Isobel woke up to the wafting smell of her favourite soup just as Richard opened the door with his back, carrying a tray. Isobel sat up and smiled as he placed the tray securely over her lap and his lips onto her before running the back of his index finger along her forehead and cheek.
"Your fever is almost gone, love." he smiled as he kicked his slippers off and threw his shirt on the chair and sat beside her. "I know you might not not be ravenous but do eat something. You need to keep up your strength."
Isobel grabbed the spoon and blew on the steamy contents before putting it to her mouth. 'Dear God he made it from scratch' she thought, he heart almost exploding with love for the man who was looking at her like an intern waiting to see whether he's passed the boards or not. "It's delicious!" she declared, enjoying the returning smile on her man's handsome features. "You're right I'm not all that hungry but this is really good and I'll have as much as my stomach lets me."
"That's all I want, Isobel." said Richard nibbling on a crumpet he'd just toasted. Seeing her in that state effected his own appetite and this was all the dinner he was going to get that day.
Isobel almost emptied the bowl and managed to add one crumpet before she put the tray on the bedside table and crawled to sit in her husbands lap.
"Just because I'm sick, doesn't mean I cannot see you're still holding something in...Richard we need to be straight with one another. I am your wife and I'm glad I finally got everything off my chest but you need to do the same if we're going to make this work." she spoke softly as she ran her hand through his blonde locks knowing how soothing he found it. "Believe me I can take it and I am more than happy to share your burdens just like you share mine. Talk to me darling...please?"
Staring into her eyes Richard knew that she was finally reaching out. He did not want to burden her at all but somehow the doctor knew his wife was right. He also knew that if he pulled away now it would be months at least before she came to him again and the last thing he wanted to do was to close off to her. The problem was that after he told her what was bothering him, there was a sizeable chance she would let him go for good - he wouldn't blame her, after all there would be many a man who would love to have her. As he damn well knew.
FLASHBACK
The Christmas party at the Crawley mansion was in full swing, the marble floor seemed to reflect all the lights adorning the full length windows along with elegant garlands being held up by elegant red and gold bows. Richard was admiring the view outside which was a full English garden complete with rose bushes, and a pond at the end of two rows of Arbor vitae, he knew Isobel came from money...so did he but this surpassed all his expectations and he felt somewhat intimidated by all the splendour. Sipping champagne from a fine crystal flute, he looked at the beauty dancing across the room. She was wearing a most becoming burgundy dress with a flowing skirt which came off the shoulder and showed off her petite frame. Her hair was let down except for the fringe which was swept to the side and held in place by a dainty swarovski hair pin. The whole package was being carried by a pair of black Manolos which seemed to emphasize the shapeliness of her long slim legs and the heavenly curve that was her hips.
Her dance partner seemed quite refined, definitely from the same world. He was tall, lean and had a full of mid brown sleeked back head of hair. He saw Isobel's eyes sparkle with laughter at something the gentleman had just said to her. Clearly whatever day dreams Richard heard about her were really just that, dreams. She was basically putty in that man's arms and he didn't even get along with her at their place of work for god's sakes! The blonde doctor felt like punching the guy and putting his head through the window at the same time but since both of those would attract a lot of attention and put his career in serious danger, he decided to do none of those things and headed to the garden.
Unbeknownst to him, he was being followed by a bulky figure who had just passed a tray to another server. Getting out into the garden, he let himself be enveloped by the chilly air at least until he collected himself enough to drive back home. He was startled by a deep voice coming from behind him.
"Are you quite all right, sir? Can I help you?"
Richard turned around to see none other that Charles Carson, the head of staff at Crawley mansion. The dark haired man stepped a bit closer so that Richard could see him better the the light provided by a nearby lamp.
"Er... no everything is fine thank you...um-"
"Charles Carson head of staff." Said the man extending his hand.
"Hello Charles" smiled Richard taking the man's hand "I'm Richard Clarkson."
Recognition took over Charles' features "Ah the famous doctor!"
"Famous?" questioned a puzzled doctor "for what pray tell?"
"Getting our little Miss Isobel into a frazzle...please stop it because her and my wife are driving me crazy."
Richard let out an incredulous chuckle "Excuse me?"
Charles took a deep breath before gesturing to a wooden bench where both took a seat. "My wife is Elsie, Miss Isobel's previous nanny who now acts as a maid/assistant. She has been with the family since before I came along. I hear all about your snipes, rows and tender moments in a very dramatic way each night...What? Cat got your tongue, doctor?"
Richard looked like a deer caught in headlights for a moment before recovering his wits. "Um, I'm sorry about that but nothing is going on between me and Miss Isobel I can assure you - you've got the wrong man. She is being charmed by a dandy as we speak." finished the blonde in an almost growl. He was surprised to see that the man next to him seemed to tense as well when he mentioned the charmer.
"Damn...not Dickie bloody Grey again." swore Charles. Seeing the questioning look on the young man's face, he decided to elaborate. "The charmer you mention is Dickie Grey of Grey Publications. He is an old friend of old Mr. Crawley and has been after Miss Isobel forever. That is since his marriage to that bitch Martha Simpson fell into flames, had a couple of equally bitchy sons by her too. Christ forbid she ends up as their step-mother. Unfortunately, as you know, relations between Miss Isobel and her father have never been good and he wants nothing more than for his daughter to fall into the trap and go to live in New York." The far away look on Charles' face became more focused as he looked Richard in the eye. "You need to do something."
END FLASHBACK
AN: I apologize profusely for not keeping the weekly appointment last week but I have been simply overwhelmed with life. I hope you enjoyed this chapter and would like to know what you think so far :)
I would like to thank my guest reviewers who have been with me since the beginning - I cannot send you a normal ff msg but I wanted to tell you I appreciate all of your support :D Indeed thank you to all my reviewers! I met some really great people through reviews and I love our chats ^-^
