Sorry for the long wait! I am such a perfectionist that I want to be sure I keep within each character's profile as written by Julian Fellows…and that's not always easy! I hope you enjoy this next installment…any thoughts on what Isobel's diagnosis might be? Answers to come within the next two chapters!
Saturday Afternoon
"Grandmamma!" George cried, rushing in to Isobel's open arms.
"Hello my darling," she said softly, wrapping her arms around him to enjoy snuggling the young boy.
Timothy marveled at how close Isobel seemed with children…something he had never known growing up. Perhaps being middle class had its benefits…after all, he supposed she was the same way with her own son. He wondered what his life would have been like if his mother and father had shown him that same kind of compassion as a young boy.
George pulled back and put his hands on both of Isobel's cheeks, rubbing his nose back and forth against hers. They both laughed softly, enjoying their unique greeting, before George turned to find Dickie. Isobel loved watching Dickie with George…knowing her husband had never been comfortable around young children. Neither was the Earl of Grantham for that matter. But George seemed to bring out the best in both older men.
Dickie obliged George's request and lifted the young boy in to his arms as Robert ruffled his blond hair. The men laughed as George began detailing a story of what happened on his and Marigold's walk that morning. Timothy stood back a few steps, even more shocked to see his Father so hands-on with his step-grandson. Isobel had surely brought on another side of Richard Grey that his son had not seen before.
As George continued his animated story to the men, Edith walked over holding little Marigold's hand.
"Here is Aunt Isobel, darling," Edith said softly, placing Marigold's hand in Isobel's. "She was asking after you earlier."
"Was she?" Isobel asked, a bit surprised but glad. She squeezed the little girl's hand and leaned over to kiss her cheek. "How is Miss Marigold today?"
The shy girl smiled warmly and it took only a wink from Isobel to get the girl to pull her thumb out of her mouth and climb in to the elder woman's lap. Edith's smile widened as her daughter snuggled in to Isobel's arms.
"She does fancy you," Edith said, taking a seat next to Violet on the opposite side of the table. The small picnic Mary had suggested the week before was now a large gathering, the entire family coming along to enjoy the warm, spring day.
"Must be all that spoiling," Violet replied smartly. Isobel rolled her eyes and rubbed her hand up and down Marigold's back, brushing the curls away from the young girl's cheeks.
"Now Mama, Isobel does not get to see the children as often," Cora reminded her mother-in-law, reaching over to brush her fingers across Marigold's cheek. "They appreciate the attention whenever they can get it."
"Perhaps we give them too much attention," Mary answered, walking in under the tent from giving directions to the footmen. "I cannot remember being let out of the nursery until I was six or seven."
"That's not true," Edith replied. "We always came down for the Christmas and New Year's Day parties each year."
Mary shrugged and took her seat, stealing a peek at George still in Dickie's arms. "I'm afraid I don't remember."
Edith sighed and looked to her mother for support. But they were interrupted when George ran over to Mary, taking her hands in his.
"Mama, might we go to tea with Grandmamma and Grandpop tomorrow? Grandpop says there is a surprise for us!"
"A surprise? Really?" Mary asked, casting a smile at her son and then looking over to Dickie.
"Just a little something I picked up a week or so ago," Dickie answered. Isobel's eyes creased in curiosity, and he winked at her. Placing her chin on Marigold's head, she rocked the young girl back and forth slowly, deciding her husband meant to surprise her as well.
"Please Mama, might we go? Might we?" George pleaded, patting Mary's hands together. Mary laughed softly. She kissed George's forehead and sighed.
"I suppose. But only if you are a good boy and go to sleep tonight! No waking up Nanny, hear?"
"Yes Mama, I promise! Oh thank you! Thank you!"
George threw his little arms around Mary's neck as the adults smiled at such innocent joy. Even Timothy was touched by the young boy's excitement.
"Now, go and sit with Marigold at your table. Luncheon is ready." George squeezed Mary's neck once more and then skipped over to grasp Nanny's outstretched hand. Nanny looked over and saw Marigold quite content in Isobel's arms.
"Might you like me to take her, milady?"
Isobel reluctantly allowed Nanny to take Marigold from her as the men joined the women for luncheon.
"They are such dears," she said, looking over at George showing Marigold how to hold her spoon properly.
"For you, they are. I would not say that when they've missed their nap," Mary answered.
As the first course was being served, Dickie spoke up. "You are all invited to tea tomorrow, not just George and Mary. The surprise is for Marigold as well, Edith. "
"Oh, how thoughtful of you," Edith replied, smiling up at Dickie. "She will be delighted."
"My, this must be quite the event if we are all to be invited," Violet said.
"For the children perhaps… but I fear we have been so busy lately that we have not had the time to entertain as we would like, wouldn't you agree Isobel?" Dickie asked, looking over to catch his wife's eye.
"Indeed. We would love to have you over," she replied.
"Well then, we are happy to accept. Timothy, I would like to hear your thoughts on some innovations Tom suggested in his last letter," Robert said.
"Of course," Timothy answered, a bit surprised. He looked to his Father who wore a smile of pride. Perhaps being an extension of the Crawley Family would not be so bad after all.
Sunday afternoon
"What do you say? Shall we go find out about that surprise?" Dickie asked, bending down to be at the children's eye level. George and Marigold nodded vigorously, George reaching out to take Dickie's hand and jump up and down.
"Please, Grandpop, show us!" the little boy exclaimed. Dickie stood straight and held his other hand out, allowing Marigold to take it. Turning, he motioned for the rest of the family to follow them outside.
"Goodness, this must be quite large if we're going outside," Mary said, raising an eyebrow at Isobel.
Isobel smiled as she followed her daughter-in-law out the front door. "I'm afraid even I was not let in on this secret."
"Perhaps he does not think you will approve," Violet answered from behind the pair. As they all stood in front of Cavenham, Isobel turned to Violet on her right.
"Must you always make things out to be worse than they are?" she asked.
"Must you always deny reality?" Violet countered, pressing her lips together.
"I do not deny reality. I just choose to think optimistically."
"You'd think we were living in a fairy story," Violet commented under her breath, earning a glare from Isobel.
They heard Dickie tell the children to cover their eyes and then motion to the groundskeeper standing at the corner of the house. The elder man nodded and disappeared around the side of the house for a moment, only to return leading two gorgeous foals over to where Lord Merton stood.
Cora gasped in surprise as both Mary and Edith's smiles reached their eyes. Violet smirked as Robert chuckled.
"Would you look at that?" he asked quietly, walking down to meet Lord Merton and his grandchildren.
"All right….George…Marigold…open your eyes," Dickie said, winking at Robert.
Both children obeyed, and their eyes quickly widened, seeing the two animals standing in front of them.
"These are your new horses, one for each of you," Dickie said, stretching his hand out to pat one of the foals' heads.
"It's all mine, Grandpop?" George asked, clearly shocked at the large animal being given to him.
"Yes, my boy, this one here is yours," Dickie said, pointing to the foal on the left. "And this young girl is for Marigold."
The little girl clapped her hands excitedly before reaching her arms up. Robert obliged and scooped the girl up, leading her over to pet her new horse. George, still astonished, looked back up at the porch and smiled at his mother.
"Mama! It's a horse! It's a horse and it's all mine!"
With that, the young boy ran forward and mimicked the groundskeeper, softly petting the foal on its side. Dickie laughed and came to stand behind George.
"What shall you call him, George?"
"I think….I think I will call him…well, what about Hunter? Since we use horses to go hunting with the dogs?"
Dickie looked back at Robert who nodded. "Well spotted, George," Robert replied, reaching out to pat Marigold's foal.
"Hunter it is," Dickie confirmed, smiling down at the young boy.
"And what shall we call Marigold's?" Robert asked, looking over at his granddaughter. "What do you think, darling? What shall we call your new friend?"
"Star!" the little girl cried out, pointing at the star shaped white mark on the foal's forehead.
"Well, there you have it. Star and Hunter," Robert replied, smiling as Cora, Edith and Mary joined them. As the family became acquainted with the newest members of their clan, Dickie looked up to find Isobel.
Isobel saw Dickie look in her direction and cast him an appreciative gaze. He nodded and then turned back to enjoy the children's excitement.
"What is all this?" Timothy asked, coming out to stand beside Violet and Isobel.
"Your father has decided to spoil the children with new foals," Violet remarked.
"How wonderful," Timothy said. "Those must be the new foals that the older mares had a few weeks ago. They are both in wonderful condition."
"At least he has not given them second best," Violet commented, earning another eye roll from Isobel.
"Would you ladies like to go down and see them?"
"No, no…I let animals stay in their pens where they are supposed to be," Violet said, turning back to walk in the house. Timothy suppressed a chuckle before turning back to his stepmother.
"And you, Isobel? Would you like to see them?"
"I would…" she began, taking a few steps toward him. But her legs suddenly felt as if they would collapse beneath her. She gripped the stone wall quickly, trying to remain composed.
"Isobel?" Timothy asked quietly, taking a step closer to her as he saw the color drain from her face.
"…But I'd best go make sure the Dowager is all right. I wouldn't want her to think us inhospitable for leaving her alone," she replied quietly, taking a tentative step forward and patting his arm before slipping through the front door.
And in that moment, Timothy realized how much he had come to care for his stepmother. And seeing her like this…well, it worried him to say the least. Not a moment later, Mr. Mead walked out to stand beside Timothy.
"What is it, Mead?" Timothy asked, his mind still on Isobel's curious condition.
"Telephone call for His Lordship, Sir," Mead replied.
Timothy nodded towards the group gathered around the two foals. "He is quite busy. Might I be able to take the call for him?"
Mead hesitated a moment, clearing his throat before he answered. "I'm not sure, Sir. It is a Dr. Clarkson."
Timothy's head snapped to face Mr. Mead, finding the Butler looking down at his shoes. "What did he say?"
"He's just asked to speak with His Lordship. He said it was urgent."
Timothy looked back towards his father, finding him smiling wide as George was now in his arms and petting the young horse, Hunter. How he hated to ruin this moment; to break the happiness playing out on his father's face.
"I'll go fetch him, Mead. Please tell Dr. Clarkson it will only be a moment."