In her mind's eye Isobel could see the look on her sons face. Nonetheless, she thought her teachings would allow Matthew to see her point. When she opened her eyes she saw Richard and nodded at him. Richard didn't want her to completely abandon her all that she held true for those were qualities that he loved. He merely wanted her to try and see another's point. She had great sympathy, it while her empathy was still above most who dwelled at Downton Abbey hers still needed to be developed.
Rising from the table he strode over to her, his left hand tilted her chin up before leaning down to taste her lips. Their first kiss had been flavored by tobacco and tar. This kiss tasted of tea and toast. Isobel anchored her hand behind his head and deepened the kiss. Richard moaned into her mouth at the feel of her tongue against his. Now he could taste her. He moaned again and pulled away, she was breathing hard and her lips swollen from his kisses. She emitted a small whimper at his withdrawal and he had to remind himself that things could not be rushed. There were still steps in the reduction to follow otherwise the break would never heal.
"I have to go" he said in a rush.
"I know, I have some thinking to do...smart thinking." She added with a smirk.
Diving in again he stole one more kiss before he gathered his things, Isobel rose and met him at the door and both left the cottage.
As Isobel walked through the streets she conjured the most nasty things that could happen if she were the hire Ethel. The images formed but would not stay in her mind. Her mind kept returning to the good her idea would bring. Ethel could gain security with a reference. Think smart her mind rallied.
Mrs. Hughes, she had instrumental in finding Ethel. She was also a housekeeper and had an army of maids under her. She was the woman in the know so she was the woman to see. Isobel clamped her lips together to stop from smiling. She must not get ahead of herself, she hadn't even spoken to Mrs. Hughes yet. There could be a blacklist of sorts amongst maids or some other block preventing employment.
First things first, she would need to bathe and change. While she didn't mind smelling of Richard it would certainly cause a stir with others. Isobel would need to ration out what she decided to stun the village with. Crawley House was quiet, her bath passed in silence. Before leaving she clipped some roses from the garden and wrapped them in some paper. As she approached Downton Abbey she thought of Matthew, with his marriage to Mary her son was now living here. Ethel's words came to haunt her.
Yeah, I suppose Mr. Crawley went to a famous school and university.
Her words were true and now he was living in a famous home. An heir to an estate-a prince in a castle.
Bypassing the front entrance she once again went to the servants entrance. O'Brien and Barrow were smoking outside and scrambled when they saw her.
Isobel wasn't blind and knew of the scheming nature of the two.
"Can we help you Mrs. Crawley?" Barrow asked.
Isobel raised her hands to more prominently display the bouquet, "Mrs. Hughes helped me sometime ago and I wanted to thank her."
O'Brien stepped forward her intent clear to take the flowers. Isobel merely pulled them to her chest, "I wanted to give them to her personally to thank her."
Knowing she was beaten O'brien stepped back, Barrow went to the servants entrance and opened the door for her. As Isobel passed through the door she ignored the stares boring into the back of her head. The door to Mrs. Hughes' sitting room was open and Isobel peered inside. Luck was on her side for Mrs. Hughes was there as was Mrs. Patmore. The cook saw her first, "Mrs. Crawley as I live and breathe what are you doing here?"
Isobel grinned, she enjoyed the openness of the cook there were never any surprises with her. Again Isobel held out the bouquet and told them why she was there. Mrs. Patmore stood up to excuse herself leaving Mrs. Crawley and Mrs. Hughes alone.
The housekeeper retrieved a vase from a cupboard and placed the flowers in them, "these are lovely."
Isobel clasped her hands in her lap not wanting to reveal how nervous she was, "It was the least I could do for your help with Ethel."
At the name Mrs. Hughes seemed to sag. "I heard she gave her child to the Bryant's"
"Yes, it was one of the most painful yet endearing things I have ever seen. It is because of her that I am here today." Isobel said slowly gaining courage. "She won't go back to prostitution, she was once a maid. I was thinking about giving her a position at Crawley House and I wanted your input."
Elsie Hughes was flabbergasted, generally her opinion was only sought over what to serve for dinner. True she had to mediate dispute amongst the staff but this was different. Her hand rose to rub her forehead. Mrs. Crawley was well within her right to take on whoever she wished. If she did hire a former prostitute rumor and scandal would take hold and the effects would travel to the Abbey. Elsie could see the determination in Mrs. Crawley and the fact was she was not going to let Ethel Parks disappear. "Give me some time to see what I can do."
Isobel's head was pillowed on Richard's chest listening to his heart, the steady thump thump thump was a comfort. She had just told him of her meeting with Mrs. Hughes and he had listened with rapt attention. This was the second night she spent here with him like this she was glad to be without her shield, without her armor. His hand was currently gliding up and down her back in counterpoint to his heartbeat. Their intimacy was broken by the shrill tone of the telephone. Lord Grantham had had one installed in the cottage. Grunting he sat up and went to answer it not bothering to put clothes on. Isobel felt momentary panic but then remembered he was answering the phone not opening a door.
When he came back she knew he would have to leave. She moved to sit up and he pushed her back down by kissing her mouth. It was the first time he had kissed her anywhere near his bed and she flushed warmly. His hand brushed a strand of hair from her forehead, "Stay there, stay warm. Wait for me."
The gentle cadence of his words had her sinking back into the mattress. He pulled up the comforter and tucked it around her body to secure in the heat. He dressed quickly and headed for where he was needed.