Robert allowed Hamish to guide him back into the car. He sat in his seat, stunned and immobile with guilt. During some of the darkest moments of his life, Robert had thought perhaps Cora would have been better off with someone else. That he was wrong was no comfort to him. The small glimpse he had seen of Cora's life was enough to tell him it had been a harsh and lonely one for her. He felt nauseous.
"Stop the car!" Robert yelled.
Startled, Hamish slammed the breaks and Robert bolted out of the door, running back toward the house. Pushing the heavy door in, Robert rushed into the darkened great hall, looking around for any sign of her. A soft glow flickered from a doorway down the hall and Robert went quickly in that direction.
Cora was on the sofa, her legs drawn up, a blanket wrapped around her slight frame. The candle light twinkled off of the crystal decanter on the table. She stared into the glass of amber liquid in her hands. The clap of Robert's shoes echoed in the room and she looked up, her movements drowsy from drink. Robert walked slowly to where she was sitting, hoping not to frighten her.
"Your the man from the cab." Cora slurred in wonder, recognition clearing the clouds from her eyes.
Robert nodded, continuing to advance, until he was in front of her. He squatted down, searching her face. The alcohol had erased the strain and sadness he had seen there earlier and in this light, she was just as he knew her.
"I should scream," she said, almost like a question. "But you have kind eyes."
"Cora," Robert whispered.
No longer able to tame the urge to touch her, he reached out and stroked her cheek carefully. She closed her eyes and leaned into his palm, a small smile gracing her face. A whimper escaped her lips and Robert's hand left her face, took the glass from her and gripped her hands tightly.
"You're cold." Robert stated, taking his overcoat off and laying it over her.
Cora slid further down on the sofa, her head resting on the hard arm. Her eyelids drew down further as she struggled to keep them open.
"I've been cold for so long, I barely notice it anymore," she said languidly. "I seem to be getting warm at last."
"Cora," Robert said again, his voice catching. "You need to know, in another life, you are so loved."
A lone tear escaped her eye, sliding over the bridge of her nose and disappearing into the fabric of the sofa. She smiled at him dreamily.
"What a nice thought." Her voice was so low he could barely hear her.
Her lids drew down, and she blinked once, twice, before the energy to open her eyes again left her. Her mouth fell open and Robert heard the small puffs of air going out and then being pulled back in as she tumbled into sleep. Robert took the glass she had been drinking, sniffing it. Scotch. He placed the glass down again, noticing a smaller vial that he hadn't before. Picking it up, he read the label. Laudanum.
Robert dropped the bottle and took Cora by her shoulders, shaking lightly. Her head lolled to the side, the length between her breaths growing longer. Panic seized Robert's heart.
"Cora!" Robert shook her harder, but she was limp. Scooping her up in his arms, he hurried out the door.
"Hamish!" Robert yelled into the snow filled night but there was no sign of him or the cab. Robert continued on the path, slipping on the icy way and fell on his knees, Cora unmoving in his arms.
"Hamish!" Robert's scream was frantic. It was the only sound that echoed around him. Sinking his face into the crook of Cora's neck, he felt his tears warming her cold skin.
"Please," Robert begged. "I want to go back. Please!"