My apologies for the long wait! I hope you all enjoy this latest installment….I so appreciate your thoughtful and kind reviews!
"Mrs. Crawley, might I ask you a personal question?" Elizabeth asked quietly, her eyes dropping to her tea cup. Isobel noticed the young woman's anxiety and in an attempt to calm her, she smiled warmly when Elizabeth's eyes met hers again.
"Of course. How might I help?"
"Well, it's just that…you've been married before…"
"Yes."
"Did Dr. Crawley…or Lord Merton for that matter…did they ever suggest love before asking for your hand?"
Isobel was quite shocked at the question, not sure how to answer the young woman. Elizabeth sighed and dropped her hands from her tea cup in to her lap.
"It's just…Timothy and I…well, we have been friends for quite a long time. We grew up together! But now…well, he never indicates if he feels something more but acts as though he does. I wish I knew what to think," Elizabeth explained.
Isobel allowed her hands to settle on her own tea cup, hoping her words would comfort the young Miss Butler. "And you feel something more for Timothy I presume?"
Elizabeth sucked in a quick breath, her eyes widening as she nodded to Isobel. She had never told a soul her true feelings so opening up to a woman she'd just met yesterday was unnerving. But if anyone understood what it was to have the love of one of the Grey gentlemen, it was Isobel Crawley.
"You must realize that I grew up in quite a different world. I'm afraid that feelings and emotions were not openly discussed in my day…not as they are now."
"But surely you must have known before you agreed to marrying," Elizabeth replied, hoping for some answer to keep her hopes alive.
"Dr. Crawley and I had an understanding…that is true. I knew him quite well before we began courting. My brother and he were old chums in medical school, so I learned a great deal about him before we ever became involved. I think it helped to know more about who he was as a man before I was thrown in to being his wife."
"So you were friends then…before you began courting?"
Isobel smiled, sensing Elizabeth felt a bit better upon hearing this. "Yes, we were very good friends. And even now, I learned quite a bit about Lord Merton before we ever spoke of courting or marrying."
Elizabeth's face lit up. "I do hope that Timothy takes after his father in that way."
Isobel chuckled. "I'm sure he will."
The door opened and the men of their conversation appeared, both smiling to the ladies.
"Good afternoon," Dickie said with a wide smile, walking over to the small table with Timothy in tow. "And how has your afternoon been?"
"Rather intriguing, wouldn't you say Mrs. Crawley?" Elizabeth asked with a small wink in Isobel's direction.
Isobel agreed and smiled to the men. "And yours?"
"I'd say we've also enjoyed a fruitful afternoon," Dickie replied, turning to Timothy. "Timothy?"
"Yes…quite," Timothy answered. "Elizabeth, would you like to go for a walk before the gong? Father tells me the gardener has finished with the east end that you love."
"Yes, that would be lovely. Would you like to join us?" Elizabeth asked, standing and looking between Dickie and Isobel. The elder couple shared a glance and understood that Elizabeth and Timothy needed some time alone.
"I think we'll stay in here. My son has tired me out today," Dickie responded. "Have a good time."
"We'll see you at dinner," Timothy answered, leading Elizabeth out of the room. The young girl waved to Isobel, her smile wide as Timothy shut the door behind them.
"Would you like some tea?" Isobel asked Dickie once the door had closed.
"No, thank you. Why don't we sit? I have something to tell you," he said, motioning towards the center of the room.
He led her over to the settee and clasped his hands behind his back, choosing to remain standing while she sat. She noticed how he was fidgeting and worried something was wrong.
"I take it you spoke with Timothy?" she asked, looking down at her own thumbs that were now circling each other in her lap.
"Yes…I did. And I will not deny that he does have reservations about our marrying."
"I see," she said quietly, her fears quickly surfacing once again.
"But, Isobel…" he began, taking a seat beside her and gently placing a hand over hers. "He understands…and he wants us to be happy."
Her head popped up instantly, her eyes darting back and forth to try and read his face. He smiled and squeezed her hands to calm her. "So...that means…"
Dickie nodded and smiled. "It means that we are to be married….if you will still have me."
Tears prickled her eyelashes, and she looked away quickly, fearing her emotions would overwhelm her. "I would be very happy to," she whispered.
With that, his own shaking hand reached up to turn her face back towards his. "Very well then. Shall we announce you as the future Lady Merton this evening?"
One month later, late April 1925
"It seems as though Downton is thriving, despite losing Tom as your agent," Lord Merton said, stopping alongside Robert. The two men had walked quite a distance, surveying the grounds and allowing Robert to show Dickie the latest developments in their plans to build newer cottages.
"Mary has come quite a long way. And Tom still writes often and gives his opinions on what he feels would be best for Downton."
"Will he visit again? I know Isobel misses little Sybbie quite a bit," Dickie said as they continued their journey back towards Downton.
Robert smiled, chuckling softly at the ease in which Lord Merton mentioned his fiancée. Years before, he and his friend would still have spoken of their spouses as "her Ladyship." It was quite odd to hear Dickie speak of cousin Isobel in such a comfortable manner, but he appreciated the sincerity his friend used in referring to the woman he was to marry.
"I do hope so. Cora has insisted they come over for a bit of the season. Tom will try to get away from his work, though it is not set in stone yet."
"But he enjoys his work?"
"It seems so. Tell me…how has Timothy taken to the estate? He seemed quite involved when we met in London a few weeks ago."
Dickie nodded. "True…I never thought he would be so keen on conserving and running Cavenham Park, but he has shown great interest where the estate is concerned."
"And he has warmed to the idea of your marrying again?" Robert asked, casting a sideways glance towards Dickie. He noted how Dickie's smile widened considerably.
"Yes…I believe so. He and Isobel have had quite a few conversations about the estate, as well as medicine. I think he finds a confidante in her."
The two men walked in silence until they reached the gate of Downton Abbey. As Robert closed the gate behind Dickie, he noted his friend seemed quite contemplative. However, he determined to let Dickie lead the conversation, should something be on his mind.
He would not have to wait long.
"Robert, might I ask you a question?" Dickie slowed his steps some, wanting to keep the conversation between he and Lord Grantham private.
"Of course."
"It's about Isobel," Dickie began, clearing his throat and turning to face Robert. He clasped his hands behind his back and took a deep breath before looking up at Robert. "How much do you know about her life with Dr. Crawley?"
"Mm…very little I'm afraid. Why do you ask?"
"It was something she said…or rather did not say…"
"Go on," Robert prodded, his face turning serious as he realized Dickie was speaking of something seemingly significant.
"She and Dr. Crawley had no other children?"
"No, only Matthew," Robert answered slowly, his voice lowering as he continued. "Dickie, what is this about?"
"When she dined with us last month, she spoke of how she first trained as a nurse during the Boer War. Matthew was in school at the time."
Robert thought a moment before nodding. "Yes, he would have been around fourteen or fifteen."
"Somehow the subject of other children came about. I'm afraid Timothy spoke out of turn and said it was a pity she and Dr. Crawley had no second child…considering Dr. Crawley was an heir in your family."
"But Dr. Crawley never thought it a possibility. It was only due to the Titanic's sinking that Matthew became heir," Robert explained, remembering he had already given Dickie the information years ago. Why was the man questioning it again?
"Robert…forgive me...but Timothy's words seemed to trigger a painful reaction from Isobel. I feel quite responsible for it all."
Robert looked behind to make sure no one else was around, before turning back and lowering his voice to a whisper.
"But surely Isobel would have said if there ever were…" Robert trailed off, realizing just how painful it was when Cora had lost their baby boy before the Great War. If Isobel had gone through something similar, he could understand her keeping it quiet from the rest of the family.
"Yes, I'm sure you're right," Dickie answered, looking down. "I suppose I'm making something out of nothing."
Robert smiled and clapped Dickie on the shoulder. "Perhaps we can set your mind at ease. Let me speak with someone who may know more than you or I."
"Who might that be?" Dickie asked as Robert led him down the path toward Downton once more.
"My mother."
"Hello, Mama."
Robert entered the drawing room of the Dower House, and kissed his startled mother on the cheek.
"Goodness, to what do I owe the pleasure of your company?"
"Can a son not stop by to see how his mother is getting on?"
"Of course he can," Violet said, standing from her place at the desk to move to her arm chair. "But my son never would."
"You exaggerate," Robert replied, rolling his eyes and settling on the settee across from her.
"Mm, do I?"
Robert sighed. "To be quite honest, I'm not sure my being here will do any good. But, I said I would attempt to help, and so here I am."
"Help with what exactly?" Violet asked as she set her walking stick to the side.
"It's Dickie Merton. He is a bit unsure of whether or not something his son said has upset Isobel."
"And you believe I will know the answer?"
"Perhaps. It seems Timothy mentioned something of other children when Isobel visited a few weeks ago. Dickie seems to feel that Isobel may have had another child."
Violet's eyes widened and her voice lowered. "Why would he think that?"
Robert leaned back and shook his head. "The way in which she reacted to the conversation, I suppose. How I even got mixed up in this mess still eludes me. But, if Isobel would tell anyone, I gather it would be you."
Violet huffed and looked away. "I wouldn't be too sure of that. She has been quite secretive these past few months. It's like pulling teeth to get information from her."
Robert grinned. "But you do it so well, Mama."
"Don't be satirical, Robert. It is unbecoming of a gentleman," Violet answered with a wave of her hand, her eyes creasing in contemplation. Robert chuckled under his breath but allowed a moment of silence to pass while his mother was lost in thought.
"She has never mentioned any other family to Mary, has she?"
Robert thought a moment and replied, "Not that I know. There were a few uncles of Matthew's at the wedding, but no mention of any others."
"Quite right…." Violet replied, clasping her hands together in her lap once more. "Wouldn't Murray have known if there were other children? Surely the issue would have come up when Matthew died."
"Hm, true. It would have been quite difficult for Mary to take Matthew's place if there had been a brother."
"Indeed. I cannot imagine Isobel keeping something as important as another child a secret."
"I agree. I only ask now to set Dickie's mind at ease," Robert replied, standing and buttoning his jacket. "I'll send a note to let him know we've come up with nothing."
Violet nodded but remained silent, her mind whirling. Robert kissed her cheek and was about to leave when she had an idea.
"Robert," she called, "wait to send the note."
"Wait, Mama?" Robert asked, a bit surprised by her request.
"Yes, wait. I want to talk to Isobel first."
"Surely you do not think…."
Violet held up a hand and stood, walking forward to meet Robert at the door. "Best to be completely sure there is no scandal we may have overlooked."
"Mama really, I don't believe Isobel to be a woman of scandal."
"Neither do I. But we did not know her before she was widowed… people do change, Robert. And I will rest easier hearing the truth from the source in question."