Author's note: Thank you my dear readers who left a review. And huge thanks to all of you who are following this story. Hope you enjoy the next chapter.

The next afternoon, Isobel filled her bathtub with hot water, added some milk and took a bath. In this moment, the tension disappeared. Afterwards, she felt afresh and warm.

She dressed very carefully. She had chosen a dark blue evening dress that matched her golden brown hair perfectly. Then she did her hair and put on some make-up. She looked at her reflection in the mirror, she looked very beautiful. She smiled to herself. Then she crabbed her black lace gloves and her purse and left the house. Isobel was a bit excited. Outside, she nearly stumbled and felt. Why was she so clumsy?

Lord Merton waited for her at the train station. "I am so looking forward to this evening", he said and kissed her on the cheek. "You look lovely", he added.

"Thank you. You don't look so bad yourself."

They both laughed. Then they went to their compartments. As they were seated, Isobel said to Dickie. "I hope you could sort things out with Larry."

"I'm afraid not yet but he has to get used to the fact that I'm in love with you and want to marry you."

At the theatre, Isobel felt something like excitement. She hoped the play would be good. They both took their seats.

In fact she did not get disappointed. She liked the play immensely.

During the brake, when both were sipping their champagne, an elderly couple approached them. "Hello Dickie" both said.

"Oh, hello Thomas. What a surprise to see you here. It must have been ages since we last met. Hello Carol" he added.

"What a lovely surprise to see you in company."

"Oh, I'm sorry, may I present Mrs. Crawley? She's a very good friend of mine." As he said this, Isobel stood there frozen. Now she was being just a friend? But then, she thought, he could not have been so sure of her answer anymore. It hurt nevertheless.

Carol now addressed Isobel. "What do you think of the play, Mrs. Crawley?"

"Oh I like it very much" she said, glad to get away from these disturbing thoughts.

"I admire the heroine and that she still supports her fiancé no matter what comes and what her family will say. I find her very brave."

"You are very right." Isobel mused about what had been said. She found herself in quiet a similar situation like Minna. She needed to be brave too. Now she had something to think about.

After the play, when Isobel and Lord Merton walked arm in arm back to the station, he asked her whether she had enjoyed their evening.

"Yes, immensely. I liked the play very much and it gave me quite a lot to think about."

"Not unpleasant thoughts, I hope."

"Oh no, nothing of that thought." She smiled.

Back at the village, he walked her home. It was a lovely night. She did not want to part. Therefore she said "Would you like to come inside and share a glass of wine with me?

"Now? Would it not be quite inappropriate?"

"Are you afraid of gossip?" Isobel laughed. "Besides, there is no one out there."

"Very well. Why not?"

Together, they went in. Isobel went the kitchen to prepare some food. As she came back to the living room with a plate of cheese and grapes, Dickie had already lit a fire. She was impressed. She uncorked the bottle and filled two classes.

"Your wine is delicious."

"Thank should try the cheese and grapes."

He took a grape, but instead to put it in his mouth, he put it in hers. She licked her lips. They fed each other with the grapes and cheese and emptied the bottle of red wine. It felt so good to be in his company. Afterwards, Isobel felt a little bit tipsy as she was not much used to alcohol, but very much alive.

It was getting very late.

"I don't want you to leave. Would you, would you stay the night?" she asked shyly.

"Are you sure?"

"I am sure." Her heart was beating fast. She could feel the heat rising to her cheeks. She blamed it on the alcohol.

She took Dickie by the hand and led him upstairs. She felt a bit shaky but utterly contented. When they were in her bedroom, he leaned in to kiss her. She kissed him back with all her heart.

"I love you." she whispered. It was for the first time that she had said it to him. His answer was another consuming kiss. Her cheeks were a burning red.

She lit a candle at her bedside table. They began to undress each other slowly. Neither of them spoke a word. They enjoyed the pleasure silently. He kissed her again, this time with fire.

Then they made love, slowly and tenderly. Isobel felt so much she was afraid to burst. It had been such a long time.