Hi everyone, long time no speak! I'm so sorry I've neglected this fic, I feel awful! But after re-reading all the wondrous reviews it gave me motivation to write this one! Thank you for your continued support!

1912

Isobel

Life changing. That was what the news was. Incredible, unbelievable. She was the wife of a doctor, had had nurse training herself, they were comfortable off, but in her wildest dreams she could have never imagined that her dear son was heir to such a fortune. And then Lord Grantham had told them, and their worlds had turned upside down. They had relocated to Downton village, it was picturesque, and Crawley house was quite lovely. But Isobel had to admit that she didn't feel like she belonged, they were so different. Had different morals, and no doubt supported very different views.

The first meeting with Lord and Lady Grantham and not gone smoothly to say the least, she had felt out of place, felt apprehensive about what was considered correct in aristocratic society. She wasn't made for this. All the women who sat at that table had been trained in elocution, and what was acceptable in the upper class of British society, except perhaps Lady Grantham, whose American upbringing would have been slightly different. But Isobel's upbringing was different. She never supposed she would be sat amongst Lords and Ladies. She had never wanted to either, she was happy with her life, had been happy with Reginald and Matthew, and never yearned for anything more. Her dear Reginald, a man she had loved very much. That was another thing she felt set her aside from these people, marriage. Her marriage was one of love, and had given her many happy years. But the aristocracy married differently, and Lord and Lady Grantham were no different. They had married for convenience, him for money and her for a title. And it was something that she did not admire, it just made her feel more apart from them. But yet here she was, sitting near the window in her drawing room waiting to go up to the Abbey for dinner. A trying task she imagined.

Matthew came down then, in a white tie, and tails, looking very smart. "Now promise me Mother, that you won't entice Lady Grantham." He sighed as he straightened his tie in the mirror above the fireplace.

"What do you think I am, Matthew?" Isobel sighed, exasperated with her sons apparent lack of faith.

"A woman with opinions," He replied, "but just remember that they may not share yours. And may not appreciate your passion." He turned before adding, "as I do."

"Fine." Isobel sighed, "I'll try and keep the peace." She stood as Matthew offered her an arm and escorting her out to the car. They had been here for a few weeks, and it had already become evident that Isobel's thoughts and abrupt opinions on some matters were not appreciated by old Lady Grantham. Though Matthew had to admit, the current Lord and Lady Grantham had been civil, and tried their best to welcome them both. "And I don't expect they share my opinions we are very different." Matthew murmured in agreement, before his mother continued. "Their views on marriage for one are entirely different. For I could never marry someone for money. And it's not something I respect." Isobel scoffed, the idea, for her, too absurd to comprehend.

"I think there was a little more to it than that." Matthew said, smiling at his mother's comment. She did have very strong opinions.

"Well you told me that Lord Grantham married Lady Grantham so she could help Downton. I believe the matter is black and white." Isobel shrugged, and looked out of the car window at the passing village. It really was beautiful.

"Yes, but," Matthew really didn't know how to explain what he was trying to say. What his mother said, was in essence, correct. But Matthew had got the impression that the marriage in question had been more of a success that a marriage of convenience ever could. But he didn't know how to say it without being impertinent. He was quite uncomfortable discussing other people private affairs. "Mother, they may have married out of convenience, possibly, but there is no reason there isn't affection."

"Affections not enough though is it. I've watched them these past weeks, and well, I saw nothing beyond politeness."

Matthew sighed, his mother was set in her views and he knew that nothing he said would make a difference, her mind had to be changed herself. "Sometimes people are affectionate when they think no one is looking. Just keep that in mind Mother."

Isobel sat in the drawing room after dinner, admiring the beautiful furniture and décor. Even if she never yearned for a house like this she certainly admired the beauty of it, though it was too big for her opinion. She was sitting alone in the corner of the room, which suited her quite well. Dinner had been quite. She had smiled and participated in conversation, only offering her agreement to comments already made, as she had promised.

The ladies had vacated to the drawing room to leave Matthew and Robert to smoke cigars in the dining room. So she was now sitting in the drawing room with the other Ladies. Old Lady Grantham was sitting with Lady Edith at the opposite end of the room. And Lady Grantham, Lady Mary and Lady Sybil were sitting on the sofa discussing their new violet shades of clothing for when they come out of mourning. As Isobel looked over at Cora Crawley, she saw how she smiled a little too brightly, which Isobel admired. But she couldn't help but think about what Matthew had said on the way to dinner about their being something more to their marriage, could he have been suggesting love? It was something she never even considered, simply because she presumed it could not be true.

"Mrs Crawley." Isobel was pulled out of her thoughts as Cora herself came into view and sat on the opposite chair. "I hope you don't mind me coming to join you, but I don't feel as if I've had chance to introduce myself informally and welcome you to Downton." Cora smile welcomingly, which surprisingly, made Isobel feel a little better.

"Thank you, and thank you for taking the opportunity, I know it can't be easy having two strangers come into your lives so suddenly."

"It's not easy," Cora admitted, colour rising slightly in her cheeks. "But it can't be easy for you and Matthew either, it must be a lot to take in."

"That is true." Isobel chuckled. Isobel was surprised to find that there was no acidity to Lady Grantham's words. She knew that it must be hard to consider giving her livelihood to a stranger, when she had three children herself, and Isobel surprised herself by feeling sympathetic towards her. But it comforted her that she was trying to welcome her. But Isobel reminded herself of the fundamental differences between the two women; their marriages being at the top of the list. The two women discussed rather meaningless things for the reminder of the time in the drawing room, before Matthew and Lord Grantham entered. Lord Grantham smiled in her direction, but as she looked to Lady Grantham she saw her beaming back at him. And she was once again reminded of what Matthew had said. Perhaps what he said was true, though it was only a smile she told herself.

Matthew came to sit with her, and Lady Grantham made her apologies and moved to stand with her husband near the far wall. She heard Matthew begin to discuss his new job at a nearby law firm, ordinarily, she would be very interested in what he was saying, but she couldn't help but keep her eyes lingered over Lord and Lady Grantham, they seemed to be in animated conversation, not unordinary. But as she looked closer she saw how his eyes seemed to be tracing her face and how he seemed to be taking in every single one of her syllables as she spoke. And she recognised that look. It was the look Reginald used to have. And as she looked back at him Isobel saw how her eyes were full of admiration, how they were sparkling by just being with him. And that was the look that she had had when she was with Reginald. Despite herself, a tear came to her eye has memories of her and Reginald came rushing back to her, their marriage, their proposal, their love. And as she wiped that tear away she saw Lord Grantham briefly caress his wife's cheek in the same way, his fingers lingering there a little longer.

She'd looked away then, as she found it too painful to watch, as it reminded her too much of her own marriage. Matthew had been right. There was more to their marriage than she had first expected. It was true, they married for convenience, but Isobel could see that there was something else. It was affection, and dare she say it, love. And for the first time since Isobel arrived here she felt as if she had something in common with them. And looking at them then, she couldn't help but compare them to her and Reginald.

Soon after Isobel and Matthew set to leave, they said their goodbyes, but Lord and Lady Grantham walked them outside and waited while they got into the car. And as the car pulled away she swore that she saw Lord Grantham take his wife's hand in his. And as she watched them she heard her son's voice echo in her ear "some people are affectionate when they think no one is looking."

I really wasn't sure about this one, and it was really hard to write. But I hope its okay. Reviews always welcome. And as anyone else seen the special bafta dedicated to Downton! I cried when I saw the pictures.