"Father…how are you?"
Timothy met his father in the library the next morning, hoping the news from Dr. Clarkson had not been anything too upsetting. But when he saw the grim look on Dickie's face, he feared his hopes were soon to be dashed.
"It has been a long few days, Timothy. Please sit," Dickie said, motioning for his son to join him.
Timothy took a chair across from Dickie, remaining silent to allow Dickie to explain things when he felt he was ready.
"You know we went to see Dr. Clarkson yesterday."
"Yes…I hope you did not think me uninterested last night by not inquiring about the appointment. I felt it better to leave you and Isobel some time if you needed it." ?
Dickie smiled. "Thank you for that. In all honesty, last night consisted of conversation about everything but our visit with Dr. Clarkson."
Timothy's face dropped in to a frown. "I'm not sure I follow…"
Dickie stood and clasped his hands behind his back, walking over to look out the large bay window. "Dr. Clarkson said the baby will be fine with proper nutrition and care. But he did suggest a Nanny…I know Isobel was against it at first, but I think she has come 'round to the need for one. We will put out an advertisement today, along with one for a Housekeeper."
Timothy's mouth dropped open. "Housekeeper? You mean Mrs. Crane is…"
"Gone. I left her go last night…though I should have done so long ago." Dickie turned back and knew he should explain upon seeing the look of shock on Timothy's face. "Mrs. Crane made it a point to speak her mind in regards to Isobel, the baby and how she had written to the London papers detailing a preposterous story to ruin our marriage."
"Good God! What did she say…and what gave her the notion she had any right to do so?"
"Evil intent I suppose. But no matter….she is gone and her letter filled with lies and rumor was intercepted before it reached the London Times. One problem solved by introducing another…the urgent need for a Housekeeper."
"Indeed…though the house may run better without her in it."
"Quite right," Dickie said, taking his seat once more. Clasping his hands together, he took a moment to think through his next piece of information before meeting his son's concerned gaze.
"For now, we are going to keep the baby here. I think it will be good for Isobel to have something to focus on while at home. I know it will keep her quite busy…but with a Nanny and the maids to help, she will get more rest than if she continues running all over the county on behalf of the orphanage."
Timothy nodded. "A good thought indeed. Has she agreed to it?"
"Oh yes…she is smitten with the child," Dickie replied. Timothy saw this was the first true smile his father had offered that morning and wondered if it was simply for Isobel that the child was staying…or if it was also because Dickie had taken a liking to the little thing.
"Then I think it is a fine plan. Will you still search for someone to adopt her?"
"In time…once she has regained her full strength and started to develop as the doctor would like."
"And Dr. Clarkson looked her over? When you went to see him about Isobel's tests?"
Dickie cleared his throat and sat back, his hands now gripping the arms of the chair. "Yes…about Isobel's testing…"
The door opened and Mead walked in, interrupting the conversation.
"I apologize milord, but there is a telephone call for you. Lady Mary from Downton Abbey."
"Ah, good. I'll be right there, Mead," Dickie answered as he stood.
"Very good, milord."
As Mead walked out of the room, Dickie moved to follow. Timothy stood and caught his Father's arm before he could exit.
"Father…the news was not good, was it? About Isobel?"
Dickie looked down and sighed. "I'll explain more when Mary arrives. I've called and asked her to come for tea this afternoon. But to answer you simply….no, the news was not good."
And with that, Dickie walked out of the room, leaving Timothy alone in silence.
"What on Earth is multiple sclerosis?" Mary asked, her tea cup clanging to the saucer as she looked back and forth between her godfather and mother-in-law.
"Yes…is this something you've ever heard of in your work, Isobel?" Timothy asked.
It surprised him how concerned he was about Isobel, a woman whom he hated when he first met her. But now, she had shown that she cared about not only his father but about him as well. She always asked after his lady friend, Miss Butler, and wanted to be sure Timothy had everything he needed when he visited Cavenham.
"Yes, I've known of a few patients with the diagnosis," Isobel replied, forcing a small smile to both he and Mary. "I'm sure it will be all right. Dr. Clarkson has some treatment options to go over with us."
"But what will the treatments entail?" Mary asked. "Will you be able to stay here or are they in London?"
"He did not say," Dickie answered. "We plan on meeting him in the next day or so to go over more details."
"But he is confident these treatments will work, isn't he?"
Dickie had not seen Mary vulnerable often; in fact, he could probably count those times on one hand. But now, he could hear a slight waver in her voice and wondered if she wasn't as fearful as he about the situation.
"He feels that the treatments will help the symptoms she is experiencing, yes."
Dickie cast a smile to Isobel, reaching his hand under the table to feel for hers. She clasped on to his hand tightly when his fingers brushed hers, grateful for his strong support during such an uncomfortable conversation.
"So there is no medication to cure the ailment?" Timothy asked.
"Unfortunately, there is not," Isobel explained. "But I'm sure whatever treatment or therapy he suggests will be helpful with the symptoms."
"You're sure?" Mary countered.
She had known Isobel long enough to see when she was upset or nervous. And she had also learned well in her thirty some years to read between the lines. As such, she was quite certain Lord and Lady Merton were not relaying the whole story of her mother-in-law's illness.
Isobel looked from Mary to Dickie, her eyes silently begging him for help. She could not lie to Mary and Timothy…they were old enough to understand the situation and had a right to know. But she didn't know if she could find the words…
"If the treatments do not work, Dr. Clarkson feels Isobel's symptoms will worsen with time," Dickie said quietly. "And at that point, there will be nothing more he can do."
Isobel looked out the window, attempting to maintain a strong front. Dickie squeezed her hand, his eyes fixated solely on her…to make sure she was all right. Mary and Timothy sat in silence, both quite shaken with the news. When Isobel looked back, she forced a smile to them both.
"But Dr. Clarkson has been reading about the latest research and has good hopes for it. So I'm sure it will not come to something as drastic as all that."
Mary's mouth was still hanging open slightly, for once not knowing how to respond. Timothy cleared his throat and sat forward.
"Isobel….Father…whatever happens, I would like to be helpful…as I'm sure Mary would as well. Please tell me what I can do to make things easier for you."
Dickie smiled genuinely to his son. "Thank you, Timothy. That is much appreciated. We should know more after we hear Dr. Clarkson's plan."
"We should cancel dinner this weekend," Mary said quietly.
"Oh, please don't!" Isobel exclaimed. "We are so looking forward to having you all come to visit."
Mary hated to insist, but she did not want to weaken Isobel's resolve any more than necessary.
"Timothy told me your Housekeeper is now gone…and with your needing to start treatments, we would only be an imposition."
Isobel looked down, no longer able to keep tears from welling. Dickie, still holding tight to her hand, thought it best to intervene.
"Why don't we see how things progress after Dr. Clarkson's visit? I daresay he would agree seeing the family, especially little George and Marigold, would be a splendid way to keep all of our spirits up."
Mary cocked her head to the side, silently questioning him on the matter. Dickie nodded his assurance to both Mary and Timothy before turning back to Isobel.
"We will ring Downton on Thursday to make sure there is enough time to change plans if we must. But I think, for now, we should keep dinner on the calendar. What do you think, Isobel?"
He gently tugged on his wife's hand, forcing her to look in his direction. He offered a smile and nod, silently letting her know it would be all right.
Timothy watched their silent exchange with curiosity…he had never seen his parents communicate in such a way as his father now did with his stepmother. He was amazed that it only took a small change in Dickie's features for Isobel to calm and even offer a small smile. Mary also seemed intrigued by their relationship, though she bowed her head to allow them a moment.
It wasn't long before Isobel breathed out a small sigh and nodded to her husband. "Quite right. We'll take it one day at a time, I suppose."
Dickie's smile brightened as he turned to the younger generation. "That settles it. Now, let's discuss a happier subject, hm? Mary, I want to hear what George and Marigold are planning for their horses."
Mary had to swallow her anxiety and yearn to ask more questions regarding Isobel's diagnosis. Instead, she pushed her fears aside and detailed the housing arrangements George and Marigold had decided on…and how the groundskeeper was none too keen about building stalls in Downton's nursery!