Thank you for your patience with my belatedness, and for sticking with me this far.
"Are you sure you're ready for this?" he asked her, their eyes meeting in the mirror, him looking over her shoulder as he fastened the catches at the back of her dress for her; his fingers ghosting quite gracefully- and with admirable restraint- over her corset.
She smiled at him, perfectly sure of what she was going to say.
"Of course I am," she told him, turning away from the mirror to face him, taking his hand in hers- she hadn't put on her gloves yet, "I want everyone to know about us, Richard. If I'm honest, a little part of me is tired of having to hide something that in reality I'm not at all ashamed of."
It was difficult for him not to beam back at her. Still smiling, almost madly so at one another, their heads seemed to gravitate together, their foreheads resting against each other. He could smell her perfume and feel soft strands of her hair brushing against the sides of his face in the soft light of the lamp on her bedside table.
Matthew was getting ready for the servants' ball up at the big house- Isobel had said that she expected him to stay the night there afterwards- and so Richard had come round to get dressed for the dance with her, to help her and to keep her company. Except, he rather feared that at certain points he had been more of a hindrance than a help- particularly when they had found themselves with conflicting interest regarding the use of the bathroom. These, however had been swiftly resolved in a way satisfactory to both parties, but which had left them running a little bit late now.
He brushed his fingertips gently against her cheek, his other hand resting on her waist, remembering the way that- not an hour before- his other hand had held her in the same place, but from behind, as she rocked urgently against him, nearing her climax. He was so happy to be here with her; so singularly honoured, almost overcome by the fact that this was happening to them. They were going to tell the world that they loved each other- something he had been ready to declare from the rooftops since their first abandoned and passionate night back in 1917. They were both still smiling.
"What do you think people will say?" he asked her lightly, his smile stretching into a shade of a grin as he looked into her eyes.
"I don't care," she replied, then, joining him in his less serious tone, "I would feel quite guilty, though, if we actually gave Cousin Violet a heart attack."
"Yes," he replied, "I thought you'd say that. I rather had her in mind as well. Well," he added, with a little more gravity, "Her and your son."
Isobel squeezed his hand reassuringly.
"If my son wants to thrash you within an inch of your life in order to protect my honour, I will simply inform him that my honour does not need protecting. It's far too late now, it's a lost cause, because I gladly gave it up a long time ago, for you."
He thought again of her, straddling his legs in the warm bath water, smelling faintly of lemon, as moved forward and touched her, and took her from behind. He leant forward quickly and kissed her before they broke apart. She crossed to the dressing table again, putting on her string of beads that he had insisted on buying her on their trip to York; putting on some earrings too. Vaguely, it crossed his mind that there was another- very specific- piece of jewellery that he hoped he would give her very soon.
"Are you ready to go?" she asked him, heading towards the door and wrapping her silk shawl around her shoulders as she went.
"Yes," he replied, opening the door for her, "It's you who's been taking your time."
"I seem to remember that you played quite a significant part in apprehending me," she reminded him, a definite glint in her eye- though she tried to hide it.
"And I seem to remember that you had several objections to that," he replied smugly.
Descending the stairs, their banter broke off as they bumped into Molesley, who had apparently been just about to come up stairs to fetch them.
"Dr. Clarkson," he spoke hurriedly, looking mildly harassed, "There's been a message for you. You're needed at once at the hospital. Apparently, there's been an accident between a car and a tractor out on one of the farms."
They were both stunned into silence, both unable to comprehend for at least a few moments that this should happen now of all times.
"Thank you, Molesley," Richard finally replied, "Would you be so good as to fetch my bag and coat. They're in the cupboard under the stairs."
Molesley nodded and retreated.
Turning to face her- she stood on the step above him- he grimaced heavily. Then, wearily, he removed the white bow tie he had so carefully arranged.
"I cannot begin to say how sorry I am, Isobel," he told her.
"Don't be," she assured him quickly, "I understand entirely. How could I not?"
"This was supposed to be our night-..."
"I know, but it's alright," she bent her head to kiss his cheek, "Every night that we're together is our night. There are people who need you more than I do. Or rather," she amended herself, a small smile playing across her lips, "There are people who need your skills as a doctor more than I do. Do you want me to come with you?"
"No," he told her quickly, "You've been through enough this week, what with all of the trouble at the big house and one thing and another. Go and enjoy yourself, you more than deserve it."
"I won't enjoy myself half so much without you there," she protested.
"No, but by the sound of this accident, you'll be a lot better off there than at the hospital," he told her firmly, "And I'd rather you didn't have to go through that, my darling."
"You know where I am," she told him equally firmly, and with wide-eyed sincerity, "The moment you need me, just send for me and I'll be there."
"This is why I love you, you know," he told her.
"It's why I love you too," she replied, kissing him quickly.
They broke apart when they heard a discrete cough. Molesley had returned with the bag and coat.
"Will I see you here later on?" Isobel asked him.
"If I could-..."
"Of course you could," she told him bluntly, her arms folded across her chest as she watched him put on his coat, "If I'm back here first I'll wait for you."
"Thank you," he told her, kissing her quickly again before he hurried out of the front door, held open by Molesley.
Isobel stood watching him go until he was engulfed by the encroaching darkness.
"It's odd, isn't it Molesley, that people should know to send Richard's messages here?"
There was a protracted pause. She turned to the butler.
"What is it?" she asked curiously.
"May I speak freely, Ma'am?" he asked cautiously.
"You know, Molesley, more than once over the years I've rather wished you would."
"Well, I wouldn't have said it was odd, Ma'am. Given that most of the time you do live together like man and wife."
She was quiet for a few moments, then she smiled at him to assure him that she wasn't offended.
"Molesley, I don't mind admitting to you that sometimes I find myself wishing that we weren't only like man and wife."
…...
She gave the dance a good run for its money, and at times quite enjoyed herself. But throughout the entire evening she could not quite tear her thoughts away from Richard; wondering what was happening and if he was alright. Her eyes kept flitting to the door, wondering if a messenger would be sent to fetch her, but she was not surprised when none arrived. He had told her to enjoy herself, and she knew he would never dream of disturbing her. In the end- once she had had her dance with Carson- she had felt tired and excused herself to go home. Matthew had been invited to stay the night, so had she, but the thought of Richard waiting for her meant that her answer was a polite and quick declination. She was late enough as it was, and he was bound to be tired.
The corridor was oddly quiet as she let herself in. She supposed that Molesley had gone to bed- and did not mind. The house was mostly dark, but there was a strangely bright glow issuing from under the sitting room door. Absurdly, for a moment she considered that the house was on fire; opening the door rapidly- and rashly- and peering in.
The house was not on fire, but it might as well have been. Flames roared in the grate, and candle sat lit on most of the flat surfaces- on all of the tables, on the window sill, on the mantle piece. And in the middle of the room, stood Richard in his shirt sleeves, lit by the soft glow of all the tiny fires. Her mouth fell open a little as she surveyed the scene before her, stepping into the room faltering.
"Richard, I-... You're back," she remarked, her voice full of her gladness.
"Yes," he replied, crossing the room to close the door behind her.
"This is so beautiful," she told him, "But, Richard, why-..."
He took her by the hand, led her to the middle of the room, where the light pooled the brightest. Dropped to his knees, still holding her hand. Her mouth fell open, and she felt tears threaten to well into her eyes as he simply looked up at her face.
"Will you?" he asked.
"Yes. A thousand times, yes."
Gently slipping her glove off her hand, he took a ring from his pocket and put it on her ring finger, kissing the back of her hand and then her palm. Her brushed her palm against his cheek, encouraging him to stand. As he did so, he engulfed her in his arms, joyfully resting their faces against one another.
"I was going to ask you tonight anyway," he told her, "But now especially. I never want to have to leave the hospital after a night like that without knowing I'm going home to you."
"Oh, my poor love. Was it very awful?" she asked.
"Let's not talk about it," he told her, nuzzling her face against his again before her kissing her passionately, "Let's only be happy."
"Yes," she agreed, her arms tightening across his back.
They were quiet for a few moment, only holding each other. Then they both spoke at once.
"I can't believe we're-..."
"So we're finally going to-..."
They both broke off, looked at each other and then laughed- Isobel's eyes filling with tears. Richard saw and kissed her on the forehead.
"I can't wait to call you my wife," he told her.
She half-laughed, half-sobbed.
"Oh God, Richard, I love you."
A few more ending chapters to go. Please review if you have the time; I really appreciate hearing what you think.