Author's note: This is my take on how Isobel should fight for Dickie Merton.
Fighting
Chapter 1
The ride home in Violet's car was a quiet one. Isobel sat there, motionless, and with closed eyes to fight back some tears which were ready to roll down her cheeks. But she wanted to hold them back. She would not cry least of all not in front of Violet
"Oh, what a ghastly affair this had been", said the Dowager Countess.
"You can say that again", replied Isobel.
Violet remained silent. There was nothing more to be said. Nothing could erase those terrible words Larry Grey had said. Isobel needed time to be alone.
At Crawley House Isobel went to the drawer and put out a bottle of Matthew's whiskey and poured her a glass. The liquid burned in her throat and made her cough. Afterwards she did not feel any better.
She brushed her teeth and climbed straight away in her bed. But sleep was not to come, not for a very long time. Larry's words swirled over and over in her head. Never in her whole life had she been so humiliated. Finally, Isobel could not hold back the tears any longer and she cried quietly.
The next morning she woke very early and with a strong headache. She blamed it on the whiskey.
She skipped breakfast and drank only a cup of coffee. Isobel dressed quickly, did her hair, put on her hat and went straight to the hospital.
"Mrs. Crawley! Good morning", said Dr. Clarkson. "It's been a long time since you were last here."
"That's right. I need something to keep myself occupied." replied Isobel "I would have gone mad if I had stayed at home" she blurted out. She regretted it immediately.
"Has something happened?" asked Dr. Clarkson concerned.
"Nothing" she responded almost angrily "At least nothing of your concern!" Why was she so unfriendly? He was only trying to be nice and she was insufferable.
"Forgive me Dr. Clarkson. I think I go and start doing rounds."
Back at home she tended to the roses in her garden. She needed to be occupied and keep her mind busy. But standing there in her lovely garden did not help much. She was reminded of the day when he had come to her and had asked for her hand. Back then, she had also been in her garden. His proposal had been so lovely, much lovelier than Reginald's. His had been rather businesslike. She had been the one in love, not him. He had come to love her afterwards. She sighed. Why was she being so emotional?
Afterwards she went to the abbey to spend some time with her grandson. She met Mary in the nursery. She played a game of Snakes and Ladders and kneeled on the floor. Lady Mary kneeling on the floor to play a child's game! Who would have thought of it?
"Isobel!" said Mary. "How lovely of you to join us. Darling, say hello to your grandmamma!"
"Hello, grandmamma!" said George.
"Hello, my dear boy"
They played the game again. Sybbie was winning.
"I'm sorry about last night's dinner." Mary said quietly.
"Oh, don't be, don't be. It's not your fault." Isobel assured her. "I will get over it."
"I truly hope you are still going to marry Dickie Merton. He loves you very much."
That's true, Isobel thought by herself. But could his love be enough? Would she be able to cope with his sons, especially with Larry? She was not sure.