"Kissing knuckles"

Chapter 15

A/N: I am finally back at this story and we are now also back at the main timeline. I am grateful for everyone who is still with me on this! Please review!

It was Tuesday. This meant Mama's arrival was impending. Robert was steeling himself for this encounter since he had awoken this morning. It was probably good that Mama came by, he told himself. He couldn't deny, though, that her presence was always so absorbing, demanding all his patience and energy. But however that was, she was coming and Robert wouldn't spoil her stay. It could also pose a welcome distraction. He dearly hoped it would work this way.

A glance at his watch told him that Mama was already in town. At this moment, she was probably shown around at Rosamund's gallery. Robert knew that his sister was making a great effort for their mother. He still remembered the time their parents went to see Rosamund gallery for the first time. Ros was all nerves, and Robert was with her the night before they came. He listened to her chattering about every little detail she had planned to convince Papa and Mama that her own business wasn't doomed to fail. Robert had rarely seen her like this. So eager and desperate for approval. Doing things her own way had always been Rosamund's way to go. But every now and then, the effects of their parents' traditional upbringing surfaced and Ros somehow needed their approval badly. Because in essence, she cared about their blessing. And even though Robert hadn't been there every time Mama had visited the gallery, he knew that Rosamund still used to make quite the upheaval about it. Her cocky statements like 'Mama isn't the one who has to agree with my art' or 'If she thinks it too extravagant then I know I'm doing things right' couldn't fool Robert that this wasn't the whole truth. Partly perhaps. But Robert knew that there was more to it.

So, he hoped that Mama showed at least the slightest favour and gratitude.

Robert was coming home early from work today to make sure everything was all clean and tidy. He wanted to offer as little target as possible. When the doorbell, finally rang to announce his mother he was rather content with the results.

"Well, hello Robert," Mama greeted. She breathed a quick kiss on his cheek before she stepped into the house.

"Hello, Mama." He made an inviting gesture with his arm. "Make yourself at home."

Mama didn't bother with taking off her coat and threw quick glances into every room while staying standing in the hallway. Robert thought she nearly nodded but she didn't allow herself a reaction. Her pursed lips stayed close. No praise but no criticism either.

"Rosamund will be here soon too," Mama mentioned. "Depending on when you've made the reservations for us, we can make our way to the restaurant."

Robert already felt his attention drifting off and his thoughts circling around the old familiar subject of his sorrow. Mama kept telling him about the plans for the remaining day, and when she went over to stories from home, Robert really wanted to listen. He wanted to hear how things were at Downton. He wanted to know how Papa was doing. But the only thing he could focus on was how odd and empty the days without Cora felt.

When Rosamund came over, he hoped that maybe her unmissable presence would repress some of the emptiness. But their way to the restaurant just proved to be another challenge. It already began when Robert started the engine. Mama was occupying the front passenger seat while Rosamund sat on the back seat, leaning forward so that her face was between Mama's and Robert's shoulders. Mama was looking out the window, quiet now after she had ruled over the discussion inside.

"So, Robert, how's work?" Rosamund asked.

"Well, maybe he'll tell you but he had been awfully quiet when I had asked him," Mama interjected.

"Robert?" Now Rosamund's attention was definitely won. Robert felt as if she was mocking him, but her face in the rear-view mirror at least showed a concerned expression.

"Oh, there is just nothing much to tell," he said.

"How's Cora doing?" Rosamund inquired. "She enjoyed the exhibition," she added with a glance at Mama. Mama nodded as if understanding that Cora of course enjoyed Rosamund's extravagant art. Robert though felt his stomach instantly constricting into suffocating knots.

"Cora?" He heard the name rolling from his tongue, too paralysed to react any different. "Oh, I don't know."

"You don't know?" Rosamund was now visibly confused. "Come on, Robert! If there is anything you can always talk about and tell me something of it's how your best friend is doing or what she is up to. What's the matter with you guys?"

Mama only followed the discussion between her children with distant curiosity.

"Nothing. What should be the matter?" Ros's nosy demeanour irked Robert. She was never this interested in Cora and their friendship. She better stopped her inquiries or he would snap.

"Are you guys alright?" she asked.

"Yeah. It's just that we aren't this close anymore."

"Oh?"

"Everyone is just doing their own stuff, I guess. But that's alright. There are more important things right now, I guess," he said and shrugged his shoulders. He didn't quite know where the words spilling from his lips came from but they cut into his own core treacherously.

"Well, that's some news!" Rosamund said. Her brows arched high on her forehead. "As long as you don't break with her completely. She's so nice. I always liked her. And I thought she was quite a good influence for you."

"I don't know if I would go this far," Mama now cut in. Both, Rosamund and Robert, turned to her in slight surprise. "I don't see what she did to get anything more out of you than your father and I didn't achieve with good breeding." She pursed her lips and deliberately broke the eye contact with Robert, looking lazily and a trifle complacently out the window. Robert looked back onto the street in front of him, his jaw set tensely.

"Well, that's just because you're not around to see the effect she has on him," Rosamund said decidedly.

"Now, that's enough," Robert nearly barked. "I don't want my state to be the centre of discussion anymore."

Everyone in the car was quiet for a moment. The air was thick and no one knew how to proceed. After some minutes, Rosamund tried starting a new conversation.

"Have you heard that Susan is pregnant?" she said while inspecting her long and deep purple nails.

"What?" It was Mama who brought out her reaction first. "That's not true. I would have known that."

"Well, I'm sorry you weren't the one to find out first but I know for a fact that it's true," Rosamund said. "She confided in Jenny, and Jenny told me because she is a tattletale just as much as Susan herself. And they call each other best friends." Rosamund shook her head and clicked her tongue.

"But how?" Robert asked incredulously. "I mean, who for God's sake is the father?"

Mama chuckled quietly. It seemed she agreed with Robert.

"You won't believe it, Robert, but it's the same guy she brought to Downton last summer. I don't know how he bore up at her side this long," Rosamund answered.

"You mean Shrimpie?" he inquired.

"Yes."

"Poor lad! That wasn't a smart move. I wonder if he realises what this commitment to Susan means for his life," Robert said.

"Now, hold your horses, you two!" Mama said firmly. She shot stern looks at her children. "Just because you aren't ready for commitment – and I really wonder what your father and I have done wrong – doesn't mean you're allowed to condemn it in everyone else."

"How can you say I am not committing?!" Rosamund uttered in shock. "Marmaduke and I have been together for nearly six years now!"

"Rosamund, a dalliance for a good five years is not commitment. No wedding, no children. If that doesn't scream commitment issues, I don't know what does," Mama said. Her blow let Robert hold his breath. He wondered how Ros would react to this. Looking through the rear mirror, he couldn't spot any reaction at all at first.

Then she said quietly, "I think this tells more about your own problems and your stuck-up views." She never blinked as she directed her eyes out the window. "And I do not believe you that you don't have the least bit of pity for Shrimpie," she added.

The rest of the ride was silent. When they arrived at the restaurant, Robert dropped them off, still having to find a parking space in the crowded street.

"I will be there any minute," he said when Mama exited the car. "You can go inside already. It's the restaurant over there." He pointed down the street.

"Alright, Robert. But don't let us wait for too long. And bring some better mood with you," she said with raised eyebrows.

"Of course." He sighed when Mama closed the door. Nothing could be easier.