To her puzzlement he got up offered her his hand as if he was asking her to dance. Quietly she gave him her hand and let him draw her body to his. So flush together where they that she could feel his strong heart beating through his rib cage. He put his cheek to hers and move his head to the side so his lips were right by her ear and her head was resting against his shoulder.

"You are an intelligent girl and bit of a know it all my darling…" before she could move to express indignation, he continued "There are however, some things you need to learn. One of them is that no woman – young or old, fine or fair that would ever tempt me to give up the miracle of being with you."

Feeling her slumping against him and returning his embrace, he unpinned her hair and started running his hand through it. It was so smooth, and it smelled like lavender. His other hand was running along her spine. Letting her absorb what he had just told her, he felt her lips placing kisses along the crook of his neck.

"I am a simple country doctor and frankly, not a remarkable man by any stretch of imagination, but you are a force of nature and the most beautiful woman both inside and out and I don't know what you've seen or heard but you always need to remember that I love you." He trailed her cheek with his lips. He loved to hear her purr when his moustache touched her skin.

Isobel was in 7th heaven by the time his lips got to hers. She simply did not want to stop kissing him but sheer lack of air forced them apart. Smiling, she looked straight into his blue eyes and brought her arms around his neck "I love you too." She whispered. It was so liberating! To hear her heart sing, to speak the beautiful truth to the man who had been her friend through all her ups and downs since Matthew's inheritance changed her life. Now her son was married to the love of his life, she could spend time with Richard without putting her son in an awkward position.

"Spend the night here." Murmured Richard as he pulled her close again, his eyes boring into hers.

"People will know…are you ready for that?" the nurse asked leaning her head to one side. She was adorable when she did that. She always did when she was curious about something.

Her disappointed look when he pushed her away and moved to the other side of the room by the wooden unit where he kept most of his journals both amused him and broke his heart. How little did she know! Without her knowledge, he pulled a small box from behind a picture frame of him in uniform just before he'd gone to Africa during the Boer war.

Isobel looked down at the floor as he walked away from her. Why did she have to ruin the moment by opening her big mouth? Surely, he knew things would become public when she'd start spending nights with him here in the doctor's house!

Her confusion was not helped by the fact that when he turned to face her and started walking towards her again, he had the most knowing smile and his eyes sparkled.

"It depends." He said with that deep voice and irresistible Scottish lilt "Are you ready for this?" His gold signet ring bling in the reflection of the fire as he turned his hand and opened the small box containing a ring with a cherry coloured stone flowered by what she supposed where little diamonds

Her hand flew to her mouth as her eyes filled up. He was hers, he really wanted to be hers! She flew into his arms, kissing him. Her tears of joy would not stop. She was home…she was finally home. "I most definitely am – of course! I love you so much I never dreamt this would happen, Richard."

"Sometimes reality is better than dreams, darling." Said the blond man putting the ring on her finger "Apologies for not asking on one knee." he smiled mischievously "did not want your first act as my fiancée to be picking me off the floor…"

Her laugh was infectious as she let him lead her towards his bed room.

"I really do love you, Bel. Merry xmas." He said before opening the door. He wanted to make his feelings clear before making love to her.

"I love you too Richard, one of many merry ones to come."

As the bedroom door closed, the rain was turning to ice but in that doctor's house in Downton, there was a warmth that can only be released by a consummation of a love of a life time. Isobel's Christmas wish was granted. And as Richard held her in his arms, life was complete.

End

Bit late I know, but I hope it made you folks smile :)