Chapter 10
Isobel stirred as the bright sunlight penetrated the hotel curtains. She smiled as she looked at Richard, her beloved husband, sleeping in her arms and she felt such love for him but the intensity of her feelings no longer frightened her. He was absolutely everything she could ever want or need and she could not remember when she had last been so happy.
Richard stirred and smiled at her.
"Good morning Mrs Clarkson," he said
"Good morning Dr Clarkson," she kissed him, "It feels wonderful waking up with a husband,"
"It feels wonderful waking up with a wife too; it's something I never thought would happen to me. I had offers over the years of course but I am so glad I waited for you, my beloved beautiful Isobel,"
"I'm glad you waited too because I am just so very happy being married to such a compassionate gorgeous dashing doctor with an accent to die for," she looked into his eyes and gently stroked his cheek, "You look years younger,"
"I feel years younger Isobel,"
They took a shower together; soaping every inch of each other's bodies as the hot water beat a tattoo on their naked flesh. Isobel held him tightly under the water and his hands caressed her back and buttocks as he kissed her passionately.
They dressed and went down for breakfast. They held hands across the table and Isobel smiled as she saw the bright light in her husband's eyes. God she loved him so much and just knowing he loved her made waking up in the morning worthwhile. To him she was the most beautiful woman he had ever seen and how he had hoped; the knowledge that she was now his wife was a fact he would enjoy coming to terms with. For so long now Dr Richard Clarkson had lived for medicine and little else; the fact he now had a life beyond that would certainly take some acclimatising to but he looked forward to being a husband and setting up home with Isobel. They had agreed that he would move into Crawley House and the next couple of days would be spent transferring his personal effects. Someone had once told him that true love was medicine for the soul and well-being and he had scoffed but now he realised the full truth of it. Isobel had taken years off him and he felt like a new man with new dreams and hopes. Medicine would still be important to him, since he had studied and worked two jobs to pay his way through medical school, but it would no longer be the be all and end all for him.
He drove them back to Crawley House.
The day was spent productively moving his essential personal effects across but by evening all was established and they sat down with some trepidation to a meal cooked by Ethel.
"I wonder how Edith and Sir Anthony got on," Isobel said.
"Who knows?" he shrugged, "Maybe we should invite them for tea tomorrow?"
"That would be rather nice," Isobel said, "I will do that,"
"Best not to let Lord Grantham know that the invitation is extended to Sir Anthony as well,"
"Don't worry; they will probably be getting over the shock that we're married," Isobel held his hand in hers, "I love you so much Richard darling,"
"I love you too Mrs Clarkson," he kissed her hand.
Anthony went upstairs and brought down a tiny box. Edith sat with anticipation as he opened it to reveal a solitaire diamond white gold ring.
"It was Maud's," he explained, "but I can get you another if you would sooner not wear a dead woman's ring,"
"It's fine," she whispered, "I would be honoured to wear it my darling because she loved you too,"
He slipped it onto her finger and handed her the box.
"Best not wear it at home for the time being," he said, "give it a month or so before we spring that on them,"
"That's a good idea," she said.
"May I kiss you Edith? Properly I mean because I want to take your breath away,"
"Please do because I have waited a lifetime for such a kiss,"
Edith did not count being kissed by Farmer Drake because he had been married.
She got to her feet and he drew her to him as she put her arms around his warm muscular body trying to stop herself from trembling.
His mouth claimed hers as he began to caress and explore her mouth and throat with his. Edith kissed him back; giving into her long thwarted desire as she felt her erect nipples strain against her dress. Her dreams of being held and kissed by this unspeakably gorgeous man were coming true but she knew she had to contain her ultimate desire to be his lover. She was determined to be a virgin bride.
When the kiss broke Anthony was trembling as much as she was and they sat down; suddenly weakened by the emotion.
"Oh Edith," he murmured, "That was the most loving and passionate kiss I have ever known or given. Thank you,"
"Thank you for making my dreams come true," she whispered.
She left Locksley late afternoon with great reluctance but promised to take him out for a drive the next day.
Violet was mercifully absent that evening as Edith felt it might be difficult to contain her elation. She smiled as she dressed for dinner; remembering the sensual feel of Anthony's mouth on hers.
Isobel and Richard were present though and Edith sensed some awkwardness on her parents' part which she sensed was more due to the way Clarkson had been treated with regard to Sybil than the fact he and Isobel were now married.
Isobel caught up with Edith in the library before Cora and Mary came through.
"How are things Edith dear?"
"They are wonderful Cousin Isobel," Edith's smile was infectious.
"Richard and I were wondering if you and Sir Anthony would care to join us for afternoon tea tomorrow."
"I would like that; I am going to take him for a drive tomorrow so can ask him then."
"You really do love him don't you?"
"Yes I do," she whispered, "he loves me too Cousin Isobel and because he loves me he tried to set me free but he has realised he needs me just as much as I need him,"
"I understand that feeling Edith dear," Isobel smiled brightly, "Richard has made me very happy indeed; happier than maybe I have a right to be,"
"I'm really pleased for you cousin Isobel," Edith said.
They changed topic as Mary and Cora came in closely followed by Robert, Tom, Matthew and Dr Clarkson.
Edith smiled as she thought of the engagement ring locked in her jewellery box; hardly able to wait for the day when she could wear it publicly.
The following day she went to Locksley and, after coffee, they were soon speeding happily along the country lanes in the way they had done in those halcyon days before the war.
"I would be delighted to come to tea at Mrs Crawley...sorry Mrs's Clarkson's," he said.
"Oh Anthony, I really do love you,"
"I love you too Edith," he murmured, "We can trust the Clarkson's with our secret can't we?"
"Yes," she said.
Ethel let Edith and Anthony into the sitting room at Crawley House and went to fetch the tea.
They sat and drank tea.
"We're delighted you could come," Isobel said.
"It's nice to be invited," Anthony said, "A lot of my so called friends ditched me after I jilted Edith so I don't get many invites these days."
"Some people can be petty," Isobel said.
"I know," Edith said, "I was the one jilted not them and if I can forgive..."
Anthony took her hand in his good one.
"Actually we have an announcement," Anthony said, "But it needs to be kept quiet for a while; yesterday Edith agreed to be my wife and I asked her properly this time."
"Congratulations," Richard put an arm around Isobel, "I can certainly recommend it because Isobel has taken years off me,"
"It shows," Anthony smiled.
"We're taking it at Anthony's pace this time," Edith said, "I know I kind of railroaded him last time so when he feels ready, and only then, will we make it public,"
"Have you had any nightmares recently Anthony?" Richard asked. Anthony shook his head.
"Strangely enough no; not since I saw Edith again,"
"That's good to hear; many years ago I was told that true love was the best medicine for soul and well being. I scoffed at the time but it is true,"
"It certainly is," Isobel said.
Edith drove Anthony home and kissed him goodbye, a long lingering kiss that left them both trembling. Then she returned to Downton for dinner knowing that absolutely nothing would spoil her mood that evening.