Doctor Richard Clarkson knew the effects of hypoxia, lightheadedness, numbness and tingling in the extremities. Currently he was being smothered, a pillow was over his face and being pressed down with some force. Richard's sides burned and he was having trouble catching his breath. However, it wasn't from the pillow being smashed in his face it was the fact that he was laughing!
Above Isobel Crawley was trying unsuccessfully to mute and perhaps kill her lover with a down filled pillow. Richard could easily disarm her. All it would take would be one well placed move with his legs and chest to dislodge her and push her off to the side. Nonetheless, he was finding this whole experience enjoyable.
Finally she relented and moved the pillow aside. Richard for his part had stopped laughing but his face still held a wry grin.
"You should have seen your face!" he murmured again.
Isobel was fuming, he had been repeating this phrase for nearly a day. Normally Isobel did not wish to inflict harm on her lover but now she was sorely tempted to use more than just a pillow!
They had been having lunch together. Richard had snuck off from the hospital to meet her at Crawley House. She had made them soup and they were eating together heartily. When lunch was done Richard went over to sit next to her on the settee. His hands caressed her cheeks and she sighed in the knowledge that he would kiss her. When his lips met hers the sigh turned to a contented moan and both got lost in the kisses they shared. They had become lovers a month after Matthew had died. During the first month he had practically stayed by her side. This companionship ignited in them both a deep love and respect. One night Isobel had begged him to stay not out of loneliness but out of love. They shared a bed that night, learning to be comfortable with each others presence. Slowly each of them asked more from one another until both were made whole in each other. Richard pulled away when a large shadow passed by the window. He pulled away and went to see what had caught his attention.
"I think you have a visitor" He declared as he craned his head to get a better view.
"Nonsense, the only visitor is you and you don't really count!" Isobel stated as she smoothed back her hair.
Both heard the bell and Isobel's eyes went wide. She wasn't ashamed of Richard but with everything that had happened the Crawley Family did not need another scandal. Quickly he moved his tray of soup to her desk. Both could hear Lucy bringing in the visitor.
"Hide!" Isobel hissed to him.
"Where am I supposed to go?" Richard hissed back, for there was only one entrance and exit to the drawing room. Thinking fast he stood by the door so when it would be opened hopefully it would shield him. Lucy opened the door and Isobel sprang into place. The visitor was Lord Merton.
Isobel stood in the middle keeping Lord Merton from entering and seeing Richard. However, she couldn't be seen as being impolite so she hastily gestured to her own tray. "I'm having soup." She said lamely. "Care for some?" She blurted.
Richard's sides were burning from holding in the urge to laugh. She looked so ridiculous gesturing to the tray. She was shifting her weight from foot to foot almost as if she were dancing and Richard bit his cheek. If he wasn't careful Lord Merton was going to know he was here.
Richard's merriment died when Lord Merton asked her if she was going to Rose's Ball. She told him no and while the answer was the one he wanted he felt as though it was wrong.
"I think you should go" Richard said running a hand down her arm.
Isobel was confused, "Go where this is my bed!"
He snorted, "No, I mean you should go to London. Go to the ball. Have some fun."
Isobel moved the pillow off of his chest so she could occupy its space instead. "I won't have fun, I can't have fun not without you."
Richard welcomed her weight on him and caressed her back, their early skirmish with the pillow completely forgotten. "You should go, you need to go...it's family."
"You'll know that he'll be there." She mumbled.
Richard smiled and kissed her forehead, "I know that, I also know that you love me. Besides if he tries anything I know you'll smack him with your handbag or something."
"What if I don't want to?" She asked weakly.
Richard sighed this was one chasm that Isobel had trouble navigating. The divide between them of their station in life. Her being the mother to the late heir and the grandmother to the future heir to the Earl of Grantham. Him being a country Doctor. "Will you go if that's what I want?"
She raised herself up so she could look at him and nodded in the affirmative. "What do I tell him?"
Richard swept a fallen lock of hair out of her eyes, "Tell him you reconsidered. Tell him...you think tradition can be a good thing. You're bright I'm sure you can come up with something."
It was her turn to sigh and at this he knew he had won, "All right" she acquiesced.
"Super" Richard said purposefully elongating the first half of the word. Earning him another pillow to the face.
The Dowager Countess was pleased the Isobel had decided to go yet somewhat annoyed that she would have to be sharing her car and then the train! Beside her Isobel seemed to be glowing. What she didn't know was Dr. Clarkson was leaning against a tree in the village square waving to Isobel as she got into the car. Isobel could see him and smiled as widely as she could hoping he could see it. Her hand gripped the handles of her handbag. It was a larger and more sturdier one than she normally carried and she smiled at the reason why.
As the chauffeur pulled away isobel was glad. She wanted to go to London if only for the fact that she could then return to her lover.
