Author's note: After finishing "This is a final goodbye?" I was asked by some of you to write a sequel. So, here it is… I hope you like it.
Love and Friendship
Chapter 1
It had been two month since Isobel Crawley had broken off her engagement to Lord Merton. However, both of them had agreed to remain at least friends. Neither of them wanted to lose the other one completely. They had grown very close during their engagement. Therefore, Isobel was surprised that she had seldom heard of him since their last encounter. He had sent her a Christmas card, of course, but that was the last thing she had heard from him. She could not find a satisfactory explanation for his behaviour. It was a bit awkward. Tough he had told her to meet her again would be painful for him; she did not know why he had not at least tried. Moreover, even if she did not want to admit it, but if she was true to herself, she was hurt because she missed him. She missed him very much indeed. They had seen each other very often during the time of their engagement. Both had spent many happy afternoons together. When Lord Merton had visited her, they had often spent their time in her beautiful garden. There, they had sat together, drinking tea and enjoying a conversation. It was true, they were very well suited. She sighed. But why was this making her so sad?
Perhaps she had after all feelings for him that were more than friendship as she had thought at the beginning of their now broken engagement? When was the moment that friendship turned into affection or even love? She had been right. She always thought of him with great affection.
Isobel and the Dowager Countess of Grantham were sitting in a car that was supposed to bring them to the theatre in York as the former had these thoughts whirled in here head.
"Isobel, dear" Violet said and cleared her throat "Are you far away in dream land?"
Isobel startled. "Excuse me, what were you saying?"
"I asked if you had heard from Lord Merton lately."
"Why are you asking? We are no longer engaged," Isobel sounded a bit annoyed.
"There's no need to be rude" Violet said to Isobel as if she were her badly-behaved daughter.
"Very well" Isobel gave in "If you must know, I haven't heard from him lately"
"Which, of course, annoys you more than you want to admit," the Dowager said.
"That's none of your business!"
"That only means, my dear, you are annoyed that he hasn't called or written a letter," Violet pointed out.
"I won't say anything further!"
"Oh, there's no need, I already know the answer. It's written all over your face!" Was there really a smug smile on Violet's face? Isobel rolled her eyes and looked out of the car's window. Thick raindrops began to fall on the window.
Isobel was glad when they finally arrived at the theatre and she could escape Violet's interrogation. They both climbed out of the car and, as it were raining heavily, hurried to the entrance. When they were inside and had handed their coats to the wardrobe assistant, Isobel felt something like excitement. They were going to see Shakespeare's "Midsummer Night's Dream" tonight. It had been a long time since she had been to the theatre. She was very grateful for Violet's invitation to join her this evening. The truth was the Dowager Countess had her own reasons to bring Isobel here. She knew her cousin needed a little cherishing. Of course, she would not admit that she felt sorry for Isobel and moreover, she would never admit that she cared for her. She was well aware that Isobel had not yet overcome her broken engagement to Lord Merton, despite her brave face. Obviously, Isobel had stronger feelings for the Baron that Violet had anticipated at the beginning of her cousin's engagement to Dickie. The Dowager Countess was sure that Isobel thought a lot of her former fiancé. Perhaps she even regretted her decision not to marry him?
At this very moment, Isobel was thinking of Dickie. She wished she could see him some time soon. Perhaps, they could even go to the theatre together, as friends? But would it be appropriate, now, that their courtship was over?
Lord Merton's sudden appearance near her and Violet let her blink. Was this really happening? But yes, there he was. Her face turned suddenly scarlet and her knees wobbled. What was happening with her? Why did she react like a school girl? Lord Merton looked very handsome in his evening suit. He was handsome after all. She smiled sadly as she glanced at him. Then she saw something that gave her a painful sting to her chest. Lord Merton was accompanied by someone. It was a lady.
What do you think? Reviews would be wonderful.