to make Cora feel that there was more to the marriage than a business arrangement. Most significant was the way that their nightly encounters had become more caring and lengthy than only going through the motions in order to produce an heir. The way his hands moved across her skin, the manner in which he kissed her was all superfluous to mere procreating. Although Cora had no frame of reference in which to make any comparison, she thought it felt very much like lovemaking.

These thoughts were the reason for her sudden loss of ideas on what to get Robert for Valentine's Day. For she had the most deliciously romantic idea of something she was going to get for herself that would further their relationship. She walked inside the store as if on a mission, returning with a lacy red nightgown that would make their first Valentine's night one to remember.

Once she had the errand behind her, Cora entered the bookshop and selected a few books that she had seen Robert perusing on their last trip to the shops together. She had them wrapped up, but planned to write out a message to place inside a card.

For my Robert, she wrote in her flowing script, may you enjoy these and remember our first Valentine's Day forever.

Cora smiled to herself as she finished the card. She was glad that he would like the books, but felt thrilled to think of his reaction to the red nightgown.

It was nearly impossible to stay passive and calm through dinner, especially under the watchful gaze of Violet. Robert and Cora stole glances at each other all through dinner, as if they both were looking forward to the coming night. Cora kept checking the clock to see if time was progressing in a satisfactory manner, while Robert found it hard to hide his amusement as he noticed his wife acting especially fidgety during the meal.

"Let's go through," Violet announced.

As they stood, Cora released a breath she didn't realize she had been holding. Robert grinned when he looked at her.

He leaned close as she passed him on the way to the drawing room. "I won't be long," he whispered.

She didn't have time to answer, but smiled at him in gratitude as she resolved to find a way out of the drawing room with haste.

Violet seemed rather talkative that night, more than usual as she directed more of her conversation at Cora instead of only speaking to Rosamund. It only made Cora fidget more, which only increased the conversation. Finally she made herself sit still so that the time might go faster if Violet didn't discover that she was trying to make a quick exit.

At long last, Cora was climbing the stairs to her dressing room. She supposed that she would arouse suspicion of she did not keep her nightly habit of ringing for Harrison to help her into the nightclothes.

The maid beamed as she removed the new red nightgown from its box.

"I must say I approve of your Ladyship's choice in apparel for Valentine's Day evening," Harrison said with a grin.

Cora smiled back at her. Over the last ten months, she and Harrison had grown quite close through Cora's obvious struggles with her adjustment not only to marriage but to life in a strange country at such a young age as well.

"It pleases me, Harrison, to note that things are becoming easier between his Lordship and I." She looked at Harrison as a child looks to her mother for approval. "Do you think he'll like it?"

"Of course he will, milady. I'd best be going so your night can begin. Do you want some perfume?"

Cora nodded with much enthusiasm. "Yes, please."

Harrison took Cora's favorite bottle of scent and handed it to her. Soon both Cora and the room smelled of vanilla and a touch of blueberry. Harrison helped her into her robe so the gown could be a secret as long as possible.

"I'll be going now, milady. Good night," Harrison said as she left Cora alone in the room.

Robert must have been watching for Harrison's exit, as he was in the room about ten seconds later.

He was holding a package with a red ribbon tied around its middle as he approached her, leaning down for a kiss. "Happy Valentine's Day, Cora."

"Happy Valentine's Day, Robert!" Cora took the package of books out from under the vanity and gave them to him.

"Oh, Cora, these are wonderful! I was looking at these very titles," Robert said as he turned them over in his hands.

As Robert was busy looking at the books, Cora took the opportunity to untie the sash of her robe, casually remove it and laid it on the bedclothes. "I found something else in the shops," Cora teased.

Robert looked up from his books and gasped. Nearly dropping the new volumes, he struggled for words. "Cora... You look... Um... That's a very nice color," he stuttered.

"Happy Valentine's Day, Robert," Cora slowly walked over to him so he could admire the lacy red gown even more.

"Happy Valentine's Day to you, indeed!" Robert stood up and leaned in for a kiss. "Is this also for the occasion?"

"Yes, my darling," Cora led him over to the bed and started to undress him as he kissed her hungrily and ran his hands down her back where the lace made way for bare skin.

As they lay on the bed with its sheets rumpled and clothes strewn around the room, Robert sighed with happiness as he held Cora in his arms. "It's unusual, I know, among people of our station, but would you very much mind if I slept in here with you?"

"Tonight?" Cora brushed a loose strand of hair from her eyes as she turned to look at Robert.

"Yes, but I meant every night following as well," he said.

"I would love nothing more."

"Are you sure?" His tone belied the shock he was feeling at her response.

"More sure than I've ever been about anything in my life." She laid her head down on his chest, eyes away from his.

"I'm so very glad to hear that, Cora, because I love you. I don't want to be away from you a single night of my life."

Cora's heart soared. He had said those words she had longed to hear since their wedding day! "Me either, Robert. I never want to be anywhere apart from your arms."

"I'd been wanting to ask," Robert confided.

"I'm glad you did," she gave him a shy smile. "I love you, too. Happy Valentine's Day to the most wonderful man I could have married."

"I have won the heart of the sweetest girl on either side of the Atlantic," he declared. "To infinite Valentine's Days, red lace and winter nights."

The End