Dickie was well mannered and pleasant almost to point of being annoying. However, there was no doubt that he loved her. Anything she asked for or even mentioned in passing that she liked would appear. Her favorite foods, a book she had wanted to read would become available.
They spent more and more time with one another, visiting bookshops and dining together. During the week Dickie had to visit one of his sons leaving Isobel at Crawley House. She found herself outside tending to her garden. She had been doing this when Lord Merton has come to call and propose to her.
As she deadheaded her roses she thought of reginald. Of how she felt when she had first met him, that rush of feeling. Of how she couldn't take a deep breath until she was with him. Being sick with love, that feeling inteisified with the birth of Matthew. It was as if her heart grew as her son grew. She did not have these feelings with Dickie.
Was it her age? Was it due to the fact she had lost her husband and her son? Had her grief stolen away her ability to happy?
This thought was stopped by a figure approaching her door. The individual was too short and too feminine to be Lord Merton. It was actually cousin Violet, wiping her hands on her apron she went to invite the woman in.
Tea was soon brewed the reason for Violet's visit was revealed. "I think there is something wrong with Spratt."
"Such as?"
"He's agitated, almost aggressive." Violet informed.
When Violet had first appeared she had thought it was another invitation to luncheon. However, seeing her cousin and friend talk about her servant had her worried. She remembered how Spratt had ignored Doctor Clarkson at other events. Was this the type of behavior Violet was referring to?
"Has he done anything to you?" Isobel asked.
"No, he was upset the maid left and since then he's been strange." Violet clarified.
"I'll see what I can find out." Isobel stated truthfully.
Over the next few days Isobel came to "visit" Violet to see for herself. Indeed Spratt was disengaged and defensive.
Knowing she was out of her depth she went to the one person she knew who could help. Early the next morning she Isobel left Crawley house, she knew the clinic would be open and that Doctor Clarkson might have a spare minute.
The door to his office was ajar and she looked inside. She watched as he removed his suit jacket, he moved to his left and stifled a yawn before hanging up his jacket and retrieving his white coat. With the application of some white cotton he went from man to doctor.
She knocked softly on the door frame and was bade welcome.
"Good morning Mrs. Crawley" he said genuinely, "How may I help you?"
Isobel scoffed, "Well this might be a strange patient."
Richard listened as she began describing the symptoms and what she had seen in Spratt, careful to leave his name out of it.
Richard's mind was churning, there were many conditions that could lead to behavioral changes. Disease, injury and depression to name a few. Lord knew he had seen his fair share of men invisibly crippled by war.
"Was this man a soldier?" He asked.
Isobel had to give more for Doctor Clarkson to work with, "No, this man is in service."
With that piece of information Clarkson was able to whittle down the citizens to Downton. "Would it be possible for me to exam him?"
Isobel sighed in defeat, "I'm afraid I can only think of one way."
That was how Richard Clarkson found himself invited once again to luncheon at the Dowager Countess of Grantham.