At first, when Robert had returned from Africa, Cora found that his sleeping habits had become greatly disturbed. She had been warned of this, however, particularly by the Dowager Countess almost from the moment he had left to join the war. With her daughters still relatively young, Sybil only four when her father had left for the war and now six, it wasn't uncommon for Cora's sleeping schedule to be periodically interrupted by a girl's bad dream or unrelenting chest cold. Still, she did not feel adequately prepared for the night terrors. She would awake to find him thrashing, sweaty and calling out. It was as though his body had forgotten in sleep that he was home safely. She would try to gently coax him awake, if only long enough to interrupt the images that trapped him in a nightmare, but some nights even being pulled from such dreams seemed to do little for his anxiety.
One night had been particularly traumatic for them both. Robert had come to bed later than usual, and though Cora was nearly asleep herself, she managed to be just far enough removed from deep sleep to press herself up against him when he settled into the sheets beside her. She felt his body begin to relax against her touch and she had fallen asleep hoping that the night would be a peaceful one for them both.
She woke - unsure of how much time had elapsed, but it couldn't have been long after he'd fallen asleep - to the feeling of his body jerking next to her - and fully startled awake when she felt him swiftly kick her in the stomach.
She cried out - more surprised than hurt. She propped herself up on her elbow and furrowed her brow, squinting at Robert in the dark. In the shade of moonlight she could just make out his contorted face, glistening with sweat. She brought her hand to his forehead and gently soothed his hair, hoping that she could lull him out of his nightmare.
"My darling, Robert, wake up. It's only a dream." she said, her voice low. Robert struggled to wake, as though he were constantly being pulled back into the darkness. Cora lowered herself back beneath the covers and wrapped her arms around him tightly, pressing her small frame to his.
"Oh, my darling." she said, pressing her face into his neck. After a few moments, he calmed, and she felt him sigh against her- as though the demons had left his body, his spirit lightened.
"Cora . . .?" he croaked, his voice shaking.
"Yes, I'm here my darling. You're safe. You're home." she said, pressing her lips to his neck and pulling him closer. She felt Robert relax into her body and then, as though the exhaustion had completely overcome him at last, he began to softly cry. She felt her own face dampen with tears and after a few moments, they both sunk down into wasted and whimpering slumber.