Chapter Twenty
"Your ladyship, it's time to feed the baby."
Robert nearly swore aloud when he heard the voice of the nurse in their room. He felt as though he had only just fallen asleep and then it was time to feed the little creature again. Rolling on his side to face Cora, who had apparently not been woken by the nurse's words, he reached out and shook her shoulder, a little rougher than he intended. But it was late and he was exhausted. He couldn't control his movements anymore.
"Cora, wake up," he muttered next to her ear. Immediately, Cora sat straight up, realizing Mary needed her.
"Thank you, Nurse Lewis," Cora said in a surprisingly alert voice, taking the fussing baby from the lady's arms after quickly unbuttoning the top of her nightgown.
"I'll be back in a few minutes," the nurse said with a nod. Being in the same room with a cranky and tired Lord Grantham was not an ideal situation. She wished they'd sleep apart until the child was weened.
As soon as she was gone, Robert moaned loudly into the pillow. "Bloody hell, what time is it?" he asked crossly.
"I warned you," Cora said with a chuckle, her fingers stroking the top of Mary's head. She was nearly four months old and her hair was starting to curl into lovely little ringlets. "It seems to be about quarter to five."
"Good God in heaven!"
"Hush, darling, don't startle Mary. You know how she gets," she reminded him gently.
He sat up, annoyed that he was more awake now. "She started it," he complained, climbing out of bed to get a drink of water.
"She's a baby, Robert. It's what they do," she said, slightly perturbed by his anger at their child. "No one said you had to sleep here."
"Please, let's not have a row before the sun is even up," he sighed, placing his empty glass beside the pitcher before returning to the bed and climbing in next to her.
"Well, you started it," she shot back before yawning widely. She had not gotten used to being woken up so much during the night either, but she was glad someone else's sleep was interrupted beside her own, even though she loved every minute she spent with little Mary. Although the baby already had a strong personality and wasn't very fond of cuddling, which often upset Cora. Robert told her that she would come around, but Cora wanted to hold and love their baby all the time.
"I'm sorry," he apologized, noticing Cora's brooding expression. "You know I'm rather cross when my beauty sleep is interrupted. I need it more than you do, my love."
Her face softened at his words. Realizing it was safe now, he leaned over and kissed her cheek before collapsing back on his pillow.
"What time do you have to be up?" she asked.
"I'm supposed to be in my dressing room at eight for Royce to get me ready to meet with some of the handymen. Why did we stay up so late?" he asked through a yawn.
"Because you were overenthusiastic this time," she reminded him.
"Don't talk about it in front of the baby," he said in an appalled voice.
"She doesn't understand what we're talking about," Cora said, trying not to laugh and jar the dozing infant awake.
"I really have missed you, my darling," he said in a sleepy voice.
She smiled, brushing her fingers through his hair. "I've missed you, too."
"But tonight, let's not stay up so late. Mary's just going to wake us up and the nurse might accidentally walk in again."
Cora blushed, remembering how Nurse Lewis had walked in around one in the morning a few nights ago. Apparently she had knocked.
"Perhaps we'll need a new nurse," she replied, her cheeks bright pink.
"And deprive a woman of her livelihood? Let her hand in her notice first!" Robert said, shaking his fist above his head, his face still pressed into the pillowcase.
Cora laughed for a moment, before she realized Mary had finished eating and was fast asleep.
"Quiet, darling, Mary's asleep now," she whispered, kissing her daughter's forehead. Beside her, she heard the sound of Robert's steady breathing. She turned her head and looked at him, which confirmed her guess that he had fallen asleep as well. Smiling, she settled against the headboard, waiting patiently for the nurse to return for Mary. She wished this moment would last forever.
"Was Robert correct in telling me your mother and father are coming over next week?" Violet asked as she took the tea cup from Cora.
It was after three-thirty and Cora wanted to rest, but Violet had invited herself to tea due to the fact that Cora had not been able to join her at the Dower house for tea since months before Mary was born. Cora hadn't gotten much sleep after Robert had left at eight that morning, plus Mary had to be fed soon after that.
"They are," Cora told her, pouring herself a cup and trying not to sound too tired. She knew Violet would be offended.
"Will your brother be joining them?" she asked, stirring a lump of sugar into the tea.
"Unfortunately not," Cora replied, taking more sugar than usual for herself. She hoped it would help her stay awake. "He's quite busy with work and preparing for his marriage."
"Yes, Robert said he was engaged to that girl, Miss Walters. She was rather a quiet girl, if I remember correctly." Violet looked disapproving, as though Lissy's introversion was odious to her.
"She's a very dear friend," was all Cora could think to say without sounding rude, although she knew her tone was rather biting. "Robert tells me some other family members will be attending the small party."
"Yes, I felt it was important to introduce Mary to the rest of her family—even if she's too young to remember it."
"Who all is coming?"
"Robert's first cousin, James, and his wife, Jane—they have a little boy who is about five, I believe, Patrick. Robert and James were always very close growing up, although James is a little too sarcastic at times for my taste."
Cora raised her eyebrows but did not speak. Heavens, who'd have thought you would be offended by sarcasm? You have so much of your own.
"Both of James' parents have passed, rather a mercy since his mother was a most detestable woman. Rosamund, of course, will come, along with Mr. Painswick—no doubt to ask if he may finally marry her."
"My, he's certainly taken his time, hasn't he?" Cora asked.
"Rosamund will say his wait was so he was sure he could provide for her, but I was beginning to wonder why he was dragging his feet."
"He always seems so fond of Rosamund whenever I see them together," she offered. Cora liked Mr. Painswick, whatever Violet thought about him and his family's fortune. She knew enough to realize that Marmaduke loved Rosamund dearly. Cora had a feeling it was Rosamund who was dragging her feet, not the other way around.
"Surely he can't be after her money, for he has more of it, even if it's not quite so old as ours."
Cora held her tongue as Violet mused aloud. She wagered the current Crawley money was about the same age as the Painswick's, since it had been Cora's fortune.
"He can't be after her position, for he won't change status, whomever he marries."
Cora fought the urge to roll her eyes. She didn't need to be scolded by Violet.
"So, how is motherhood so far?" Violet asked, feeling as though she'd exhausted the subject of Rosamund.
"It's been quite lovely," Cora said. "Although I'm sure I could do with a bit more sleep. Were either Robert or Rosamund a handful?"
"Robert was always a happy baby. He rarely cried and loved to be held. But Rosamund was, well, rather distant, much as she is now, I suppose. Not that she cried more than Robert, but she was terribly independent."
"Mary seems to have rather an independent streak as well. I hope it doesn't mean she'll be difficult to handle when she's older," Cora said, finishing her tea.
"I wouldn't worry too much about it dear," Violet advised. Cora nodded as Violet finished her own cup.
"More tea?" Cora asked, praying she'd decline.
"I'm afraid not," she replied. "I have some things to take care of before Lady Ruthers dines with me this evening. I'll be over tomorrow for tea and to help you prepare for the party."
"Oh, how kind. But I'm sure that won't be necessary—Mrs. Brooks and I have it under control. And I wouldn't want to waste any of your time, Mama," Cora said.
Violet looked cross, but replied, "Very well. I really must be going." She got to her feet.
"Of course," Cora told her, standing as well. "I'll give Mary and Robert your love."
The Dowager Countess nodded curtly as Carson entered.
"Carson, I was just leaving," Violet said in a terse voice.
"Very good, my lady," he said, following her from the room. Cora noticed he had raised his eyebrows slightly.
Chuckling to herself, Cora headed up to her room to lie down until Robert returned from the village. She knew Mary would be hungry again soon.