Author's note: Thanks to all of you who are reading and supporting this story. This is the last chapter. I hope you like it.

Chapter 5

Some days later, the Countess of Grantham received a letter, when she was sitting with her family in the library.

"Oh, this is nice!" Cora said as she had read the letter.

"What is it, Mama?" Edith asked "What is nice?"

"This came from Lord Merton" she said and waved the letter.

"And what has old Dickie Merton to say?" Robert asked, looking up from the paper he was reading.

"It's an invitation for his wedding to Isobel!" Cora said "It seems they have reconciled after all."

"Well, they had not really argued. It was Larry's fault." Mary pointed out. "But luckily, all is settled now. I'm happy for Isobel and my godfather."

"I suppose, Mama won't be too happy" Cora said. "She won't like Isobel becoming a great lady."

"I don't think so." Mary said "I'm sure she is happy for Isobel."

"What makes you think that?" Robert asked "I remember her saying the whole business was absurd."

Mary did not want to tell her family the true reason for her grandmother's former objection of Isobel's wedding-plans. She was sure her grandmother had told her the truth confidentially. Mary did not want to give her away.

Therefore she said: "I just think she would not mind Isobel's change in status in the end. She is bigger than that."

"When does the wedding take place, Mama?" Edith asked to steer the conversation round to the original subject.

"In two months. It's probably a bit at short notice but I think they want to catch some sun. Autumn won't be long in coming."

Two months later, it was Isobel's first night at Cavenham. She was sitting together with Lord Merton in the library, both enjoying a glass of His Lordships finest Madeira.

Isobel recalled the day's events. The marriage ceremony had taken place at the beautiful little church of Cavenham village. Only Isobel's family and Dickie's younger son Timothy had attended. Larry had caused trouble in advance as he strictly refused to come to his father's wedding with a common nurse from Manchester stealing away his father's money and ruining the family's name as he had angrily pointed out to his father. After this outburst it came to a severe disagreement between father and son which was a constant pain to Isobel. She hoped things could be mended in the future. She knew that the argument preyed on Dickie's conscience.

"I wish I knew what goes on in this beautiful head of yours, my dear." Lord Merton said.

Isobel sighed. "I was thinking about Larry. I'm sorry that it had come to this."

"It's not your fault. You needn't to feel sorry, Isobel." Dickie assured her "It is Larry who should feel sorry"

"Still, I don't like it to have created a division between you and him."

"He simply has to accept you. If he is not capable of doing this, I cannot help him. I won't abandon you."

Isobel nodded and smiled slightly.

Dickie gave her a loving glance. "Now, let's talk about something more cheerful.

"You are right. I wouldn't want to spoil this evening." She smiled at him.

Dickie finished his glass of Madeira. "I want to show you something." he said.

He took her hand and led her upstairs to her bedroom. The room was lit by candles. On the large bed lay two white roses. On the bedside table she could see some chocolate, grapes and more wine.

"Oh Dickie, this is wonderful. Thank you."

"I'm glad, you like it" he said and poured them a glass of wine. Isobel tried the chocolate.

Dickie raised his glass. "To my beautiful wife and many years of joy with you!"

She gave him a sweet smile. "I love you, Dickie."

His answer was a deep kiss. She tasted of wine and chocolate. He devoured the feeling of her soft lips on his.

She embraced him and he gave her a light kiss on her head. He could smell a scent of lavender. This and the taste of her mouth was utterly intoxicating.

"And now I want to show just you how much I love you" he whispered in her ear.

The End

Author's note: Reviews would be wonderful. Thank you.

Thanks for reading. I hope you enjoyed this story. I wanted to finish this story before this year's CS because I didn't want to spoil my ideas if the outcome of the Isobel/Merton relationship wouldn't be a happy one.