Isobel managed to get Lord Merton back to Crawley House, she had made him some tea. "Here you go" she said as she handed him the cup, "it'll be sweet, sugar is good for shock."

"I'm dreadfully sorry...just took me off guard." He said shaking his head.

Isobel merely smiled, Lord Merton seemed more like a scared young boy. She had to admit it was nice caring for someone. The last person she had cared for in this house was Mr. Grigg. Seeing Lord Merton slouching and stuttering was the complete opposite of he had been during his proposal. She thought back to his eloquent plea.

She had seen him approach from the garden and she invited him in. He was nervous but finally he said what he had come to say, "I really should go down on one knee but I fear I'll never get up again.I'm sure you realize by now I'm asking for you hand in Marriage. Please, please I want to be quite clear. I'm not speaking out of loneliness or a view to my comfort."

Isobel jumped in, "I'm sure…"

Lord Merton just smiled knowingly, "No, you're not. When men of my age marry that's usually the reason. But my proposal is a romantic one, I state freely and proudly Isobel that I've fallen in love with you And I want to spend what remains of my life with you in your company. I believe I could make you happy. At any rate I should very much like the chance to try."

Isobel was stunned, "Goodness, Lord Merton I freely admit you've taken me by surprise. Not with your proposal but with your talk of love."

"I mean it and before you refuse me I'd like to ask you leave it on the table so to speak say nothing for the time being...just think about it."

At this moment she was thinking about it.

Any thoughts of Isobel marrying Lord Merton had been tabled by the Dowager Countess. Her daughter was in town and with that brought stirrings of something best left forgotten. At the abbey she noted how Rosamund had cloistered herself with Edith. She had just dealt with Mary's indiscretion with Lord Gillingham and now it seemed that she was once again to be embroiled with Edith.

With a word the three absconded themselves to the library.

Marigold, her third great-grandchild. So that was her name and more than that she was in the village. At this moment it might be preferable for Isobel to marry Lord Merton.

Scandal

For years women had been hiding children that had either been unwanted or wanted they had been unable to keep. Also during that act had destroyed families. Who would want to marry a woman who had had a child out of wedlock or had lost virtue? Secret heirs that could have estates in ruins. At least Rosamund agreed with her.

Edith seemed to be listening until Cora entered behind them and the momentum was lost. Sisyphus had failed to deliver the rock to the top. Gripping her cane the dowager resolved to have all her families foibles ironed out.

Unfortunately for the Dowager there were more stirrings from the family. This time from Robert, the rock the Dowager was pushing was growing in weight everyday.

Isobel was enjoying dinner at Dickie's. He had insisted that she call him by his name. True his name was Richard but preferred Dickie. For Isobel this was a blessing, the name already had an association in her mind. Richard brought forth images of Doctor Clarkson not Lord Merton.

As they dined on pan seared fish he spoke about a medical journal he had read on the Spanish Flu. His words had her memories firing.

She was walking swiftly, her heels making soft bangs on the carpet. Her hand grabbed the door handle and she burst into the room, "What happened?" She demanded as her eyes swept over the room. Richard-Doctor Clarkson was there. His suit jacket had long been abandoned and his sleeves had been rolled up. "This is how I found her. It's bad, I'm afraid. Very bad."

Lavinia wheezed in a pathetic attempt to breathe. Doctor Clarkson gazed at the young woman, "The worst." He then looked toward Sybil and gave a slight shake of his head. On an intellectual level Isobel knew that Lavinia was dying but her heart shouted No! This wasn't supposed to happen, it couldn't happen!

Matthew seemed to share her sentiment, "I don't understand. When I was with her, she was talking, she was fine."

Doctor Clarkson seemed to soften, "It's- it's a strange disease with sudden, savage changes. I'm terribly sorry."

Matthew's eyes were suddenly bright, "Well, what can I do? Can I talk to her?"

Doctor Clarkson nodded, "Yes, of course."

The room had suddenly filled with people. Doctor Clarkson had turned his back to the couple to give them privacy. The other males in the room followed suit. The woman merely looked on in stunned silence.

Words were spoken between the two, at most only snippets could be heard. However, Isobel heard her son, "But I can't be happy. Not without you. How could I be happy?"

He never got an answer for Lavinia stilled, Isobel stepped forward her shaking hand raised only to stop. Her motion drew the attention of Doctor Clarkson who turned and strode without hesitation to the bed. His hand did not shake as he reached out to take the pulse of Miss Swire. After a few seconds he drew himself back to his full height but not before placing a hand on Matthew's shoulder in comfort before he withdrew. Richard had been the first to comfort her son on the death of his betrothed.

Richard

"Is the fish all right Isobel?" Dickie asked, his question breaking her thoughts.

"Yes, it's lovely." She said forcing herself to smile.

"I prefer Haddock but only the cod was available." He announced.

"Oh" Isobel answered back taking a sip of wine.

"Well, I'm sure you can read the article for further information."

"I'm sure I can Dickie." She answered as she took another sip of wine. She shivered slightly as a draught wound around her legs.

A/N: This will be finished. However, I ask for patience since I'm trying to tie in more elements. Reviews let me know what you like and what you don't.