Thank you all for such kind reviews and care! I am happy to be back to updating and hope you enjoy this next installment!

Monday afternoon

"I will be back tomorrow with a different medication, but I do not want you to start it for another few days. I think giving your body time to recover some strength might be helpful," Dr. Clarkson said, turning Isobel's hand over in his and checking her pulse against his pocket watch.

"And this other medication…you think it will help?" she asked quietly.

He let go of her hand and nodded. "There have been many reports that it has given patients much more relief than this first medication. Hopefully this will be the last change we need to make for awhile."

Isobel nodded and allowed Dr. Clarkson to complete his examination in silence. She was glad that Dickie had agreed to wait outside for the doctor to finish. It would allow her time to speak with her former colleague without worrying her husband more than necessary.

She could not be more appreciative of the care Dr. Clarkson had taken with her, coming all the way out here to Cavenham Park on a Monday afternoon when he should be seeing patients at Downton Cottage Hospital. But, with her condition as poor as it was, he had insisted it was easier for him to make the trip than she. Dickie had thanked him graciously, as had she, but Isobel still wished there was something more she could do to thank the doctor for his help in this uncertain situation.

"And you said that your equilibrium has been worse since beginning the medication?" he asked, pressing gently on the top of her feet and ankles.

"Yes. It seems I have sea legs no matter how much rest I get," she replied as he bent her right leg at the knee and placed it back on the bed.

"And the headaches…has the pain been worse or the same since last week?"

"The same I suppose," she replied as he bent her left leg the same as he had her right.

"Well, that's a good sign. If they ever get worse, medication or not, I want you to tell me," he spoke seriously, catching her eye to make sure she was listening.

"Of course," she agreed, looking down and clasping her hands together in her lap.

He covered her legs back up and moved to his bag. Pulling out his stethoscope, he motioned for her to sit forward. After listening to her lungs, he pulled the stethoscope out of his ears and placed it around his neck. Without a word, he patted her shoulder and then turned back to his bag. She looked up at him, a bit confused.

"Doctor?"

With a sigh, he closed his bag and turned back to her. "Lady Merton…"

She could sense his unease and smiled kindly. "Isobel….please."

He bowed his head to hide a small grin. "Very well…Isobel. I suppose we have known each other long enough for that."

"Yes, we have. And I hope we have known each other long enough that you will tell me what it is you are holding back."

The doctor chuckled quietly and caught her eyes once more. "You have always been very perceptive….an endearing quality for a nurse."

She looked down and whispered her thanks to him.

"Isobel, you know how serious your condition is," he began, clasping his hands behind his back. "But I also know that you do not wish to remain bedridden or hindered in your work."

"Quite right," she agreed.

"While I will do all I can to find a medication that helps with the symptoms, I am also going to suggest that certain accommodations are made here at home and during your daily activities. You may or may not agree with them, but I'm afraid they are going to become necessary should you choose to continue working and maintaining such a busy schedule."

"What accommodations are you speaking of?"

He had rehearsed this speech, knowing she would refute and claim she needed no help in this. But if she would look at it from a medical professional's perspective, rather than a patient's, she would see that he was correct.

"Not much at first…simply a railing here and there to help you in the hallway for balance. And a cane to keep you steady while walking."

Eyes filled with fire shot up at him as Isobel's fingers tightened around the blanket covering her legs.

"I know you will not approve…"

"Not approve? Who do you think I am, the Dowager Countess?!" she exclaimed.

"Now Isobel…it is for your protection."

"It is utterly ridiculous. I DO NOT need a cane!"

"It will allow you your independence," he countered, earning him another harsh look from the Baroness.

"It will impede my independence," she argued, crossing her arms.

"If you choose not to use one, you risk falling and injuring yourself to the point where you will lose ALL independence."

He could see the words sinking in as her arms suddenly lost their vigor, dropping back in to her lap as her harsh gaze fell in to a frown. Her eyes shot across the room, away from his look of concern, as unwanted tears began to well.

"I do not want to upset you….Heaven knows I did not want to suggest any of this. But, I'm afraid the faster we see and accept reality, the better."

She nodded, knowing he was right. Truth be told, a cane would allow her to go places without Dickie needing to be by her side. And with so many details needing to be completed for the school house renovation, she wanted the freedom to leave the house whenever she pleased. Dickie would never allow it if her balance was still so compromised…but with a cane, he might permit it.

After a few moments of silence, he cleared his throat and turned to gather his bag. "Allow me to speak to Lord Merton about this? We can discuss which rooms would need adjustments made."

Swallowing back her tears, Isobel forced a small smile and looked back up at her old friend. "Very well. Thank you."

"If there is anything else…"

"No, you've already helped so much. I do appreciate it….truly," she said sincerely, holding out her hand to him.

Sighing, Richard Clarkson took her hand in his and squeezed it gently. These moments were the ones he hated the most….the moments when he realized all the medicine in the world could do nothing to cure the patient in front of him.

And in this case, the patient happened to be one of his closest confidants….