"I think I owe you an apology," Robert said as Cora climbed into their bed that night. "After the way I spoke to you at dinner." His heart sank at her sad blue eyes. He'd always loathed his temper, but nothing was worse than unleashing it on his sweet Cora.
Cora pushed herself back against the headboard, showing just how hurt she still was, and Robert's heart sank even more. "Next time you want to treat me like a naughty schoolgirl, you might do it in private, not in front of the servants," she said with a grumble.
Robert sighed as his heart sank to his feet. Cora spent a lot of time portraying an era of dignity and confidence worthy of being the lady of the house, and he'd ruined that by disrespecting her tonight. "You're right; I'm sorry."
He moved closer to her, hoping she would accept his touch now.
"Of course, it gave your mother the best evening since Christmas," Cora said with another grumble, but at least she didn't move away from him again. Robert wished Mama wasn't so tough on his wife, and he stroked her cheek softly, which was one of her favorite gestures.
Then he sighed. "Even so, we must try to keep control of Sybil."
He shuddered. As much as he wished he hadn't unleashed his temper on Cora tonight, he was still rather cross with his youngest daughter. Didn't she know politics wasn't an appropriate place for a lady? Who knew what scandal she could involve herself in, never mind the riots that sometimes broke out in political meetings.
Cora sighed as well. "Robert believe me, Sybil is not your problem. We've got to support Mary this year. When we go to London."
Robert didn't understand Cora's resent preoccupation with Mary's prospects. Granted, it was disappointing their oldest had lost her secure match with Cousin Patrick, but shouldn't she be over that by now? "But it's Sybil's first season," he said out loud, thinking of all the extra duties involved with preparing for their youngest daughter's first ball. "We cannot have Mary stealing her thunder." He pictured himself dancing with Sybil when she came out, and his heart both swelled and ached simultaneously.
Cora shook her head, her long braid of dark hair swishing a bit, and Robert resisted the urge to play with it. Their focus was on the girls, not on how becoming his wife was. "Sybil will do well enough. It's time Mary was settled. High time," Cora said, much more firmly than she usually spoke.
Robert sighed, his mind drifting to their other daughter. "Poor old Edith. We never seem to talk about her."
"I'm afraid Edith will be the one to care for us in our old age," Cora said with a similar sigh. Her braid moved against her chest.
"What a ghastly thought," Robert said at the horrid image of an older Edith living an empty, lonely life with only her parents for company. Certainly, she was worth more than that?
The sad expression on Cora's face proved she was concerned about the same thing, and he moved closer to her in response. He finally touched her braid, indulging in its soft texture while he comforted her with his fingers.
