Mary quickly hurried out the front door and in to the nearby garden. The men had followed, but Timothy asked Robert and Dickie for a moment alone with Mary. They agreed and allowed the young man to head for Mary alone.
"Mary…I realize this is quite a shock…"
"Did you know about them taking in the child when we discussed Isobel's illness?" she asked, spinning around to glare at him.
"I…yes, I did know…"
"How could you not say anything? Can you not see how utterly ridiculous this is? Isobel will lay down her life for that child and forget her own health in the process!" Mary spat, beginning to pace back and forth. "But of course…why would you care? You never wanted Isobel to marry your father anyway!"
"Mary! Stop!"
She stalled mid-pace and looked up over at him in surprise. No one shouted at Lady Mary Crawley.
"You are welcome to your opinion on the matter, but do not accuse me of not caring for Isobel's well-being. In the beginning, yes, I was against their marrying. But now I agree it was for the best, and I have come to value Isobel and what she brings to this family."
Mary turned to face him, but her arms remained crossed and one eyebrow rose in challenge.
"And you think their taking in this child is a good idea I suppose?"
"I have not made up my mind on the subject….but to be honest, Lily has brought joy back in to the house where it was taken away by Isobel's illness."
Mary stood silent for a moment, her arms slowly uncrossing and dropping to her sides. Balling her hands in to fists, she looked down at the ground.
"What do you think should be done then?"
"As I said inside, it should be given time. For all we know, there is a family walking in to the orphanage this very moment inquiring about adoption."
"And if no family ever comes?"
"Must you always look at the glass half empty?"
"Must you choose to dismiss reality?"
They both remained glaring at each other, silently challenging the other on the matter.
"I think, for the moment, that we had best put the issue to rest," Dickie said, coming up behind the pair. Robert joined him, hands clasped behind his back, seeming to be in deep thought.
"But if this continues…"
Dickie held up a hand. "My dear Mary…while I understand and appreciate your position, I think we need to allow this weekend to be one of relaxation. I want you to enjoy your time here, not spend it worrying."
"I agree," Robert added. "It will not do to dwell on something that is presently out of our hands."
"Papa, you don't understand…."
"That is where you're wrong, my girl," Robert answered, stepping forward. "I am ashamed that I had not realized earlier Isobel was ill and..."
Mary's eyes widened and Timothy opened his mouth to question but Dickie interjected. "I've told Robert of Isobel's diagnosis and her wish to keep it private."
"All the more reason to make this a weekend of tranquility rather than disparity," Robert agreed, looking pointedly at his eldest daughter. "Are we in agreement, Mary?"
Mary held her ground for a moment but with all three men against her, she knew she would never win the argument now. Sighing, she clasped her hands together in front and looked around the group.
"All right. I will say no more on the subject….but if I see Isobel getting worse this weekend, I will not hold my tongue," she warned.
"I will agree with that," Timothy said, turning to Dickie. "Father, shall we continue our walk and discuss those renovations Downton has put in place?"
"If Robert and Mary are in agreement, I think we should take a look at the greenhouses first," Dickie said, motioning for the others to begin walking towards the west end of the estate.
Mary's steps felt slow and heavy as she followed along, not truly hearing the conversation her father was having with Dickie and Timothy. She nodded and agreed every so often, but her mind strayed to the people inside Cavenham Park…and to the nagging notion that this was not to be a happy ending.
"She's in the nursery, milord," Elsa said as the Baron entered Isobel's bedroom that evening. "She heard the baby crying and didn't wish to make things difficult for Nanny while she was settling Master George."
"Very good, thank you Elsa," he said kindly.
He moved down the hall quietly, hoping not to wake the baby if Isobel had gotten her to sleep. Peeking in the door, he smiled seeing Isobel with her eyes closed and head resting against the back of the rocking chair while Lily slept peacefully in her arms.
He snuck inside and gently closed the door. Making his way over, he stole a look at Lily and chuckled under his breath. She truly was a beauty and had become easily attached to Isobel. Though Nanny hated to disturb Lady Merton, Dickie knew that she often times had to ask Isobel to help calm the young girl before a nap. It seemed Lily felt completely safe only when she was in Isobel's arms.
"Dickie?"
He pressed a kiss to the top of Isobel's head, squeezing her shoulder gently as her eyes opened.
"I must have dozed off," she whispered, shifting forward to readjust her hold on the baby.
"It is quite late….why not try to put her down and come to bed," he replied quietly. She nodded and thanked him as he held her forearms to steady her when she stood.
She easily delivered Lily in to the crib without waking her, allowing her fingers to trace the little girl's face softly before turning to leave. Dickie took her by the hand and turned out the bedside lamp.
Nanny was just shutting the door to George's bedroom when she saw Lord and Lady Merton exit the nursery.
"Thank you ever so much, milady, milord. Master George was a bit unsettled being in a new room tonight."
"We do appreciate your taking him under your wing for the weekend, Nanny," Isobel replied kindly. "Is he all right?"
"Yes, milady. He is now sound asleep…it only took three stories," she answered with a small laugh.
"Very good. Lily is also asleep and I daresay you've earned a rest yourself," Dickie said.
"Thank you, milord, milady. Good night."
As Nanny quietly ducked in to the nursery, Dickie and Isobel walked the short distance to her bedroom. The lamps were already dimmed and the fire lit. Isobel would have to thank Elsa in the morning for remembering how cold she got in the evenings, no matter what time of year it was.
"I daresay you have earned a rest tonight, as well, my lady," Dickie said, helping her slip out of her dressing gown.
"Earned a rest? I don't know that I've done anything to earn it, have I?" she asked, slipping under the covers and relaxing back against the pillows.
Smiling, he pulled the blanket up over her legs, leaning down and placing his hands on either side of her. He kissed the middle of her forehead before pulling back slightly.
"My dear, you earned it in more ways than one…however, the way you conducted yourself against Violet this afternoon was worthy of a great deal more than a good night's sleep."
Her lips dropped in a frown, her frustration suddenly surfacing as she remembered Lily's less than pleasant introduction to the Dowager Countess.
"She's impossible," Isobel huffed, turning her head to the side. She closed her eyes, willing away her irritation. She jumped slightly when she felt Dickie's lips on her temple and his hands gently come to rest on her waist.
Turning back, she found herself nose to nose with her husband. His look of understanding melted her frown.
"I'm sorry…I shouldn't allow her to frustrate me so," she said softly, pressing a small kiss to his lips. "You are a saint for dealing with all of this."
"My dear, the only thing that matters is that you are taken care of. And if having Lily here is what you want….then that is what will be," he replied with no hint of hesitation.
"Thank you," she whispered as his lips captured hers in a deep kiss.
He slipped off his shoes and climbed up beside her, never once breaking their passionate embrace. It had been quite a while since they had time for themselves. He could hardly contain his relief when she wrapped her arms around his back and pulled him closer.
"Isobel…" he breathed, placing tender kisses down her neck and on her collarbone, "…you're sure?"
Placing both hands on his cheeks, she forced him to look up at her. "I am…and surely if I'm lying down, you won't have to worry about my falling over."
He could not help but laugh as she bit her bottom lip, chuckling under her breath. "Quite right," he replied softly, leaning forward to kiss the tip of her nose.
"And I have missed you…us…terribly," she whispered, her hand coming to rest on his cheek.
"So have I…" he agreed, leaving a lingering kiss on her slightly swollen lips, "…so have I."