When the maids, Thomas – even his daughters – stared at their exotic guest, Robert didn't blink an eye. Robert supposed he was handsome, this Mr. Pamuk, and he appeared to have nice enough manners.

But when Cora's eyes sparkled in a very particular way as she greeted the Turkish diplomat, Robert tensed. She was charming to him – then again, she was always charming. But her eyes didn't generally sparkle that way around other guests. They hadn't for Mr. Napier – or even the Duke of Crowborough.

Robert believed he kept his breathless incredulity hidden well enough as he watched Mr. Pamuk bend over his wife's hand and kiss it, his dark eyes flitting to hers with an attractive smile. He allowed himself to raise his eyebrows, when what he really wanted to do was step between the two, shielding Cora from this foreign Casanova.

After Mary, Mr. Napier, and Mr. Pamuk had departed to have their baths, Robert went upstairs to his dressing room and sat in one of the chairs, trying to shake the image of Cora's face at the moment the Turk had kissed her hand out of his mind. Elbows on his knees, he placed his head in his hands and pressed the heels of his palms into his eyes. He knew there was no reason to be jealous, but he was – unaccountably, undeniably jealous.

When had been the last time Cora had looked at him with the same glint in her eyes? Again, he recognized that he was being silly. She gave him that look all the time. They were still – after two and a half decades – so completely in love.

Still, it bothered him.

He lifted his head a while later, at a knock on the dividing door. "Yes?"

"Darling, can I come in?"

Taking a deep breath, Robert called out, "Of course, Cora."

Stepping in and closing the door behind her, Cora leaned back against it. "Are you alright, Robert?" she asked, a cautiousness in her voice. His shoulders slumped forward and his elbows rested upon his knees. Underneath his eyes were purple shadows that hadn't been there earlier.

He nodded. "Yes, my dear. I'm fine." His attempt at a smile didn't fool his wife.

"No, you're not. Robert, I've known you far too long for you to try to hide when you're upset from me." She crossed over to him and met his eyes, touching his cheek gently.

Then he lowered his eyes, shrugging. "No, it's nothing," he mumbled.

"'Nothing' wouldn't happen to have dark eyes and a brooding face and an excellent command of English for someone who wasn't born to the language, would it?" she inquired softly.

Her voice both caressed and teased. He remained silent, bringing his clasped hands to his lips and closing his eyes, suppressing a sigh. He felt too silly to admit it.

Cora moved her hand to brush her fingers through his hair. "I saw your face as he was walking away, darling." Her tone was serious now, lower.

Robert lifted his eyes to hers, unable to deny it. "You seemed quite taken with him."

The statement hung there between them. He hadn't said it in a cruel manner, merely as a bare fact. Cora stood there, waiting.

"He is quite attractive, Cora." Robert sighed and bent his head down, putting his arms along the arms of the chair. "He has great appeal – the youth and exotic dark looks. The dazzling smile, I suppose. And, I'm sure we'll see at dinner, incredible wit and perfect manners."

Before she knew what she was doing, she'd sat herself in his lap, her arms encircling his neck. "Robert? Look at me, please."

He raised his head again, meeting her eyes, unmoving otherwise.

"Yes. You're right. He's attractive and charming. But you have something that he'll never have."

Her cornflower blue eyes sparkled at him bewitchingly. "What's that?" he whispered.

"Me."

Robert wrapped his arms around her waist finally, his face brightening considerably. "I'm happy to know that, my dearest one."

Drawing her closer, he kissed her, all thoughts of their Turkish guest soon chased away by far more important – and pleasant – things.


A/N: So someone gave me a prompt a LONGGGGG time ago on tumblr to do Robert's reaction to Cora greeting Pamuk, but I cannot remember who or exactly when. But, thanks to whomever it was because it chased away a very bad mood for me to write this. ^_^