A/N: Still not sure about this one but here's another chapter!
Disclaimer: Don't own em...Fellowes does.
Robert closed the distance between himself and Isobel slowly, once he was close enough he pulled her up to her feet, and against his chest. Her fists beat against him, but he held her steadily. "Just let it out. Let it all out and then we'll get you into the tub. Or...well...I'll call Mrs. Hughes, she can get you into the tub."
"Go home, just let me be." Her words said one thing but her actions said otherwise. She stopped pounding against his chest and clutched at the fabric of his waistcoat. Her legs were weak under her, the longer she stood the more her body trembled. "I can't do this anymore."
Guiding her back down onto the settee he rubbed slow circles across her back. "You can, and you will. Just let it out, he wouldn't want you to be like this. You've got to take care of yourself Isobel, if not for him than for the baby...for Mary." He continued holding her there while she finally let it out.
He wasn't sure how long they sat like that, he'd gently began pulling pins from her hair wanting to make her comfortable. As her sobs slowed and her breathing evened he knew she was asleep. Staying put a few moments longer he watched her, the woman could drive him up one wall and down the other, but he still cared for her. He never should have let her go home alone after the funeral, he could have easily asked Edith to go with her...or Mrs. Hughes. Easing her slowly down onto the settee he shed his jacket and laid it over her, before moving to the phone.
"Carson, I'm sure Mrs. Hughes has told you what I'm doing...but I find I need some assistance. After dinner is finished would you please see that Mrs. Hughes returns to Crawley house?"
Mrs. Hughes had informed him, as well as the ladies up stairs of the current situation, and had already asked Mrs. Patmore to make some soup and sandwiches to be taken over later, "Certainly M'Lord. Mrs. Hughes has requested soup and sandwiches be prepared for her to bring over, is there anything else you require? Would you object to me accompanying her, I'd prefer she not be walking alone in the evening, especially not with such a heavy load."
"No no...that's quite alright. And if I were you, I'd not let her hear you saying she can't carry that basket alone." He laughed softly, being careful to not wake Isobel.
"No M'Lord it most definitely would not be my wisest course of action. We will be down promptly after dinner."
Hanging up the phone Robert walked through the house slowly, waiting. He knew it wouldn't be long, he'd called as dinner was about to be served. When he had walked the house for nearly an hour he sank into an arm chair across from her. He'd begun to doze off when he heard the back door open, Carson and Mrs. Hughes speaking in hushed tones. He smiled to himself as he listened to Carson fuss over the housekeeper, taking her jacket and hat and hanging them up for her. Standing he slipped into the kitchen glancing between them.
"She's asleep but...but well she needs a bath. Carson if you could help me get the water ready we can leave the rest to Mrs. Hughes I hope?"
"M'Lord I'll take care of the water, it wouldn't be..." He was silenced by the wave of a hand.
"No you'll help me. I need something to do anyways. Thank you both for coming." He'd drawn a bath before, it'd been a long time but he wasn't completely inept. Rolling his sleeves up he worked alongside the cringing butler. "Really Carson, it's not the end of the world."
"It's not proper M'Lord, I should be doing this not you."
"No...a footman should be doing this not either of us. So let's just get it done hm?"
Elsie moved through to the sitting room crouching down next to the couch. "Mrs. Crawley?" A gentle hand brushed a few strands of hair from her friends face before resting on her shoulder lightly, "Mrs. Crawley let's get you upstairs now."
Isobel groaned softly and opened her eyes, a moment of panic as she forgot where she was and how she'd gotten there passed before she simply laid there watching the face of the woman standing over her. "Oh Mrs. Hughes...I'm so sorry. So very sorry...I shouldn't have..."
"Shhh it's alright now. Come on." Slipping her arm around Isobel, Elsie helped her up and to her feet and then up the stairs slowly. Once the men had a bath drawn she shooed them back down the stairs before returning to her charge. "Now...lets get this dress off and get you into the tub."
"No. I wish everyone would just leave me be. I'm fine, I want to be left alone." She wanted desperately to fight, but she had no fight left so she simply stood there while Mrs. Hughes unbuttoned her dress and slipped it off, and then her corset. Her shoes and stockings had been discarded long ago. She was ushered into the bathroom where she just stood.
"Mrs. Crawley are you going to finish undressing yourself or do I need to do it for you?" Her tone was gentle but firm, she wasn't taking no for an answer.
"No. I'm not."
"Isobel Crawley you will get yourself in that tub right this instant! Or so help me I will scrub you where you stand!" gentle was over rated, she was certain her voice rang throughout the entire house. It did however have the desired effect. Like a frightened school girl Isobel finished undressing and climbing into the tub carefully. "There see now? Much better. Clean yourself up and I'll take care of your hair."
Carson and Robert stood at the foot of the stairs, both of their heads snapping in the direction of the bathroom at the raised voice of Mrs. Hughes, and then to each other. Carson spoke first, "I'd say she's got things in hand up there."
"Yes, it seems she does..."
"If you'd like I can bring you some dinner M'Lord. Mrs. Patmore sent some for you as well as soup for Mrs. Crawley."
"Thank you Carson... " Turning he wandered back through the house and to the dining room where he took a seat and waited. One hurdle seemed to be crossed at least. Now to get the woman to eat, after dinner he'd try calling Dr. Clarkson again in hopes of something to help her sleep.
