Chapter Two
AN: the characters do not belong to me.
After the ice skating, Cora looked at Robert in a new way. Being together in the intimate sense had been wonderful, but her doubts returned as the daylight dawned the next morning. She was still alone in bed, as Robert had felt the perfunctory need to return to his own dressing room as soon as the fun was over, leaving her once more by herself. She knew from this strange contradiction that making love did not necessarily mean being in love. The fact that he understood her loneliness and wanted to make it better did soothe her heart and warm her emotions toward him.
Why did this disturb her so? It couldn't be that she loved her new husband, could it? Surely not with such a marriage that was a business arrangement!
Cora wished she had a sister or even a friend with whom she could talk about the things, but she had no sister and her friends were thousands of miles away. She sighed as she climbed out of bed and sat down at her vanity to await the arrival of Harrison, her ladies' maid, with breakfast. All of the worrying made her restless, so she stood up and paced around the room.
Her eyes fell upon the ruby pendant and a faint smile came to her lips despite the other things she'd been thinking. It was a lovely gift, and the way Robert's hands had felt as he fastened it had been nice. No, more than nice. Exciting, a little enlivening. Was it mere physical attraction? Or was it the beginning of more?
Her thoughts were interrupted by a soft knock at the door. Cora was puzzled because Harrison always announced herself.
"Cora? It's Robert. May I come in, please?"
She opened the door and there stood Robert, dressed for the day and looking as sharp as ever. Cora blushed as she realized she was still in her robe, having not rung for Harrison yet.
"You look beautiful," Robert said, as if able to read her thoughts. "Don't be bashful. How did you sleep last night?"
"Quite well," she answered, a coy smile playing upon her lips. "Ice skating, as well as other things, can really be exhausting!"
"That's why I am here, to ask if you would like to take me out skating again today. Mama is getting ready for the Christmas party and I'm afraid I'd just be underfoot," he explained. "But maybe there are more fun things to do than watch her fight with Papa over the guest list."
"I'm certain there are," Cora said, trying to keep her mind off some of the more fun parts of the previous night. "So, skating? I'd love to, what about after luncheon?"
"That would be marvelous!" His eyes lingered on hers for a longer time than they ever had before. "Well, I'll leave you to your morning preparations, Cora. Thank you."
Cora felt happy and light as she rang for Harrison, who noticed the change in her lady's demeanor.
"Don't mind my saying so, but you seem happier this morning and it's a welcome sight!" Harrison exclaimed.
"Oh, Harrison, Robert is beginning to care for me," Cora said. "At least I think he is." She recounted the fun they'd had on the ice, sparing the details of what happened after, but included his skating invitation for later that day. "And I think I, beginning to view him as more than a business arrangement," Cora confided.
"That's great, milady!" Harrison was thoroughly pleased. "I think he does love you," she said softly.
"Is it wrong to hope he does? Because I think I might feel something like that for him. I'm not sure. I've never really been in love before. I had beaux in America, but we were never too serious because my mother had been planning to bring me here for quite some time. I'm certain if there had been any real prospects for me in Cincinnati, she would have made sure they never approached a marriage proposal."
Harrison nodded, listening politely.
"But the most amazing thing of all," Cora continued softly, "is that when I met Robert, I believed at last in love at first sight. His gentle ways, even his shyness is adorable. But I don't know if he'll ever look at me without seeing a means to an end."
"Give him time, milady," Harrison advised. "All will be well in the end. I truly believe he loves you, and love will win out."
"I do hope so, Harrison." Cora sighed as she stared at her reflection. Could he be falling in love with her?
