The gaiety of the Paris nightlife was enough to drag even the dourest man out of his mood. Watching the city lights past, hearing the music and the laughter, managed to break through Robert's self-imposed doldrums. With Cora's pleased smile from earlier still in his thoughts, Robert made a concerted effort to make her evening pleasant. Feeling sorry for his poor choices was one thing, but weighing down Cora's ebullient mood was uncalled for. He would brood on his stupidity later, but he would attempt to make the evening enjoyable for the young woman.
Robert was pleased to note that Cora garnered much attention as they strode through the restaurant to their table. Many heads turned to take her in, and a small twinge of jealousy was replaced with a thrill of pride as Robert acknowledged the admiring glances. Cora's hand rested gently in the crook of his elbow and he felt a squeeze. He glanced sideways and was rewarded with her shy smile and a becoming flush in her cheeks. She, too, had noticed her admirers.
"You are truly lovely tonight, Cora." Robert murmured as helped her to sit. She pinked even more at the compliment before fingering the pearls around her throat. She grinned, fluttered her lashes, and shifted in her seat. And Robert felt himself falling head-first into her happiness.
Over the course of the evening they partook of the best champagne and after the first glass, Cora was giggling and blushing constantly. Boldly she brushed her fingers against Robert's as they both reached for bread and her expression was coy when she caught him looking.
She laughed at his aversion to escargot and he let loose a guffaw when she bit into her first one and her face screwed up in disgust. Throughout the meal the champagne flowed and the conversation, which to that point in their short married life had been proper and stilted, began to ease into a comfortable new rhythm.
The muscles, corded by anxiety and guilt, loosened in Robert's shoulders and the scowl between his brows smoothed. He was rewarded for his warm manner and silly stories with the genuine amusement of his companion. He was also rewarded by her wit, and her ability to converse, which kept him equally engaged.
The food was rich and decadent and Robert was amazed by how much his little wife could consume in one sitting. At one point it looked as though she might be abashed by her enthusiasm but, with a shrug, she dug back into the brulee in front of her. It was this zest and zeal that had drawn him to her, and he once again found himself charmed by her.
After dinner they decided they would walk a little bit, to help their rich meal go down. He guided her with a gentle hand on her elbow out the wide double doors and into the chilly night. It was late, nearing midnight, but the streets were still well-populated with couples and groups strolling and riding along. They turned onto the Av De New York; Robert noted it with some humor. The Seine was inky black before them, dotted as it was with the reflection of the Paris skyline in its ebony water. They meandered along the bank and Robert tried to remember what he could of French history from his time in University. Only 7 years ago the Tulieres palace had been demolished, something that Robert was sorry for, but he remarked that they might visit the Gardens that week, as they were still a sight to behold.
"Tomorrow is Valentine's Day," Robert commented after he ran out of what little knowledge of the French he could recall. "What desires can I fulfill for you?"
Obviously the champagne, coupled with the scotch, had gone to Robert's head. He was grinning playfully and walking lopsidedly, his hip colliding often with that of Cora's.
"Oh, Robert." His name still sounded foreign on her lips, but in a wonderfully exotic way. He felt he would never tire of hearing her say it. "I think I have everything I could ever want."
Robert beamed. Had he been more sober, he would have realized her incredibly low expectations. But as it was, he was puffed up with pride that he was more than enough gift for his lovely new wife.
When he stumbled for the third time Cora suggested they find a carriage back to the hotel and Robert, remembering the gift tucked away in his things, quickly agreed.
Feeling bold in the ride back, Robert twined their fingers together. He laid their hands on her thigh and scooted closer. He was pleased when Cora did not back away. In fact, she scooted nearer him, her thumb rubbing circles over the back of Robert's hand. With a sigh she slumped sideways, tucking her head against Robert's shoulder. The large feather in her hair tickled at the top of his head but he didn't mind, because the sensation of her lithe body tucked against his was too distracting.
The ride to the hotel was as silent as the one they took earlier that day, but this was a comfortable silence filled with newfound warmth. Robert continued to glance down at their twined hands and couldn't help but grin. Each time Cora would sigh deeply and nestle further, the champagne working to make her sleepy, her heated breath would puff against his neck. Robert's arousal was a steady, slow burn and he longed to get to their room.
When they did finally make it upstairs, some of the stiffness had returned. Cora was languid but nervous and Robert was aroused and unnerved. It seemed the closer they got to their marriage bed, the more difficult things became between them. Once safely ensconced in their suite, Robert reached out tentatively to touch Cora's shoulder. Her skin was warm beneath his fingertips.
"We don't have to...tonight." He said, and Cora's face clouded instantly. "I mean, you might still be tired from the long trip and the champagne and I don't want..."
Cora's gaze was a little unfocused and she absently stepped out of her slippers and kicked them aside. She tilted her head to the right and her impossibly blue eyes narrowed.
"Robert, I have to ask." She said, and though her manner was a bit slower, the forthright nature that had initially drawn Robert to her was terribly apparent. "Do I displease you?"
"I...no. No of course not." Robert fumbled. Quite the opposite, in fact, although he didn't say that.
"I suppose I don't know much about this part of marriage," She gestured behind her to the bedroom door. "But I had assumed there would be more..."
She finally blushed, her cheeks flaming to match her husband's ears as the boldness of her words finally hit her.
"I thought you would be more interested." She finished lamely, obviously regretting starting the conversation in the first place.
"Wait for me here." Robert said, and pushed past Cora into the bedroom. He could only imagine the blank look on her face, as he abandoned her in the sitting room quite suddently. But rather than try to explain, poorly, how he felt, he figured it would be easier to simply show her.
Rummaging through his armoire he found the box Rosamund had fetched for him. He plucked at the bow to pull some of the creases out before returning to the sitting room.
Cora stood exactly where he left her, her shoulders straight and back and her eyes filled with tears she was refusing to shed.
"Happy Valentine's Day," Robert said, pushing the package into her hands. "I had this made for you. I would like you to wear it tonight."
Cora blinked and accepted the carefully wrapped package, running her fingers along the edge of the box. When she looked up, her countenance had transforme..
"You had this made for me?"
Robert nodded and the blush returned to his cheeks. "I would like...I would like to see you in it."
Cora nodded, looking pleased and rattled. "I'll call for Evans."
"I will wait out here."
Once more alone in the sitting room, Robert chose to abstain from more alcohol. There was a pleasant warmth in his belly, both from the champagne and the tantalizing thoughts of Cora in the nightgown he purchased for her. He hadn't realized his own nerves had, in Cora's mind, translated into lack of desire for her. He wasn't sure there was a delicate way to explain to her that it wasn't a lack of desire, but an overabundance that caused his reticence. He also knew that some women equated the act of making love with love itself, and Robert was loathe to make Cora believe he felt some emotion he didn't. It seemed unfair to start a future based on half-truths, certainly not when he felt a genuine affection for the young woman he was starting his life with.
There was so much more that was going to be difficult in Cora's life, even unpleasant, that he hoped they would be able to arrange something of an understanding on this trip. The alcohol, and the promise of what lay beyond the door, made Robert uncharacteristically optimistic about their chances.
My finger is back from the dead! For all those wondering, it was a schnauzer that bit me. I work in a pet supply/grooming shop and one of my groomers was out. So I was helping and scissoring a schnauzer foot when he decided he had had QUITE ENOUGH of those shenanigans. So he bit me. Several times. I passed out. And it ended up infected. So with some monster antibiotics and a self-imposed hiatus from doing anything with my hands, I have healed. And while this isn't ALL I wanted to post when I got "back", I figured some was better than none. :D
To all who commented on Robert's dumbness - I think they were both very young when they were married and, even then, I do believe Robert had an uncharacteristic and overdeveloped sense of responsibility for those around him. He enjoys saving people, protecting them, and Cora is someone he is charged with both using AND saving. His desire to protect her is warring with what he needs from her and that is making him very conflicted. Fortunately what he's realizing is that Cora isn't like the girls he's known before. She's stronger, more aware, and quite at peace with the choices she made. He is attracted to her strength but he doesn't understand it...yet.
In short: Girls confuse Robert. Especially girls like Cora. ;)
