Sorry for such a lengthy wait! I hope this is worth it :)
Thursday Afternoon
"I'm glad you could come. George adores his Grandmamma," Mary said quietly to Dickie. The pair smiled at the little boy settled in Isobel's lap across the room.
"And she adores him. I wish we could spend more time over this way…I know Isobel longs for it," Dickie replied with a hint of sadness.
"Well then you must come more often," Mary answered simply. "You should have more time now that Timothy is involved with running the estate."
"On occasion…though he does still live in London. But it is not my time that is compromised…I'm afraid Isobel has taken on helping at the local orphanage."
Mary turned to her godfather. "Papa did say you met to discuss plans for the children. I thought it was more for financial reasons...not for Isobel to take on more work."
"It is both, I suppose. She has been helping to tutor the older ones who are behind in their studies…as well as taking an interest in their health when the doctor is unavailable."
"She's not one to rest, is she?" Mary replied, her eyes turning as George giggled from his place nestled against Isobel. The boy's head was under her chin, his hands resting on hers as she read him a favorite fairy tale. "But seeing her with George…I imagine it is quite comforting for the poor orphans to have her about."
Dickie nodded and sighed. "True…but at what cost to her?"
"What?" Mary asked, her eyes quickly darting back to Dickie. She noticed how the man's lips had dropped in to a frown. "Is something the matter?"
Dickie shook his head, waving away her concern. "Don't mind me."
Mary wanted to question him further, but he stood, taking out his pocket watch. Their meeting with Dr. Clarkson was in a half hour, and he didn't want to be late for fear the doctor might be called away to another patient.
Isobel had just finished the book and put it aside when she caught Dickie's movement. She hated to leave but knew she must uphold her end of the bargain; time with George whenever she wanted for one trip to the doctor. She'd never been one to admit feeling poorly, but knowing Dr. Clarkson well, she realized the good doctor would easily deduce she was not feeling up to par. Though, any time spent with her only grandson was worth becoming a bit vulnerable in front of Dr. Clarkson.
"I am sorry, my dear, but it seems we have to be getting on," Dickie said. George's head turned at the elder man's voice, his smile wide.
"Grandpop, stay!" he called out, shimmying off of Isobel's lap to cross to Dickie. The young boy stretched his head as far back as he could to look up at Dickie. "Please!"
"Do stay for dinner," Mary added, standing to take George's hand in hers. "You needn't change. Granny is coming tonight…I'm sure she would be pleased to see you."
Dickie held out his arm as Isobel stood and stepped forward. She took it and smiled warmly to Mary.
"Thank you, dear, but I'm afraid we do have another appointment we must attend to," Isobel answered, looking down at George. "Though Grandmamma is very sad she must leave."
"Stay!" George called out again, tugging his hand from Mary's so he could wrap both arms around Isobel's legs.
Isobel's heart broke at the sight, wanting nothing more than to stay with her darling boy. Dropping Dickie's arm, she put both hands on George's cheeks and leaned down to kiss his forehead.
"Now, now…Grandmamma will visit again soon. You must be a good boy until then, all right?" she asked quietly, forcing a smile as George's bottom lip began to quiver. He nodded but still held tight to her legs, tears beginning to well in his large, blue eyes.
"Don't worry darling, Grandmamma will be back next Saturday. Perhaps we can even persuade her to come early and have a picnic luncheon….what do you say?" Mary asked, looking to Dickie and Isobel for their approval.
"I think that would be wonderful!" Dickie said, delighted to see the little's boy face turn upward. Isobel laughed softly as George squeezed her legs tightly in a hug and then hurried over to do the same to Dickie's legs. Dickie ruffled the boy's hair softly before George could run over to clutch Mary's hand.
"Well, I'd say that was an easy fix," Mary said, smiling down at her son. "Perhaps Edith and Marigold will want to come along."
Isobel took Dickie's arm once more while George nodded enthusiastically. Mary and George led the way out of the library, planning the following weekend's picnic as they went, while Dickie and Isobel followed. Dickie had to chuckle at the excitement one picnic could bring to a little boy…such innocence he had not seen for more years than he cared to count.
As they reached the door, Mary stopped to pick George up for their final goodbye. Dickie noted how tightly Isobel gripped his arm, not letting go when George leaned over to hug her neck.
"Goodbye Grandmamma," he said, kissing Isobel's cheek. "Miss you."
"I'll miss you too, George," she whispered, rubbing her hand down his cheek before Mary pulled him back.
"Now say goodbye to Grandpop," Mary instructed, suppressing a giggle as George held out a little hand.
"Goodbye Grandpop!" George said seriously, his lips pressing together firmly as he had seen "Donk" do when greeting visitors.
The adults could not contain their laughter as Dickie took George's hand. "Goodbye George. We shall meet again soon."
George nodded once and then allowed his face to break in to a smile. He and Mary waved from the front door while Dickie helped Isobel in to the car. The couple waved back as the chauffeur drove away from Downton Abbey.
Leaning back, Dickie reached over to take Isobel's hand. "Are you all right? You seemed a bit unsteady coming out of the house."
She nodded, though her eyes betrayed her. "I'm fine," she replied softly, looking out the other window.
Dickie left her to her thoughts, knowing how much she hated leaving George. But he hoped it was nothing more than that; though…if it were…they were soon to find out as the car made its way towards Downton Cottage Hospital.
Dickie paced anxiously in the hall outside of Richard Clarkson's office. He felt better knowing that Isobel was with a young nurse she'd help train a few years ago…especially if he could not be by her side just now. He looked at his pocket watch again and sighed. Only five minutes had passed since he last looked…and it had been over forty since he'd left Isobel alone. But those forty minutes felt like forty hours.
Sighing, he turned and strode in the other direction, clasping his hands behind his back. It made him worry more that Isobel had seemed quite anxious when they made it to the hospital; not at all like how she typically responded to any sort of medical situation. He knew he had to be strong for her in this case…but she had always been quite dominant as a nurse that he took for granted her bravery. Of course, he had never had to consider that she would become the patient…and he prayed it was nothing serious because he was far from well-versed in care-giving.
He turned quickly when he heard the door open behind him. Dr. Clarkson stepped out, smiling.
"Do come in, Lord Merton. We've just finished," he said kindly, motioning for the nervous gentleman to enter his office.
Relief washed over Dickie as he nodded, thanking the doctor before stepping through the door. Isobel was seated in front of the large desk, her hands clasped in front of her and looking down. Hearing footsteps, she looked up and caught sight of her husband. She could see the worry lines across his forehead and felt guilty being the cause of his anxiety. She smiled to him as he took the seat beside her and gently squeezed her hand before turning to face Dr. Clarkson.
"How is she, Dr. Clarkson?" he asked. He hoped he sounded stronger than he felt. Dr. Clarkson looked up from writing a few notes to regard the couple.
"I think you were right to come…I agree that Lady Merton's symptoms are more than a case of simple fatigue."
Dickie's breath caught in his throat as he looked over at Isobel. She was once again studying her hands in her lap, not meeting either her husband or the doctor's eyes. Dickie turned back to Richard and nodded.
"Do go on," he prodded.
"While I cannot be sure of the cause of these symptoms, I can assure you the cure is not merely rest and relaxation. I have taken a sample of Lady Merton's blood for testing. Hopefully, this will help to decipher the exact diagnosis."
"And how long will it take to receive that?"
"I should have some answers within a week or so. Until then, I am recommending a great amount of fresh air and a few foods that should help bring her stamina back to normal."
"But you said the cure was more than that, did you not?"
Dr. Clarkson sat back in his chair and folded his hands together. "The severity of Lady Merton's headaches and loss of feeling in her legs does concern me a great deal."
He looked down at his hands, taking a deep breath, before continuing.
"But until I know the true diagnosis, it would be ill-advised to prescribe a remedy that might only cause her more discomfort if not the correct cure. Lady Merton, I presume, would agree that it is imperative to do all we can to nip this in the bud immediately."
Dickie's eyes widened as he turned to face his wife. Dr. Clarkson also looked up to catch Isobel's eyes. But she had not acknowledged the doctor's last statement; the only movement being that of her thumbs twirling in fast circles while her hands remained in her lap. Cautiously, Dickie reached over and put his hand over hers, her thumbs now ceasing their fidgeting.
She looked up and offered her husband a weak smile before looking to Dr. Clarkson. "I agree."
Dickie also looked to the doctor and nodded. "We will do all you ask of us," he said calmly, keeping his hand over Isobel's.
"I will ring when the results are in. At that time, I would like you to come in for another evaluation, Lady Merton. It is important that you make note of any new symptoms or if the current headaches, numbing and fatigue worsen until that time."
Isobel nodded obediently. "Will that be all, Dr. Clarkson?" she asked softly, wanting nothing more than to get away from the exam room, the hospital….the fear…
"Yes, I think so. The Nurse at the front desk will have a few stronger headache powders for you to take along. And if there is anything you need, please do not hesitate to send for me."
He stood and smiled at the couple. "We will find a solution…I'm sure of it."
Dickie stood and held out a hand, shaking Dr. Clarkson's. "I am so grateful, Dr. Clarkson." Looking back to his wife, he helped her stand and then turned back to the doctor. "We both are."
"Not at all," Richard replied, opening the door. "I am happy to help…and to see you both. Once we've come to an answer, I hope we can meet for a happier occasion."
He led them out to the front desk where Isobel was given a small bag of powders. Before leaving, Dr. Clarkson shook Dickie's hand again and gently held Isobel's between both of his.
"Do rest, Lady Merton. I know it is difficult for a woman of your background…but it is imperative for your recovery."
"Thank you, Dr. Clarkson," she replied softly, turning to take Dickie's arm.
Richard Clarkson waved goodbye as the car containing Lord and Lady Merton drove away from Downton Cottage Hospital, hoping his nagging intuition turned out to be wrong in this case.