I apologize a million times for not having updated sooner, but life got in the way. :) Thank you to everyone for reading and reviewing - it means so much. :) Hope you'll enjoy the chapter and Happy Easter. :)
Chapter 14
Isobel sat on the small settee by the window going over some of the details for the wedding. With only two and a half weeks to go the plans for the wedding were nearly done, but there were a few things to sort out still.
When the door to the sitting room opened Isobel smiled, as she had just thought of going to the kitchen asking for tea. But when she looked up, she found Lucy standing a few feet away from her with a rather strange look on her face.
Isobel's brow furrowed in confusion."What's wrong?" she asked Lucy concerned.
Lucy opened and closed her mouth a couple of times not knowing how to say, what she'd come to say.
"It's Lord Merton. He's outside asking, if he could speak with you," she finally blurted out.
At the mention of Lord Merton's name Isobel blinked hard several times. She hadn't seen him or had had any contact with him since London. So the fact that it seemed, he was on her doorstep left her utterly dumbfounded.
"Did you say that Lord Merton's outside?" she asked in disbelief thinking that perhaps, she'd misheard Lucy.
"Yes, Ma'am," Lucy answered while nodding her head in the process.
Isobel blinked several times again, and then looked off into the distance lost in thought.
"Goodness," she mumbled surprised her eyes going wide in the process.
"Should I tell him, you don't wish to see him?" Lucy asked after a few short moments of silence.
That brought Isobel back and she looked at Lucy again.
"No," she told her with a shake of her head, and smiled in kind. "I have no reason not to see him," she said.
But then the sheet of paper in her hand regarding the wedding caught her eye. And her eyes then caught the other sheets of paper and the notebook that were on the table, which was between the chair and the settee.
"Do you wish for me to wait a few minutes, before I bring him inside?" Lucy asked kindly.
Smiling even more in kind at the gestured that Lucy offered, Isobel once again shook her head.
"No, I have no reason to hide anything," she told her. "I'll just put everything into the notebook, and leave it here on the table," she explained. "You can go and bring him in."
"Yes, Ma'am," Lucy answered and left the sitting room.
Still being completely surprised that Lord Merton had come to see her, Isobel shook her head in disbelief and once again got lost in her thoughts. But when she heard voices and footsteps approaching, she quickly put the different sheets of paper in her notebook, placed the pen on top of it, and stood up just as Lucy opened the door again and Lord Merton walked in.
"Mrs. Crawley," Lord Merton greeted her kindly with a nod and a smile.
"Lord Merton," Isobel greeted in return smiling as well. "Well, this is a surprise," she said not knowing what else to start with. "I was just about to ask for tea, when I was told of your visit. Would you care to join me?" she asked.
"Yes, that would be most wonderful, thank you," he answered.
Isobel turned her attention to Lucy. "Tea for two it is then," she said.
Lucy nodded. "Yes, Ma'am," she said and left closing the door behind her.
"Please have a seat," Isobel said as she gestured to the chair between the sofa and the fireplace.
"Thank you," he replied as he walked towards the chair, and sat down after Isobel had taken a seat on the sofa. "I'm sure you're wondering why, I'm here," he said.
"Yes, I am rather," she told him.
"Then allow me to explain, why I've suddenly stopped by unannounced," he said smiling. "I've been staying with friends for a few days near Whitby, and was making my way home today," he explained. "However, since I was nearby, I thought I would stop by the Abbey to say a quick hello," he elaborated.
"And no one was home?" she asked.
"Oh no, they were most certainly home," he answered with a chuckle. "In fact, they were all there having just finished luncheon. And it seemed that there had been quite an argument going on between the Dowager Countess and Mrs. Levinson," he explained and couldn't quite keep the mirth off his face.
Isobel chuckled as well. "I'm not surprised. They most definitely have their moments," she told him nodding knowingly.
"So I remember you telling me some months ago," he said.
"Ah yes, I did tell you that," she said remembering.
"Yes, but while you were never really able to escape their arguments, while you were with them, I had better luck," he said chuckling.
"Lucky you," she answered chuckling as well.
"Indeed," he said smiling wide. "Cora was going to Ripon with her mother, brother, Edith, and Rose, and the Dowager was going home. So I didn't get to spend much time with them," he explained.
"How very fortunate for you," she said smiling.
"I thought so, too," he said nodding. "However, they did stay around long enough to inform me that you're getting married in a few short weeks," he explained.
Her eyes widened in shock at his words, and her mouth opened slightly. "Oh I see," she said a little awkwardly after a moment.
Seeing her reaction he quickly carried on. "Robert, Mary, and Tom were going off on estate business, so they didn't have much time either. So seeing as it was still early in the day, I thought I would stop by and offer you my sincerest best wishes and congratulations. I'm very happy for you," he said honestly and smiled warmly.
Sighing silently in relief that he was being sincere, Isobel quickly smiled warmly back at him.
"Thank you. It means a lot, and I'm glad you stopped by to tell me," she told him genuinely.
"I'm glad," he told her being glad that she was happy about his visit. "So," he said after a moment. "It was Dr. Clarkson," he stated hoping he wasn't being too forward.
She smiled a little hesitantly. "Yes, it was Richa...Dr. Clarkson," she corrected.
He shook his head and smiled kindly. "By all means refer to him as you would normally do," he told her honestly. "I have no objection to you calling him by his Christian name," he told her truthfully.
"I'm glad, and thank you," she told him warmly.
He shook his head. "Not at all," he commented. When Isobel didn't say anything further, Lord Merton carried on. "Now, Mrs. Levinson was eager to tell me, what had happened in London. However, the Dowager wasn't too keen on me knowing too much," he explained. "But from what I understood, you were told of Dr. Clarkson's feelings for you the moment you joined the others." He then furrowed his brow remembering. "Something about you all being told due to a misunderstanding. I think Mrs. Levinson tried telling me that the Dowager knew of Dr. Clarkson's feelings for you, and that she was the one to inform you all." He then shook his head and smiled. "Not that the details are important. It's the outcome that counts," he said.
Isobel smiled wider and felt more relaxed that he was truly so happy for her.
"Yes, Mrs. Levinson was right. Cousin Violet did make the revelation," she affirmed. "And she did tell us the moment, I got back, which made me decide to catch the next train back to Downton less than an hour later. And Richard proposed shortly after, we had declared our feelings for one another," she explained smiling happily.
Lord Merton's eyes widened in surprised. "Goodness that was quick," he said astounded.
Immediately Isobel regretted her words from seeing the look on his face. "I'm so sorry," she apologized.
However, he quickly held up a hand stopping any further apology.
"Please don't be," he told her sincerely. "You have no reason to be sorry," he reassured her. "Since you had just found out that the man, you loved, loved you as well, I think it's only natural that you would want to tell him as soon as possible. And to tell it to him in person." He then smiled a bit more. "I can only imagine that anyone else, in your place, would've done the exact same thing. And I can perfectly understand why, Dr. Clarkson proposed to you straight away," he added.
"It was rather quick of me to leave and to get engaged, after you had proposed to me only a few short hours earlier," she told him quietly.
"But if you remember our conversation that day, I did say that I wished you nothing but happiness," he reminded her.
She smiled a bit more at that. "Yes, I do remember that."
"And I meant it," he said warmly. "Which is why, it was only right that you went back at the first opportunity, and that you accepted the proposal. And from what I gathered from everyone at the Abbey, they were happy for you as well," he told her.
At that Isobel smiled more and nodded. "Yes, they most certainly were and still are," she explained. "They have also been very welcoming towards Richard, and I'm glad of that. It's also why Mrs. Levinson and her son are still here. They insisted that they stay for the wedding, which everyone was not equally thrilled about," she said with amusement. "Also, Matthew and Richard knew each other very well, so I know that my son would've been happy for us," she said her voice softening a bit at the mention of Matthew's name.
"Ah yes, of course," Lord Merton said nodding. He then tilted his head slightly to the side and regarded her. "I hurt you more that day than you let on, didn't I?" he said. "The day I took you home after luncheon at the Dower House, where I didn't remember who you were and had forgotten your son," he reminded her carefully.
She sighed at his question, but didn't see the point in lying to him.
"Yes, you did," she answered honestly.
"I'm terribly sorry," he apologized.
She shook her head and smiled kindly. "There's no need to apologize anymore," she told him. "You apologized at the moment it happened, as well as when you sent me the flowers," she reminded him. "It really is alright," she told him reassuringly.
He sighed not believing it was completely fine, but nodded and smiled a little in the process.
"So tell me about the wedding," he said after a few moments, wanting to get her mind on something happier. "Are you going to have it at the Abbey?" he asked. "It will no doubt be lovely weather to have the party outside."
Being glad to get her mind on happier thoughts, her smiled widened.
She shook her head. "No, we are not, though they offered. But had we accepted, we felt that it might end up being on their terms," she elaborated. "And we very much want to arrange everything ourselves, and have the wedding be on our terms," she explained.
"Understandable," he commented.
"Besides, we wanted to invite some of their staff, as I've gotten to know some of them quite well over the years, and that Richard has known them for longer than I have. So it might've been a bit awkward, if we'd had the wedding at the Abbey," she said.
He raised his eyebrow slightly in surprise, but then nodded understanding. "Yes, I would imagine, it would have been," he then said. "So since you're not having it at the Abbey, where are you having it?" he asked interested.
"Well, when everyone in the village heard about our engagement, they were all very happy for us," she told him smiling at the memory. "And when everyone expressed a desire to in some way mark our special day, we decided to include them," she said smiling.
"That's very kind of you," he complimented, but she merely shrugged though smiled at the compliment. "So how exactly will you go about doing that?"
"We liked the idea of being able to be outside, so we're going to have an open reception out on the cricket field. And anyone, who wishes to stop by and take part in our celebration, is free to do so," she explained. "We'll set up tents and provide the refreshments with the help of some of the villagers. And the ones living nearby have kindly offered to open up their homes, so that we may make use of their facilities," she replied.
"That sounds like a wonderful way to include them," he commented with a smile.
"It suits both Richard and I perfectly, as neither of us wishes for the wedding to be lavish," she told him. "This way it will be like just another gathering for the village, where people don't have to dress up, and where they can throw a ball around or play a game of cricket.," she said smiling. "And then in the evening we're having a more private dinner at the village hall, which will only be for the guests that we've invited," she added.
"It sounds like it will be a lov..."
"Isobel, are you home?"
They both turned their heads towards the door, as they heard Richard calling out from the hall. Isobel smiled immediately at the sound of Richard's voice, and she almost chuckled when she turned back around and saw the surprised look on Lord Merton's face.
"I gave him a key and told him, he's free to come and go as he pleases," she clarified. He nodded in understanding as she got up. "I'll just go out to let him know, I'm in. Excuse me," she said and left before Lord Merton said anything.
When Isobel stepped out into the hall, Richard was already walking towards her, so she only had time to leave the door ajar.
"There you are," he said lovingly,
"Hello," she greeted back just as lovingly, as they met up only a few feet away from the door.
Richard looked to his right, and when he couldn't see anyone, he put his arms around Isobel and pulled her in for a kiss. Her arms instinctively went around his neck as she returned the kiss.
"Mmm," he hummed when they pulled apart, and then gave her a quick peck.
"What are you doing here?" she asked.
"I've missed you terribly and because of that, I have not been able to get any work done at all today. So I just had to come and see you," he told her overacting.
She narrowed her eyes at him and pursed her lips knowingly.
"Somehow I don't think, you're being completely honest with me," she told him.
Chuckling at her comment he nodded. "True," he admitted and she chuckled, too. "But I did miss you," he declared tenderly, which made her smile tenderly back at him. "Once I'd done my rounds, I had no paperwork, no appointments, nor anything else that required my attention. So when a few of the nurses suggested that I go and spend some time with you, I found no reason to object," he explained. "They will call, if I'm needed back."
Isobel smiled warmly at that. "I'm glad they suggested that you come here," she told him lovingly, but then narrowed her eyes in confusion, when he looked to his right again. "What are you looking for?" she asked curiously.
However, instead of telling her, Richard just gave her an innocent shrug, but then gave her a boyish grin and kissed her again.
She welcomed his lips wholeheartedly and got so lost in the moment that she didn't notice, he was guiding them into the sitting room.
As the door was pushed open by Isobel's back, they entered the sitting room still kissing, but then somewhat stumbled over the threshold which ended their kiss. They broke apart both grinning, and it was then that Richard noticed from the corner of his eye that someone was standing by the chair near the fireplace.
His face flushed feeling embarrassed that they'd been caught, and he started apologizing immediately. "I'm so sorry. I didn't know tha...Lord Merton!" he said surprised when his eyes caught the person, but then he quickly cleared his throat. "Lord Merton," he greeted calmly and respectfully with a polite nod.
Lord Merton returned the polite nod, and smiled in kind. "Dr. Clarkson," he greeted.
"I'm sorry that...well..." Richard gestured between himself and Isobel not knowing what else to say.
"No need," Lord Merton told him reassuringly. "I was at the Abbey earlier, and they told me of your wedding. So I merely stopped by to offer Mrs. Crawley my best wishes and congratulations," he explained. "Naturally, I extend them to you as well."
Richard smile kindly. "Thank you," he told Lord Merton.
"And seeing as you're here now, I should get my hat and leave," Lord Merton told them both looking between them. "I'm sure that you still have some wedding details to sort out," he said with a smile.
Isobel and Richard both nodded at him in thanks.
"I'll walk you out," Isobel told him.
Lord Merton nodded at her, and as he walked passed Richard on his way out, they gave each other a nod.
As they walked out of the sitting room Isobel wondered why, Richard hadn't noticed Lord Merton's hat, when he had arrived. However, as they walked down the hall she noticed that Richard's hat and medical bag were on the table, and that Lord Merton's hat was hanging on the right side of the hatstand. And as Lord Merton retrieved his hat, she noticed that the hat must've been blocked from Richard's view as he entered the door, due to some of her coats and hats on the hatstand being in the way.
"Thank you again for taking the time to see me," he said smiling.
"Not at all," she said. "I'm glad, you're happy for Richard and I."
"I truly am," he told her honestly.
"Good," she said smiling. "I must admit that I've never given any thought to how you would feel, if you ever found out that I was getting married so soon after your proposal," she revealed truthfully. "But I'm glad that I now know, and I'm ever so glad that you're not upset."
"Well, I can't say how I would've felt, had I known sooner that you'd gotten engaged the same day as I'd proposed," he told her truthfully though smiled kindly. "Though having overheard your conversation with Dr. Clarkson, I'm not entirely convinced now that I ever loved you enough or at all," he said.
She raised her eyebrows in surprise. "Oh?" she said but more out of curiosity than surprise.
"Don't get me wrong," he quickly added. "I'm not saying this now to make things easier for any of us," he clarified. "I meant what I've been saying all along. I am happy for you and wish you nothing but happiness," he stated.
Smiling kindly she shook her head. "I didn't think that that was what you were doing. And especially not, as you say, after our conversation," she assured him. "But then what did you mean, if you don't mind me asking?" she asked gently though curiously.
"When Dr. Clarkson told you that he'd missed you, I realized that I could not claim to have ever done the same," he explained carefully. "During the time that we spent apart, when I thought we were courting, I naturally thought of you. But I don't think that I really ever missed you. Not truly missed you as in I longed to see you again. And I can very much tell that that's how Dr. Clarkson feels about you," he told her honestly. "So that made we wonder, if I had ever truly loved you," he said and shrugged slightly.
"Perhaps you did, but perhaps you didn't," she replied with a shrug and a happy smile. "But there are many different degrees of love, and we don't always love a person as strongly as someone else loves that same person. Whether it's a romantic kind of love or not," she explained. "And sometimes, in the romantic sense, we will fall in love with a person just as strongly as we've done with another one previously in our life, while others may fall in love less or more than they've done before," she said.
He thought about her words and then nodded after a while. "That's certainly true," he then said. "I do know I cared more for you, than I ever did for my wife. But perhaps because I never experienced love with my wife, and that I've certainly never experienced passionate love, I can't tell whether I truly loved you or not," he replied. "Perhaps because we had much in common and spent a lot of time together, and the fact that you're a woman, I mistook the feelings I was experiencing as love. But perhaps these new feelings that I was experiencing were really just feelings of friendship," he concluded. "I can't really claim to have much in common with the women, who are my friends, other than our social status. So perhaps the fact that I suddenly did have common interests with a woman made me think, I had feelings for you," he said.
"Since you have nothing to compare it with, I suppose one can't ever tell whether you did have romantic feelings for me or not," she mused. "However, since you came to congratulate me on my engagement once you found out, and that you were happy to do so, I can only assume that you moved on both mentally and emotionally quite quickly after we parted ways in London. Though you might not have known it at the time," she said. "But the fact that you're happy for Richard and I, and that you hold no ill will towards either of us, I can only conclude that you've moved on completely now," she told him.
"Indeed I do not wish either of you any ill will," he agreed. "And should our paths cross over the years, which they might do at the Abbey, I can assure you that I will be only happy to see you and Dr. Clarkson together," he told her reassuringly and smiled brightly.
Her smile widened as well. "I can honestly say that I'm happy for you, if you truly never did love me. But whether you once did or didn't have feelings for me, I think it's safe to assume now that you don't harbor any romantic feelings for me anymore," she smiled happily.
"Yes, I think we can safely assume that," he agreed with her once more. "Well, I should let you get back to Dr. Clarkson," he said. "Congratulations once again, Mrs. Crawley," he told her sincerely. "And I do truly wish you every happiness in the world. But it seems you found it," he said with a kind smile.
"I have," she affirmed. "And I wish you every happiness in the world as well, and I truly hope that you find it," she told him warmly.
"Well, I am off to Cardiff in three weeks, where I'll be staying with some friends for a month or so," he explained. "While I'm there, I'll be going to some parties, so you never know," he said with a shrug and a smile. "Perhaps third time lucky?" he questioned.
"We can only hope," she said genuinely meaning it.
"Indeed," he said smiling. "And with that I bid you a good day, Mrs. Crawley," he said and gave a slight nod.
She opened the door and smiled at him. "As I bid you, Lord Merton," she told him. "Goodbye," she then said, when he was on the other side of the door.
"Goodbye," he replied turning and then left.
Isobel closed the door and then took a moment to reflect, what had happened. She then smiled at the outcome of Lord Merton's visit. But turning her attention towards the end of the hall, she wondered what Richard thought of it all.
Taking a deep breath she exhaled slowly, and then went back to the sitting room.
When she entered the sitting room, she found Richard with his back turned towards the door looking over the notes for the wedding. She smiled at the sight and being too lost in thought, she merely left the door ajar.
"Are you alright?" she asked tentatively.
He turned around at the sound of her voice, and smiled softly. "Of course, I am," he told her truthfully. "I have no reason not be be," he said smiling.
Sighing a little in relief she then smiled. "I just wasn't certain," she shrugged as she started walking towards him. He mimicked her moves and met her halfway. "I didn't know how you would react to Lord Merton being here," she admitted.
"It was absolutely fine," he assured her, which made her smile even more.
"Though I suppose I really ought to have warned you," she mused.
He raised a knowing eyebrow at her. "It's not as though, I gave you much chance to reply," he reminded her.
Then to further remind her he wrapped his arms around her again leaning in to kiss her. Before his lips met hers fully, she smiled widely and leaned in the rest of the way.
They were too caught up kissing that they didn't notice, Lucy entering with the tray of tea.
When Lucy saw them, she stopped in her tracks surprised. But her surprise quickly turned into a grin, and she had to bite her bottom lip to not make a sound. Waiting another second to see, if they'd notice her, she finally decided to let her presence be known.
"The tea's ready, Ma'am," she announced.
Surprised by the sound of Lucy's voice, Isobel and Richard broke the kiss immediately and took a step away from each other. They were both breathing heavily, and their faces reddened immediately with embarrassment. Though it was hardly the first time that Lucy had caught them like this, it never did get easier or any less embarrassing.
Richard looked down into the carpet, while Isobel looked in Lucy's direction but didn't quite meet her eyes.
"Yes...right..." she uttered wringing her hands a little nervously. "You can put it down on the table," she told her more confidently.
Lucy nodded and then looked towards Richard. "Hello, Dr. Clarkson," she greeted still grinning slightly, and he merely nodded in her direction still not ready to meet her eyes. "I didn't hear you come in," she told him. "You must've come in, when Mrs. Field and I were outside while the water was boiling," she then said.
"Well...yes...probably," he mumbled never able to form a coherent sentence, after being caught in a passionate embrace with Isobel.
Seeing his reaction Lucy bit back another grin, but then looked around the room and then down on the tray in her hands.
Isobel noticed her reaction. "Everything is fine," she told her.
Lucy nodded and put down the tray. "Will there be anything else, Ma'am?" she asked.
"No, thank you," Isobel told her dismissing her with a shake of the head.
Nodding in return Lucy then left the room closing the door behind her.
Richard waited a few seconds to make sure that Lucy was far enough away. He then let out a groan and then sighed heavily.
"I cannot wait until we're married and it'll just be the two of us," he told Isobel. "I suppose I can't blame her for her reaction, because I know that she's only happy for us. But I am glad that I won't have to see her grinning like that after, we're married," he said.
"Yes, I quite agree," she replied. "However, if Edith ever invites us here, you might still get to see her grin at you" she said and then chuckled when Richard sighed heavily again.
"You're right," he responded and then smiled at her. "But I'm alright with that, because I'm only glad that Lady Edith was happy to employ Lucy, and that Lucy was happy to accept the position," he said.
"Edith," she corrected him to which he rolled his eyes at her.
"We're not married yet, so I have no right to refer to her without using her title," he reminded her.
She crossed her arms across her chest and shook her head at him smirking. "You and I both know that Mary, Edith, Tom, and Rose have all said, you can call them by their Christian names already," she reminded him back.
"Yes, well bu..."
"But what?" she asked challenging raising her eyebrow in the process, and pursing her lips in amusement.
He rolled his eyes at her again knowing, he wouldn't be able to win the argument. Not that he ever really had won an arguments against her, and he doubted that he ever would.
"Yes, I know," he admitted. "But it's not something that's easily done, after so many years," he told her.
She smiled softly at him and then walked over to him. Letting one arm fall to her side, she cupped his cheek with the other, and ran her thumb across it soothingly.
"I know," she told him tenderly to which he smiled back. "And I can live with Lucy's grins, because I'm happy that she'll be working here and doesn't have to move away," she said getting their conversation back on track. "I'm still quite surprised that Cousin Robert allowed for Edith to move in here," she then said letting her hand on his cheek fall to her side as well. "But as everyone told him, I agree with them that it will be good for her," she replied and then shrugged. "I can't quite put my finger on it, but it seems that there's been something going on with her for a long time," she added pondering what it could be.
"Yes, it seems that there has been something wrong," he agreed. "Though I can't quite put my finger on it either. It seems that the answer is right under my nose, and yet I still can't quite figure it out," he said to which she nodded in agreement.
"But perhaps we ought to spend more time with her, now that she'll be living right here in the village," she suggested.
"That's a good idea," he told her smiling.
"I'm glad," she said smiling back. "And hopefully her living on her own will help everyone to see that she doesn't deserve to live in Mary's shadow," she explained. "I know that not everyone thinks so, but I think that running her own house will be good for all," she said full of confidence. "And it will be good that Ivy accepted the position as cook. I think it will give her some confidence as well to step out on her own," she said. "Though I'm still rather surprised that Daisy didn't accept the position. But I can understand her not wanting to leave Mrs. Patmore, since they've become so close over the years. And I'm sure that Daisy will be the one to take over as cook at the Abbey, when Mrs. Patmore retires," she concluded.
"Either that or she'll end up taking over Mr. Mason's farm. I know that he's keen for her to take over and run it," he commented.
"That's indeed another possibility," she agreed. "But at least they're all happy with what, they'll be doing, and that's good. It really does benefit a lot of people that Edith will be living here," she said.
He nodded and then smirked a little. "It will certainly be good for Molesley, as he'll be a butler again," he said and then chuckled. "I can still remember how his father told me that his son wasn't happy about accepting the job as a footman, because he couldn't come to terms with working in a lower position than he was trained for. And then when he finally did accept, he wasn't needed," he said shaking his head at Molesley's behavior. "I still can't believe, he didn't accept the job as footman straight away."
"Yes, I quite agree," she said. "But once he got the job as a footman, he settled into his new role quite quickly without any further fuss, and he's seemed quite contend in his job. I daresay he's been quite happy," she added.
"Well, love does work wonders on men," Richard said. "I of all people should know," he said smiling lovingly at her.
She smiled lovingly at him, too, but then realized what he'd also said. "Do you know for certain that he's in love with Baxter?" she asked curiously. "Has anyone said anything?"
"No, not for certain," he said shaking his head in the process. "But it seems fairly obvious to everyone. Even Mr. Molesley thinks so," he told her. "But he thinks that his son is just too shy to do anything about it."
"Sounds like another trait that some men have in common," she teased.
"Well, Miss Baxter is quite shy herself in that regard, which is a thing that some women have in common as well," he retorted teasingly.
"So it seems that they need someone to set them straight," she mused and then chuckled.
"It would seem so," he said chuckling as well.
"Well, perhaps we can come up with someone to play matchmaker, after we've gone over the wedding plans," she told him.
"Good idea," he agreed.
"Perhaps we can get someone to do it at the wedding. Molesley accepted the invitation, and said that he'd be bringing Baxter as his guest," she told him as they both made their way to the table to get tea.
"That's certainly a possibility, and I'm glad that he's coming and bringing her," he commented. "And if it doesn't work, then maybe they'll come to their senses once they start working apart," he said smiling letting his eyes drift to the tray. But when he saw the tray, his brow furrowed in puzzlement.
"What's wrong?" she asked seeing the look on his face.
"If Lucy didn't hear me come in, then why are there still two cups?" he questioned. "That makes no sense," he said looking at her in curiosity.
"Just before Lucy came to tell me that Lord Merton was here, I had planned on asking for tea," she informed him. "So seeing as he came in time for tea, I decided to ask him, if he'd like some. Which he did," she explained.
"I see," he said a little annoyed turning his eyes back to the tray.
"I thought you said, you were absolutely fine with Lord Merton being here," she reminded him teasingly raising an eyebrow in the process.
He looked back at her. "I was fine with it, and I think it's very kind of you to offer him tea," he said honestly and smiled but then looked back at the tray again. "I just think it was rude of him to accept tea considering the circumstances," he told her with a slight edge to his tone.
"Oh surely you don't mean that," she said chuckling causing him to look her in the eyes.
"Isobel, the last time you saw him, he proposed to you and hoped that you loved him as he loved you," he reminded her. "I know that he accepted your rejection and wished you happiness, and that he seems perfectly happy for us now. But you have to admit that it's rather odd that he shows up unannounced. Especially since you've had no contact since London," he argued though without any anger or annoyance in his tone.
"Yes, I agree, and I was rather shocked when Lucy informed me that he was outside," she explained. "And I was uncertain of his reaction, when he told me that he'd heard at the Abbey that we were engaged," she told him. "But although he was very surprised that we'd gotten engaged on the same day that he had proposed, he wasn't upset or angry. He truly is very happy for the both of us, and he was even very interested in hearing our plans for the wedding," she added.
"I don't doubt that," he told her. "Truly I don't. But it's still very odd giving the circumstances of your last meeting," he explained.
"Yes, I can understand that," she agreed. "But if it makes you feel any better, he told me at the door that he's not certain, he ever loved me," she said.
"Really?" he asked hopeful.
"Really," she reassured him. "He said that because we had so much in common, he thinks that's why, he believed he had feelings for me, because he's never really had anything in common with a woman before, other than their social status," she said and then smiled lovingly at him. "He also said that he couldn't claim to have ever missed me the way, he heard that you'd missed me. He said there was a longing in your voice that he'd never felt with me," she explained.
He smiled a little widely at that, but then smiled embarrassed and shrugged. "I suppose I'm being rather silly and very irrational," he said.
"Not at all," she told him tenderly. "I think anyone, in the same situation as you, would react the exact same way," she said. "And I do hope that Lord Merton never loved me. But whether he did or not, he's moved on, and he honestly is very happy for the both of us. He wishes neither of us any ill will," she replied. "So why don't we be glad of that, then forget all about Lord Merton, and just concentrate on each other and our wedding?" she suggested.
"I think that's a very good idea," he agreed.
"Good," she said and then gave him a quick kiss. "Now, let's have some tea before it gets cold, and we can go over the details for the wedding," she replied.
"Yes, let's," he said nodding.
Richard stepped forward and poured them each a cup of tea, while Isobel put some Madeleines on a plate for each of them. He then moved the notebook aside a bit to make room for her cup, on what had become her table, which was closets to what had become her side of the settee. When he turned around, she'd placed his plate on the table that had been placed on the other side of the settee, since they'd gotten together, and which had become his side. Stepping aside to let her pass him, he took a seat next to her, when she'd sat down.
"I've decided, who I'd like to be my official witness. Or bridesmaid if you will," she told him after a while setting her cup back down. "And I have a feeling, it will surprise everyone," she said grinning.
He took a sip of his own cup. "Are you going to ask Ethel then?" he asked chuckling and then took another sip before putting his cup down. "Since most were rather shocked that we'd invited her, I can only imagine that they'll be equally shocked, if she were to be your official witness," he explained.
"Yes, I imagine that as well," she answered with a chuckle. "But no, not Ethel."
"Mrs. Hughes then?" he inquired.
Her brow furrowed in puzzlement. "Why would I ask Mrs. Hughes?" she asked in curiosity.
"You've helped each other out quite a few times, so knowing you it wouldn't be surprising," he pointed out. "Though of course, I don't know if she's even coming to the wedding yet," he said.
"She is," she answered. "I heard back from her earlier today. Carson replied back at the same time, but instead of them each bringing a guest, they've decided to go together," she explained.
Richard looked at her and raised an eyebrow in amusement. "Another potential matchmaking?" he suggested. "It would make sense, and they do care a lot for each other."
"Yes, they do seem rather close, don't they?" she agreed grinning knowingly. "Perhaps it's a possibility, though with their positions, I doubt it will happen anytime soon," she said sighing a little.
Neither Isobel nor Richard would normally interfere in this aspect of other people's private lives. However, since getting together they had occasionally talked about, who among the villagers would make a good match. And since they themselves had needed a hand in getting together, perhaps others needed it as well. Not that they'd ever thought of being the ones to do it, though they'd always discussed that dropping subtle hints couldn't do much harm. But only if they were certain that both people of a potential couple were interested in each other. Though so far they hadn't dropped any subtle hints to anyone.
"Well, you never know," he said shrugging. "Wonders still exist, and they're bound to happen to even the likes of Mr. Carson," he said chuckling.
"Yes, I think so, too," she agreed with a chuckle of her own. "Oh speaking of Mrs. Patmore and Daisy," she then said. "Mrs. Patmore also informed me today that she's coming to the wedding, and she's bringing Daisy," she told him.
"I'm glad to hear that," he told her smiling.
"Also Anna and Bates are coming," she said.
"Yes, I know," he said after finishing off one of the Madeleines on his plate. "I saw Mrs. Bates earlier today, and she informed me," he explained.
"Did you meet her in the village?" she asked.
"No, I saw her at the hospital," he replied.
"Is she ill?" she inquired.
Richard paused for a moment and then shook his head. "I really can't discuss it. Patient-doctor confidentiality," he reminded her.
"Oh surely you can tell me. And as a nurse and as a member of your staff, I'm bound by the same confidentiality," she reminded him back. "Not that I would breathe a word to anyone anyway," she told him.
"I know," he reassured her. He then sighed debating with himself whether, he should tell her or not. However, seeing the worried look in her eyes, he couldn't bring himself to keep it a secret. "You promise that you won't tell anyone?" he asked, though he knew that in truth, he needn't ask.
"Yes," she affirmed. "Is she ill?" she then asked again.
Richard pursed his lips in thought. "Not ill, though at times she can experience some sickness," he said eyes twinkling and it took a moment for Isobel to get his meaning.
"She's pregnant!" she exclaimed excitedly.
"Keep your voice down, or it will be all over the village before Mrs. Bates has the opportunity to tell herself," he hissed though he was far from angry with her. Seeing the happy expression on her face, he chuckled softly. "Yes, she's pregnant," he confirmed though there was no need.
"Oh," she sighed happily. "I'm so happy for them. They've been through so much with Bates being in jail for so long, and I think something else has bothered them since. I don't know what, but I believe something's happened, though I believe everything is alright now," she explained.
He nodded. "Yes, they've certainly had their fair share of bad luck," he agreed. "So I was only glad that I could pass on some happy news. And Mrs. Bates certainly was happy," he told her.
"Oh, I'm so glad," she said. "No doubt Bates will be as well, when she tells him," she added.
"Yes that would be my guess as well," he agreed.
She sighed happily again, when her eyes drifted to the notebook. "So I believe, we've heard from everyone at the Abbey that we invited," she commented.
"It would seem so," he said nodding, and then raising an eyebrow in thought, he looked at her. "Do you think that they all talked it over with one another, on whether to come to the wedding or not, and then came to a collective decision?" he questioned. "It does seem rather odd that they all reply back on the same day, and with only a few days left before they needed to give a final reply," he said.
She nodded in agreement. "I think that's very likely," she answered. "None of us can really claim to be that close with one another. Not to mention that the family, they all work for, will be guests as well. So I do understand, if they've been hesitant on whether to attend or not," she added. "But I'm very happy that they've all decided to come," she said smiling brightly.
"So am I," he replied smiling happily picking up his tea cup again taking a sip. "So you never did tell me, who you had chosen as your bridesmaid," he reminded her. "Who are you going to ask then?" he asked genuinely interested.
"I'm going to ask Cousin Violet," she told him. When he stared open mouthed and wide eyed back at her, she chuckled. "Yes that's the reaction I expect from everyone," she said grinning.
Getting over the initial shock Richard then let out a chuckle. "I imagine so," he said nodding.
"But while I'm sure everyone will be surprised by my choice, I feel it's the right one," she told him.
"Understandable," he replied. "But do you think, she'll agree?" he questioned. "I can't imagine you will be able to convince her easily," he then said.
"Oh, I'm sure, I won't," she told him grinning. "But I have a trick up my sleeve, which I'm sure will convince her," she said eyes twinkling with amusement.
"What kind of trick?" he asked confusedly.
"I'm not telling," she said grinning.
He narrowed his eyes at her and then smirked. "I thought we were supposed to tell each other everything," he reminded her.
She shook her head and kept grinning. "No that only happens after we're married," she replied teasingly. He rolled his eyes at her and shook his head, but had a smile on his face the entire time. "I will no doubt be forced to use the trick, and since we're having dinner tonight with Cousin Violet, you'll know then," she told him smiling happily.
"Then it seems that I'll have to wait until then," he said, and when she nodded he shook his head at her again but also chuckled. "Well, since I can't persuade you to tell me, I'm not even going to try. So instead I think, we should go over the wedding plans," he told her.
"Good idea," she replied nodding.
They then each took another sip of their tea, and then put their cups down on their own table. Isobel then picked up the notebook, and leaning back she also leaned into Richard, while he then placed an arm around her shoulders pulling her closer in the process. And when they'd settled themselves even more comfortable next to each other, Isobel opened the notebook.
TBC