"She wants me to lie and say there was never a chance!" Richard's voice was raised, his hand slapping down on the mantel.

Isobel let him rant, knowing that he needed the outlet, that he'd come to her once again trusting her with his anger. "Was there a chance?" she asked, although she knew the answer.

"If I'd been allowed to do my job properly, yes, there was."

Hearing the defeat in Richard's voice, Isobel moved to stand beside him. "I'm sorry that this world in which we live counts title above all else. I know, whether anyone else does or not, that you did all that you could do. I should have stuck my nose in."

"No. You have enough trouble with them. I know that you still don't get on well with Lady Grantham after all that nonsense during the war."

"I'm upper middle class, that will always be held against me. Then there's the fact that I'm not about classes, and I don't look down on those considered beneath me. No one is beneath me, except for the most vile criminal."

"And I'm sure having Ethel working for you hasn't helped you." Richard whispered.

"Not at all, though you know me."

"I do. You don't care. You only care that she gets help to have a better life."

"Yes."

Sighing, Richard turned to look at Isobel. "What am I to do?"

Moving closer, Isobel laid her hand on his arm. "Don't give in. Don't lie. It isn't your place to fix their marriage. Robert was wrong. He let that bloody man's title and prestige override your familiarity with Sybil and her health. I don't often find myself agreeing with Cora, but in this instance, she's right. She's lost her child to Robert's insane need for titles and notoriety."

"And I'm just supposed to tell the Dowager, no? Have you met the woman?"

Isobel smiled at that and squeezed his arm. "I have, and yes, that's exactly what you're to do. She was wrong to ask such a thing of you. I'll go with you to back up your opinion. I saw it happen with Reginald. A woman didn't come in soon enough and she was lost just as Sybil was. There was also a woman that Reginald saw it early enough and saved her and her baby. If they had let you continue to care for Sybil, you would have seen the signs earlier and she would be up at the Abbey now taking care of that sweet baby."

"I can't be sure of that."

"I am. I've seen you work, Richard. I know the kind of doctor you are. And I know that they think you missed the signs with Lavinia. They aren't doctors or nurses and they understand nothing about that damnable flu. I also know what they think about you with the Matthew situation. I don't think you mishandled it, neither does Matthew. None of that matters. You didn't miss anything with Sybil once you were called in to see to her. You saw what was happening. They are to blame. Not you." She reached up and cupped his face. "Not. You." Each word was emphasized as if they were a one word sentence, her intention was to make him understand that he was more, so much more than he thought himself to be.

Richard closed his eyes as he let his face rest in the palm of her hand. "What is it you see in me, Isobel? What is it about you that draws me here when I need somewhere to escape?"

"I see a man who is a wonderful, gifted, and caring doctor. I also see a man that thinks far less of himself because of the ridiculous culture we live in. As to what draws you here…that is something only you can answer."

"I'm not sure I agree with you. As for the other…I'll have to think on it."

Isobel nodded, not sure either of them were ready for him to give a straight answer to the why of his always turning to her. "And the lie? Will you do it?"

He sighed and shook his head. "No. I can't. Not even to save their marriage. The man needs to save his own marriage."

"Quite right. Do you wish for me to handle Cousin Violet? I will you know."

"I do know, but no. I'll do it. She'd be furious if she knew that I'd dragged you into this."

"And you won't let her bully you into changing your mind?"

"No. I won't. Mostly her bark is worse than her bite…mostly." Richard grimaced.

Isobel couldn't but chuckle. "Mostly."