It was still dark when Richard returned to the cottage. Isobel was where he had left her, nude and bundled up in his down comforter. Silently he shucked off his clothes and joined her back in bed. Her body was warm and he wrapped his arms around her letting her heat seep into him. He nuzzled into the back of her neck and she hummed in her sleep. He was glad that she hadn't woken, he needed her to be comfortable here. She needed to be comfortable in her own skin around him, this bed needed to become as familiar as a favorite pair of gloves. When they would eventually make love he wanted her to be immersed in the experience instead of wondering, "Is my body too old? Will he like this? This bed sags here."

He too was learning where she enjoyed his touch and where she didn't. Her stomach was an area she didn't like his hands being anywhere near so he kept them away. This too was part of her reduction, after their combined lengths of celibacy jumping into the bed could be a shocking experience. He didn't want her to have another unpleasurable experience by the hands of a man. The thought of what Isobel had gone through and pulled her closer to him.

The physical form had always appealed to Richard. Being a doctor he knew about bodies, how the heart pumped blood, the direction of its travel. How nerves transmitted pain as well as pleasure. In his work he rarely saw the body in top condition. Most of his calls were to treat illness, set a bone or on rare occasions an amputation. Having Isobel free of sickness and pain in his arms was a gift. There was still a few hours before he would have to be up again and he let himself drift back to sleep.

In the morning Richard made breakfast while Isobel made the bed. Isobel would be going into York today. There was work to be done at the women's shelter and Isobel wanted to see Ethel. She told Richard of her plan, "You'll be going alone?"

"No, I'm taking Mavis with me." She tapped her temple, "Thinking smart you see." Mavis owed her for the rude comment she made which drove off the young prostitute that had come into the shelter the other day. Mavis was one on the older prostitutes, she had been through much. She was one who used the shelter as bed and breakfast when it suited her. Nevertheless, she had brought in others that she knew would never be suited to the life. Mavis was a rogue, she had no pimp, and even at her age she got clients.

At that moment he wanted her, she was sitting prim and proper on a freshly made bed and he wanted her. Wanted her beneath him, above him, anyway she wished. Would she talk, a line of poetry or would she emit sounds primal and guttural? God he wanted to know. Isobel could see the flush of his cheek, her eyes wandered down and saw the evidence of his arousal.

"What are you thinking of?" She asked knowing full well what was on his mind.

"You and me being in that bed, wrapped around one another. No space between us at all." He moved closer to her and Isobel could feel her heartbeat increase. "Hands everywhere" He moved even closer. Isobel hadn't thought it possible but his voice had become deeper, "Mouths everywhere."

Isobel's head rolled back and she mewled, his words affecting her just as deeply. How long had it had been since she had felt a rush like this? Richard wanted her and not just as a companion but he wanted her. It had been a very long time since her body had been coveted. She launched herself at him and her mouth touched his. Her enthusiasm was intoxicating, she was truly lost in the kiss. Richard was beginning to lose himself as well. His left hand came up to cup her breast through her jacket and Isobel shifted forward essentially leaning into this touch. Emboldened his other hand rose up as well lavishing the same attention on her other breast. Isobel's arms wound around him, pulling him close. Needing oxygen Richard tore his mouth away. Isobel's eyes had darkened in arousal and her face was a healthy shade of pink. Vasocongestion his mind supplied and he barked at it for to be quiet. Both leaned back into to taste one another when the phone rang. At first both looked at each other in confusion until Richard rolled his eyes. The fact he was doing this at an inanimate object and not her had her laughing. He exhaled sharply and snatched up the telephone. Isobel could hear his clipped tones, no doubt whoever had rang would be getting an earful.

He was still on the telephone when she gathered her things, she had to bite the inside of her cheek to keep from laughing. The faces he was making while listening to whoever was on the other end of the line were so animated. His knuckles were white as he throttled the phone. Isobel's hand reached out and touched his shoulder to let him know she was leaving. He jerked his chin up to her in acknowledgment and gave a brief smile before turning his attention back to the telephone.

Isobel rode the Red Coach before switching at another station for transport into York. At the shelter Mavis was there along with some others. Today would be a cooking lesson instead of sewing, most of the women seemed more keen to work with food at the prospect of eating it. All except for Mavis, Isobel went up to her, "Going to give it a go?"

"Don't feel like it." She spat.

It was then that Isobel noticed, for today's lesson the recipe had been written on a card and each woman had one. The epiphany was so clear! Mavis couldn't read, she could sew since that was more hands on. Anything that was demonstrated she could do, this was something that wasn't going to be demonstrated.

Isobel had wanted to wait until later to have Mavis escort her through York. With this new development they would go now. "Grab your coat, we're going out."

For once Mavis didn't protest, she simply followed Isobel through the streets. Mavis knew the street names, whether that was from memorization Isobel didn't know. What she did know with certainty was that mavis was a functional illiterate. She could work with money, recognize a few words and write her name. Perhaps more lessons needed to be taught at the shelter. Isobel saw the looks she was getting, being escorted by Mavis meant she was left alone by the other prostitutes and punters. The other people on the street would either change direction when they saw them or scoff or pass sordid comments. Hearing the things that they lobbed at Mavis made her think of what would people in Downton say about Ethel?

The housing block loomed, Isobel remembered which door was Ethel's and knocked. There was no man rushing out this time and she was not as haggard in her appearance. Mavis went to the corner not wanting scoping out the block. WHile she did so Isobel quickly told Ethel that she was trying to find her employment as a housemaid. Ethel's face showed genuine surprise. "You will work, even if you work for me you will gain employment and with it a reference."

Ethel's face had turned hard at Isobel's words, "I'm grateful what you have done and are continuing to do. But you better think long and hard about having me at your house. Thank you for coming but I have to go."

Isobel's mouth opened in shock and Ethel quickly added, "I'm scrubbing some floors on the west side this evening...I meant what I said, I'm not going back to that life."

Isobel nodded hastily before moving away. Ethel stuck her head out of the door and looked both ways before spying Mavis, "Oi, you old slag! Make sure that one isn't bothered."

If anyother person had called Mavis a slag she would have given them more than they bargained for. However, with Ethel it was different. She had been a slag herself, the term when used between them was almost affectionate. With that Mavis and Isobel returned to the women's shelter.