I think maybe once I read a story along these lines, however I can't for the life of me remember who wrote it, so if you did, thank- you. This is totally different to what I would usually write, but hopefully it makes sense and you stay with it!
They arrived on the afternoon train, a pleasant journey spent in relative silence. A car was waiting for them upon arrival which they were quickly whisked into. They had left Baxter and Bates at home at Roberts request, something which annoyed her slightly. They had argued over it only the night before, an argument which she had lost. He had apologised in the early hours of the morning with some very well placed fingers and some kisses which she was not likely to forget. Still, she was slightly peeved about having to do her own hair for the weekend, something she did not enjoy in the slightest. Dressing had become a lot easier with the removal of the corset, but her hair had always been a point of contention. He had assured her that it was perfectly normal to not take staff and really he would be the only one looking at her hair so what difference did it make? She suppressed a huff even now, hours after they had made up, how silly men could be.
A hand on her thigh indicated that they had indeed arrived and she turned to her husband who had a giddy look on his face although she couldn't imagine why. She tried to forget her annoyance and the silly grin on his face, brushing it off to the excitement of the coming weekend.
"Go on" and with that the car door opened and she slid out into the chilly cool of the afternoon.
They were ushered through the hall and into the library which was decorated a deep green with flecks of blue amongst the many books which lined the walls. There was a line of floor length windows along one side, much like Downton, something which reassured her slightly. Robert had left her side almost immediately and she felt an annoyance creep into her bones. Before she could give it much more thought a warm hand squeezed her side and a glass of champagne pushed into her hand.
"Rosamund"
"How lovely of you both to finally join us!" Their eyes drew to the side of the room where a rather large glass of scotch was being pressed into Roberts hands by Lord Fisher. She silently thanked god for the familiar face as his sister pressed on, "Well, for you to join us." A large spout of laughter sounded across the room and the men turned to look at them, Roberts face a burning crimson as he met her eye. She smiled back politely knowing they were talking about her. He hadn't looked at her like that in years, not since they were first married at least and she wondered exactly what type of weekend this was going to be.
"Ignore them Cora, absolutely ridiculous, how have you been? It has been an age, Mama was telling me…." The rest of the words were drowned out by another roar of laughter, causing Cora to shut her eyes momentarily before returning her thoughts to Rosamund and the ensuring conversation.
The men retired to the smoking room at 4, leaving Cora with a group of 8 women she barely knew, excluding Rosamund, who perhaps knew her too well.
"Excuse us a moment won't you." Cora was dragged away from the group who currently sat discussing their worst experiences on the latest set of hunting trips to the comfort of a settee.
"Did something happen before you arrived?" She looked around the room slowly, wishing for the first time in a long time that she was at Downton with Robert, alone. Rosamund went on oblivious to her drifting thoughts, "It's just that usually you and Robert are more…"
"Where are they going?"
"Who?" Rosamund looked around the room to see two more of their party whispering out of the room as though it was perfectly normal.
"Everyone is leaving; the dressing gong doesn't go for another hour at least."
"Oh… tell me Cora, did Robert.." she changed her tack and Cora could see she was becoming embarrassed. She had never seen her sister in law embarrassed; she was the opposite of Robert in that regard. In fact, this whole afternoon had seemed a little off, everyone being so polite and people who she swore disliked each other chatting happily.
"You remember how Emma and Alwyn would host parties?" a small gasp left her mouth and her hands flew to cover the sound. A hand was on her arm in an instant, "You mustn't be so shocked dear, surely you know about these going ons."
"Well of course I do, but I never thought!" How could she have been so blind, it all made sense now. The not bringing staff, Roberts excited eyes, the way the men had been laughing, the strange behaviours. She wondered if Robert intended to palm her off to another gentleman while he took his chances.
"Don't worry, everyone knows you and silver tops are off limits. Although I'm sure given half the chance." She added as an afterthought before giving Cora a somewhat gentle smile and a reassuring pat on the arm,
"You should go through and collect Robert."
"Collect?"
"Yes, that's what you do." Cora gave her a perplexed look, to which Rosamund gave her a small push towards the doors, "Go on, we all meet back up at dinner."
Somehow that made it worse. Everyone in this room and indeed in the smoking room knew that her and Robert… Well they were married, they were saints compared to the other guests. How could he not tell her though? And why were they invited? They were both closer to 50 than 20 and besides, it was well known that they just didn't do that sort of thing.
She pushed on the smoking room doors and made her way across the large room finding just six men surrounding a small table towards the back of the room. They turned when they heard her heels across the floorboards, smiling at her politely, something which only irritated her more.
"Ah, The Countess of Grantham" It was Lord Asterby who spoke. A far younger man with shining green eyes and a head of blond hair which would have made many girls swoon. She had spoken to him earlier and she was certain that he was trying to flirt with her, now she knew this to be true. She was shocked that Robert of all people would let this go on. Robert who was without a doubt the most jealous person she would ever meet. She noted he was studiously avoiding her eye.
She gave the younger man a polite nod, "Lord Asterby." giving the others her most sunny Countess smile, something Mama had taught her many years ago.
It was only then that she turned her attentions to her husband, holding out her hand in what she hoped was an alluring manor,
"Robert?"
He turned pink at the use of his first name in the company of gentlemen before taking her outstretched hand, which she noted was sweating.
"If you would excuse us."