Dancing in the Dark

Cora's felt so happy she thought she might be floating as she danced in Robert's arms. The royal visit had been a success. She'd helped Edith by speaking to Queen Mary, and best of all, their daughter was expecting another child. "Can you believe it?" she whispered to her husband. "Another grandchild."

Robert's eyes glowed with the same light they always had when he saw any of their current grandchildren. "I know."

"And this time will be so much better for Edith," Cora said with a sigh. "I've arranged it so Bertie will be there for her, and I will be there to help, too." She still hated to think of her second daughter's lonely experience in Switzerland.

"Everything is so much better for Edith," Robert said, smiling as he looked over at their daughter, dancing with her husband in her beautiful new ballgown. "And yet I marvel at how far she's come." He sounded so proud.

"Yes," Cora said, feeling proud as well as Edith and her husband danced by. "She's happy. Everyone seems happy now." Mary's husband, Henry had arrived just in time for the ball, and they twirled around. Their majesties were calm and regal, but they seemed pleased the visit had gone well. Even Princess Mary appeared happier now. And could Mama have finally given up her feud with Robert's cousin? At least she and Igor seemed happy to share a dance.

The base and cellos' soft music drifted through the room, perfect for a waltz. And the old – fashioned lighting was ideal for a ball. Cora's feet moved easily and naturally, guided by Robert. "It's unfortunate we are not invited to balls as often as we used to be. It's always such a treat to dance with you," she said softly.

Robert's warm hands tightened a little as he held her, causing delightful tingles in Cora's body. Then he sighed. "We live in a different world now, Cora."

Cora nodded. Many estates were gone, and London houses were being sold all the time. There were not many spaces for elaborate dances anymore. And with her job at the hospital, Cora didn't have as much time to plan many parties. "I suppose you're correct."

Robert smile transformed into a large grin, enjoying being told he was right.

"Still, we have a gramophone at home. We should use it more often," Cora said, gazing directly into her husband's eyes. Robert gazed back with the same loving expression. Dancing with each other had always been one of their favorite activities. It was a wonderful way to stare into each other's eyes and hold each other close without anyone complaining. Even Mama and Mary never protested when she and Robert danced.

Mama and Igor passed them, dancing a bit slower than the other couples, but Cora still smiled. "And now that Mama has a partner, there is even more reason to bring out the gramophone."

Robert nodded, still gazing into Cora's eyes.

XXXXXXXXXXXX

Violet slid her unemotional mask on her face as she exited the small room. Speaking to her oldest granddaughter about her impending death had been more difficult than she'd expected, but she refused to let anyone else know at this point.

"What was that about?" Igor whispered in her ear as she re – entered the Hartwood ballroom.

"Just something I needed to discuss with Mary," Violet whispered back in a voice that left no room for arguments.

But Igor shook his head. "Your hiding something, Violet. You've been doing so for the last week, and now I want to know what it is."

Usually his strong, commanding voice made her feel warm inside, but when he used it to demand something of her, it made her want nothing to do with him. "Igor, if you're going to try that, then please leave my sight."

Igor sighed. "I hoped we could dance together tonight, but not if you will keep secrets from me. Secrets you apparently have no trouble telling Mary."

Violet stared right into his eyes, still clearly blue in the dimmer light of the ballroom. How did he do that? It still unnerved her that he knew her so well. Still, he didn't understand how much easier it was telling Mary than telling him. Her husband.

"I refuse to tell you now," she finally said, still staring into his eyes. "Not when everyone in our family is enjoying themselves." She smiled as Mary and Henry danced, Edith and Bertie floated by, Isabel and Dickie smiled as they twirled, and Princess Mary and her husband even danced. Violet thought she'd even seen Tom Branson dancing outside with Miss Lucy Smith, the ladies' maid that would inherit Cousin Maud's estate at Brompton. Of course, her family would inherit it one way or another.

And naturally, Robert and Cora also danced, enjoying just as much as they had in their younger days.

"Fine," Igor said, moving closer to her ear as he whispered. His breath tingled a bit on her neck, causing her to feel deliciously warm despite her uncomfortableness. "But you must tell me when we return home. Now, dance with me."

Accepting his hand, Violet put her worries about her health aside allowed him to lead her to the ball floor. Her heart pounded faster and faster as they assumed the correct positions for the dance. The last time they had done this was at the Winter Palace. She still remembered they way Igor had looked at her and their hands touched each other that night. They both knew what they were doing was wrong but had been helpless to stop once it had started.

"Violet," Igor whispered again, his breath still tingling on her neck in a way that made her heart jump. "Look at me." Slowly, she met his eyes, and they stared into hers, full of understanding and love. "We have nothing to be ashamed of now. For the first time since I've known you, I can finally dance with my wife and the woman I love."

Violet supposed he was right and slowly allowed herself to relax as they moved together to the soft music. They were a bit slower than they used to be, but it was rather enjoyable to feel Igor's hands holding her gently and looking into her eyes. She was beginning to understand why Robert and Cora had always loved dancing so much.

OOOOOOOOOOO

"Now," Igor said, when all the dancing had finished, and they finally arrived back at the Dower House. "What is it?"

Bracing herself on her cane for support, Violet sighed. Naturally, he wouldn't let this be. "All right. Let me ring for some tea in the drawing room."

They settled in the drawing room, both on the settee, and the tea was served. It was almost too bright in her drawing room, and she wished for the dim lighting of the ball room. It was so much easier when they had been dancing in the dark. Violet took several sips of the warm liquid, hoping it would calm her. "You know I took a trip to London a few weeks ago?"

Igor nodded as he sipped his own tea. "I thought you had gone to see Rosamund."

Violet sighed. "That's what I wished you to think. But truly I," she paused and took another sip of tea. Then another. Why was this tea not giving her strength, as it normally did? "Oh, Igor." She took a deep breath. "I saw a doctor there. A specialist."

"For the soreness you've been having on your breasts?" Igor asked.

Violet nodded, unable to speak. He was coming dangerously close to the truth.

"What treatments did they give you?" Igor asked in a much softer voice than the one he usually used. But at this moment, it was exactly what Violet wanted to hear.

"That's just it," Violet said, just as softly. "They said they couldn't treat it. The lumps were too big and not in a place where they could operate." She immediately turned away from him, afraid of his reaction. Would he pity her? Would he demand she seek other doctors and strange treatments? Or worst of all, would he cry, terrified of losing her?

"So it's…" Igor's voice said slowly, as if he understood what she meant, but was afraid to say it.

"Yes," Violet said, trying to sound braver than she was. "Cancer."

"But certainly, there must be some way to treat it," Igor's voice said, just as she feared he would. "Another doctor, perhaps. You should try the continent."

"No," Violet said firmly, turning to look him in the eye. "If I must die, I will do it with dignity, in my own home. Not running around the world to doctors and places I have never heard, subjecting me to treatments I don't understand."

"Oh, Violet," Igor said, wiping his eyes. "I knew this day would come, someday. But I'm afraid I'm not prepared for it to be today."

Violet wiped her own eyes. "I know. This exactly why I didn't want to tell you. Telling Mary was difficult enough, but telling you,… Oh Igor." His arms wrapped around her and hers wrapped around him. Earlier tonight they had embraced in happiness and danced in the dark. Now they embraced in grief and must dance in knowledge.

"At least we got our last chance, Violet," Igor said into her neck. His beard brushed against her skin, and the intimacy made her feel warm, like it always did. "I will always be glad of that." He used his strong, commanding voice on that last sentence, and that made her feel even warmer.

I hope you've all enjoyed this story, despite it's bittersweet ending.

If you are interested in reading more DA from me (and don't mind M – rated stories), you might consider trying my new multi – chapter story "Not Exactly a Year." It's Robert's perspective of his first year of marriage.

If you prefer another story from Violet's POV, I am thinking of writing a story about Queen Victoria's death, with will have a chapter from Violet's perspective. It may go up around August.