Hi everyone! I have decided to try my hand at a Isobel and Richard (in this slightly AU where I am selectively choosing episodes to pay attention to) story…

Enjoy!

She watched from the bay window as he sat on her front steps. His knees were parted, and his elbows rested comfortably on them with his hands clasped between them. It was the third night (to her knowledge) that he had done this. Just before she retired for the night, she would find him sitting as the sunset in front of him over her stone wall. He would not knock, he did not ask for tea, or for a conversation. He would just sit and presumably think about something important. Isobel found that while he sat on the steps, he was oblivious to the fact she was studying him. His brow was always slight furrowed and every now and then, his mustache would twitch. She had to admit he was very handsome.

She knew that he sometimes felt like Death in a white jacket, all doctors feel it. Reginald had, that's what had driven him to the bottle so quickly after he started working.

Isobel watched as he stood and turned towards her door. Fearful of being seen, she hid out of his sight. She waited a couple of seconds before she had to see if he was still there. Her fingers gripped the wall as she brought her eyes to see only what was necessary. His hand was raised and rested against the knocker, but she heard nothing. He shook his head and lowered his hand. Doctor Clarkson backed off the steps and looked into the bay window. Isobel ducked quickly, but Richard was able to make out the fingers that gripped the wall. He blushed and quickly followed the path out of her sanctuary.

"Mother?" Matthew asked curiously eyeing his spying mother. "What are you doing?"

She was silent for a minute trying to think of a believable fib to tell him.

"I was just looking at the gardens," She said with what she hoped was a reassuring smile. "I think I'll turn in for the night. Goodnight."

Isobel placed a chaste kiss on her son's cheek and headed up to her room. She changed into her cotton night dress and laid down. She let out a sigh before she closed her eyes and wondered, for the third night, why Richard was on her steps.

:::

Matthew looked out the bay window after his mother had told him goodnight. At first he did not see anything, but then he it. Well rather, him. Doctor Clarkson was preparing his bike and heading off like a thief in the night. Although Matthew knew Doctor Clarkson well enough to be positive the older man would never steal anything, he wondered why he was at their house. Most of all he wondered why his mother had been spying on the good Doctor.

With a shrug of his shoulders, Matthew decided the questions could be saved for another time. He too headed up to his rooms where Molesley dressed him for bed.

:::

Doctor Clarkson debated wether or not to call on the reputable Isobel Crawley. It was an odd time, he told himself as he stood to face her door. His hand was resting against the knocker. This is stupid, he thought to himself, why is she every going to talk to me? Richard shook his head and lowered his hand. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw something move. He turned to face the bay window. At first, he saw nothing. Then, he was able to make out a slim hand gripping the wall. He knew who was watching.

Richard was at least dignified enough to blush at the thought of being spied on by the Lady of the house. He turned quickly and followed the path out of the stone walls. He readied his bike which he had rested against the walls that blocked her from the town. With one last glance to see if she was still watching (which she wasn't) Richard mounted his bike and pedaled back to his cottage.

One day, he would find the courage to call on her during the night.

Please review!