With her arms curled tightly around her middle, she looked so small. Cora was dressed for the day, hat and all, but had wrapped a shawl around her shoulders, forfeiting a proper coat. The sun had risen, but only just, casting a hazy light over the pond and its bank on which she stood. No early spring frost had occurred the night before. Instead, a dull mist hung low on the water. It appeared to have seeped onto the surrounding grass and was clinging to her skirt in tendrils of vapor.
Robert couldn't help but recall the Grecian figures he studied in school as he crossed the clearing. Magnificent statues that were perfectly carved from the strongest of stone but still managed to exude delicacy. Two of Cora's most prominent qualities that would make her transition into the role of Countess, when the time came, all the smoother.
"You've found me then." Her tone was constricted. No doubt she had heard his feet crunching the earth as he approached.
"I thought you might be out here. Your maid said you've had bad news." He waited for a response, close to her now. He watched her breath as she sighed into the chill air.
"My grandmother's died."
Cora faced away from Robert and though he was unable to see her face, he knew there was a slim chance she had not been crying moments ago. Still, her voice was calm and matter-of-fact. His heart broke at the thought of her shedding tears out here alone, possibly gasping for breath as sadness and grief washed over her. Had she been so overcome? Or was it numbness rather than sorrow.
"Oh, Cora, I'm so sorry. Were you close to her?" It was a simple yes or no question, leaving the space open for elaboration if she desired.
"Very." She still had her arms folded across her and it occurred to Robert that this position might be a form of self-comfort. As if she'd thought no one else was going to hold her so she must do it herself. All of this was causing Robert to ache in a way that he felt he had no right. He had not known Cora's grandmother, so why was he suddenly mourning a woman he'd never clapped eyes on?
"I had no idea you had any living grandparents." He offered, more as an apology for never inquiring.
"She was the last. My father's mother." At last, Cora turned away from the water's edge.
Robert's conjecture had been correct. Any sign of fallen tears had since dried, but the rims of her eyes were pink and swollen. But they were still blue, so very blue. In contrast to the white hat she had donned, Robert observed how her eyes brilliantly reflected the water.
"Seems we don't know very much about one another. Not really." It was too much to look any longer at his apologetic gaze after she made the comment. Her hands fell to her sides and she focused on the silver surface of the pond once more.
Her look was of a tragic beauty, reminiscent of how Robert imagined Ophelia before she succumbed to her anguish. Suddenly, he recalled the reason he had sought her out in her room not half an hour before. The same reason he had been more distant than usual for the past few weeks as he worked through his unfamiliar emotions.
"No. But I know some."
Her hand was wrapped in his before she knew what was happening. He'd stepped forward and captured her fingers to prevent her from pulling away. Allowing herself to find his eyes again, she was shocked to be met with a smile.
"I know that you are kind and compassionate. And smart. And the most beautiful woman I've ever known."
Could he be serious? Robert had given her compliments before but she'd interpreted them all as perfunctory. Now, in this moment, there was no trace of obligation in the way he had uttered his praise. Her head tilted slightly, enough to make him believe she was responding with pity. Like he was just another suitor asking her for a dance and she had politely declined. As she started to speak, he resolved to try again. It was unfair to her to prolong the inevitable.
"That's sweet, Robert, but I–"
"And I know this," her hand was pulled against his chest. Blue became lost in blue and Robert nearly lost all conscious thought or sense. The intensity was palpable and Cora felt if she broke eye contact she'd shatter. She involuntarily moved closer as his heart beat pounded against her gloveless fingers.
"I know that you love me as much as I love you."
Cora's throat went raw and her tears returned in an instant.
"You–"
"Love you. How could I not." He chuckled at her shock, but felt at fault nonetheless. He was the cause of her tears, good or bad, and he made a silent vow striving to never be their source in future. The mere idea of a future with Cora was enough to make him giddy with joy. A future that had begun at that very moment.
She seemed to have frozen, tears dripping from her lashes. All she could do was squeeze his hand. His laughter continued and he took her into his arms, knowing that he was holding them both upright. Her body pulsed with excitement and Robert felt her teeth against his neck as she grinned broadly. It sent a wave of tingling down his spine at the intimacy of it all.
He felt her hands break their bind around his shoulders and slide to his chest as her face came into view. He had never seen such elation. She was beaming and her glassy eyes were sparkling with a new kind of tear. Tears of pure bliss.
"What's changed? What have I done?" She was grasping for a way to keep this up. Surely she must've done something to alter his feelings so drastically and if that were the case, she had to be sure and continue it.
"You've been yourself. I'm the one who's changed. You see I've never been in love before, I wasn't aware it was coming on until it hit me square in the face." His fingers rose and fell along her arms building the electricity between their bodies. She was struck puzzled at his words, so he carried on.
"I want to be near you always. To protect you from any and all harm. To make you feel happy and cherished. That is love, is it not?"
"Oh I should think so. For that is exactly what I feel." Robert warmed at her declaration. For too long he had felt tortured and, by association, unintentionally tortured her as well. Inch by inch the fog between them was lifted and their lips connected. A final release of inhibitions found Robert snaking his arms back around her waist, pleading for his wife to understand that she need never feel alone again.