"So, you are American?" Violet put her cup down.
"I was born in Cincinnati, indeed in the United States of America." Cora straightened her back.
"I see." Violet stated firmly.
"What does it matter, Mama?" Rosamund asked.
Violet whipped her head towards Rosamund. "I was not aware I asked you a question?"
"Mama, please. Can we not do this?" Robert asked quietly.
"You bring her here without even asking. You two are kissing in my music room and now I need to keep my mouth shut. She did not even have the decency to introduce herself to your father or me."
"Dear." Patrick scraped his throat. "It is not necessary to give Miss Levinson this harsh treatment. She did not choose the place she was born. Can we please get to know her before we make our judgements?"
Cora looked at Patrick, she was overwhelmed that even he was sticking up for her. She loved that Rosamund did so too, it gave her more confidence that it would work out in the end. Although Violet was not going to let her of the hook so easily.
"Cora." Robert got up from his seat. "I want to show you the garden. It is nice outside, let us go for a walk."
Relieved Cora looked up at him and took the hand that he offered. She nodded towards Patrick and Rosamund en briefly looked at Violet, who ignored her completely.
"How big is this estate?" Cora asked once they were far enough from the house to speak freely again. They had walked in silence until now. Carson offered Cora a jacket to bring with her, but the weather was nice. Both of them went out without a jacket.
Robert put his hand on Cora's, which was resting on his arm. "It is too big to be able to walk around in one day. Today I want to show you the rose garden."
"There is a rose garden? I love roses and this is the last month to see them bloom."
"I suspected that." Robert leaned against her shoulder.
"We should start walking back." Robert said when the wind started to pick up.
Suddenly it also started to rain, Robert pulled Cora with him towards the nearest folly. They were out of the rain for now. Cora wrapped her arms around her and brushed over her arms.
"Are you cold?" Robert asked worried.
Cora's teeth chattered. "It was such a nice and warm day. I was not expecting this rain and cold wind. She pressed herself closer to one of the colons to hide from the wind.
"I am going back to the house and get you a coat." Robert rubbed over Cora's bear arms. She was wearing a short-sleeved blouse.
"Why? I can go with you back to the house. We can warm up again by the fireplace?"
"I cannot let you get rained on like that. And are you sure you want to go back inside?"
Cora chuckled. "So, you will get soaking wet, just to get me a coat, that I refused to take with me?" She leaned against him, resting her hands against his chest. "And yes, I am sure. I do not mind going back inside."
"I also did not take a coat or jacket." Robert smiled. My Mama treated you horrible."
"You and your sister, and even your father stuck up for me." Cora touched his chin with her fingertip. "And I love you for it."
Robert put his hand on Cora's. His hand fully covered her small and slender hand. Her hand was cold, he had noticed before that she had cold hands, and he should make a habit of holding her hand more often. "Oh darling, I love you too." It was the first time they said it to each other, and it felt magical. He bent down and kissed her tenderly, his hand caressing her cheek.
Cora shivered, she tried to hide it. Robert immediately noticed and pulled her closer to him. "I am right back." And before Cora could stop him, he ran away.
She looked at his running figure. He was a fit man. He had to work out to stay in this shape, she could not imagine anything else. But she just loved that he also had something to grab and lean on. She imagined how his chest would feel. Would he be hairy, or not at all? She wanted to hear his heartbeat while lying on him, feeling his breathing, his chest rising and falling.
His dress shirt was getting soaked she noticed. He was a real gentleman, but she wished she would have gone with him. Now he also had to walk back. What if he caught a cold? She would not forgive herself that. In the meantime, she herself was getting cold. The wind was strong, and she had to press herself against the wall to stay dry. She loved September, the perfect season as she had explained to Robert before, but the weather she was experiencing now, was only nice when you were curled up on a sofa under a blanket next to the fireplace, with a nice cuppa in your hands.
"Here you go" A warm jacket was placed over her shoulders. Cora had not noticed that Robert had come back already. She wrapped the jacket firmly around her and looked up at Robert. He was now also wearing a coat and had an umbrella with him, but his hair was dripping. She brought her hand to his forehead to wipe away the water. "Let's go back inside. You will catch a cold with this wet hair." She brushed his hair back.
Robert however leaned closer to her and brought his lips close to hers. "But it is quite romantic." And he kissed her briefly.
Cora did not want this to be a simple kiss, she put her hand in his neck and kept him close. "Kiss me properly."
Robert only parted again when he needed air. "How did I get so lucky." He murdered against her lips.
"They say you get what you deserve, but I do not know what we did to deserve this. And to be frank, I do not care. I am glad we found each other." She rested her head against his chest. "It is way more romantic to be inside right now, next to a fireplace."
Robert chuckled. "You are right."