Comforting
Robert Crawley, Earl of Grantham, was a proud man. His pride and his ego were all he had some days. He stood tall and he commanded his domain. It was his duty to take care of the estate, of the town, of the house, of his family. He was their lord and protector. If he could not be strong and in control of it all, he knew that he was nothing at all.
In his rational mind, he knew he should not think that way. He had so much to be grateful for. He had a beautiful family that he loved dearly and who loved him. He had Cora, the shining light of his world who made each day and each night a blessing.
And it was because of Cora that he did not entirely fall to pieces each time that things went wrong. Because the truth of it was that he had failed so miserably to his duty to be the strong lord of the estate that he knew he was supposed to be. The world kept changing and his luck seemed to be abysmal. And his heart ached in his chest when he had to confess his failings to his wife.
But something happened in those moments when he had to admit his shortcomings to her. When he had to swallow his foolish pride and be honest with his darling wife that he had made mistakes that could cost them their livelihood. It happened each and every time, and yet it always took him by surprise.
Cora comforted him. She took him in her arms and held him tight. She whispered words of love and understanding, giving voice to an optimism and silver lining that he could not see. And she would take his face in her hands, run her thumbs over his cheeks, and kiss him. It was a very different kind of kiss. Soft and gentle, but strong. Her strength would give him back the strength he had lost, each and every time. Her lush lips pressed against his in a manner that did not bring passion—though sometimes such passions found their way between them—but instead seemed to whisper the same meaning of Cora's words. We'll be alright. We have each other. I love you. I will never let you fall. We will find our way together.
Robert hated falling short of what he knew he should be. Hated the persistent wounding of his pride. But Cora's beautiful comfort always put him to rights again.
