A/N: I'm glad that you're all enjoying the story and that ya'll have taken to guessing what's about to happen! Let's keep reading and find out….
Disclaimer: They still belong to Julian Fellowes and there is no copyright infringement intended with this story.
Isobel pushed open the door to the Ladies lounge and found Elsie's glass sitting on the marble countertop. She listened for a moment and finally heard the sounds of someone being sick in the last stall. She walked over to the last basin in the row and ran some cool water in it and grabbed several of the towels from the stack in the middle of the counter. She had pulled over one of the chairs and was ready when Elsie finally emerged from the stall.
Elsie looked up when she opened the stall door and saw Isobel standing there with a sympathetic smile on her face, holding the back of a chair as she motioned for Elsie to have a seat. She would rather have been left alone but decided to humor the older woman especially as she was starting feel a bit dizzy and weak. She flopped down in the chair and Isobel lifted the back of her hair so that she could place a cool damp flannel on the back of her neck.
"Nice…" She had to admit that the cool cloth did feel good and that her bout of dizziness seemed to be dissipating.
"Elsie," began Isobel, "I know that you and I haven't grown as close as Richard and Charles have these past few months but I want you to know that I'd like to try and become a closer friend…and that you can confide in me if there's something bothering you."
Elsie liked Isobel well enough but it had always been awkward between them, even when it was strictly a business relationship. Perhaps it was because Isobel had been such a big flirt where Charles was concerned and he encouraged her by flirting back. Elsie knew that there was nothing behind their flirtation except a deepening friendship but there was something that continued to hold Elsie back from being completely honest and open her.
"I'm fine Isobel, I think it was just too much close work on the computer today," she said smiling weakly. "I'm feeling much better thanks to your cool cloth."
Isobel knew better than to push a friendship so she smiled in return and said, "I'm glad you're feeling better. Are you ready to return, I'm afraid that if we stay in here much longer the boys will come looking for us."
"You're right, Charles wouldn't hesitate to come through that door if he thought something was wrong," laughed Elsie. She stood up from the chair and the two walked over to the door.
Isobel paused as Elsie reached for the doorknob, "It's meant the world to me that you were willing to be here to support me when I introduce Richard to the family. I just want you to know that I'm here for you, whenever you're ready or whenever you need me."
Elsie gave her a genuine smile and linked her arm through Isobel's. "I know that and I'll let you know when I need you…I promise."
-o O o-
The two women returned to the boardroom in time to hear the new Vice President calling upon his new wife and her sisters to sing backup to his karaoke version of an Irish classic.
Oh, Danny boy, the pipes, the pipes are calling
From glen to glen and down the mountain side
The summer's gone, and all the leaves are falling
'Tis ye, 'tis ye must go, and I must bide
Isobel felt a shudder run through Elsie as the two crossed the room and she hugged the younger woman's arm to her side in support and then stopped short almost pulling Elsie off her three inch heels. Elsie turned to look at her and then turned to see what she was looking at.
On the ottoman next to Richard sat Lord Grantham who seemed to be engaged in a lively conversation that included Charles. The three men suddenly broke into laughter and Isobel heaved a sigh of relief.
"You didn't really expect that he couldn't win Lord Grantham over did you?" asked Elsie quietly.
"I guess not, I don't know what I expected to be honest," she smiled and shook her head.
The three men stood as they approached and Richard slipped his hand around Isobel's waist and leaned to kiss her temple before guiding her to take his place while he perched on the arm of the chair. Charles nudged Elsie to sit at the end of the sofa where she had been sitting before and he sat close beside her.
"Cousin Isobel, you have my blessing. Not that you needed it," his Lordship added seeing the flash of defiance in her eyes. "Now, I really should see to my other guests." He leaned down to kiss her cheek. "Charles…Elsie…and I hope we'll be seeing much more of you, Richard." He shook hands with both men before moving off across the room.
"I'm sorry, Richard!" exclaimed Isobel looking up at him. He leaned down and placed a tender kiss upon her lips.
"I'll let you make it up to me later," he said with a wink causing Isobel to blush furiously. Charles and Elsie both laughed and soon the four were engaged in conversation and seemed oblivious to the singing and dancing of the young folk at the other end of the room.
It was getting late, the music was getting louder and more raucous and even Charles and Richard were getting to be on the tipsy side.
"I think maybe I'd better get mine home before he gets too much further along," laughed Elsie, "Drink up dear. I'll just go and get my purse, shall I?" Charles nodded as she stood and walked out the door towards their office.
"Would you like another one for the road, Richard?" Charles winked at him and scooped two more glasses off the tray of a hapless waiter as he went by.
"Alright, you two," said Isobel with a smile as she gathered up her own purse in anticipation of Elsie's return. "I think that should be last call."
"Pish-tosh, my dear," replied Richard with a slight slur to his brogue. "That's a cold day, when a Scotsman can't hold his drink!"
"I second that!" cried Charles from the sofa. "Speaking of Scotsman…or Scots-woman…I wonder what's keeping Elsie."
Richard's eyes widened and suddenly filled with panic as he quickly scanned the room.
"What are you looking for?" asked Isobel as she watched him jump up from the chair.
"Oh god!" Richard ran from the room and up the hallway followed by Charles and Isobel. He threw open the office door and they all stopped short at the sight that greeted them.
Tom Branson had backed Elsie over her desk and held her arms trapped over her head in one of his large hands while the other pushed her skirt up her thighs. She struggled against him and bit his lip drawing blood when he was distracted by the slamming of the door against the wall.
"Bitch!" he yelled, releasing her and stepping back to wipe the blood from his lip with the back of his hand. Charles and Richard were both frozen on the spot, not quite sure what to do first.
Isobel rushed over to help Elsie stand and straighten her clothing. "Are you alright?" she asked anxiously. Elsie could only nod her head and pick at her clothing with trembling hands. Isobel rounded on the young man and vehemently demanded, "How dare you?"
"She was asking for it," he said sullenly.
"Asking for it?" Isobel's eyes flashed as she took a step towards him.
"The way she dresses…she'd have no need of those tight skirts and stiletto heels if the old man was keeping her satisfied!" he hissed and jerked his head toward Charles.
That was enough to shock Charles out of his stupor. Richard was surprised that the plate glass wall didn't shatter with the force that Charles used to back Branson up against it, the crack of the back of his head resounding throughout the room. Richard ran up and pulled Charles off the younger man before he could land a punch.
"Charles! Think man, he's not worth it!" Richard was the same height but Charles packed a good two stone or more in weight and it was all he could do to hold his friend back.
"That's right, Charlie Boy," smirked Branson, "Wouldn't want Daddy to find out that you'd punched out his new Vice President…and fire you for it!" He then leered at Elsie and said, "You'll come begging for it before long, sweetheart."
Isobel shuddered at the sound of crunching bone and gristle as Richard's fist connected with Branson's nose causing him to collide with glass wall for a second time.
"He can't fire a client!" exclaimed Richard as he wiped the blood from his knuckles.
"No, but I can fire the new Vice President," said Lord Grantham who had witnessed his son-in-law taunting his best contracts lawyer and the sudden comeuppance.
"Dah, it was her fault," he said holding his bleeding nose.
Lord Grantham looked coldly at the young man, "Go get cleaned up, Sybil is looking for you." He watched his son-in-law cross to the doorway. "We will talk about this later!" Branson glared at both Charles and Richard before leaving the room.
"Charles, I'm sorry," said Lord Grantham hanging his head in remorse. "I thought giving him a job, something to occupy his time…" he trailed off as Isobel began to lead Elsie towards the door.
"I think we'll just go get cleaned up and we'll meet you out at the front door," she said picking up their purses on the way by.
Charles felt absolutely helpless and rounded on Lord Grantham in frustration, "I'm going to have Anna clear our calendars for tomorrow and Friday and we may be back in the office on Monday."
"Understood," said Lord Grantham meekly.
"I want a new desk brought in here and the furniture rearranged by the time we return," ground out Charles.
"I had been considering offering you the corner suite vacated by Matthew now that he's opening the new office in France. It's larger and has its own conference room. I'll make sure that everything is moved in before you return," offered his Lordship. Charles nodded silently acknowledging the unspoken apology. "I'll say goodnight then." He turned on his heel and left the room.
"How's your hand?" asked Charles looking at Richard with a new regard. "I'll have to watch myself flirting with Isobel, knowing you can land a punch like that."
"Not to worry, friend," Richard's chuckle turning to a hiss as he gingerly flexed the fingers on his injured hand. "Your flirting with Isobel just gives me carte blanche to flirt with Elsie."
Charles gave him a grim smile and said, "Speaking of the girls, I guess we'd best get ourselves out to the front doors." He gathered up their briefcases and coats on his way through the door. He saw her shamrock scarf lying on the floor beside her desk having come off in the struggle. He bent down to pick it up and stared down at the thing in his hand for several long moments before turning and dropping it into the wastebasket. He then reached up and pulled his tie loose, slipping it over his head and dropping it on top of the scarf. It would be a cold day in hell before he allowed another shamrock to be seen by her. He switched off the lights and closed the door firmly behind him.
-o O o-
The two couples were walking across the parking lot towards Richard's automobile when Isobel noticed that Elsie had moved away from Charles and would not allow him to touch her or comfort her. She led Elsie around and tucked her into the front passenger seat and then turned to place her hand on Charles' arm.
"Give her some time, she's still trying to process everything," she said sympathetically looking up into his tear filled eyes. Charles had just slipped his arms around Isobel to receive her heart-felt hug when Richard called out, "I'll drive, shall I?"
"I think not, Dapper Dan," said Isobel with a chuckle, "Give me your keys, please." She held out her hand as she walked around the boot of the car to the driver's side. "Both of you into the back seat!"
They had managed to confiscate two full bottles of the twenty-year scotch before leaving the office and were well on their way to a good drunk in the back seat of the car as Isobel drove them home. When they arrived at the townhouse, Charles unlocked the door and ushered the girls in before he and Richard stumbled across the threshold.
"No, Charles," slurred Richard, "it goes like this…"
As I was a-goin' over Gilgarra Mountain
I spied Colonel Farrell, and his money he was countin'.
First I drew my pistols and then I drew my rapier,
Sayin' "Stand and deliver, for I am your bold receiver."
Musha ringum duram da,
Whack fol the daddy-o,
There's whiskey in the jar.
Isobel watched the two men make their way to the sitting room and decided that it was time to take away their bottles. Charles had managed to fetch two glasses and had poured out a fair measure for each. She waited until he set the bottle down on the side table and swooped in to remove them to the bar.
"Hey now, those belong to us," whinged Charles as he watched her put the tops back on the bottles and place them behind the bar.
"I think you've both had plenty and it'll be time for bed when you've finished what you've got in your glasses." Richard started singing again and she shushed him with two fingers over his lips.
"I'm only trying to teach him a fine Scottish tune for when he comes to visit the clan," pouted Richard against her hand.
She leaned down to kiss his forehead and replied, "I know that, my dear, but it's quiet time so that Elsie can rest."
"Oh right," he whispered loudly. "I'm sorry. We'll finish up and come to bed soon." Charles nodded his head vigorously in agreement.
Isobel smiled at him and then turned to find Elsie still stood in the archway looking like a lost waif. It must be shock thought Isobel to herself. "Let's get you into a hot bath and some warm pyjamas." She took Elsie by the hand and led her up the stairs. When they reached identical twin doors in the second floor hallway she asked, "Which is the spare room?" Elsie pointed to the door on the right.
Isobel reached for the door on the left and pushed it open. She tugged Elsie into the room and led her over to sit near the head of the bed while Isobel knelt down to take off her shoes. When she looked up into Elsie's face, she could see a single tear working its way down the side of her nose as her face twisted into a grimace of pain. Isobel rose quickly and moved to sit with her back against the headboard so that she could pull Elsie into her arms and hold her as the storm of tears began to wrack the poor woman's chest.
"Yes, yes, let it all out," she soothed and rubbed the younger woman's back as she heaved with choking sobs. "It's been an awful night for you and it's a wonder you didn't break down earlier." Isobel continued to hold the woman and rock her back and forth until her tears were completely spent and she'd fallen asleep with her head nestled in the crook of Isobel's neck.
Elsie awoke with a start about fifteen minutes later. She pulled back and looked up at Isobel who still held the woman in her arms.
"Feeling better?" asked Isobel with a kind smile. Elsie nodded and sat up, rubbing her eyes with the backs of her hands. Isobel continued, "Why don't you go take a shower and put on your warmest pyjamas while I go make us a cup of tea." Elsie nodded again and watched as Isobel rose and walked out the bedroom door.
She had finished with her shower and donned a new pair of fleece pyjamas that Charles had recently bought for her at Victoria Secret. She let out a snort of laughter when she wondered if Isobel would be insulted that she was not wearing the 'Richobel' pyjamas that she and Richard had designed together for Izzy and Violet's Boutique. They had gifted her with one of the first pairs off the production line when they arrived in the shop. But these fleece pyjamas were her favorites because Charles liked the way they fit and she was always comforted by the feel of his hands smoothing over her bottom when she wore them. He liked these almost as much as he liked the old flannel pair with the hearts that he'd gotten her last year.
She finally finished pulling her wet hair back into a braid and pulled her dressing gown on and padded down the stairs to the kitchen. She looked through the breakfast bar to see Isobel pulling a blanket over both Richard and Charles who had apparently passed out on the sofa together with their legs sprawled out in front of them and their heads lolled back, snoring to wake the dead.
"I say we leave them to sleep it off," said Elsie with a shy smile.
"I agree, shall we take our tea upstairs?" asked Isobel studying Elsie's face. "Or perhaps we should just tuck you into bed as well and call it a night."
Elsie nodded her head in agreement as a deep yawn overtook her. They walked back up the stairs together and Elsie took hold of the older woman's hand when they reached the bedroom doors. "Thank you," she said quietly.
"You're welcome," said Isobel squeezing her hand. She wanted to reach out and give her a hug but she knew that Elsie was reticent about displays of affection and so she tried to take her cues accordingly. "You don't happen to have a spare pair of pyjamas do you?"
"Look in the top drawer of the dresser in your room. You'll find a spare dressing gown in the closet as well. Good night, Isobel."
"Good night, my dear."
A/N2017: I received a lot of flak about turning Branson into such an unlikable character, unfortunately he was the only fully Irish character that could meet the criteria for "Irish" Ringtones. I expect I may get a few more negative comments with this reposting but there's not much to be done about it.