Dr. Clarkson paced in front of his office door, hands clasped behind his back. He dreaded the conversation he was about to have; though he was unsure if waiting for Lord and Lady Merton to arrive or the actual subject of their meeting would be worse.
A sharp knock on his door brought him to a sudden stop. Turning, he took a deep breath and straightened his jacket. He plastered a smile across his face as he opened the door to find only a young nurse standing on the other side.
"Dr. Clarkson, Lord and Lady Merton have arrived. Shall I show them in?"
"If you please, Annie," he replied.
"Very good. Oh…and you might like to know…they have someone with them," she said before turning and walking down the hall.
The doctor supposed it might be Lord Merton's son or perhaps one of the Crawleys. He prayed it was not the Dowager…he had a feeling her harsh line of questioning would only make matters worse. He returned to stand in front of his desk when he heard footsteps approaching.
"Lord and Lady Merton, sir," Annie announced, stepping aside to let them pass. Dr. Clarkson stepped forward to shake Dickie's hand, quickly halting upon seeing who the "someone" Annie spoke of was.
He looked up and caught Lord Merton's tired eyes and the small shrug that came from the Baron.
"She insisted, and I could not refuse her," Dickie explained, looking over to offer a small grin for his wife and the bundle she held in her arms.
"But who does the babe belong to?" Dr. Clarkson asked, his eyes wide with wonder.
Isobel finally looked up from the baby's face to Dickie. He nodded to her, silently giving her permission to explain the details.
"She belongs to us…for now."
"She is underweight….but I think with proper nutrition and a steady schedule of feedings, she will still develop properly. Her structure is small so she shouldn't have much catching up to do," Dr. Clarkson said, smiling down at the baby girl. He wrapped her in the blanket and gently picked her up, carrying her over to where Lord and Lady Merton sat anxiously.
It was easy to see that Isobel had not forgotten how to properly care for an infant, her hand supporting the girl's delicate head as she took the bundle from Dr. Clarkson. The doctor stepped back and clasped his hands in front. He could not help but see the look of pride cross Lord Merton's face as he gazed at his wife, seemingly in awe of how an orphaned girl could fit perfectly in Isobel's arms.
"And you believe cow's milk to be the best? Or should we try some other form of supplement?" Isobel asked, her fingers gently pulling the blanket a bit tighter around the small baby.
"Since she has taken to it and knows no different, I would keep her on the milk. Why not bring her back in a few weeks and I'll check her weight? If she does not seem to be making any progress, we can look at other forms of nutrition."
Isobel nodded, thanking the doctor while brushing her fingers softly over the sleeping girl's head. Dickie turned to Richard who had now taken a seat behind his desk.
"Is there anything else you would recommend we do for her until a proper home is found?"
Dr. Clarkson looked up from writing a few notes and shook his head. "Just care for her as you would any other infant."
Dickie sighed and looked back to Isobel. "I'm afraid I am at a disadvantage when it comes to infants, Dr. Clarkson. We always had a nanny for the boys," he explained.
Isobel met her husband's gaze and smiled encouragingly to him. "I'm sure you'll do just fine."
"If I may….a Nanny might be a good idea," Richard said, leading in to the conversation he had worried over only an hour before. Both Dickie and Isobel turned to him, obviously confused by such a suggestion. Standing, Richard walked to the door and opened it, calling down the hall for a nurse.
Isobel turned to her husband, catching sight of the worry lines creasing around his eyes. She reached over to gently touch his arm, offering a smile of comfort to calm him. "We can care for her…with or without a Nanny. I'm sure of it."
But it was not the child that worried Lord Merton…rather, the real reason for their appointment today.
"Ah, Irene…would you please take the baby for Lady Merton? Perhaps you could sit with her in one of the empty rooms until we are finished?"
"Of course, Dr. Clarkson," the young nurse answered, stepping in to his office and over to Isobel. "Might I, milady?"
She held out her arms and smiled at Isobel. Isobel hesitantly handed over the baby, caressing the baby's cheek before Irene walked away with her. Without the baby in her arms, she suddenly felt at a loss. Sitting back in the chair, she clasped her hands together in her lap, trying not to worry about the baby…or how young and inexperienced Irene seemed to be.
The door shut with a quiet click, and Dr. Clarkson walked over to them. Dickie watched every move the doctor made and could tell the man was contemplating his next statement.
"I thought it might be best for Irene to take her for a bit…so that we can go over the details of why I asked you both to come today."
"I'll admit I have been very anxious since speaking with you yesterday, Doctor," Dickie said, glancing over at Isobel. She was silent, her fingers turning white in her lap as her hands wrung together. Looking back to Richard, he asked, "I suppose you have some answers from Lady Merton's testing?"
Dr. Clarkson nodded, taking a seat behind his desk. He crossed his arms and met the worried gaze of Dickie Merton. Before he spoke, he turned his eyes to Isobel, wishing he did not always have to be the bearer of bad news; first telling her Matthew was dead and now this…
"I do. I've had some colleagues review the results and the possible diagnoses. We have all come to the same conclusion after looking through the latest research and comparing many reports with Lady Merton's test results and symptoms."
"And…?" Dickie prodded, sitting forward in his seat.
Dr. Clarkson sighed and looked down. "I'm afraid that Lady Merton seems to be suffering from something called 'multiple sclerosis'."
Isobel's head shot up, her eyes wide with shock. Dickie looked between his wife and the doctor, clearly aware that Isobel understood the severity of such a diagnosis whereas he had no knowledge of it.
"And what does that mean, Doctor?" Dickie asked, his eyes now solely focused on his stunned wife.
"It is a disease which affects the central nervous system…the brain and the spine. The symptoms Lady Merton has been experiencing, such as the fatigue…neuropathy…dizziness…are all common signs of the disease. Unfortunately, it is not until we see these symptoms that we become aware of the severity of the problem."
"But this is something you can cure?" Dickie asked, turning sharply to the doctor.
Dr. Clarkson looked down in shame. "Lord Merton…there are medications and treatments that can help Lady Merton's symptoms. And I have been reading and developing plans for what I feel will bring her strength back. But I'm afraid…I'm afraid no one has ever been cured."
Isobel looked down, biting her bottom lip to hold in her tears. She knew of this disease…there had been a few patients diagnosed with it over her years as a nurse. And their prognosis was never good…usually they died within a year or two. But it wasn't that she worried for herself; rather, the effect it would have on her husband and family concerned her the most.
Dickie's usually reserved demeanor was now replaced by a zealous anger, desperate for some shred of hope to cling to. He stood, hammering Dr. Clarkson with questions.
"Are you saying this 'multiple sclerosis' is fatal? That there is nothing more you can do?!"
"I will do all I can to stall the progress of the disease…" Richard began.
"I should hope so! Because I do not for one moment believe you cannot give her some medication to stop these bloody symptoms…surely we have come far enough in medical research for that!"
"It would seem to be that simple…but until we begin treatment, we will not know how Lady Merton will respond to medications, transfusions, therapies…."
"And how will you determine which method will be best for her? Make her a project…something to test out new treatments on?" Dickie countered.
The room went silent for a moment, Richard taking the time to choose his words carefully. He clasped his hands together, placing them on top of his desk as he sat forward. "Lord Merton, I will do everything I can to make Lady Merton as comfortable as possible. But I'm afraid that no matter what treatment we give…even if it works for a few months, maybe a year…it will not stop the disease. There is nothing we can do, with what we know now, to cure Lady Merton."
Dickie's breath caught in his throat, the shock of the doctor's words evident as the color drained from his face. Isobel reached forward and caught his hand in hers, squeezing it gently.
Dickie looked back quickly, his eyes softening with shame as he saw the unshed tears in his wife's eyes and her encouraging smile. Taking advantage of the momentary silence, Richard stood and came to stand in front of Dickie.
"I will be happy to discuss the treatment options at your convenience. But I understand this is quite a shock…perhaps it would be best if you took some time to discuss the situation with each other."
"Thank you, Dr. Clarkson," Isobel replied quietly, her eyes never leaving Dickie's. His head dropped in defeat before he turned back to Richard.
"Yes, thank you, Dr. Clarkson. Forgive my outburst. Is there something we should do to make sure Lady Merton…?"
Richard held up his hands, not wanting to further burden the distraught Baron. "No harm done…and there is no reason to believe we must take action immediately. Another few days of thought and a great deal of rest will not cause any undo harm."
Dickie nodded, turning back to Isobel and helping her stand. Keeping one hand tightly around hers, he reached forward with the other to shake Richard's.
"I freely admit that I do not understand how this can be, Dr. Clarkson. I will trust your judgment…and do all I can to make sure you have whatever resources you need to help Lady Merton."
Isobel took a small step forward, her arm brushing against her husband's. "We are grateful, Dr. Clarkson…truly."
Richard tried to keep his face devoid of any emotion, but her gratitude, when he had just given her a death sentence, overwhelmed him. He quickly looked down, taking a few deep breaths before straightening and clearing the lump from his throat. He stepped forward and nodded simply.
"I will do all I can…I assure you of that," he said, taking Isobel's free hand between both of his. He looked over to Dickie, nodding firmly. "I will not rest until we have exhausted all possibilities."
With a heavy heart, he showed them out of his office and to the front entrance of the hospital. Not a moment later, Irene came down the hall, quietly hushing the small baby in her arms.
"I think she's a bit tired, milady," Irene said, smiling to Isobel. "She took almost 3 ounces of milk but has been unsettled since."
The young nurse carefully handed over the baby, grateful to have met the calm smile of Lady Merton rather than a look of dissatisfaction. Like an expert, Isobel pulled the child close, readjusting the blanket and rubbing her fingers across the baby's forehead. Not a moment later, the cries quieted and the little girl fell fast asleep.
Dr. Clarkson chuckled, looking back to Irene. "It seems Lady Merton has quite the touch," he said quietly.
"She does favor you, milady," Irene replied, offering one more smile to the Baroness before excusing herself.
Dr. Clarkson held the door open for them as they stepped outside. Both he and Dickie guided Isobel down the stairs, making sure the small bundle in her arms did not cause her to misstep. The chauffeur opened the back door to the car and stepped aside. Before getting in, Isobel turned back to thank the doctor once more.
"Thank you, Dr. Clarkson…for everything," she said softly, smiling down to the small girl.
"We will be in touch," Dickie said gravely. His look was the exact opposite of his wife's…his lips set in a straight line and his eyes dark with worry.
Richard shook Dickie's hand once more, hoping to offer some encouragement to the distraught man. "Whenever you're ready…and I can come to Cavenham to discuss the treatments. Your hands are quite full with the little lass."
Dickie attempted a smile and thanked the doctor before helping Isobel in to the car. He settled himself beside her, waving to Dr. Clarkson as the chauffeur pulled away from the hospital. The doctor slowly walked back in to the hospital, shaking his head with frustration and sadness.
And in the car, conversation was all but forgotten. Dickie looked out the window, trying to maintain his composure and rid his mind of worry. How could this have happened? They had not even been married a year! How could he lose the one woman he loved when he had just found her?
He felt his arm being moved and her fingers tangling with his as she shifted closer to him. Sighing, he raised her hand to his lips and finally looked over at her. The baby was nestled in her left arm, sleeping peacefully. But her eyes were no longer on the girl…they were now staring up at him, her concern evident as the lines across her forehead and around her eyes deepened considerably.
"Are you all right?" she whispered, not wishing the chauffeur to overhear.
He nodded, leaning over to press a kiss to the top of her head. She leaned her head against his shoulder, wishing this moment was as peaceful as it seemed to the naked eye.
For Isobel, it was a past memory of happiness suddenly coming to life once more. Thirty years had passed since she'd had a husband by her side and held a new baby close. Such a moment she never dreamed would happen again, and she was more than grateful for the chance to feel such love after so many years had passed.
If only this contentment was not overshadowed with an all-consuming fear of the unknown…
If only.