Drabble - You do not even like garlic
The lines from the movie are not mine, and all credit goes towards Julian Fellowes
I wrote another drabble about Downton Abbey A New Era
Cora slid under the covers. This day had been a rollercoaster. She sighed, and she put her hands on her stomach, hoping Robert would not notice her discomfort. Although she did not have to worry about that. After Eduardo’s bombshell, Robert had been in a daze. When her stomach cramped, she had to refrain from moaning. She felt heartburn coming up, if only Baxter would come back with that drink she promised.
Baxter said she had brought something that would settle Cora’s stomach. She had gone down after helping Cora change for the night. Her ladies maid was sensing something was wrong. But true to her nature, Baxter had not inquired, she only took a little bit more care of her, knowing her mistress was not feeling well.
She sunk back a little bit more into the matrass. Cora looked at Robert, who was pacing around.
“I don’t know how long he’s thought about it, but once he checked the dates, he was sure. I was born exactly nine months after… and I quote… The “idyllic interlude” they spent together. And he gave her the villa soon after I was born.” Robert stopped pacing.
“I’m sure that’s all coincidence.” Cora had to work to not let her voice sound too exhausted.
“Are you? It would explain the mystery.” Robert said with raised eyebrows. He was breathing very fast. He felt his blood rushing through his body. This whole debacle was going to ruin his life.
“Your father loved you very much.” Cora tried to calm him down.
“But Rosamund’s the one who looks like him.” Was Robert’s reply, turning around. He pulled on the cords of his night robe.
There was a soft knock on the door, and Baxter entered. “I hope this helps, milady.” Baxter walked past Robert and handed Cora the glass cup.
Grateful Cora took the cup. “Thank you, Baxter.” She was blessed with Baxter as her ladies maid. Even though she had a rough history and many other ‘lady’s’ would have fired Baxter after the news about the stolen goods. Cora knew, she had not done that out of greed. No, she was such a gentle soul, that she was just manipulated into it. “Good night.”
“Good night.” Baxter answered, leaving the room.
Robert looked at Cora. She looked frail, he thought. This trip was too much, even for his strong wife. Was she getting overly tired? Were they doing too much. Today, they had not done that much, did they? Or was she worried about their future. “What’s that for?” He asked, referring to the cup in Cora’s hands. “Are you all right” Cora’s figure was almost not noticeable under the covers. She always had been a slender woman, but was she getting thinner?
“Just a bit of heartburn. I’m fine.” Cora gave Robert a soft smile. Hoping, he would not notice that she was sicker than she was letting him know.
“What will happen if the story gets out, do you think?” Robert sat down on the chair on his side of the bed. “I suppose Carson will hand in his notice.”
“Don’t be ridiculous.” Cora sighed. Although she did not know what Carson would do. She did not believe Robert was not his father’s son. There must be a mistake. “You’re the least French person I’ve ever met. You don’t even like garlic.” She tried to defuse the situation.
“That’s not exactly cast-iron proof.” Robert replied. He got up and crawled under the covers. Turning on his side, facing away from Cora, he turned off his bedside lamp.
Cora drank the liquid in her cup, the taste was not nice, and she almost gagged. But she managed to get it down. Carefully, she put her cup down, turned off her lamp, and slowly turned on her side. She had noticed that when she moved slowly, her stomach did hurt less.
Cora scooted closer to Robert. She put her hand on his back and made slow circle movements. She felt Robert’s breathing slowing down, and after a while, he let out a deep sigh.
Suddenly, he turned around and scooped Cora in his arms. The sudden movement made Cora’s stomach turn, and she winched from the pain. Robert felt Cora quiver. He pressed her closer to his chest. He needed Cora’s reassurance: ‘Everything would be alright, as long as he had his Cora in his arms.’ He thought before dozing off to sleep.
Cora took some deep breaths, trying to suppress the pain. According to Robert’s breathing, he was asleep. This was going to be a hard night. She was not lying comfortable, but she did not want to move. Robert needed his sleep, hopefully tomorrow morning he would see things through a less darkened lens.
