At the hospital Richard was at his desk stuck with paperwork. A nurse knocked on his door summoning him. He sighed before capping his fountain pen and walking out into the ward. Isobel was there standing by the window. The sheer curtain had diffused the light and she seemed to glow."Are you all right?"
She held out her hand to him, "It itches" She announced.
He moved closer towards her and held out his own hand so she would give him hers which she did. He looked at her palm before running his finger lightly over the scabs. The scabs were a good color, there was no pus or red streaks. "Itching means it's healing" he said softly.
Isobel knew this but she wanted a valid medical reason to see Richard instead of the excuse of being love-sick. The fact that he he couldn't openly touch her was like a blow to the gut the only consolation was that he would get to hold her tonight.
"Dr. Clarkson!" A cheerful voice beckoned.
Richard turned it was his intern, junior doctor Paul Tiller. Isobel smiled before moving away.
Cora's words had started the gears turning in Robert's head. He asked for Tom to stay behind in the library.
"I hate asking this but I feel I must, do you have any contacts in Ireland?"
Tom's eyes widened to the point where Robert thought they might pop out of his head. "I beg your pardon?"
Robert was trying to hide his frustration, "In Ireland, do you know of a place that Ethel might find work."
Suddenly Tom wished he was in the passenger seat of a car with Isobel driving him at great speed. Did his father-in-law not understand that the people he knew were likely to be servants not have them? Also the fact remained that Ethel was English. An English woman in Ireland may not be that well received. Tom mentally counted to ten before answering, "I'm sorry I don't of any places and since my brother Kieran lives in Liverpool it is unlikely that he knows of any places either."
A new country was not going to be the answer for Ethel but it would be the answer for two others currently residing in Downton. A couple had left before dawn in a car heading North. Their destination was Gretna Green the village made famous for runaway weddings. However, Mrs. Crawley was not a 12 year old girl and Doctor Clarkson was not a 14 year old boy seeking to wed sans their parents permission. When the blacksmith shop was in sight Isobel let out a chuckle as did Richard. His left hand reached out for hers on instinct he offered it palm up. Isobel's eyes once again went to Richard's doctors bag. Inside was all the documents they needed, she had held Richard's birth certificate lovingly. With it they could bypass the 21 day residency needed to marry. Richard had told her that that rule was often ignored yet they didn't want to be the ones caught out.
When the anvil of the blacksmith shop came into view Isobel felt a rush of excitement. The car was maneuvered and parked. The blacksmith wasn't open yet it was the small building off to the side that they had come for and it had just opened. In they went and presented their paperwork. The clerk was impressed at the meticulousness of the couple. Generally he had randy teenagers breezing in here not having a clue as to the process. Isobel and Richard were sitting on a small bench when the Clerk bellowed, "Clarkson!" They rose and followed the clerk into a small room. As they passed through the door Richard knew that when he came back out he would no longer be a bachelor. His only regret was that his Mother was not alive to see it.
With the ceremony over the clerk took a fountain pen and wrote in all the information onto their marriage certificate. Isobel's hands shook slightly as she reached for it for she was now Mrs. Isobel Clarkson. Outside there were more couples on the benches waiting for their turn. Outside the building Isobel saw that the blacksmith shop along with others had opened. Jewellery was on display and a ring caught her eye. "Which one?" Richard asked his voice landing richly in her ear. She pointed at the desired object. Richard handed over some notes and the ring was hers.
As she placed it on her finger she found herself laughing out loud and Richard came and embraced her, kissing her for he felt it too. The sense of elation, of freedom of having eloped. Last night when Isobel had come to his cottage at dusk he was determined that she wouldn't have to leave again.
Isobel sat and watched as Richard stoked the fire, "Remember today when Dr. Tiller needed my attention?"
She took a moment to remember and she did, "yes I do."
He continued to stoke the fire, the poker jabbing the wood into a better position, "Well originally he had tomorrow off but it seems something in his plans have changed. So he wanted to know if he could switch with me."
Isobel brightened, "So tomorrow you would have off?"
"Yes" he said his blue eyes gazing into hers with mischief.
"So we could spend all morning in bed?" She asked with equal mischief.
He took a measured breath through his nose, "Actually no, I was thinking of going out."
"Where?" Isobel asked
"North." Was the simple answer.
"North? What's is up North?" Isobel asked curiously.
"Gretna Green." Richard said calmly.
The location was not lost on Isobel, "Am I being proposed to?"
Richard was rooted to the spot, "Yes, say yes. Marry me."
"Yes, I'll marry you." She declared.
Her answer had him moving again, he was in front of her in two strides. Once there he kissed with all the pent-up longing he had. The raw intensity of which he kissed her was shocking. Yes, she had been kissed before but this primal feeling of want emanating from the man holding her was something new. Yes, Reginald had wanted her but in all their encounters it seemed as though he was restrained. Richard seemed to have no such restrictions and she kissed him back with the same fervor.
It seemed right to take wedding privileges before the wedding, for they had been by each others side for so long that the legality of their union would be a formality. She pulled on his arm but he wasn't to be moved.
"No, here." He rasped.
All she could do was nod in her assent. He captured her hands and brought them to his neck while he mirrored the actions with his own hands. She understood, they would begin as they always would with them removing each others clothes. His shirt whispered off his body while her skit slithered to the floor. A pile formed around their feet and Richard kicked it with his feet to arrange it. Carefully Isobel was brought down so she was cushioned against the harshness of the floor. While the gesture was thoughtful in her current state he needn't have bothered. He wanted her now and she wanted to be wanted. I was one thing for a lover to say I love you or I need you. But the raw animalistic want made the moment sharp and clear. She would remember the details of this coupling forever.
The fire beside them was giving off a pleasing warmth yet his body was warmer. There was something about the feel of skin made warm from a beating heart that could sear you. His fingers were trailing heat wherever he touched and she wanted him to touch her everywhere. Neck, breasts, flanks and thighs were branded by his touch and she moaned in appreciation. Richard would gladly touch her, in less than twenty-four hours she would be his wife.
His knees came between hers and she the sounds she was making was making it nearly impossible for him to control himself. As her own hands travelled up his back he realized that she was giving him permission. He could cede all his control to her. Taking a deep breath his hips moved to become flush with hers and he gave her all his control.
She moaned.
He bucked.
Her nails raked down his back.
He sighed.
Her hair was gathered in his fists.
His shoulder was nibbled.
All the while their hips rose and fell. Two mature bodies moved together but not creakily their motion was fluid. As if they were the descendants of Demophon made perfect and young by fire.
A/N: Flood warnings a plenty here in CA if postings are sporadic it's due to the bailing with a bucket!