My wife and I were watching Season 5 and decided that Lord Merton is actually Charles Bingley after a forty year marriage to Jane Bennet. He seems, honorable, friendly, loving, cheerful, and has just a touch of Darcy’s iron when called for. It makes him a very attractive character among the many scofflaws in the story. Whether he is right for Isobel is another matter, but one wants him to come out happy.
We have not yet watched Season 6 so I do not know where they end up.
I would stress that Jane Bennet was a good character. The clues suggest the late Lady Merton was a lot like Rose's mom, Lady Flintshire. Certainly Lord Merton's background is essentially the same as Shrimpie's: a kind and honorable man who entered a "suitable" marriage "of duty" which ended up being unhappy because the wife was a selfish snob. The only difference is that Shrimpie has at least one child (Rose) who takes after his good nature. Lord Merton doesn't. He said himself that his sons take after their mom "in every possible way". 71.166.62.83 21:59, January 21, 2016 (UTC)