It was not until the dessert course that Isobel's apprehensions came to the surface. Elizabeth's presence and questioning of Isobel's work seemed to help conversation move along smoothly.
"So you have been a nurse ever since the Boer conflict?" Elizabeth asked Isobel, taking a small sip from her wine glass.
"Yes. My father and brother were physicians, as was my late husband. They were all heavily involved during the fighting, so I felt it was the one way I could be useful to them."
"How lovely," Elizabeth said, clearly astonished as to all Isobel had accomplished during her lifetime. Dickie smiled to the young girl, grateful that Timothy had asked her to come along. It was her influence over his young son that may be the key in Timothy's approval of his marrying Isobel.
"Did your husband fight in the conflict?" Timothy asked.
"He did for a time…but when they learned he was trained as a physician, they moved him to a field hospital to care for the wounded," Isobel explained.
"And what of your son? He would have been too young to fight, would he not?" Timothy asked.
Dickie straightened, sucking in a breath, at the mention of the late Matthew Crawley. While Timothy knew Matthew was dead, he had never detailed just how close Isobel had been with Matthew.
"Yes, he was. He was in school at the time which allowed me time to train for the nursing corps."
"Did you have no other children?" Elizabeth asked innocently.
"No," Isobel replied, smiling to the footmen who filled her wine glass.
"Pity," Timothy said, "Especially knowing your husband was in the Crawley line. A spare would have been helpful should something have happened to him during the war."
All conversation ceased. Timothy did not seem to notice the widening eyes of Elizabeth and his father, nor the shock evident on Isobel's face.
Dickie cleared his throat, hoping to move the conversation in a different direction. "Well, it's a good thing that's all over and done with now. Elizabeth, weren't you telling me one of your sisters was thinking of becoming a nurse?"
Elizabeth, still concerned over the grim look on Isobel's face, forced a weak smile. "Yes, my youngest sister, Bethany. Mother is having quite a time with whether or not she should allow it. She's afraid the poor thing might be lost out on her own."
"Knowing Bethany, she will thrive," Timothy said, yet unaware of how impactful his last comments had been. "Wasn't she always the one trying to sneak out in the middle of the night?"
Elizabeth smiled and detailed Bethany's latest escapade throughout dessert. But Dickie continued casting looks in Isobel's direction, noting how quiet and distant she had become. He worried there was something he should say or do to help her…but what that was, he did not know.
"Well, I'm afraid I am heading up. That train ride always tires me out," Elizabeth said, standing to accept a kiss on the cheek from Lord Merton.
"Good night, my dear. And thank you for keeping Timothy company on his journey," Dickie said with a smile in his son's direction.
"A welcome distraction from the endless rows of trees passing by," Timothy replied, finishing his drink and walking over. "I'll head up as well. Mrs. Crawley, it was good of you to come this evening."
Isobel was quite surprised but pleased as she had not been able to gauge Timothy's thoughts throughout the night. "Thank you, Timothy. It was nice to see you again."
He nodded as Elizabeth stepped forward to take Isobel's hand. "Might you come by for tea tomorrow? Lord Merton and Timothy will be out all day, and I'll be here by myself. Perhaps you could tell me more about the training courses for nursing so I can reassure Mother. It will help to have a firsthand opinion on the subject, don't you think?"
Elizabeth looked to Lord Merton for approval and he nodded. "I quite agree."
The young woman smiled and turned back to Isobel. "Will you come?"
Isobel's eyes moved to meet Dickie's and then Timothy's. She could tell Dickie was delighted at the thought, but Timothy was still quite difficult to read. She felt a squeeze of her hands and was pulled back to Elizabeth. "Please Mrs. Crawley. I would be ever so grateful."
Isobel acquiesced and replied, "I'd be glad to."
Elizabeth sighed in delight and let go of Isobel's hands. "Wonderful! We will see you tomorrow then. And thank you!"
Isobel and Dickie bid the pair good night as they left the drawing room. As Mead closed the door behind the couple, Isobel turned and picked up her handbag.
"I suppose I should be off." Turning, she found she was now face to face with Dickie. He looked down at her, concern written over his features.
"Isobel…what is it? Something happened at dinner…tell me," he implored, not allowing her to pass by him.
"I thought it went well…though I'm not quite sure Timothy's opinion of me has changed," she said, looking down from his pointed gaze.
"His silence has always meant he is thinking. And the fact that he said he was glad you came this evening indicates he may now understand my position."
Isobel looked up at him once more and forced a smile. "What a relief."
"You do not seem convinced," he replied.
"Don't I? I am sorry…I suppose I'm a bit worn out," she answered honestly, fiddling with the strings on her handbag.
"Are you still unsure? Of our marrying?"
The poor man, she thought, looking up to find he seemed quite upset. She cautiously reached over and squeezed his arm. "No…I'm not."
Relief washed over him as he took her hand before she could pull it away. "Because after tonight, I think all barriers have been pushed aside."
She squeezed his hand and nodded. "I do hope so. Perhaps Timothy will express more to you tomorrow?"
"Yes…you can be sure it is the first thing I will ask him on our outing. And stay to dinner tomorrow….Elizabeth will enjoy the company immensely…as will I. Perhaps we can find a moment alone with Timothy to discuss the wedding."
"Are you quite sure? I would not want to impose."
"My dear, you are anything but an imposition," he replied, squeezing her hand once more before allowing her to pull away. He knew there was something more bothering her, but he decided not to press her this evening. If anything, he was thrilled she had agreed to come tomorrow. It seemed his one hope was coming to fruition; that finally he was going to have a chance at happiness.
As Isobel slipped off her shoes late the evening, she caught sight of her husband's picture sitting on her vanity. Sitting up, she reached over to brush a finger down the small frame, memories flooding her mind.
Oh Reginald….why didn't we ever talk about it….
"Things look as though they are running well, Father," Timothy said, clasping his hands behind his back as he watched the young workmen preparing the fields for the upcoming planting.
"Yes, quite well in fact. I am happy to report that we are ahead of schedule, thanks to your help in improving the rotation plans."
"It was good of you to ask," Timothy answered, following Dickie down the path that led back to the main house.
"If you are to run this place one day, I want you involved with its conservation now. You are prepared for that, aren't you?" Dickie asked, turning to face his youngest.
"I believe so," Timothy replied with a nod.
"And Elizabeth…where does she fit in to your plans?" Dickie asked, resuming a slow pace.
"Elizabeth? She's a good friend, of course."
"Mm…and nothing more?"
"Not now…not yet anyway," Timothy answered softly. It was true that he loved Elizabeth, but with everything changing so suddenly and his now being the heir to Cavenham Park, time was not on his side for beginning a courtship with his most trusted friend.
"She does feel strongly for you, you know," his father responded, not seeing his young son's shocked expression.
"I'm sure you're wrong," Timothy answered with a small chuckle.
"Perhaps," Dickie answered as the pair lapsed in to silence once more, each lost in their own thoughts. As they reached the bottom of the hill, they turned to the right and caught sight of the large house up ahead. "I do hope they're enjoying their time."
"Who?" Timothy asked, still thinking about his father's questions of his and Elizabeth's relationship.
"Isobel and Elizabeth. They were meeting for tea this afternoon," Dickie answered, stopping once more and turning to his son.
"Oh, right. I forgot all about it," Timothy answered.
"Timothy, before we head in…I'd like to get your thoughts," Dickie began, knowing it was now or never. He needed to know where Timothy stood on his relationship with Isobel. He did not want to wait to make her his wife any longer than he needed. And he hoped to reassure Isobel this evening that their plans could move forward.
"Thoughts? On what exactly?"
"Isobel," Dickie replied quietly.
Timothy cleared his throat and clasped his hands behind his back once more, suddenly interested in his shoes. Dickie allowed the young man a moment before prodding him further.
"She is staying to dinner tonight. I know I should have asked but…"
"No, you needn't have," Timothy replied, looking up and nodding. "It is your house, Father, and your right to welcome anyone you wish."
Dickie was a bit surprised by this response, evident enough that Timothy continued before his father had a chance to reply.
"Father…I know how horrible I was a few months ago at that Downton dinner. You see, while your and mother's relationship may not have been a good one, I cared for her a great deal. Yes, she spoiled Larry and I, maybe too much, but she did support us in every situation; good or bad."
He took a few steps past Dickie, looking out over the vast grounds surrounding Cavenham Park. He remembered the days when he and Larry were young, playing out in the fields while their mother worked with the gardener. He remembered her smile, how she laughed and teased them, how she smelled before a grand dinner…he missed that.
"And to know she will be replaced in this house is very difficult," he said, turning to find his father's face drop in defeat. Dickie looked down at his hands clasped atop his walking stick, trying to control his emotions. Timothy hated to see his father upset, but he had wanted the truth…and it was the truth Timothy vowed to give him.
"I suppose it would not make any difference if I tell you Isobel does not wish to replace your mother."
"I know that already…I knew that the moment I saw her face upon leaving Downton that evening."
Dickie looked up, a bit confused. "Then why…."
Timothy held up a hand, silencing Dickie so he could continue. "Father, while it may be difficult to see you married to another woman, I do not wish to put a stop to it. It is clear that Mrs. Crawley makes you very happy. And she is well respected in her community and quite intelligent. I know that mother was never involved with the running of the estate, but things are different now. And it puts me at ease to know Mrs. Crawley will be able to help you should I not be here to make important decisions."
"Timothy…are you saying…do you approve?" Dickie asked, a bit of hope seeping through his voice.
Timothy tentatively reached over and clapped his father on the shoulder. "I do. It may take a bit of time for me to get used to another Lady in the house, but I find you have chosen well."
Dickie cleared his throat, not quite knowing how to respond. He had never been more proud of his son than he was in this moment. He had spoken like a man and made a logical decision, something Dickie questioned before now.
"Thank you, Timothy. Not just for agreeing with me…but for taking the time to truly think it over."
Timothy dropped his hand and motioned for his father to follow him back to the house. "I'm afraid I cannot take all the credit for that."
Dickie looked over, his eyebrows rising in question. Timothy smiled and looked towards the grand home up ahead.
"Women are very persuasive, Father. And it seems Elizabeth is quite taken with Mrs. Crawley. I'd like to stay in her good graces."
Dickie laughed and put a hand on Timothy's shoulder as they continued towards the house. "A keen perception to live by."