So, now we will have a little more about Robert and Elizabeth, but I promise you that is for good. This chapter is too long, but in the next I will try to come back to normal. Next chapter we will be back to the present, and we will have a feared encountering, suspicious of a wife, and a very troubled Robert. Thanks for all reviews, and please, let me know what you think about this chapter.

IV

"Cause I all know is we said hello

And your eyes are like coming home

All I know is a simple name

Everything has changed"

Everything has changed - Taylor Swift / Ed Sheeran

Robert had joined his family only at the luncheon. He had spent the morning with Tom, traversing the property and reviewing property records. Immersing himself in the subjects of the state had been the best choice to fill his mind. And especially today, he needed something else to worry about to ward off anxiety about Stratford's ball.

Also it had been the best way to avoid Rosamund, who had been trying to be alone with him since she had come to Downton the previous afternoon. And he knew exactly what she wanted to talk to him.

Now, while they waited for Cora and Mary in the great hall, Robert once again had taken shelter talking with Tom.

She stared at him quietly, while talking to Rose and Edith. Rosamund was worried because she does not know exactly how Robert was feeling. She knew that Elizabeth's return had disturbed him. She realized that in his long silences and in the way he had been avoiding her. But despite these few signs, she did not really know what was going on inside him.

However, she also had to deal with her own troubles. For a long time, she had held within herself a tremendous guilt for knowing that she could have prevented Robert and Elizabeth from suffering. And that belief was only alleviated when she realized that Robert was happy with Cora, about a year after their marriage. Knowing that his brother was finally in love and had beside him someone who loved him more than anything, was what had freed her to go in search of her own happiness.

Now, the ghosts of the past were back and they need to face them. And she feared for them all, but especially by Robert and Cora.

Cora and Mary finally came down, joining the others in the great hall. Robert then rushed them to depart before they would be late. They passed Carson and Thomas, and gradually took their places in the three cars that were waiting for them at the front door. Carson watched them intently, stopped at the door, while Thomas and Alfred helped the ladies to get in the cars.

Robert was intimately thankful for Tom to have joined them in the same car. So maybe Cora should engage in conversation with him, allowing Robert to get lost in his thoughts.


Robert was happy for being home. This had been his last year at Christ Church, which meant he could finally take his obligations beside his father in the state management. More important than this, it meant he would no longer need to spend long periods away from Downton.

He met Rosamund in the great hall on his way to breakfast. She should have heard him humming as he went downstairs, because as soon as she saw him, she began to tease him. But Robert has not lost his good mood and just chuckled when she mentioned his singing out of tune.

"You should wash your ears better," was all he said to her.

The two halted at the door when they heard Henry's voice, and had waited for their friend to approach so they all could go in together.

Lord Henry Hartwood was staying at Downton as Robert's guest. The two lads had become friends during the time they studied together at Christ Church. He was a very charismatic young man and endowed with a certain charm that seemed to always appeal to everyone, especially the young ladies.

Rosamund, who was not so easily impressed, had not fallen for the charms of her brother's friend. But despite that, she seemed to enjoy his company, and Robert suspected that she had liked Henry especially because he did not seem so keen on teasing her, as he and James usually did.

Robert opened the door, and they went in, wishing Lord Grantham good morning. He looked up from his newspaper to observe them while they served. He felt his father's eyes on him, and smiled. Lord Grantham seemed as pleased as himself to have Robert back.

His father turned his eyes back to the newspaper, but Robert knew he was paying attention to their conversation. He had noticed the discreet smile on his father's face in front of one or other humorous comment that they had done.

Rosamund had planned a horseback ride on that morning for them. She loved to ride horses, and she was an excellent rider, a talent unveiled since she was very young. Robert would never admit it aloud, but she was far better than him.

"I trust you do not intend to go to the ball this evening riding, Rosamund," said Lord Grantham, looking at his daughter over the newspaper.

"Papa!" She gave him an indignant glare, and their father grinned, his face hidden by the newspaper. Robert noticed the humorous glow in his father's blue eyes and took the opportunity to tease his sister.

"It may be a good idea," he said, putting his tea-cup on the table and exchanging a look with Henry, who suppressed a smile. "Think of the impact you would cause!"

"Like the impact of Viscount Downton falling off his chair on the ground," she replied with a challenging look, and Robert raised his eyebrows pretending amazement.

Lord Grantham shook his head, suppressing a grin. Robert knew that their parents had hoped that with the passage of the years Rosamund would learn to control her sharp tongue and her daring way, often targeted of his mother's criticisms. But he believed that, despite agreeing with his mother, intimately his father did not care very much with Rosamund's manners, instead he seemed to be having fun with it.

Finishing her breakfast, Rosamund called him and Henry to leave for the ride. They still had to wear the appropriate apparel and she did not want to lose any minute longer of that glorious morning.

Henry almost jumped from his chair, as if he had received an order, leaving the room just behind Rosamund. But Robert had stayed to drink the rest of his tea while trying to take a peek into his father's newspaper.

Lord Grantham looked at him over the newspaper, his blue eyes staring at him, causing Robert to blush slightly to have been discovered. He put the newspaper on the table to be able to look at him.

"You better hurry up, young man, or you will delay your sister's plans," he grinned at him. "And you certainly do not want her to be angry with you."

"No," Robert stood up. "Never," he said with a smile before leaving the room.

The path from Haxby's gates to the house's entrance was illuminated from both sides by torches. The carriages, bringing the numerous guests lined up for people to get out in front of the main entrance.

Footmen received the guests, helping them down the carriages and went with them to the front door, where they were received by Lord and Lady Dunnington.

As soon as he could, James joined them. They were close to Lord and Lady Grantham, and Rosamund sat in the empty chair next to her mother, while the three young men remained standing beside them, cheerfully chatting.

Robert had seen several acquaintances, some of them had come to talk to his parents and then with them. He could not deny that he was a little anxious to see Elizabeth. It had been a long time since they had met last time.

She had left for Italy with her sisters two years ago, to stay in an aunt's home, accompanying Lady Dunnington, who by physician's order had needed to spend some time in a warmer place to recover from an illness. However, even with the return of Lady Dunnington and her sisters, Elizabeth had still remained for over a year with her aunt.

As he was completing his studies at Oxford, Robert spent most of that time out of Downton. But he always felt a little disappointed not to find Elizabeth each time he and James came home.

He had slowly realized he missed her more than he would admit. Picnics, horseback riding, hiking, none of it seemed to be the same without the joyful presence of Elizabeth among them.

But beyond her absence, he had been equally disappointed by her silence. Unlike the time when he and James were at Eton and in their first year at Oxford, when she used to write to him as often as she wrote to his brother, he had not received any letter from her in these last two years.

That made Robert believe she had forgotten their friendship. And it bothered him deeply, to the point he had seriously considered not attending the ball tonight. But that would be terribly rude, and then he had no choice but to be there, even feeling slightly uncomfortable.

"Gentlemen, you will excuse me but I need to leave you for a moment," James told them, straightening up and then left them, going up the stairs and disappearing through one of the doors, from where he would definitely return accompanied by Elizabeth.

She had already been formally presented to the court, but Lord and Lady Dunnington had also chosen to give a private party in Haxby, before they have to go to London for the season.

It was at the sound of the orchestra they saw Elizabeth come at the top of the stairs, escorted by James' arms. Robert just could not take his eyes off her. He had stopped talking in the middle of a conversation with Henry, and his eyes seemed magnetized by her sight.

He was not prepared for that. Before him were the same fascinating dark eyes, the same lovely smile, and even then, it was as if he was looking at another girl. Young lady, he corrected himself mentally, as his eyes followed her, trying to disguise his delight, while Elizabeth walked down the steps and take her father's arm, whom was waiting for her downstairs.

Elizabeth could now participate in all social events that London Season could offer. And she could also be wooed by men who were after a wedding, he thought, while feeling uncomfortable with the idea.

"It is no wonder that James was hiding his sister," Henry said quietly. "Why have you never told me about her? She is lovely."

He hardly heard what Henry had said, it was as if all his senses had been overwhelmed by the sight of her in front of him. Lovely was the only word that had come to his ears. "Yes, lovely. Incredibly gorgeous," he thought, realizing that after so long, that might be the first time he really looked at Elizabeth.

Gradually the ballroom was taken by many people who danced happily. Robert remained in his place, just watching while many gentlemen go to Elizabeth and her parents to pay their compliments and ask her for a dance. Even Henry, had disappeared from his side without him even noticing to reappear exactly beside Elizabeth and James. But Robert was still feeling uncomfortable. Especially because Elizabeth seemed to completely ignore his presence there, without even giving him one simple look.

Robert decided to go to her, he should at least present them the proper greetings. But before he reached her, Henry had taken her to dance, and he had stood midway, watching them win the ballroom.

He went to the balcony, where he could watch her while waited for the end of the dance. On the way he was approached gently by Lord Dunnington, who brought on his arm the young Lady Beatrice Beaumont, and he was forced to dance with her.

After that, Robert tried to approach Elizabeth several times throughout the evening without success. Someone always seemed to get to her before him. Moreover, Rosamund seemed determined to make him dance with all her friends that evening.

And the more time passed, the more he was sure that Elizabeth was avoiding him, which made him increasingly uncomfortable. Maybe she really had forgotten their friendship after all. That would explain why she had stopped to write to him and why she had kept herself away for so long.

He finally managed to take refuge on the balcony, feeling depressed. He breathed in the cool night air, and looked at the ballroom, this time without being able to locate her. Shortly after, Henry joined and the two stayed there, chatting while watching the motion of the ballroom.

"You both really let me down!"

They turned as they heard James voice, who was standing at the balcony door, looking at them with an astonished expression on his face.

"I promised the young ladies here today that my friends were charming and lovely gentlemen that would make them float all over the ballroom. And I meet you two here, hidden in the balcony!" James walked to them and leaned back next to Robert. "I confess that I would expect it from Robert, but you, Henry? Why are not there, delighting all young ladies?"

"As if I had any chance!" Henry said with an expression of mock dismay. "See, my dear fellow, young ladies here today already has their preferences. There are several of which are at Lord James Dunnington's feet. But, we have already expected that." The other two laughed at him, and Henry continued, with a puzzled expression on his face. "But there is yet another gentleman who reigns supreme among female preferences tonight."

"And who was he?" James asked him, exchanging an amused glance with Robert.

"It seems tonight, you've got competition from our charming Lord Downton here," Henry said placing his hand on the Robert shoulder, who looked at them with an expression between surprised and amused, and laughed openly.

"I knew that sooner or later this would happen," James said. "I knew that one day all ladies would fall for your gentle and mysterious looks, Lord Downton."

"You both are so much fun," Robert laughed.

"But I happen to have good hearing, Crawley," Henry said, patting him on the back friendly. "Be assured that there are some young ladies who would give anything for a dance with the charming Viscount Downton."

"And talking about dance, I do not remember seeing you dancing with Elizabeth, Robert."

"Like that was possible," Robert shrugged. "Your sister seems to have promised every dance from this ball. And perhaps also all of the next," he said, and James chuckled.

"I am sure that she must have saved at least one dance for an old friend. "

"If she still thinks me as an old friend," Robert thought gloomily.

When the song ended, James adjusted his coat sleeves. "Now, gentlemen, excuse me, but I have a lovely lady waiting for me for the next dance," he said, pulling away. Henry followed his lead, and left him, also looking for his partner. Robert stood there, watching them, feeling discouraged.

Then he saw her again, sitting next to her mother. He watched as she politely declined a gentleman's invitation. And he thought she seemed to be looking for someone, when their eyes finally met. Elizabeth smiled softly and Robert felt like he had missed a heartbeat.

As he walked towards her, he saw her face lighting up. He felt completely foolish. He should have known that among all dances, she would save him a waltz.

"Good evening, Lord Downton," she said in a soft voice when he stopped in front of her.

"Good evening, Liz..." he then corrected himself, still smiling, "Lady Elizabeth." She sustained his gaze, as she had always done, but it never seemed so disturbing as now.

"Would you give me the honor of this dance?" He told her, with a slight bow.

"I'd be delighted," she told him, a smile playing on her lips when she reached out her hand to him to lead her to the ballroom. "I thought you'd never ask," she told him in a low voice next to his ear, when they began to dance. And Robert once again felt that strange feeling in his chest.

There was a soft smile in his lips while they were spinning to the music around the ballroom. He was feeling happy to have her attention again.

When the music finally stopped, to the orchestra's rest break, he invited her for a walk in the gardens. He offered her an arm which she took and they walked towards the garden.

While they walked down the steps which lead from the balcony to the garden, as they had already done many times before, Robert was completely aware of the warmness from her hand on his arm.

"You did not say goodbye to me before you went to Italy", he said while they were walking. His voice was soft, and his blue eyes were staring at her with a serious expression.

"And you didn't come to see me when I came back. I think we were even", she grinned, a playful glint in her eyes. His arm muscles seemed to relax slightly, his confidence returning slowly as they talked to each other. But he suddenly stopped walking.

"I... I think I made an unforgivable mistake..." he looked at her and Elizabeth raised her eyebrows with a puzzled expression.

"I should have asked your mother's permission before we came into the garden."

She looked at him seeming to doubt he really was serious. "Asked for my mother's permission?" Elizabeth repeated and he nodded. "To have a walk in the garden as we have done hundreds of times before? You cannot be serious," she laughed.

"But I am. Now everything is different, Lady Elizabeth," he said emphasizing his last two words. "In the past we were just two children, and we were always accompanied by Miss Fairfax or by James and Rosamund. But now, everything is different." He looked at her, trying not to be disturbed by the beauty of her eyes. "Now you are a young lady, and although you are totally adorable, you have a reputation to protect."

Robert noticed her cheeks blushed slightly and he felt almost thrilled to be able to cause that kind of effect on her. She had never blushed before him before. She had always been too self-confident for that. But he also knew that he had never looked to her in that way before. That reaction seemed to be a sign that, unlike he had thought, maybe she had not become indifferent to him.

"I don't think Mama has been displeased with our walk", she said with a coy grin.

"Probably not," he told her. "For my fortune," he added.

Then they started to walk again, her hand resting gently on his arm once more.

"I don't want things to change between us," she turned to look at him. Robert was not quite sure what she exactly meant. However, he couldn't explain why, but he felt that it was no longer possible. Something inside him had changed, even though he doesn't completely understand what it was. And then he remained silent, waiting for her to continue.

"Wont you go address me by Lady Elizabeth, will you?" She smiled and Robert realized the glint in those lovely dark eyes.

"Probably," he looked at her with a gentle expression, "when necessary, I suppose."

"So will you force me to call you Lord Downton?" Elizabeth raised an eyebrow in question.

"No, my dear Lizzie," he smiled, "I could never force you into anything."

"That's better," Elizabeth smiled back, and Robert thought there was a different tone in her voice when she added, "my dear Robert."

While returning home that night, later, Robert felt tired, but have a strange feeling of lightness in his chest. All his fears vanished in a single night. And for the first time in all those years, he couldn't wait to be in London to enjoy the season. Something told him that would be memorable, and he would look forward to every single waltz.