Cora looked up to the house, she had always felt small standing in front of this majestic house and that feeling was only empathized by how she felt. Sybil had offered to send Tom to the train station, but Cora had preferred a regular taxi. The change Sybil coming with Tom was there and she needed more time to prepare herself. She felt her stomach go into a knot the moment they drove through the gate.
The big doors opened, and Carson appeared. "Welcome home Milady. Here let me help you with your bags." Carson stepped closer and took over her luggage.
"Thank you, Carson." Cora smiled.
"You look tired." Rosamund greeted her sister-in-law. "Do you want to lay down first?"
Cora shook her head. "I feel fine." She padded Rosamund's hand. "Truly. Where are the girls?"
"Mama, good to have you back." Mary walked into the great hall. "When you have time, can you come and have a look at the plans for the wedding next week?"
"Wedding?" Cora looked surprised and her eyes went from Mary to Rosamund, back to Mary.
"I have sent you emails about that, did you not read them?"
Cora felt her cheeks burning. "I am so sorry darling; I have not opened my emails in days."
Mary let out a deep annoyed sigh. "Can you please look at them today. I really need your help."
"Mary." Robert's deep voice sounded. Cora got scared by the angry toon he had, she felt chills running over her back. "You already forgot what I said last night?" he continued.
"But Papa?" Mary tried.
"No buts, no ifs. I thought I was very clear. You will organise this on your own. You wanted to start this business, so you have to work for it. Not your mother!"
"I am working for it, but I just need some advice from Mama." Mary tried.
"Do not try to fool me. You know perfectly well that the moment your mother starts helping, you will dump everything on her. Not this time young lady, not this time."
Cora scraped her throat. "Darling, I am sure you have done everything that is needed, and the wedding will be a beautiful one." She did not want to upset Robert even more. "I will look into everything you have done two days before alright?"
Mary sighed. "Worthless." She murmured.
Cora was convinced Robert had not heard what she just had said. It did hurt her though, that Mary made that comment. She had helped her to start up her business. It was even the reason, the problems between her and Robert started. Mary could be very insensitive she thought.
Robert turned towards Cora. "I am serious, Mary need to learn to run the business on her own. You have to stay out of it."
Cora lowered her eyes, she felt like a naughty schoolgirl getting scolded by the principle. She looked up at Rosamund, who was still there. "I think I will go up and change, can you help me?"
"O'Brien can do that." Robert said brusque.
"Papa, O'Brien has left." now Sybil's voice sounded. "I told you."
"Yeah, yeah I know." Robert said quickly.
Sybil walked towards her mother and kissed her cheek. "Good to see you back here Mama. Come I will help you with your bags."
Rosamund however was faster and picked up her bags. "I think your mother need some time. The trip must have worn her out."
Cora gave Rosamund a thankful look, she indeed preferred having Rosamund with her then one of her girls.
Cora had change into more decent clothes, she was wearing a chino pants with a nice blouse on top. She walked downstairs, she suspected to find Robert in the drawing room. When she opened the door, she indeed saw Robert standing there. He just pored himself a drink. Not his first one she thought.
"Can we talk?" She said.
Robert turned around and Cora could see he had indeed been drinking. She did not know how much the talk would bring, but she needed to do this, before dinner with all of them together. She saw Robert coming towards her, he was swaying on his legs. How much had he been drinking today? Cora thought. Robert stretched his hand and put in around her upper arm and pulled her closer. She could smell the alcohol in his breath when he said. "You belong in this house."
Cora tried to step back, but Robert's grip was firm. "Please, do not do this." She said softly.
Robert ignored her words and bent down. He kissed her neck, went up to her cheek and then kissed the tip of her nose. Deep inside her she felt something stir, but she pushed that feeling away. Robert was drunk and she did not want this.
"Robert, please." She could not finish her sentence; Robert pressed his lips on hers. He forced his tongue in. Cora had to fight to not gag. The alcohol breath was heavy. He moved one hand to her bump and squeezed her hard, his other hand disappeared in her hair, untying the put-up curls.
"Au!" Cora pulled herself away from his mouth. "You are hurting me."
"Do you not miss me? Cora! Because I miss you and I know you miss me too. I can feel it and look at your arms. You have goosebumps. I know you want me." He pulled her back against him, and his lips were once again on hers.
"No." she murmured, while his mouth discovered hers.
A knock on the door, made him let her go.
"The Dowager Countess Milord, Milady."
Cora pulled her blouse down and tried to fix her hair. Robert had never forced a kiss before, she had to fight against her tears. If there was a hint of doubt, he had wiped that all away.
"Mama?" Robert said with a double tongue. "I did not know you were coming?"
Violet ignored him. "Carson, can you make sure Lady Rosamund will take his Lordship outside and do not serve him any more alcohol today."
"Of Course, Milady. Milord?" Carson held out his hand in a gesture that Robert should follow him.
Cora did not know where to look, she stared at her feet. She was going to get a lecture from Violet and after what just had happened with Robert, she was not ready for that.
"Cora my dear, let us ring for tea and then we can talk." She stepped closer and put one of Cora's escaped curls behind her ear.