The painswicks

Untitled Part 5

Cora held Roberts hand as they walked along the Boardwalk in Newport.He acclimated to New York fairly well although he constantly complained about the heat. "Is this what I sound like when I complain about the cold?" She asked. He chuckled. "Not at all and I don't mind it really because it means I get to hold you."

++

Several weekslater they were on the a ship bound for England. Robert sent a telegram to his father to inform him of their eminent arrival.

++++

Robert held out his hand to help Cora from the car. Only his father was there to greet them.He immediately went to Cora's side, looking at his new granddaughter and placing a kiss on Cora's cheek. "My dear, I am so sorry I wasn't here to help you. I'm just happy to see you're both well."

"Papa, may I introduce, Sybil Cora," Robert said proudly.

"She is as beautiful as her mother and a very appropriate name for her as well."

Cora blushed , smiling. " I'm sorry if I've been a disappointment to the family," She said.

Robert and Patrick scoffed at that. "You have not," Patrick said. "Not one bit, my dear. Now come on inside."

++++

Rosamund stood when Robert and Cora entered the library. She went to Cora first apologizing profusely for her behavior. Cora accepted her apology and passed on her condolences again for Marmaduke. Lavinia rushed in, excited to see her aunt and uncle as well as her cousins again. Mary, Edith, and Lavinia hugged and jumped excitedly. "What is America like?" Lavinia asked.

"they are not very polite over there," Mary said. "The children are absolutely rude and everyone is dumb."

Cora frowned and Robert knelt in front of his daughter. "That's rude, Mary and that is your Mama's country."

Mary nodded, muttering. "Explains a lot."

Edith crossed her arms, upset. "Mary, Mama is wonderful and so is her country!"

+++++

Cora walked over to Violet knowing she had to get this over with as soon as possible. She smiled, sitting beside her so she could see Sybil. "Hello, Mama," she said. "This is Sybil."

"Did I hear correctly that you named her after yourself? That is selfish, Cora."

"But, I..."

Robert spoke up but not too loudly for his daughters to hear. "Mama, I named her after Cora. She almost died during childbirth and I felt it was appropriate,"

Violet nodded, finally looking at the baby. "She is quite beautiful."

For the first time, Violet looked at Cora with a smile, which Cora returned.