Chapter 10
"Robert, darling I love you but I really don't think you need to help me down the stairs." Cora says with a slightly bemused laugh, as she holds his arm. He looks at her with the heart-warming worry that she and Pharaoh have become accustomed to in the weeks since they returned from honeymoon and broke the happy news of her pregnancy to the family.
"There is every need my dearest." Robert replies so faithfully Cora feels as if she could melt under his gaze. "You need to be careful, in your… condition." Robert finishes as if it's a difficult subject he dares not utter, for fear of upsetting some stuffy lord.
"Robert, I'm barely two months along. I hardly think my climbing a few steps will do any harm." Cora volleyed back with the American wit he adored as they continued at the slowest pace to date. She loved him but, he was getting ridiculously overprotective, he insisted on accompanying her on walks, trips into the village even afternoon tea with Rosalie. And if he couldn't be there he sent Mrs Hughes or Rosamund in his place.
"Yes, but what if you were to fall Cora? Or slip on the carpet? I couldn't bear it if you were injured." Robert holds her gaze, letting all of his worries come to the surface as they reach the bottom. " Robert." Cora beams, kissing his lips in a short, reassuring burst before placing her gloved hands on his chest and rubbing up and down tenderly until she sees his smile. "I'm going to be fine my love."
"I know." Robert sighed, enamoured by her beautiful heart. He decides to be playful, spontaneous, taking her by surprise with a long and passionate kiss. It makes her toes curl and emit the most glorious sigh of contentment into his mouth. When they do finally part Cora is wonderfully breathless and as smitten with him as the day they met. "Hmm." Cora hums mischievously. "Do that again."
"Worry about you?" Robert says not grasping the point until Cora pecks his nose lovingly. "Oh I know you'll do that!" She says with gorgeous laughter. "No. Kiss me you wonderful idiot."
Robert pretends to ponder the thought before doing exactly that. "Hmm. You are not the only one who worries darling." Cora says honestly before bringing their hands together on her abdomen. "I worry too. What if the baby doesn't like me? What if I'm not a good mother?" "Oh my Cora." Robert holds her close making her look up at him. "You will be an incredible mother to our child, to our children. He will love you. Just as I do my darling, darling girl." Cora is enthralled by his passion and settles. "I love you Robert and I think she will love her Papa just as much as I do."
They turn and begin to walk to the library, Pharaoh coming at Cora's gentle call happy to be pulled away from his toy in the corner of the foyer.
"Good boy." Cora coos as he nestles his head against her palm, licking her fingers. "You still think the baby is a girl." Robert replies affectionately giving Pharaoh a fuss when he weaves seamlessly between his master and mistress. "It's just a feeling." She says whimsically. "Are you sure you don't mind if it is?"
"Cora, if we were surrounded by girls as wonderful as their mother I would be the happiest man that ever lived."
Cora quirks her brow in curiosity. "But, you would like a boy."
"I won't lie and say I wouldn't love a son to spoil but who knows what the future may bring."
"That's true." Cora sighs. "And who knows? It could be twins."
"Very funny darling." Robert says thinking she's joking as she breaks away to beat him to the library. "I'm not joking Robert." Cora shouts. "My mother has two twin brothers."
Robert lets it sink in, and then another set of worries begin to form in his mind. "Bloody hell." Robert gasps elated before running off to catch her. "Darling, wait for me." Robert chuckles. "Well, little chap, it seems you might have two little ones to protect. Hmm." He ruffles the dog's fur and smiles. "What a marvellous thought."
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