Richard had just finished his rounds and was making his way in the hospital, parking his car directly by the back door the good doctor got his bag out and walked in. There was a time when he would have been having tea with Isobel. A bitter smile took over his facial expression as he realised that though it was a most enjoyable routine he had somehow taken it for granted and now that it was to be only a memory, he was missing it terribly.
About this time, he would have been discussing a medical journal with her pontificating whether there was anything new at all in it – whether the publishing house had paper to waste or there was something he could try on the next patient which presented with said symptoms. He might also been looking at her in amusement as she told him a silly rumour from the village or something stupid that she did like forgetting that the coat was hanging too close to the fireplace and only noticed when smoke started to come out of the damn thing. He might also have been rolling his eyes at her as she sniped at the dowager countess about some unfortunate case they were squabbling over.
Still. He would have been with her and that would have been everything.
He couldn't believe himself when he drank in his courage to propose to her – what the hell was he thinking? She was manna from heaven, an educated feisty yet adorable nurse with a heart of gold. He was just some country Scottish doctor with no title or estate. This was the way it was supposed to be, that's why there is a system. He had been a fool in believing her when she said these things did not matter to her.
Of course they mattered - great bloody deal. For she was to marry a lord now, a gentleman from London with both a title and a massive fortune and was to spend the rest of her days surrounded by the best the world had to offer and she deserved it, all of it.
'Oh Christ have mercy.' Sighed his brain as he noticed the unmistakably straight female posture clad in a violet dress, arm out, hand resting on a black stick.
"Good Morning doctor." The dowager greeted, evidently she was in a good mood, Christ did have mercy after all.
"Good Morning your ladyship, is everything all right?"
"Yes, I wanted to talk to you about something and the nurse was kind enough to let me in." she explained before tilting her head to the side "Are you all right, doctor?"
This puzzled him "Yes, perfectly fine…"
"Hm…" she pursed her lips, letting him know that she did not quite believe him but she was going to let it slide for now. "Well, I'm here to discuss the matter of Isobel…"
Richard just could not take it any longer "Your Ladyship, with all due respect, what does or doesn't do is none of -"
"Your business, yes I thought you might say that but seeing your mood lately, I thought you might like to know that she is not engaged to Lord Merton."
Violet peered into his soul as she let her statement sink in for a moment.
Richard shook his head "I thought the whole thing was set. She never said anything to me…" he wasn't sure whether to leap with joy or run to Isobel demanding an explanation of why she did not inform him of this late development.
"Well yes." The dowager smiled tightly, trying not to let the inappropriate delight show – though she knew the man in front of her would be the last to judge her on it. "She did not take it as hard as I thought thankfully but she might have been too embarrassed to tell you herself and I was thinking that a visit or a call might cheer her up a bit. No good comes from letting her flying around for so long – she's like a wasp!" she finished with her classic haughty laugh. Not seeing the doctor take kindly to the name calling and knowing that the seed had been planted she got up, leaving him just enough time to open the door for her. "Yes…I must go now, good day doctor Clarkson."
"Good day, ma'am."
Violet stole a last glance and she good see – he looked like the cat that got the cream.
AN: And this was it folks I hope you enjoyed my little trip inside their heads! let me know what you think :)
