Love's Return

Disclaimer: I don't own Downton Abbey.

Oh and OOOOOOOOO is time change.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXX is POV change.

Violet tried not to stare at Igor, as it would be inappropriate. But she hadn't expected this. Even after Shrimpie had informed her that Princess Kuragin had died, she thought Igor would eventually leave when they finished exchanging fond memories.

But today, he stood in her proper drawing room and said something scandalous. Something to Violet wished she could agree. He looked directly at her and said seriously, "I wish to spend my final years with you."

Perhaps it was a mistake wear her lavender day dress, as her maid suggested? She appreciated looking her best for Igor, but it seems to have given him ideas. Ignoring her quickening heartbeat was second nature to Violet, as she was a master at hiding her emotions. Burying any feelings she had for this man, she smiled politely. "Igor, you know that's not possible."

Igor sighed causing his long white beard to shift a little. "Why not? The reasons why you left me years ago aren't an issue anymore. You are no longer married; neither am I. Both your children are grown and living their own lives. My children are grown and in living in France."

Bristling Violet shook her head. She hated it when people tried to use logical arguments against her. "That is not the point."

"Violet," Igor said softly, reminding her far too much of their stolen time in Russia. "We agreed when we parted that if things were different…They are different now."

Before she could stop herself, her mind flashed back to the night they said goodbye. Princess Kuragin had yanked on Violet's arm and screamed like she was a common criminal. But Igor couldn't stop himself from kissing Violet one more time. She could still feel his breathe on her cheek and the sad, tender look in his blue eyes.

Her husband had never looked at her like that.

"I wish everything was different," Igor had said as his lips parted from hers.

She'd nodded before Princess Kuragin gave Violet one final yank on her arm. If only things were different.

But now, didn't Igor realize too much time had passed? This wasn't some cute little story about love returning. This was real life. "Igor, those type of relationships are for young people. Not for people our age." She glanced at her cane, her wrinkled skin, and his white hair to prove her point. Briefly she thought of Isabel's recent courtship with Lord Merton. In the end, it appeared to have failed. And they were several years younger than Violet and Igor.

"They can be for people our ages if we allow them to be," Igor said, raising his voice as if he was issuing a command.

"Igor, keep your voice down!" Violet commanded back, glancing around to see if any of her servants may have overheard this inappropriate conversation. Her drawing room appeared as proper as it always did, but who knew what might be lurking behind doors. He needed to leave before any gossip started around the village. Would they say Igor was a Russian spy? Or would they whisper that Violet was a loose woman, spending so much time with a strange gentleman? Or most likely of all, would they laugh that the Dowager Countess of Grantham, behaving like a silly girl with a new beau?

At the same time, her heartbeat quickened again, remembering how much she'd once loved this man's strong voice.

"I know you're scared to try again," Igor said, much softer this time. "It is frightening for me as well. But personally, I'm more frightened not to try anything with you, Violet. I'm missed you all these years. And if something happened to one of us and we didn't take this chance, I'd regret it."

Violet tried not to lose herself in Igor's soft blue eyes as he spoke. He was correct; she was a bit frightened about this. How was it that a man who hadn't seen her for over fifty years could understand her so well? He'd done the same thing when they were in Russia. Somehow, he'd understood her better than her husband, Patrick ever did.

Still, she couldn't agree. "Igor," she said as firmly as she could. "I need you to stop this foolishness and leave before people begin talking." She would not be laughed at for any reason.

Finally, Igor's temper snapped. "Why are you so stubborn?" He yelled again, throwing his hands in the air. "There is nothing standing in our way anymore, Violet. Except you. I thought we still meant something to each other, but if that's not the case," he shrugged his shoulders. "I suppose I shall go to France to see my children."

"That sounds like a fine idea," Violet said, desperately trying to sound pleased. It was what she wanted, right? Well, what needed to happen anyway. As she'd already told Igor, they were too old for courting and romance. But inside, her heart was breaking all over again. Was she really going to watch him walk out of her life again?

Almost everyone else in her family had a chance at love, even if it was only for a couple of years. Why must she lose hers twice? Could this truly be her love returning?

Still, their last relationship caused her a lot of shame. They'd had an affair and planned on running away together. She'd thought of leaving her two young children for him. Could Violet truly begin another relationship as if nothing had happened?

Scowling, Igor shook his head. "Goodbye, Violet," he snapped, opening her door.

"Wait," Violet said suddenly. Igor stopped. The soft look in his eyes and the look of hope in his smile made her heart quicken again. Was she truly going to say this? "If we are to begin our relationship again, we must do it properly. You will sleep elsewhere, but you are welcome to come to tea and possibly escort me to a few parties."

Igor entire face lit up. That alone may cause this to be worth it. If only Violet could stop the pounding in her heart. "Then I shall return for tea tomorrow," he said, his strong voice leaving no room for argument.

She really loved that voice.

OOOOOOOOOOOOO

Violet and Igor took tea together for several days, and it was remarkably easy. She barely noticed her maid and butler's ridiculous rivalry, thanks to Igor's presence. She'd even allowed different tea leaves in her pantry so Igor could make the Russian equivalent. While they sipped tea and ate biscuits, she and Igor chatted about everything and nothing. There was no shame or guilt in their relationship, because everything was conducted properly. It felt almost as if they'd never separated. Violet wished she wasn't required to go to London soon, even if it was for her niece, Rose's wedding. She was enjoying seeing Igor almost every day.

"I am afraid I must leave for London soon," Violet said as she sipped her tea. "The whole family will be going. We are to host my, niece, Rose's wedding there. I will return in ten days."

Igor sighed and his smile faded. Violet loved how clearly disappointed he was that he wouldn't see her for several days. "Of course. Enjoy your time with your family.

She would, of course. Violet simply wished she could go without missing this man's smile and his fluffy beard. Once again, she wondered if she should ask Igor to join them. She had, of course, suggested he escort her to a few parties. After all, her love had returned. But was Violet truly ready for what people would say?

The guests would whisper about the "strange man" that was with Lady Grantham. They would invent possible reasons, each one more ridiculous than the last. And what if any of them suspected the truth? Would it shame her family? Violet's heart thumped faster and faster at the thought, although she sipped her tea as if nothing was wrong. It was of course, best to leave Igor safely tucked away at Downton village until she decided if their relationship could be permanent.

But then Violet looked into his eyes again. They were gazing at her softly as if she were the most precious person on earth. He truly was wonderful. He was her love. How long could she keep him hidden because she was frightened?

Violet would never be ruled by fear.

"Igor," she said placing her teacup down for emphasis. "Come to the wedding with me. As my guest."

Igor's face lit up in an adorable way. "Truly, Violet? But what about, well, your concerns about what people will think?"

Sipping her tea, she paused, pretending that didn't concern her as much as it did. "People will think what I want them to think, which is that you are a nice gentleman attending a wedding."

"My stubborn Violet," Igor said with a chuckle. "And your family? Will they accept this last-minute change of plans?"

Violet smiled smugly. "They will not have a choice. Robert pretends he is the head of the family, but I am its true leader, and everyone knows it."

Igor chuckled again. "That's my stubborn Violet," he said, using that commanding tone she loved so much. Her love truly had returned, and they would have a lovely time at the wedding.

OOOOOOOOOOOO

They didn't have a lovely time.

Rose's wedding was nice enough. Despite Susan's attempt to ruin it, her young niece had emerged married with a huge smile on her face. She and Mr. Aldridge had left for their wedding journey waving and smiling.

But Robert and Igor had spent the entire afternoon snapping at each other like a couple of uncivilized children, instead of the gentlemen Violet knew them to be. "I expected better of you," she said, as Igor prepared to leave Grantham House.

Igor shook his head, his beard rustling a bit. "I suppose you did, and I apologize. But Violet, your son looks rather like his father. His title is the same as his father. The man who ignored you in favor of tarts and stole you away from me."

Violet's blood turned to ice, as it always did when she became truly angry. All her feelings for this man seemed to vanish.

"I agree," she said, staring into Igor's eyes in away would scare any experienced soldier. "Robert looks like his father. And that man may have had a terrible wandering eye, but he was a wonderful father to my children, as well as a good friend to me most of the time."

"I understand that, but – " Igor began, somehow daring to interrupt her.

"Igor, I am not finished!" Violet said, wondering where the gentleman Igor used to be had gone. "More importantly, Robert is far more loyal than his father was."

She deliberately exited the building before saying this next part. If Robert or Cora ever heard her speaking this way, she wouldn't know what to do. "Especially regarding his wife. I do not believe he has ever had one mistress. They even have the most unseemly reputation towards physical affection." Violet lost count of how many times Cora's hand was on Robert's arm or shoulder today. She even caught them holding hands at least twice. At least they'd decided to refrain from kissing in public this time. "They are honestly in love."

"But most importantly," Violet said, staring into Igor's eyes once again in a way that would frighten any combat veteran. "Robert is my son. If you cannot treat him with respect, I do not wish to see you anymore."

"Here is your cab," she finished, as the car drove towards them.

Igor sighed and took Violet's hands in hers. "You are right; Robert is your son. I will try to treat him civilly.

Violet shook her head sharply, her necklace jiggling against her neck. "You must do more than try if you wish things to continue with us."

"I do, Violet," Igor said softly. Violet made the mistake of looking into his blue eyes again, and she was flooded with warm feelings for this man. What was happening to her? "And I promise, I will be nice to your son."

"Then perhaps you and I can take tea again when I return to Downton?" It might be best if Violet allowed her love to disappear temporarily.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

OOOOOOOOO

Cora smiled as her love entered her room at Grantham House for the night. It was wonderful that they were sleeping together again, even if Robert angry tonight.

"I cannot believe Mama," Robert ranted, shaking his head again. "She is far too old for a gentleman caller. What is she doing, bringing this Russian around?"

Cora sighed and tried her best to explain this to him. Again. "Perhaps your Mama is lonely."

Robert shook his head, jerking the strings on his dressing gown. "It's never bothered her before. She has no reason to be lonely, with all us surrounding her."

"A gentleman companion is different than family companionship, Robert," Cora said as gently as she could, although she doubted he would believe her.

Scowling, Robert finally removed his dressing gown and threw it on the usual chair. "Does she not see how ridiculous she is being? She is in her eighties, for goodness sake!" His voice increased in volume again.

"I'm certain Mama has thought about that," Cora said, reflecting of how obsessed her mother – in – law was with "the look of things." "But she also needs to consider her own happiness."

"Her happiness at the expense of the rest of our family, you mean," Robert grumbled and pouted like a child.

Cora put her hands on both of his, reminding herself to be especially careful when he was in this mood. "I know what this is truly about. You think your mother is replacing your father, and that is difficult, especially considering you were so close to him."

"No, Cora, it's not like that," he said, but his protest lacked vigor. She had come right to the heart of his problem.

Looking deep into his blue eyes, she tried to comfort him and advise him at same time. "I understand; I cannot imagine how I would feel if Mother introduced me to her new gentleman friend. But Robert, your father has been gone for many years. And even when he was alive your parents were only – "

" – good friends," Robert finished, still grumbling. But Cora's heart skipped a beat that he knew exactly what she planned to say. They'd become so distant with each other earlier that year, it was nice that he was able to read her thoughts again.

"Yes," Cora said, still looking directly into those gorgeous blue eyes. "Perhaps this Russian gentleman is a chance for your mother to have more than that."

Robert sighed. "I still think she's being ridiculous."

Cora smiled. This was another thing she would have to coax him into accepting, assuming Mama and the Russian continued to spend time together, that is. She admitted it was odd, for her mother – in – law to have a gentleman friend, but Cora truly hoped he would make the older woman happy. Perhaps Violet would even find her own love.

Meanwhile, it might be better to change the subject. "But Rose was certainly happy today," she said with a much wider smile. It was so nice to see the young woman finally settled.

Robert brightened, obviously much happier to discuss this. "Definitely. I think she and Mr. Aldridge will be very happy together. And they had a very nice wedding because of you, darling."

Cora smiled, feeling warm because of his praise and then giggled as he pulled her onto their bed. "As happy as we are?" she asked, giving him a kiss.

"I hope so," Robert said, wrapping his arms around her tightly and giving her a much deeper kiss. The kind that made her explode with love for him.

I don't know how often I will update this, but I do intend to add a few more chapters. Because I would really like to see what would happen in some of the season 6 episodes (and possibly the movie), if Vigor were a thing.

And, of course, how Cobert responds to Vigor as well.