Crawley House, Downton

The dinner was lovely. Richard is so dreadfully kind and thoughtful and sweet that Isobel felt guilty for not having dinner with him sooner. But, as her mother always said, 'better late than never'. As he helped her out of the car and onto her doorstep, she felt a strange longing for him to stay. She wanted to stay with him. Forever. As long as they both shall live. After Reginald, she thought that her days as a wife were over, that she would never love another. But here she was, helplessly in love with another doctor. He smiled kindly at her as she stood on the doorstep.

"Goodnight Dr Clarkson" she said. What she wanted to say was 'I love you'.But she didn't. She was scared as to what he might say, or think of her. She was scared as to what might happen next. What does one do when someone announces their love for one? Do they panic? Do they say it back? Do they marry the person? Do they walk away and never look back? He might. What if he did? Then how could she cope. She loved him. So, no. She cannot tell him. It would ruin everything. Suddenly his charming scottish lilt brought her back to earth. "Goodnight Mrs Crawley."

They stood quite close. Despite saying goodbye to each other, they didn't seem to want to go anywhere. Isobel stayed on her doorstep, transfixed by his gaze. Richard remained in front of her, staring deeply at her beautiful face and into her shining wonder filled eyes.

She didn't know how it happened, but it did. She was lost in his eyes, when they must have gently leaned towards each other. Next thing she knew, they were kissing. And, she was happy.

○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○

The next day...

Upstairs, Downton Abbey

Edith quite liked Tom's cousin. She was nice and kind and friendly. Áine was quite similar to Edith actually. They both enjoyed doing things that weren't really expected of them. While Edith wrote for a paper and read novels, Áine designed clothes and drew pictures. Yes, Edith liked the girl, and set about trying to befriend her.

They were in the library. Mama wasn't due home until the following day, Martha was in Ripon for some reason or another, Mary was busy hiding in her bedroom, Tom and Papa were seeing to the estate affairs and Maura was making it known to the local Catholic Community that she was going to get involved in everything. So, Edith had asked Áine to have some tea with her. She could tell that Áine was reluctant, so then said "or some lemonade?" To which Áine nodded and smiled suddenly a lot more eager.

They now sat opposite each other in silence as Áine sipped her drink. Edith bit her lip. Making friends with this young girl was going to be a bit more difficult than she had thought, especially if she couldn't even start a conversation with her. Edith took a deep breath. "So, how do you like it here?" Áine smiled. "Very well. This is a wonderful house and you have all welcomed Maura and I so well. The gardens are especially wonderful." Edith smiled in return, glad that Áine was enjoying herself.

"Do you spend much time in the gardens?"

"Yes.. I, I like flowers.. sometimes, I draw them.."

"You draw? Oh how jolly! Mary sketches sometimes, but I can't draw a straight line with a ruler! Where do you draw?"

"Amm.." Áine felt a little uncomfortable now, she wasn't very sure about telling Edith about her drawing, however nice she was. And now, well she couldn't very well tell her that she's been doodling in a hidden garden with a footman, could she? Or could she? If anyone would support her, it would be Edith. But was it silly to tell someone she barely knows that she thinks she might be in love with someone else she barely knows? She suddenly realised that Edith was still waiting for an answer.

"Amm.. I draw in the walled garden at the south corner. I hope no one will mind"
Edith was now grinning and rose one eyebrow mischievously. "And do you do so.. alone?" Áine was not expecting that. She could feel a blush rising and could imagine the shade of beetroot that she must be turning. Edith simply laughed. "I thought not. Don't look so worried, I won't tell. And you don't even have to tell me who he is, I can guess" The lady giggled even more.

"And of course no one will mind. That is a special garden. It's where people fall in love. Granny and Grandpa used to go there when they were young but as they got older it fell out of use. When Mama and Papa were newly married, Mama went down there in secret because she loved gardening so much, but it wasn't deemed suitable for her to do it. She fixed into what it is now, with the swing and everything, all by herself. Papa didn't even know about it until it was finished, and that is where they really fell in love, side by side amoungst the clay. Quite romantic really. I'm glad someone else is falling in love there"

Áine smiled. She almost laughed trying to imagine the great Lady Grantham digging and pruning plants. Although, she is American so it's not that surpring that she knows what a shovel is. It's rather a pity that Cora doesn't tend to the gardens anymore, it would probably cause quite a stir in their social circle. "Thank you Edith. But as for falling in love, it might be a bit early for that" Edith shrugged. "I'm not so sure". Áine sipped some more of her lemonade. "And what about you and Mr Thompson?" Edith looked fit to burst with excitement at that comment. She was grinning manically. "Can you keep a secret?" She asked. Áine nodded as the lady leaned closer to her.

"We're to be married!" Áine was surprised to hear herself squeel girlishly. "Shhh! I haven't told anyone else yet, we will announce it soon though. Oh I'm ever so happy. I never thought, well after Sir Anthony and Mr Greggson, I didn't think that I would ever have another chance at marriage. And now I do!"

Áine knew all about Sir Anthony and Mr Greggson, and she knew that Edith deserved a man like Mr Thompson. "I am so happy for you Edith! Mr Thompson is so lovely and you are perfect for each other." Edith was still grinning. "Thank you Áine. And I think the same of you and Walter"

She didn't even have time to take in what Edith had just said about her and Walter, as Maura joined them with a satisfied expression on her face. "It's only a matter of time before I'm running the parish!" Maura exclaimed. And Áine certainly didn't doubt it.

○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○

Upstairs, Downton Abbey

She was pressed against his door. They were kissing passionately and she could hear him fumbling with the door handle. Jane did love him, she was quite sure of that. But she still felt slightly guilty for ruining the Earl's marriage. Well, she had felt guilty. Until he told her. The Countess wasn't as devoted to Robert as one might think, in fact, she was pregnant with another man's child. Jane was skeptical at first, but Lady Grantham was always considered an attractive woman and the envy of many. Maybe this time Cora wasn't bothered enough to refuse. Maybe she had fallen out of love with Robert. Maybe, it was for the best. Robert needed someone who would always love him, who would do anything for him. Not someone who changes her mind ever time she changes her clothes and expects him to grovel at her feet. They say that Americans are a lot less snobbish and highly strung than the English, but Jane disagrees. Lady Grantham is very much aware of her own beauty and power, and is not above looking down her pretty little nose at everyone deemed unworthy.

So, as Robert kisses her neck and tells her that she is beautiful, she inwardly smirks to herself. This could be her chance. She knows that if she falls pregnant by him, there may very well be a new Countess of Grantham.

○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○

The Dowager House

Isobel didn't particularly like Mr Spratt, and especially not when he tried to listen in on her private conversations with Violet. Visiting The Dowager Countess had become an almost daily occurrence and they had created a sort of a routine. The two women had become quite close, which is something one would never imagine when they first met. Isobel would never forget that day, or that moment when she asked rather a silly question. "What should we call each other?" She had asked, then so innocent of Violet's legendary wit. "We could always start with Mrs Crawley and Lady Grantham" the matriarch had replied. Cora had given her a sympathetic look then, obviously well used to such comments. And, in time, Isobel had gotten used to The Dowager's ways. These days 'Cousin Isobel' and 'Cousin Violet' are satisfactory as any between them formality has long been dismissed. Isobel thinks of Lady Violet as a friend now, and is happy to note that Violet thinks the same of her.

But, there is one very clear disadvantage of being close friends with Violet Crawley. She is a meddler. Tell that woman a single thing about you and she will find a way to meddle with your life. For example, Violet would not stop trying to set her up with Dr Clarkson. And now, well now that her dastardly schemes have actually come to something, there is no escaping an interrogation about the date. So Isobel sat down and told the story. From him collecting her in his car, to the delicious meal, to the doorstep kiss that still has her tingling all over. The Dowager actually listened and didn't constantly interupt like she usually does when Isobel says anything. When Isobel was finished, she was pleasantly surprised to see Violet smiling. "I'm happy for you Isobel. Dr Clarkson is a good man."

Isobel simply stared. She didn't know what to say. "T-thank you Cousin Violet. That means a great deal." The heartfelt moment ended as suddenly as it had begun and Violet was back to playful teasing that doesn't sound very playful when she says it. "I always thought that he could do better, but apparently not." The Dowager mused as Isobel tried not to laugh at how quickly her best friend can change her attitude.

○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○

Upstairs, Downton Abbey

Áine wandered down the corridor. She was smiling to herself and thinking about Walter. Maybe Edith was right? Maybe she was in love. She didn't think about too much though, it would only make her worry and doubt. She was happy just as she was with Walter. Friends. Friends who just happened to spend all their time together in a romantic secret garden where people are known to fall in love.

Maura was enjoying herself here too. She claimed to have befriended the local priest and was on her way to becoming the leader of all the various societies in the parish. She is already planning to take over writing the weekly newsletter and once she has that she'll know everyone and slowly but surely take over completely. And if the entire world was a just a big Catholic parish Maura would take that over too. Maura is one of those people who can go from complete outsider to leading parishioner in no time. It's actually quite scary to watch. Áine had seen it before, and Tom had also of course. Maura was notorious back home, the locals were a little frightened of her, and probably weren't very disappointed when she left. Actually, Áine would not be even slightly surprised if the entire parish had a party to celebrate Maura's departure, the priest definitely did, he was terrified of Maura. It was a funny business.

Áine was grinning to herself. She remembered the time that their local priest had jumped over a few ditches and ran through some fields in order to escape from Maura. Suddenly she heard something. She peered around the corner and gasped at what she saw. She turned around and walked swiftly back the way she had come. She liked Lady Grantham quite a lot. In fact, Cora reminded her of her own mother. Aoibhin Murphy had been a kind and loving mother to Áine and the young woman missed her every day. As Áine walked away, tears began to form. She wasn't sure why she was crying, but she knew that she felt dreadfully sorry for Cora. If she didn't say anything, Cora would probably never find out. But if she did, she would surely break the Countess's heart.

For would it not break anyone's heart to know, that your husband is using your bedroom to sleep with a maid.

Woop!!
Well now, I have lacked internet access for a while so, that's why this update is so late.

Please let me know what you think of the current storylines. I'm worried that I'm boring you.

Love,

{SaskatFishcakes}xxx