A/N: I'm sorry it has taken me forever to update, and equally sorry that this update is very short. I just wanted to post something to be able to say that I have not forgotten this story and I do intend to finish it even though I've been too busy lately to write much. All the reviews are very much appreciated! :)


Robert wasn't sure how much time had passed since he had escaped the ghastly dinner. His dressing room had been dark when he had entered it, lit only by the now dimming glow of the fireplace, and nothing had disturbed its silence since. A bottle of whisky as his only company, Robert had spent his evening wallowing in self-pity, unable to shake the images conjured up by his over productive mind – images that mainly consisted of his wife and Mr. Douglas in various compromising positions, laughing together about her lucky escape from a useless husband.

It was during one such nightmare-like vision when suddenly a soft knock on the door aroused Robert from his stupor. For a moment he felt disoriented.

"Come in," he finally managed to speak up when the knock was heard again, a little more demanding this time. As he spoke, Robert made an effort to sit up straight in a vain attempt to appear more put together than he felt, but the dizzying effects of the alcohol he had consumed made it somewhat difficult. The only thought that occurred to him was that it might be knocking on the door, and there was enough dignity left in him to want to carry himself well in front of a servant. He had not called for his valet, but if the party was breaking up, perhaps Bates had come to check on him regardless.

The concern turned out to be unnecessary.

The door creaked open and before Robert's eyes stood his wife, cutting a striking silhouette between the well-lit corridor and the darkness of the dressing room.

Robert blinked, his eyes not used to the light.

"You didn't leave?" he squeaked in a voice that he barely recognized as his own. It was the sight of her now that made Robert realize a part of him had actually feared she would run away into the night with Mr. Douglas.

"Leave?" Cora stepped forward, closing the door behind her. It seemed whatever she had intended to say earlier was forgotten as she took in the state of her husband.

"Where would I have gone?" she asked softly, crossing the room as she spoke and removing the bottle of whisky from Robert's grip before he could react. Wordlessly she walked over to the fireplace and set the bottle down on the mantelpiece.

"I thought maybe you'd run off with him," Robert muttered grumpily, his only comfort taken away. "You two were having so much fun."

"Is that what this is all about?" Cora asked, her brows furrowing. "The drinking, the rude remarks, and the sudden disappearance? All because of Walter…because of Mr. Douglas?"

"Walter?" Robert snapped. His head shot up at the slip Cora had made. "He's Walter to you now?"

Cora sighed, perching down on the edge of Robert's bed, opposite his seat.

"Robert, I have known him my entire life," she explained calmly. "He was Walter to me long before we grew too old to be addressing each other that way anymore. It's always been hard for me to think of him as anything but Walter."

Robert swallowed. He felt his heart constrict in his chest as his mind was suddenly filled with un-beckoned images of young Cora and Walter exchanging vows of undying devotion before her departure to England.

"I understand," he said quietly, looking down at his now empty hands, wishing he still had the bottle.

"Robert?" Cora stood up, walked over to the chair Robert was occupying and crouched down in front of him. "How much have you had to drink?" She glanced at the bottle she had recently confiscated. It was half empty. "I'm not sure that you do understand. You're not yourself."

"How could I be when my wife is in love with another man?" he wanted to exclaim but instead he only shrugged, his eyes focusing with some difficulty on the concerned face of his wife.

"You should get some sleep," Cora said softly, brushing a hand against Robert's forehead. "We can continue this tomorrow."

Before she could get up, Robert reached out his hand to grab hers, stopping her from leaving as a sudden desperation took over him.

"Please, Cora," he said, fully aware of how pathetic he sounded but unable to stop himself. "Please don't leave me."

His action was only meant to stop Cora from retiring to her room, but as he spoke, Robert knew the words had a deeper meaning to him. He was begging her not to leave him in every sense of those words, and at that moment he wished he had drunk less as he feared Cora would not take anything he said seriously. She certainly did not seem to think it worthwhile to have a discussion with him right now.

"I'm only going to ring for Bates," she replied gently but assertively, clasping his hand between both of hers instead of pulling away. "We need to get you to bed."

"Which bed?" Robert couldn't help asking.

Cora looked puzzled, as if the question of where he should sleep had never even occurred to her.

"Whichever you want, of course," she replied with some confusion. "Did you want to sleep here?"

"No," Robert exclaimed quickly. "I just thought you would want me to sleep here."

"Not unless you do," Cora replied, making to leave again, but Robert kept his hold of her hand.

"Robert, what is it?" Her tone was not harsh but there was a hint of exasperation in her voice. The hour was late and Robert realized, even in his hazy state of mind, that she would probably rather be preparing for her bed by now and he couldn't possibly be endearing himself to her with his current behaviour.

"Nothing," he replied, letting go of her hand.


A/N: I knoow. Poor Robert. :( I promise things will get better! Or will they? *evil author grin*