Isobel felt a swell of emotion towards her husband at his words, so many couldn't make the connection he did. She thought back to the baptism and a thought struck her. "You won't go to hell will you?"
"What?" He barked.
"We weren't married when...that's a sin!" Isobel babbled.
Richard chuckled, "Do you know there is nothing in the Bible about engaged couples doing what we did."
Isobel couldn't speak. Richard glanced at her, "I have been loyal to you since you put that adrenaline in my hand, you might as well given me a ring that day."
She thought of the conversations they had together over tea, the arguments! How well they worked side-by-side with patients being able to communicate without speaking. Her bold comments, his eyerolls! One memory in particular came to the forefront, being in his office when she announced that she would be leaving for France.
His face was stony, "You'll be missed"
Her heart had leapt at his words but it wasn't enough to soothe the hurt done by Lady Grantham. "By you, possibly. I hope so, anyway."
She had been in love with him then but had refused to acknowledge it. Glancing over again he could see her face was no longer etched with fear.
Richard didn't want her to think that she had hurt him in anyway, "If it makes you feel better I can go to confession would you like that?"
Isobel inhaled deeply, "I want to go to Sunday Service with you, I want to know more about the things that are important to you. For instance what was that motion you did? I know about the sign of the cross but the other motion you, Tom and Kieran did."
Richard racked his brain, he couldn't think of what she was referring to.
Isobel prompted him, "you scratched your head and lips with your thumb."
Realization dawned, "Oh this!" He nearly shouted and repeated the movement and Isobel yelped in affirmation. Richard thought of how to phrase it, "You make the sign of the cross with your thumb and touch your forehead, lips and heart. So that…" He waved his hand in a circle to bring his thoughts together, "So that God is blessing your thoughts, words and emotions."
Isobel shook her head, this crash course in Catholicism was overwhelming.
"Next Sunday we'll go to Mass together." He declared and her hand reached to cover one of his. The simple fact that she wanted to go to Mass with him had him feeling warm inside.
The Abbey was filled with people, people were in attendance to see young Radha. When Richard and Isobel arrived Tom went out of his way to greet them. "Ah, a fellow left-footer!" Tom said in greeting.
Clarkson laughed, "Well I'm left-handed so it's a bonus."
Lord Grantham inwardly winced, to his shame he recalled uttering those words about Tom. His granddaughter was now a member of the Catholic church. While he wasn't thrilled with the decision he knew he would pummel anyone who called his granddaughter such a name. While he himself wouldn't be attending services in Ripon he was not going to stop Tom, Radha or anyone else from going and he would keep his mouth shut.
Cora called him over, John Foyle was admiring the baby. "Robert she is darling and you must be so pleased to be grandfather...how I envy you." He said genuinely his gaze never leaving the perfect bundle in Sybil's arms.
Money and power were nothing if there were no descendants Lord Grantham thought. No, it was more than that you needed your kin to speak your name in love and remembrance not hate and despicable gladness that you're dead.
Radha was a Branson, she was a Catholic but she was also his. The best part of his daughter which was the best part of him. "Sybil" Robert said softly as he held his arms out. Her father looked as if he were about to cry yet she handed over her daughter. Robert held his granddaughter carefully before moving to an armchair. He sat there for nearly an hour and no one disturbed him.
Downstairs there was flurry of activity, the kitchen staff were putting the finishing touches on the food before it would be carried upstairs for the guests to pick at. Anna came towards her with a large envelope, "This was delivered for you at the back door."
She tore open the bottom of the envelope and out slithered a key, she used to fingers to scissor open the envelope and pinch out the letter. She read the contents quickly before leaning against a wall.
Dear Mrs. Hughes,
I have left Downton, I have left England. There was no way for me to stay in this country knowing that Charlie was still here. I had dreams once, I remember flipping through magazines in the servants hall at Downton Abbey. My dream now is for my son to grow up and make something of his life. Something good, I don't want him ruining his chance to do that by searching for me. Everyone has tried to find me a new place to start but it hasn't worked. I should be the one to find my way and I have. I've gained employment on an ocean liner as a maid. With the constant change of passengers I won't have people whispering about me. I have written this letter to you since I feel you can best tell it to Mrs. Clarkson. She was kind in many ways and it may seem odd but this is my gift to her. To show her I can and will be alright on my own. I haven't taken anything from Crawley House. Have Mr. Molesley check it if you wish.
Sincerely,
Ethel Parks
Elsie was glad that breathing was an automatic function for she felt she would have died reading the letter. Ethel had left! And in her letter she mentioned Mrs. Clarkson. Elsie knew full well that Dr. Clarkson's mother had no hand in this so the only answer was that Mrs. Crawley and the good doctor had wed. She now had to think of a way to tell the new Mrs. Clarkson about Ethel.
She couldn't do it now with all the guests present. However, if she was indeed the only one told what would Mrs. Clarkson do when she found Crawley House empty? She would have to intercept them before then but how?
Guests were starting to leave, Kieran noticed this as well. "Well Tom, it was a lovely time but I must be going as well."
"Heading back to Liverpool?" Clarkson asked.
"The garage won't keep forever with me away." The Irishman lilted and Clarkson nodded in agreement,before Kieran left he came alongside Clarkson. "Doctor, when you can if you can. Help Radha with Catechism if she needs it. The nuns weren't too thrilled with Tom's explanations on transubstantiation, if I remember correctly he called it 'God is biscuit'".
Richard had to remember where he was to keep from laughing.
Isobel was with Mary and Matthew she saw the looks of longing on their faces as they gazed upon their niece. Matthew could hear the muffled laugh and saw it was Dr. Clarkson trying desperately not to draw attention to himself. Mary also saw and remarked, "Bit of a surprise this morning. I had no idea the doctor was Catholic."
Isobel grunted in agreement, "nor did I! He did tell me the bit about the blessing which is why I went. Didn't want Father Dominic to think we were all against him."
Matthew smiled, his Mother seemed to be whole once again. Her anger in the library over Ethel had been frightful. Never in his life had he seen her eyes flash in such a way. She had been right, everyone had made mistakes and everyone would continue to make them. It was what we did with the mistakes that made us into better people. Matthew thought he had learned that but his reaction to Ethel showed he had forgotten. Matthew watched as his mother absently rubbed at her forehead with her left hand. Her fingers caught his attention, there was something wrong but he couldn't put his finger on what.
Isobel also noticed that people were leaving and decided that it was time to go as well. Her dark blue church clothes were beginning to feel stiff and she longed for a bath. Dr. Clarkson came up to join the group, "May I drive you back to Crawley House? It's on my way to the hospital."
"Thank you that would be most kind." His mother answered.
Matthew watched as the doctor cocked his elbow for her to take and they made their way out of the Abbey.
Richard wasn't needed at the hospital for at least another hour so instead of dropping Isobel off he escorted her to the door. She turned the handle only to find it locked. She twisted it again only to encounter the same result.
"What is it?" Richard asked.
Isobel leaned on the door, "the door is locked."
Richard joined her and rattled the handle to satisfy his own curiosity. "Is it Ethel's day out?"
"No, the shopping was done earlier in the week and her day off is tomorrow." Isobel said somewhat flustered.
"Do you have a key in your handbag?" He asked.
"No, just a pair of gloves." She nearly wailed.
Richard started to go back to the car, "Well we'll just go back to the Abbey, I'm sure there is a spare key."
"And what give them more rope to hang Ethel with?" Her voice was raised and sharp
Footsteps captured their attention, it was Mrs. Hughes. The housekeeper calmly went to the door and unlocked it with a key. Isobel raced through the open door, "Ethel?" she called.
Mrs. Hughes came in and announced, "She's gone."
Isobel stopped and came towards the housekeeper, "Who made her leave? Someone must have said something!"
Mrs Hughes hung her head, "No, one made her leave and no one to my knowledge said anything to her. She left on her own."
"She told you this?" Isobel asked in disbelief
Mrs. Hughes nodded, "In a way."
Isobel's voice was quiet, "Why wouldn't she tell me?"
Elsie handed the letter to Isobel, "Read that...Mrs. Clarkson." Richard's head snapped up and Elsie gave him a warm smile before she handed him the key and left.
Sinking down into a chair Isobel read the letter. When she was done her mind contemplated the best way she could utilize Ethel's "gift". Rising from her chair she climbed the staircase to her room. Richard stayed in the drawing room, and read the letter himself. He sincerely hoped that Ethel could find a better world wherever she was sailing to. Was it the continent or was it to the New World as it was called? A thud drew his attention, Isobel had come back downstairs and had dropped a suitcase. "There is no reason for me to stay here now. Ethel is gone she doesn't need me as a minder. I don't care about hiding in plain sight, Mrs. Hughes called me Mrs. Clarkson. I just want to go home, take me home."
Richard picked up her suitcase and guided her to the car. As she settled into the passenger seat he stowed her suitcase. He then went to the front of Crawley house to secure the door. She could hear the door close from the car, to her it almost rivaled a gunshot for it was so piercing. She was suddenly glad that Richard was closing to the door in essence he was closing the door on her old life. She had once told him We make choices.
As he made his way back to the car she made a vow that she would never regret making the choice to be with him.
A/N: Hope you all enjoyed this story. Let me know your thoughts for I am not a mind reader.