"It is very selfish of you…to be lying in that bed leaving the rest of us to worry," Violet quipped, her eyes still averted from looking at Isobel.
The Dowager had not meant to sound harsh, merely to intrigue conversation from the sleeping woman. If nothing else, she knew that pushing a few of Isobel's buttons could perk her up quickly….but it did not seem to be doing the trick in this instance.
Finally, Violet dared her eyes to rest on that of her cousin and friend. Isobel looked calm enough, but her color was a ghastly white. Violet could not remember a time when Isobel had been ill….true, she had looked quite drawn when Matthew died, but nothing so bad as this.
Squaring her shoulders, Violet bravely reached over and clasped on to Isobel's fingers. They felt like ice, so cold that she almost drew her hand away. But, she was determined to say something kind before Isobel woke. It would not do for her to say it after for Isobel would never let her forget one moment of weakness.
"Isobel, you must get well. You are needed here…and it will not do for you to give up. Heaven knows you are set in your ways," she said while a small grin turned her lips upward, "and I'm sure it is that stubborn nature which will bring you back to full strength. I may have chastised you in the past for it…but if there is anything I hope for you, it is that you find that willful pride again and get well. Who else will I have to argue with if you don't?"
Violet hoped for some sort of reaction or sign that Isobel had heard her but none came. She sat back in the chair, suddenly feeling very tired and alone.
"Forgive me, milady. Would you like me to come back?"
Violet held up a hand and stood, slowly turning to meet Mrs. Hughes.
"No, I should go. Lord Merton has gone to change, and I told him I would stay until either of you returned."
"That was very kind," Mrs. Hughes answered, offering the Dowager a small smile.
"Yes, well, I suppose she will sleep the rest of the night so I will leave her to it," Violet said simply, taking one last look back at Isobel before moving to the door.
Mrs. Hughes moved to put a fresh set of linens in the cupboard, thinking the Dowager had left the room. Surprisingly, she heard her voice being called from across the room.
"Yes, milady?"
"If there is any change…I would like to be notified. They try to keep things from me….Robert fears I'll keel over at the drop of a pin these days," Violet explained, her eyes still fixated on Isobel.
"Of course, milady," Mrs. Hughes replied.
"And…and thank you….for staying with her. I am confident she is in the best of hands this evening."
Elsie Hughes was not often stunned but compliments from the Dowager Countess were few and far between.
"I do hope so. We will do all we can for Lady Merton, I can assure you," Mrs. Hughes said quietly.
"I don't doubt you will. Good night," Violet all but whispered, stealing her eyes away from Isobel. She nodded to Mrs. Hughes and then slowly turned to leave the room.
And as the door closed behind her, Violet Crawley determined she would do everything in her power to make sure Lady Merton was given the best care…no matter what the cost.
Cold...exhausted…weak….
Isobel blinked a few times, trying to coax her eyes to focus on whatever weight was on her hand. It seemed the only piece of her that was truly warm, and as she was shivering, it would help to see just what was keeping her right hand so comfortable.
"Isobel….can you hear me? Isobel?"
She turned her head and smiled, her eyes now focused on those of her husband.
"Dickie…" Her eyes traveled down, and she saw that his hand was holding hers. Now she knew why it was so warm! She looked back up and saw concern etched over his entire face.
"What is it?" she asked, curious as to what must be worrying him.
"Thank God you're awake," he breathed, leaning forward and kissing her cheek. "Mrs. Hughes, would you send for the doctor?"
"Of course, milord."
Isobel's head turned quickly, causing her vision to blur once more. Mrs. Hughes? Why was Mrs. Hughes at Cavenham?
"Dickie…what is going on?" she asked again, attempting to sit up. He stood to stop her, but the lack of energy in her arms and the heavy weight of her chest had already stalled her attempt.
"You must stay calm, Isobel. Mrs. Hughes is going to send for Dr. Clarkson," he explained, putting both hands on her shoulders and helping her lean back against the pillows. "He said to keep quiet and stay still until he arrives to check on you."
Isobel took a moment to look around the room and quickly realized she was not in her own room at Cavenham Park.
"We're not at home…we're at Downton," she said quietly. Her eyes glanced over the bedside stand, hoping to find any clue as to what had happened.
"Yes…at Downton. Do you not remember…we came for the bazaar," he answered.
"What bazaar?"
He could see she was getting frustrated…it did not take long when she felt that something was being kept from her. And since she could read him like a book, he realized it would not help to keep reality a secret from her.
"Dickie, what bazaar?"
"The church bazaar. We came yesterday afternoon, but I'm afraid you fell quite ill. You've been resting since. Dr. Clarkson did not want you to be moved for a few days."
"I don't understand," she said softly, her eyes still searching the room, hoping something would trigger her memory. "I have been feeling fine. Dr. Clarkson said that everything seemed normal at the last appointment."
Dickie hung his head, both hands still clasping hers tight. "I know, my dear, I know."
Lifting his head after a moment, he reached forward and cupped her cheek with his hand. "Just rest now. He will be here soon and then perhaps it will all make a bit more sense."
"But what did he say is the cause of the illness?"
Dickie knew how difficult it was for Isobel to stop being the nurse and to simply allow someone else to take care of her. But what if he told her it was her heart…would it upset her so much that it sent her in to another attack?
Thankfully the door opened, and Mrs. Hughes returned. "The doctor is on his way, milord."
"Splendid. Thank you, Mrs. Hughes," Dickie replied, nodding at the Housekeeper before turning back to Isobel. "You see, he'll be here in no time, and I'm sure he will have a proper explanation to give."
"But I…"
"Lady Merton, Dr. Clarkson asked that you stay quiet and perhaps go back to sleep for a bit until he arrives," Mrs. Hughes relayed.
"He did, did he?" Isobel again tried to sit up on her own, but her arms were simply too weak. Frustrated, she sighed and closed her eyes. "Will one of you please tell me what has happened? This cannot be influenza or bronchitis..."
Mrs. Hughes looked to Lord Merton for direction but met only the wide, fear-filled eyes of the Baron. Knowing that he was at a loss for words, the Housekeeper reached down and patted Isobel gently on the shoulder.
"No milady, it is not influenza or bronchitis. I'm afraid you've had a spell with your heart. Dr. Clarkson wants you to rest for a few days to regain your strength."
Isobel's eyes popped open, quickly looking from Mrs. Hughes to Lord Merton. "Heart?" she whispered, her fingers tightening around his hand.
"I'm afraid so," he said in defeat.
"I have been so careful….I never thought…"
"Shh," Dickie hushed, moving to sit beside her on the bed. He gently placed his hand on her cheek, his fingers beginning to massage her temple. "You've done nothing wrong, Isobel. Just rest…we'll discuss more when the doctor arrives."
Mrs. Hughes took a few steps back, allowing the couple a bit more privacy. It was no more than two minutes until Lady Merton fell back asleep. Dickie continued to gently massage the back of her head and temples to calm her down. It was one of the only ways to help her sleep when she was this anxious or upset.
Quietly, Mrs. Hughes gathered a water pitcher and basin, placing it on the bedside table for Dr. Clarkson to wash his hands when he arrived. She took another blanket from the cupboard and gently laid it over Isobel.
"Mrs. Hughes…what Isobel just said…about her heart…"
"Lord Merton, whatever is spoken in this room will stay in this room," she stated, looking the man directly in the eye. "But I will say this…it is better to tell those you love the truth than to keep it a secret. Finding out in a way such as this only makes things harder in the end."
He bowed his head and moment and sighed. "You are right…I know you are right," he replied. "But she does not want to be pitied or coddled."
Mrs. Hughes offered a sympathetic smile to the distraught man in front of her. "I can imagine…Lady Merton is a very strong and self-sufficient woman. But in this case, change may be necessary."
Dickie nodded. "Quite right."
A knock sounded at the door, and Thomas announced Dr. Clarkson. Lord Merton stood, crossing to shake the doctor's hand.
"Thank you for coming so quickly, Dr. Clarkson," he said.
"Of course. How is she?"
"Very confused and very weak," Dickie replied, motioning for the doctor to step towards the bed.
"That is to be expected after such an episode…has she spoken of any pain?"
"No."
"Good. I am going to listen to her heart first and then examine her fully. I am hopeful within a few days to have her out of bed and walking short distances to rebuild her strength," Dr. Clarkson explained, looking back and forth between the Housekeeper and Baron.
"Just let us know how we can be of help, Doctor," Mrs. Hughes replied.
"Dr. Clarkson, Mrs. Hughes is somewhat aware of Lady Merton's heart condition…I wish you would speak freely in front of her," Dickie explained as Dr. Clarkson set his bag on the bedside table.
"Very well…it will be helpful to have someone else who understands the severity of the situation," Dr. Clarkson replied with a nod.
As he gently placed the stethoscope on Isobel's chest, Elsie Hughes began to wonder just how much Lady Merton had been keeping from the family…and whether or not full recovery was in the cards.