A./N.: This is my second chapter in short order … and not the last one today. Hope you enjoy and keep reading my stories please.

CHAPTER 28

Both women started and immediately sat up straight. Isobel's eyes showed a mixture of guilt and shock over being addressed like this by Dr Clarkson. Even Glenna who didn't know the doctor raised an eyebrow and seemed confused by the sudden chill in Dr Clarkson's voice. Slowly she stood up from the bench and calmly spoke to Dr Clarkson: "My sister is resting at the moment. Both Nurse Crawley and I agreed that this was best for her at the moment and we didn't want to stir Mr Carson's ire by disturbing her. I'm sure the bandages can wait for a while until she wakes up again." Glenna felt the need to defend Mrs Crawley and let the doctor cast a shadow on her good work.

Isobel couldn't speak, couldn't even form a coherent sentence in her head. She was shocked and truly hurt by Dr Clarkson's cold and reprimanding words. Her gaze was locked on her hands in her lap and her cheeks had tinted a deep shade of red in embarrassment. He was treating her like a raw beginner, more so than he ever had, not even when she started to help out in the hospital. Wordlessly she stood up as well and slowly walked over to the door into the women's ward. She would not give Dr Clarkson more reason to criticize her again. On her way she picked up the tray with the necessary utensils.

Richard felt his heart sick to the very bottom of his shoes. He had hurt her! He had clearly seen the hurt expression in her eyes before she had averted them. For a moment he had been shocked himself, not by his words – they were after all the result of his shock – but by the image his mind had conjured up.

He couldn't lie to himself anymore. It was utterly useless. Slowly he had fallen in love with the formidable woman. His days were brighter when he had to look forward to seeing her either here at the hospital or at the Abbey. On the other hand, Richard was quite sure that Isobel Crawley didn't feel the same way about him. She was too independent a woman to need a man in her life and she was very happy with how her life played out at the moment. Her son was happily married and the first grandchild was on the way, she had been accepted into the family and she had made many friends in the village. She was happy, but he was wretchedly unhappy. Despite his feelings, he had managed to supress his wish to ask her out and even manage to work amiably together with her.

Then Mr Branson had barged into his house and dragged him to the Abbey to see after Mrs Hughes. The next thing he knew, he operated on her – again – and, upon entering his office, found himself face to face with the object of his fascination, full of worry for the other woman. Over the next few days he had witnessed her devotion, gentleness and care first hand and it had caused him to re-evaluate his decision to stay away from her. He was hopelessly smitten with her when he witnessed her loving support and gentle reassure as they had opened Mrs Hughes' bandages for the first time. Her display of understanding had made his heart swell, but the look of fear and uncertainty, which she had tried valiantly to conceal from Mrs Hughes, had broken him. That night he had lain awake imagining Isobel in his hospital bed instead of Mrs Hughes and instead of the small operation he had been forced to completely remove the afflicted breast.

Now whenever he looked at her, he saw her weakened, altered body and her despondent eyes. It broke him and made him short with Isobel. Heaving a massive sigh, his shoulders fell forward and he bowed his head in resignation.

Glenna was surprised by this odd behaviour, but couldn't make head or tails of it. She could see that something was bothering Dr Clarkson and she had indeed noticed the shy sideway glances of both Elsie and Mrs Crawley. Maybe there was more to her sister's illness then they had been let on. She fixed a steely eye on Dr Clarkson and saw him squirm under her gaze.

"I really think we should let Elsie sleep off the last of that fever and tend to her when she wakes naturally. I will go sit with her and Mr Carson so that you and Nurse Crawley have time to go over other things concerning the hospital," she announced steadily. Before Richard could voice any objections, she strode forward into the room and slipped into the cubicle that held her sister.

oOoOoOo

Charles was more than surprised when both Mrs Crawley and Mrs Murray arrived in the cubicle in short order. He had momentarily forgotten where he and Elsie were. Blushing a bit, he was unsure if he should leave the room or stay in case Elsie woke again. He didn't want to leave her side, especially in light of her previous reaction and her revelations just now. With longing he looked down on her sleeping face and tenderly stroked her cheek with the tip of his forefinger. Thankfully her skin was cool to his touch and he breathed more easily now that she was well on the way.

A hand on his shoulder made him look up in surprise and he locked eyes with Mrs Murray. Nervously he swallowed and licked his suddenly wet lips. If she was anywhere near as protective of her sister as Elsie was of her maids, he would be in hot water now. But Glenna simply smiled warmly at him before addressing Mrs Crawley.

"I informed Dr Clarkson that we would wait with changing her bandages until she wakes up. He will be in his office and I think it would be a good idea to join him there." Her voice was gentle and sympathetic. "Maybe you can sort out any misunderstanding or misjudgement that has arisen."

Charles was confused, looking from one woman to the other as he tried to figure out this cryptic message. He frowned and was highly shocked to see tears suddenly glistening in Mrs Crawley's eyes. He started to rise, his hand naturally going to his pocket in order to hand her his handkerchief, but before he could say anything Mrs Crawley flashed a small smile at Mrs Murray and hurried out of the room. Charles still tried to bring his reeling thoughts and emotions back under control when he heard Mrs Murray's commanding voice at his side.

"And that gives us the perfect opportunity to have a little chat," she said, fixing her with an imperious gaze out of cool, blue eyes.