Isobel POV
My clothes seem foreign to me, the fancy gown and the long gloves. I laid them out on the bed to look at them and I have to remind myself that they are indeed mine. Self-consciously I pat my hair one of the hairdressing shops had a cancellation and I was able to have the vacancy. I don't know why but I find it oddly relaxing to have someone fiddle with my hair. I wish Richard were here to see the result of all this preening. I can feel myself smiling at the thought of him. Last night's telephone conversation was one of the most memorable I have ever had.
I love him and oh how I miss him. I'm dreading this ball but I'm happy to go since it will mark the end of this trip to London and I can go home.
Home to Richard.
I carefully lift up the dress and get dressed.
Cousin Violet is talking my ear off about Lord Merton. I find myself twisting my hands in my lap.
"Mrs. Crawley?"
I recognize the voice without having to turn around, it's Lord Merton.
"Care to dance?" He asks me and I can practically hear the smug grin creep onto Cousin Violet's face.
I stand up and let him lead me onto the dance floor.
"I hope you had a good day?" I ask as we move about the couples.
We dodge a couple, "Yes, it was quiet. How about you?"
"Oh, I kept busy" I murmur so far no one has said anything about my hair. I don't know whether to laugh or cry over that one.
"There's another shop that I think you might enjoy." He tells me.
"Lord Merton" I begin.
"Peter, my name is Peter." He informs me, I glance up at him and see that is face is a mixture of hope and anxiousness. On impulse I look back to Cousin Violet. Did she orchestrate this? While her bout with bronchitis didn't make us close friends it did help close the divide somewhat. I truly hope that what I am about to do will be well received.
"If I am to call you Peter you must call me Isobel. Friends do call each other by name don't they?" I deliver genuinely.
His eyes don't narrow or go wide. Instead he sighs through his nose and smiles. "Yes, friends do call each other by their given names."
I ask him to tell me about the shop and he seems to relax. I don't want him hurt, he has been nothing but kind to me but I don't want him to pursue me romantically.
"Do you have plans for your return to Yorkshire?" He asks me.
I do have plans for my return, plans that can't mention in public. Plans that involve Richard, myself and a bed. However, I can tell Peter about my garden. I tell him of where I envision the stone figurines and the sundial. Of what I hope to plant next and to have it grow! Soon our dance is over and I find myself back beside Cousin Violet.
"Nice dance?" She asks me knowingly.
I smile in reflection, "Actually yes, while I had reservations about attending this I'm glad Richard talked me into it."
Her nostrils flare at my words and I'm sure she knows damn well that I am referring to Richard Clarkson and not Sir Richard Carlisle. I'm through with hiding, I think back to how I had Richard scurry behind the door when Lord Merton came by. I should have just had him stay in his chair. A silent declaration that I am not available, I am most gladly taken.
I stay just long enough to fulfill my duty to the family before I leave. My room with the slanted roof welcomes me. I don't bother to undo my hair, I want Richard to see it. I didn't purchase much in London so it is easier for me to get to the train station. The porters load my luggage and I climb into the first class car. The rest of family will be traveling on later but I am eager to leave. The train is relatively empty and I use the time to think. I find myself twirling my wedding band something I haven't done in years. This ring was a symbol of Reginald's love for me and long after he died I wore it to keep him close to me and other men away. Richard broke through that yet I haven't honored him. That is going to change as well, it takes a few good tugs but the ring is off and I carefully wrap it in my handkerchief before stowing it my handbag.
The station at Downton is relatively quiet, I have a moment of panic when I realize that I have no car to take my things home. I roll my eyes at my oversight.
"Love your hair."
I whirl at the voice, he is there. His suit is simple, not the expensive fabric worn by those at the ball last night. He is a doctor in an occupation not suited for a gentleman. He is perfect. I stride over to him and wrap my arms around him. He returns the embrace and I feel so many emotions. He merely kisses my cheek and helps me with my luggage.
In the car I can't stop staring at him. I've been gone less than a week and I feel as though I've been gone for a month. I want to touch him, explore his body to make sure it is as I remember. We go to Crawley House, he carries in my luggage and I feel a sense of relief that I am back in Downton.
"How did you know what train i would be on?" I say amazed that I don't stammer.
"I just knew" he answers and I feel myself grow warm at his words.
"Can you stay?" I ask.
His eyes blaze and he nods. Wordlessly we make our way to the bedroom. The sheer curtains are allowing the light in yet providing enough of a barrier that no one could see us. My hands divest him of his clothes and his body is just as I remember it. He carefully works the clasps and hooks of my dress and I snarl and begin to tear it away. I lay my hands flat on his stomach before moving them up his chest. His head tilts down to watch and he sucks in a breath. One of his hands moves to capture my left one. No doubt he has seen that I have removed my wedding band. Blue eyes met mine and I merely nod, letting him know that yes I will publicly run my colors along side his. For he told me so long ago that we sink or swim together!
His lips crash into mine and hold him to me. His body is warm against mine and the sunlit room is a cheerful backdrop. There are no lamps to be dimmed or candles to be snuffed. Just the two of us on a warm day. The blankets on the bed are pushed down and we come together on the sheet covered mattress. The fabric is cool against my back while he is warm against my front. His weight is welcome and I have missed it! The sounds of his breathing coupled with mine, the sight of him above me, the feel of him inside. I welcome it all!
Two weeks later we are back in the garden. I have placed the two figurines beside the foxgloves that I had managed to grow. On the north side of the garden Richard has dug a hole so we can maneuver a stone slab into place so the sundial can have a level surface on which to rest. Before the slab is moved I toss my wedding band into the earth.
My finger hasn't been bare for long. The day after I returned to Downton Richard bought another one for me. We stood here in the garden exchanging our own vows, he sealed his with a ring and I sealed mine with a kiss.
A/N: Sorry this took so long to finish, my kids just finished their spring break!