CHAPTER 5: SISTERHOOD

Mandy finally calmed her son down enough to lay him in his bed once more. She returned to room to find Robert sitting in a chair. He met her gaze. Her eyes were full of disapproval.

"Mandy she walked in on us."

"Yes and…" She asked.

"She could have knocked."

"She wanted to see you. She has not seen you in years. How was she to know that you were seducing your wife."

"She could have knocked. She called you a whore. And I wasn't seducing you." He said sitting down.

She rested her hands on her hips and looked down at him. "Were you not?" She watched him. "Robert I would have the same."

"You would have knocked." Robert said.

"Not if you had been William. She wanted to surprise you. Robert don't you see. She loves you so much she wanted to surprise you with a hug and you dismissed her."

Robert sighed. His wife was admonishing him softly though he knew by looking at her eyes that her temper was very close to the surface.

"Why are you defending her?" He asked.

"Because unlike you, I understand why she did it."

"But you are my wife you are to stand behind me."

He watched her face darken. Immediately he regretted saying that.

She walked to the window and looked out. "I am not your property Robert. That is one of the reasons I love you so much. You have always allowed me to be my own person." She said quietly, but her words were strained. "I see myself in her."

"I am sorry." He said. He rose and joined her. He wrapped his arms about her in a warm hug. He rested his chin on her shoulder. "You are very wise my love." He whispered. "Wiser than I will ever be." He kissed her cheek lovingly.

"She only wants to be with you like she was when she was younger. She looks up to you Robert. I see it in her eyes. I saw the hurt as you sent her away."

He sighed. "I will go and apologize." He said.

He heard a bell.

"Humm dinner my love." He said. "We get to be a family."

She smirked at how delighted he sounded which was not at all.

A soft knock came and the two maids walked in. "Master Iain has called for you." Erin said

Robert nodded. "We come."

Amanda turned and walked from him. "They are sleeping."

They nodded as the parents walked out and headed for the stairs hand in hand.