Many thanks to you all for being so encouraging and caring during my time away from writing. Unfortunately, I lost two dear women in my life, both to cancer, within the same week. One like a grandmother and the other like a mother. It has been a trying time but I am happy to get back to writing and am looking forward to September more than ever! Thank you all again!
Short, quick steps carried Isobel Crawley across the street towards Downton Cottage Hospital. The weather was dreary, much like her mood these days, and the damp atmosphere only depressed her further. The less she was in the cold, the better.
Gripping her hand bag tight, she rounded the final corner to reach her destination. With her eyes cast down to keep from tripping over a cobblestone, she saw a pair of feet and slowed her steps, looking up with a smile to politely acknowledge the individual.
But her smile faded quickly, her eyes widening in shock, as Lord Merton stepped in her path.
"Good day," he said softly. "Mary told me you were due here this afternoon."
Isobel recovered quickly, closing her slightly open mouth and nodding. "Yes…yes I have a meeting with Dr. Clarkson about the Outpatient Clinic," she offered, her lips nervously curling in to a small smile.
"So she said," he answered, looking down and clasping his hands behind his back. "How are you?"
Her eyes creased in confusion, unsure of why he had sought her out. "Fine, thank you…and you?"
He shifted to the other foot, chancing a glance in her direction. His stomach turned with nerves when he saw the curious look she fixed him with. He knew he had to give some explanation as to why he had waited for her; she was an intelligent woman and surely knew his presence in Downton Village was not a coincidence. Sighing, he stood straight and cleared his throat.
"Isobel...forgive me…might I still call you that?" he asked quickly.
She now gripped her bag with both hands. "Of course," she answered softly.
"I know you are quite busy…but I wonder if you might come to tea on Friday."
His hopes were dashed upon seeing her face drop, her eyes now dark and lips drawn in to a thin line.
She silently walked a few steps around him to stand at the hospital's gate. "I'm not sure…"
"Please," he interrupted. His eyes locked with hers as he pressed on. "I want to apologize for how I spoke the last time we met. And I would like to explain….you see….things have changed, Isobel."
He sighed and looked down, taking a step toward her and gathering his courage. Looking up, he asked quietly, "Please…will you come?"
She could not help but smile, her affection for him winning over her fear and hurt. "I will have to check my calendar when I get home…to make sure I do not have to work in the clinic," she replied.
His face brightened considerably. "Of course, quite right. I'm afraid I am keeping you from meeting Dr Clarkson. Perhaps I could phone tomorrow afternoon…to see about Friday?"
She suppressed a chuckle, not wanting to embarrass him. But he was trying so hard…one trait she had come to admire in him.
"I'll look forward to it," she replied.
"You will?" he asked, clearly surprised that she was open to the idea.
She smiled to him before looking behind to the hospital. "I best be off."
He took a step back and cleared his throat again. "Of course. Until tomorrow then."
He tipped his hat to her and smiled, only letting out his long-held breath when she had entered the hospital. While it was only a small step, at least it was one in the right direction. Pushing his hands in to his pockets, he walked away feeling much lighter than when he'd arrived.