"That was a long time ago, I have seen you smile like this." Adeline said, while taking a sip of her tea.

Cora had invited her to come over after dinner. She had worked all day on 'Le Grantham's designs and she finished them. Tomorrow she would call Robert to tell him. Today he was busy with his sister's wedding. She was thinking of Robert just before Adeline made that remark.

"I am just relieved Anthony is out of my life." She answered.

Adeline chuckled. "I have known you long enough now, dear Cora. There is something else."

Cora coloured. Should she tell Adeline, and what was there to tell? She kissed Robert, briefly. But she didn't know if he liked it or wanted it. She herself wasn't sure what happened. She had looked up in his blue eyes and drowned in them. She felt the urge to kiss him and she had done it. She still could taste him, he had a mixture of spices on his lips.

"Cora?" Adeline touched her arm. "Where are you with your thoughts?"

"I am sorry. I will tell you, but keep it with you please."

"Now you make me anxious. What happened?"

"I think you remember Robert?" Cora started.

"That chef from 'Le Grantham'? He was with you on the night of Anthony's last attack?"

"That's him. And he wasn't with me, he happened to be in the right place at the right time."

"That doesn't matter, what about him?"

"Last night we kissed." Cora saw Adeline's eyebrows raise. "Just briefly and without any meaning." She said quickly.

"You can't sell me that." Adeline laughed. "There is more. Tell me…..!"

"There isn't more. I was helping him in his kitchen and then I kissed him and left."

"You didn't." Adeline took Cora's hand. "Why did you leave?"

"I was embarrassed, what if he has a girlfriend, or doesn't like me. And at the same time it scared me. The moment our lips touched, I thought of Anthony."

"Oh Cora, open your eyes. That man is clearly interested. Why were you helping in the kitchen by the way?"

"I was there to show him the final designs and he was busy with the preparations for his sister's wedding. So I ended up in his kitchen."

"And you try to tell me, he isn't interested. Oh my dear. When do you see him again?"

"I don't know. We have to make an appointment to end the work I have done for him."

"I know, it is maybe too early after Anthony, but don't let him go." Adeline said. She finished her tea. "I have to leave, I will see you this weekend."

"Thank you for this wonderful dinner." Rosamund kissed Robert's cheek.

"Everything for my little sister." He smiled. He looked at her, like he did 100 times before this day. Rosamund was wearing a slim fitted, Bardot neck dress. With an off-shoulder design, the skirt wrapped around her and had a high split up her leg.

"Ros." Marmaduke stepped closer. "I have a surprise for you."

Rosamund raised her eyebrows and Robert smiled. He turned towards John. "It is time." He said.

"What is happening?" Rosamund asked. "Marmaduke?"

He took Rosamund's hand and guided her towards a curtain. Rosamund had thought that was hanging there to make the dining area smaller, because they had a small company. But now it was brought down and revealed a dance floor. At the back there was a band waiting. Robert signed they could start.

"Oh Marmaduke. Thank you. I love you so much." She kissed him and they disappeared on the dance floor.

He saw John and Anna dancing and his mother with his father. He was happy to see his father on the dance floor. His health has been poor lately, but today he had enough energy.

The couples switched, Violet was now dancing with Marmaduke and Rosamund with Patrick, their father.

After some time, Violet stepped towards Robert. "If you hadn't broken up with Judith, you could be dancing right now."

"Mama, Judith broke up with me. And this isn't the day to discuss my love life. Come we will dance." He took his mother's hands and guided her onto the dance floor. He got a meaningful look from Rosamund and when it was time to switch, she demanded to have a dance with him.

"Robert, you have been absent the whole day."

"I was just worried, if everything would go according to plan." He lied.

"You don't fool me." Rosamund looked up at him. Robert was tall and people always needed to look up at him. "There is something on your mind."

"Last evening Cora paid me a visit."

"Nothing bad, I hope?" Rosamund interrupted.

"On the contrary." Robert started and he couldn't hide the smile on his face

"Are you falling in love?"

Robert sighed. "I am afraid it has already happened, but I am not sure if she wants it. Last night she kissed me."

Rosamund's grip on his shoulder got a little bit tighter.

"But it was very brief and she immediately left afterwards."

"Oh." Rosamund's smile disappeared. "Did you have contact afterwards?"

"How could we? I was extremely busy with your wedding today."

"What time is it?" Rosamund asked.

Robert looked at his watch. "Almost 21.00 o'clock, why?"

Rosamund notched him off the dance floor. "Go and give her a call. Don't wait on her, take a step."

"What if she regrets that kiss? I don't want to force her, or push in. Not after what she had to endure."

"Robert, you can be so hard headed sometimes. Trust your little sister and give her a call. She initiated the kiss, that must tell you something."

Robert kissed Rosamund's cheek. "Thank you." He turned back towards the dance floor and saw Marmaduke looking at them. He guided Rosamund towards him. "Take care of my dear sister. She is your responsibility now." He said with a smile.

Rosamund gave him an annoyed look, but smiled again when she looked up at Marmaduke. Robert was glad to see her this happy. Marmaduke was a wonderful man, and he would take good care of Rosamund.

He disappeared in the kitchen and dialled Cora's number. His fingers shaking, how was she going to respond? Would she even pick up? He also felt he was breaking some rules. She only gave her number for work purposes. His train of thoughts was interrupted when he heard her voice on the other side of the line.