I'd like to apologize in advance for the shortness and horibbleness of this chapter, and how long it took to post. I just got back to college so I've had not much time to write. Tonight was my one time til Thursday to try to get this chapter done so please accept my humblest apologies. I promise the next chapter (probably on thursday, friday, or saturday)will be much better!

"Mrs. Crawley, are you alright? Isobel?"

Isobel was brought back to reality by hearing her name. She was on the couch in her sitting room, teacup in her hand. Lord Merton was sitting across from her, shifting uncomfortably in his seat.

"I'm so sorry! I am a little distracted today." She admitted, feeling terribly.

"It is no problem at all, really." Lord Merton said, and she could tell that he meant it so sincerely. It bothered her in a way, because he was such a gentlemen that he wouldn't dare tell her if something was bothering him. She wished he would, but, of course, that would make what she was about to tell him a lot harder.

"It's lovely weather out isn't it?" He asked after a few minutes of silence.

"Yes, I do so love autumn."

He left it at that. He didn't ask her if she would like to go out to her yard and toss leaves around like she did when she was young. He didn't offer to go and grab some cider, which although it would be improper, it would be a delectable treat. These are all things, she realized, she could never do around him. And, although she was supposed to be prim and proper, she didn't have to be, or at least, that was how Richard made her feel.

"I've been going…well, courting with another gentleman." Isobel didn't know why she blurted it out, but her confession hung in the air.

"What exactly do you mean?" He asked.

"Well, there's a man, who has been taking me out, and at first I only saw it as friends going on outings together but…"

"I see…"

"I understand if you're angry. You should hate me."

"Do you love him?" His eyes were getting soft, and she felt so sorry that she had caused this.

"Ye- No- I don't really know. I think I might. It's been a long time since I've felt…" She started and then she saw him almost flinch at what she had said "I didn't mean-"

"No, I understand completely." Lord Merton said, standing up. "But you do have something wrong. I don't hate you. I am a little disappointed, but Isobel no one in their right mind could hate you. Not even the Dowager Countess herself."

They stood there in silence for minutes, each one trying to figure out the proper words to say.

"I understand if you never want to see me again…"

"No, Isobel, let's part as friends."

He held out his hand to shake hers.

And as he turned to go to the door, Isobel found herself saying something oddly familiar.

"You're a better man than I, Gunga Din."