"Lillian Amelia…I think it's beautiful!" Elizabeth said softly, smiling down at the little girl nestled in Isobel's arms. "Don't you think Timothy?"
Timothy nodded from his place standing beside his father. "It suits her...I hope that the family who takes her will agree."
Isobel's breath caught in her throat as she tightened her hold on the sleeping girl. The mere thought of giving up the baby brought tears to her eyes. She did not allow her eyes to lift, knowing it would only take one look at Dickie and she would crumble.
Dickie saw Isobel tense, and quickly stepped forward to be nearer her. He had prepared for this moment…the moment when she realized this arrangement was not permanent. Dickie wanted to be sure he kept Isobel calm so he would not have to call the doctor for an emergent visit tonight. If Dr. Clarkson knew she were out of bed, Dickie could only imagine the lecture he would receive for not following the doctor's orders.
"I'm afraid Mrs. Ingle has not had the time to think about finding another family…and none have come forward. So it seems we are to take care of this little Lily for the time being."
Isobel looked up, catching the warm smile Dickie offered. She blinked away her tears, silently thanking him with a small nod of her head. He reached down and gently brushed his hand over the girl's light blond hair.
"Perhaps the two of you would like to join Isobel and I when we take her for a picnic tomorrow afternoon," Dickie said, allowing his hand to rest on Isobel's shoulder.
"Oh how lovely!" Elizabeth answered with a smile.
"Should the baby really be outside? I doubt it is common for one so young to be out in the elements," Timothy countered. He took a seat across from the women and sipped on his scotch, unaware of why his father and Isobel were taking such an interest in the orphan.
Elizabeth sighed and shook her head. Timothy caught her look of disappointment and sat up straight. "And what, may I ask, have I said wrong?"
Elizabeth waved away his concern but he chose to press the subject. "Come now, she is already smaller than she should be at her age. And what if she catches a chill or…or…"
Elizabeth's frown had turned in to a grin, seeing Timothy so concerned over a baby. While the man did not even know it, Elizabeth could see he cared a great deal. And it was that care she hoped would translate to their children, should he ever get up the nerve to ask for her hand in marriage.
"We will not be out long…simply for the picnic. It will be good for her to get some fresh air," Dickie explained, smiling down as Lily yawned and curled her fingers around Isobel's hand.
"If you think so," Timothy acquiesced, sitting back and taking another sip of his drink.
Dickie was about to respond when he felt Isobel's shoulder go rigid under his touch. He noticed her face had become quite pale.
"Elizabeth, why don't you have a try at holding her?" Dickie asked, motioning for Elizabeth to take the baby from Isobel.
Elizabeth smiled first, but immediately noticed the worried look on Lord Merton's face. She then saw the change in Isobel and hurried to help.
"Might I, Lady Merton?" she asked softly, coming closer so that Isobel could easily hand off the baby.
"Of course, dear," Isobel answered, allowing Elizabeth to take the lead in gathering the sleeping baby from her. As soon as the bundle was gone from her arms, Isobel felt the weakness set in as she no longer had anything to hold to for support. Elizabeth held the baby to her chest with one arm, while her other hand reached forward to steady Isobel's shoulder.
"Why don't you allow me to take her up tonight? I will ring for Elsa to come help you," she said quietly to Isobel, her eyes moving up to meet Dickie's. "I think it might be best."
Dickie agreed and reached down, taking both of Isobel's hands in his. "I'll help you upstairs, dear," he said lowly, knowing she would not want to make a fuss.
He helped her to stand and allowed her a moment as he saw a small grimace cross her delicate features. It wasn't until she looked up and nodded at him that he knew it was ok to move. He said a silent thank you to Elizabeth, then placed his hand at the small of Isobel's back and smiled to Timothy.
"I think we'll leave you two for the rest of the evening. Don't keep these girls up too long, Timothy," he warned, trying to mask his concern for Isobel with a chuckle and wink for his son.
Timothy stood and winked at Elizabeth. "Of course not, Father. A good night to you both," he said, stepping forward to kiss Isobel on the cheek.
Though he was typically unaware of much going on around him, Timothy did realize that there was something amiss. Stepping back, his smile had faded as he saw Isobel's demeanor.
"Do get some rest, Isobel," he said kindly, offering a nod of understanding to his father. "We want you feeling well so we can enjoy that picnic tomorrow."
"Thank you, Timothy," Isobel replied. Dickie's hand pressed firmly on her back as they moved towards the door. It wasn't until they were gone and the door shut completely that Timothy turned back to Elizabeth.
"Do you think she is all right? I mean…truly all right?" he asked.
But his questions were met with silence for Elizabeth's gaze had not moved from the sleeping baby in her arms. And it was then that Timothy Grey realized just how wonderful a mother Elizabeth Butler would be.
"Milady, is there anything more I can do?" Elsa asked, wringing her hands together at the side of Isobel's bed.
Isobel shook her head and smiled to her lady's maid. "No, thank you Elsa. I think that will be all for tonight."
"I've left another headache powder here for you in case you need it during the night. And there is enough water in the pitcher I think…"
Isobel reached out and gently squeezed Elsa's arm. "I will be fine, Elsa. Go on now…"
Elsa sighed and looked down. "You're quite sure, milady?"
"Quite."
"All right then. I shall see you in the morning," Elsa replied, gathering Isobel's evening gown from the end of the bed. She moved to the door but was stopped upon hearing Isobel's quiet voice.
"Elsa...?"
"Yes, Milady?" She turned quickly and moved back over to the bed. "What is it?"
"This isn't getting better," Isobel admitted quietly. "It's only getting worse, isn't it?"
Elsa shifted nervously, not wanting to admit that this medication simply wasn't working and the headaches, weakness, fatigue…they were all getting worse.
"Elsa, you've noticed it, haven't you?" Isobel asked the girl pointedly.
Elsa looked away but nodded. "Yes, Milady. It does seem to be getting worse."
She heard the quiet rustle of sheets and saw Isobel now sitting up against the headboard. Her Ladyship was staring directly at her, setting the young lady's maid on edge.
"I don't want you to say a word of this to Lord Merton…he already knows the medicine is not working well…but I do not want to worry him more than necessary right now."
"Of course, Milady."
"Even if he presses you for more information…you see, I want to speak to Dr. Clarkson first. Then I will discuss the situation with Lord Merton. You understand, don't you? I would hate to worry him if this is simply a need for a different type of medication."
"But doesn't Lord Merton have a right to know how badly the headaches are getting…or how unsteady you are on your feet?"
Elsa knew she had crossed a line when Isobel looked away, her hands gripping the blanket tight.
"I apologize Milady, I should not…"
"No…no," Isobel interrupted, holding up a hand and looking back to her lady's maid, "You are right…I will need to tell him the truth, no matter what the outcome is to be. But, I would like the opportunity to do it in my own way."
A moment of silence passed before Isobel turned back to the maid.
"I have no doubt you will find the best way, Milady," Elsa offered with a smile.
Isobel let out a small sigh of relief. "Right…thank you, Elsa….you have been such a comfort."
"I am happy to have helped, Milady," Elsa answered. "Good night."
Isobel smiled warmly. "Good night, Elsa."
Elsa closed the door, taking a few deep breaths to calm her welling emotions before hurrying towards the back stairwell. And inside Lady Merton's suite, the Baroness' fatigue overwhelmed her as she fell in to a restless sleep.
"Father, are you all right?" Timothy asked cautiously, coming upon his father pacing up and down the hall later that evening.
"Hm, oh yes Timothy. I am fine…are you off to bed?"
"I was…but I wanted to make sure there was nothing more I or Elizabeth could do to help. It seems Isobel was not well at all this evening."
"No…no she wasn't," Dickie replied, looking out the window and placing both hands on the hall table for stability. "To be completely honest, I'm not sure this medicine is working, Timothy."
Timothy and his father had only had a few serious discussions in the young man's lifetime…and he was uncertain how to respond in this case. But seeing his father so distraught, he decided to try and ease the man's worry.
"Perhaps it will just take some time, Father. Has Dr. Clarkson given any indication as to when you might expect Isobel to feel more like herself?"
"He had hoped it would be almost immediate," Dickie answered sadly, turning back to face his son. "I'm afraid we are nowhere near a resolution it seems."
"Father, are you sure she should be out tomorrow? I was concerned first about the baby…but now it seems Isobel is the one who should remain indoors and resting."
Dickie smiled weakly. "If I could keep her inside, I would. But you know Isobel…she will continue on as if nothing is wrong. And I want her to do what she feels she can…for as long as she can anyway."
Dickie looked to the side and swallowed the lump that had formed in his throat. While it was difficult not to confide in his son, he and Isobel had agreed to keep quiet her prognosis. Isobel did not want to be treated as though she were dying, and he could not blame her…for in reality, he did not want to believe it himself.
"And you really think having this baby here…while Isobel is feeling poorly…is not an inconvenience?"
"Timothy…Lillian Amelia is the one bright spot in Isobel's day. I refuse to take that away from her."
Timothy nodded and looked down, understanding the warning in his father's tone. "Of course…I wouldn't expect you to."
He took a few steps closer to Dickie and lowered his voice. "Perhaps it would be best that a Nanny be hired within the next few days. Do you have any more candidates to interview? Or are you close to making your decision?"
"Two are coming back the day after next to meet the baby and Isobel. Then we hope to make a decision. But Dr. Clarkson has asked that I bring Isobel in for an evaluation…."
"Allow Elizabeth and I to help you with this…please. We can stay with Lillian to make sure she gets on with each of the women and then bring you our final opinion."
"I'm not sure Isobel…"
"Father, Isobel is up to nothing more than resting right now. And while I do not wish to be blunt, I must agree that if she does not get the proper treatment soon, she may not be with us much longer."
Dickie's head shot up, his glare meeting his son's sympathetic gaze. Timothy shook his head and put a firm hand on his Father's shoulder.
"I have only said what you've been thinking, Father. Please, let us help with this…for Isobel's sake."
And though it was his worst fear, he knew that his son was speaking the truth.