Chapter 18
That Friday evening, Isobel waited patiently in front of Crawley House, because Violet had suggested that the two of them, as well as Rosamund, could share a ride up to the Abbey. Isobel had previously considered walking up there, but Violet declared that to be "utter nonsense" because "one doesn't go for a walk in a gown". After all these years, Isobel still had to get used to the way the upper class handled situations differently than she was used to. But it would have been unkind to refuse Violet's offer and also, Isobel liked Rosamund and was happy to see her again.
The next minute, a car drove up, which Isobel recognised to be the Dowager's. "Rosamund, how nice to see you. I hope you are well?", Isobel said as she sat down in the car.
"It's lovely to see you too, Isobel. I am well, thank you for asking, I take it so are you?", Rosamund responded.
"I am.", but before Isobel could say anymore, Violet interrupted – "And I don't even get a 'hello'?"
At that, Isobel had to do her best to stop herself from rolling her eyes. "Well, I was going to say hello to you…" Still, she wasn't mad because she knew Violet was simply teasing her. "Good evening, Violet. How have you been since I saw you only two days ago?", Isobel said equally teasing.
"I have been well, thank you.", the Dowager replied. "And you? Have you been up to anything exciting these past two days?"
It took Isobel a moment to realise that she was interpreting Violet's question much more ambivalent than it was. She instantly had to think about what Violet found out when the two of them were talking outside in the garden the other day. And even if Violet had intended her words to be open to interpretation, Isobel knew Rosamund had no idea about that in the slightest. So teasing Violet sounded like right thing to do – she did love having a laugh with her. "I did, actually. Very exciting."
Violet took a moment to understand what Isobel said – that was rather risqué. "Y-you have?", but that moment she figured out Isobel was probably just teasing and decided to take her up on that. "Nothing to shocking I hope!"
"That depends on how you see it, to some it might be.", Isobel said with a smile.
At that point, Rosamund was interested in what Isobel was going to say. Either she had been up to something Violet didn't approve of, or she was just being humorous. "Do tell us, Isobel.", Rosamund said to re-enter the conversation. "Mama looks like she can't wait to hear about your ominous story."
"Well", Isobel began, "I've been gardening a lot these past two days. Your mother, I believe, is still under the impression I should hire somebody for that, but I find working in the garden very soothing. It gives one time to think, contemplate what to expect from life."
"That sounds lovely.", Rosamund replied. "That is something I rather miss in London, stepping outside and being in the country, where it's green and quiet, not too many loud noises,…"
So Isobel and Rosamund exchanged views on that. As they did so, Isobel stole a few glances at Violet, who seemed to be rather amused by the way Isobel had teased her. In that moment, Violet was quite happy to have Isobel as her friend, because her jokes, even if subtle and unnoticed by others, were always nice and rather intelligent. They might quarrel at times, but never to a degree that would pull them apart.
They soon arrived at the Abbey and were welcomed inside by Mr. Carson. He led the three women to the Drawing Room, where they were greeted by Robert, Cora, Mary, Edith, Tom and Rose. Violet found herself in a conversation with her children Rosamund and Robert, Isobel sat down with Cora and Mary to talk about George and Sybbie and how big they were getting, while Edith, Rose and Tom were talking about a potential upcoming trip to London.
"The Honourable Evelyn Napier.", Mr. Carson announced and the handsome young government administrator, working on a project regarding the rural economy of estates like Downton, entered the room. He had previously been to Downton with his colleague Charles Blake and had been re-invited by Mary and Tom, who valued Evelyn's opinion on certain matters concerning their estate. Always courteous and friendly, Evelyn was well liked by the whole Crawley family.
Tom and Mary soon left their respective conversation partners with a smile and went to greet Evelyn, immediately starting to exchange pleasantries. After a few minutes, Carson entered the room yet again to announce "the Dowager Lady Shackleton.", who was greeted by Robert and Violet. Before he left again, Carson signalised to Cora that dinner was ready. The latter turned to her family, saying „that is dinner everyone, shall we go through?"
Dinner had been going on for a while, rather pleasantly, because many of the attendees hadn't seen each other in a while, so questions were asked back and forth, keeping the conversation vivacious and interesting.
"Now Prudence, tell me, any news from your family? Is everyone well?", Violet asked Lady Shackleton at one point.
"Oh yes, thank you. Philip sends you his love. From what I hear they are planning on having a garden party, to which you shall be invited.", Lady Shackleton responded.
"Sounds lovely.", Violet said, "I will make sure to be there, so you have an excuse to avoid your daughter-in-law." That response received empathic laughs all across the table – it was well known to the Crawley family that Lady Shackleton didn't have the warmest relationship with her son's wife.
"That's easy for you to say, Violet", she said eventually, "given that you have been blessed when it comes to having a wonderful daughter-in-law."
Cora's face went a bit red when she heard those words. "You flatter me, dear Lady Shackleton."
"She's quite right, darling.", Robert said with a smile, rather proud that Cora was so well liked by all of the people in their social circles.
A while later, everyone was sitting in the Drawing Room, having a drink. The conversation came back to the topic of having parties and how there were so many of them lately.
"Now Violet, I will make sure Philip sends you an invitation.", Lady Shackleton said, before turning to Rosamund. "I hear that you will be invited too, Lady Rosamund."
"I would be delighted to attend.", Rosamund said. "I believe I last saw you and your son's family when we were invited to a dinner party at Middleton Castle."
Lady Shackleton laughed. "How could anyone forget, it was such an interesting evening!"
"Why, what happened?", Isobel asked curiously.
"Oh, I am not sure we should tell that story.", Rosamund said. "But then again, everyone who was there probably told it to their family already, so we might as well do so too."
"Sounds rather ominous.", Evelyn Napier observed, just as interested as everyone else.
"Well, I will say this: Lady Yearsly probably had a bit too much champagne…", Lady Shackleton started.
"…and we all know what a storyteller she can be!", Rosamund concluded.
"Now I am all ears.", Violet admitted. Because who doesn't love an occasional story time including a bit of gossip? Violet certainly did.
Mary felt the same way as her grandmother. "You better tell the story now, we are all on the edge of our seat."
So Lady Shackleton started telling the story how apparently, somebody had seen Lady Anstruther in a rather intimate and quite inappropriate moment with one of her footmen.
"A footman? Golly, how daring.", Rose said, holding back a laugh. She was mostly used to her parents' more than boring dinner guests. Stories like that were never told. Rose didn't know a lot of aristocrats who allowed themselves a little fun, sometimes even out of wedlock.
"Yes.", Lady Shackleton said mysteriously. "According to Lady Yearsly, it seems Lady Anstruther has been quite open to enter extra-marital affairs for years. But ever since her husband died, she has been less and less careful about people finding out."
"Goodness.", Violet commented. "A lady in her position should be more careful, shouldn't she? I mean, her reputation is at stake, after all!"
„But Lady Anstruther has never cared much about her reputation, Mama.", Rosamund explained with a laugh.
"That's true." Robert said, but he seemed to be enjoying this conversation less than his sister. "But that doesn't make it appropriate, does it?"
"Oh I don't know.", Mary interfered. "Who are we to judge? I mean, it's obviously not smart to have everyone across Yorkshire and beyond know what you are doing with your footman, but on the other hand, there are so many men who are have affairs and no one says anything. Why should we be giving Lady Anstruther a hard time?"
"I have to agree.", Edith said, knowing that it was rare for her to agree with her sister, but doing so nonetheless. "When a man is in an extra-marital relationship, everyone turns a blind eye, but when a woman does it, it's looked down upon."
"Now, I don't want my daughters to support that kind of behaviour.", Robert said rather sternly. "No matter man or woman, adultery should never be supported."
"But it's none of our business what Lady Anstruther chooses to do. It's her choice.", Mary concluded. She thought on her week with Tony Gillingham. Obviously no one could ever find out about that, but Mary knew what it was like to crave romance and passion and felt like people should be allowed to live their private life without having to listen to other peoples' opinions.
„I know the English are always in search for a perfect, flawless reputation, but at the same time we are quick to judge other people for their actions, when they are none of our business." Rose admitted.
"Well that might be true, Lady Rose.", Lady Shackleton said. "But it's just not proper, is it?"
"It certainly isn't.", Robert agreed. "And with a man who is so much younger than her, I mean it really isn't appropriate." At those words, Isobel took a sip of wine to stop herself from blushing. She was sure that no one noticed, but the whole conversation made her uncomfortable.
Meanwhile, Lady Shackleton and Robert were still agreeing over the indecency of Lady Anstruther and her activities. "I don't know what's more shocking – the fact that most of these men are much younger than her or that many of them work in her household."
"But we can be sure that all of these men are of age…", Evelyn shyly tried to reason with Robert and Lady Shackleton. "So what ever might be happening between Lady Anstruther and those young men, it's consensual. And that is really the only important thing here. Forgive me, Lord Grantham, Lady Shackleton – but I don't believe we are justified to have opinions on the matter, since it doesn't involve us."
For a moment, it was quiet. Everyone gave Evelyn Napier's words some thought. Tom was the first to react. "I agree. What entitles us to have an opinion? Obviously it would be easier for Lady Anstruther if people didn't know about her affairs – but what she chooses to do is completely her decision, not ours." He had noticed that Isobel didn't take part in the conversation. She probably would have under different circumstances, but she seemed to be feeling a personal reaction to the negative words of Robert and Lady Shackleton.
"Quite right, Tom.", Cora agreed, feeling like it was time to settle that topic. "What people choose to do with their life is up to them. It's not right for us to judge her, or even discuss how it's inappropriate, because it doesn't affect us in the least."
"Well, clearly you'd think it's not an issue, Cora", Violet started, "but you are an American, so it's only natural for you to be less shocked. I do agree that we shouldn't be talking about this, as it is most improper. Also, I doubt Lady Anstruther gives tuppence about our opinions."
Cora decided not to comment on that. She loved her mother-in-law dearly, but didn't think the comments about her American heritage were relevant here, or in most conversations.
"Can we just agree to let her go about her daily life, just like we go about ours?", Rosamund suggested, not wanting this argument to go any further, given that it seemed like Robert, Violet and Lady Shackleton were ready to fight their cause, while the others all agreed it wasn't their business.
"I very much agree.", Evelyn Napier said. "Now Tom, there is something I've been meaning to ask you about the tenant's wages…", so Evelyn and Tom went to get another drink and discuss their matters privately. Robert, Cora and Edith found themselves in a conversation about her written pieces in a London Magazine that she was working on, while Violet, Rosamund and Lady Shackleton sat down to talk about the upcoming garden party they would all be going to.
Meanwhile Mary and Isobel were talking about little George, with Isobel telling Mary how much George reminded her of Matthew at that age. Mary was sure that it was good to distract Isobel from the previous conversation, even she had noticed how Isobel hadn't said a single word on the topic of Lady Anstruther. When Isobel finished her glass of champagne, she felt like she needed a moment alone.
"Mary, on a whole different subject", Isobel changed the subject eventually, "are there any books in your library you can recommend? I'd ask Robert, but I'm not sure our taste in literature is the same."
"Yes, there is. Would like to go there right now?", Mary asked, thinking it was probably a good idea to leave the Drawing Room for a moment to take a breath in silence. So the two women went to the library, with most of the others not giving it any thought.
As they entered the library, Mary went straight to her father's liquor cabinet, opened it, and turned around to face Isobel. "Can I interest you in something stronger than champagne? Some gin maybe?"
"Why not.", Isobel said with a smile. She was very touched by Mary's kind way of leading her away from the others, probably having noticed that the conversation about Lady Anstruther had struck a nerve.
When they sat down, Mary and Isobel both drank a sip of their gin, while Mary thought about a way to bring up the subject she wanted to discuss. There was no way around it, Mary knew that much. If she wanted to bring up the subject, she might as well do it directly. Given that Isobel seemed so taken aback after what happened, Mary decided to be clear and don't talk around it. "You know that Lady Shackleton wasn't talking about you, Isobel, don't you?"
Isobel didn't know whether to laugh or sigh. "Well, she might as well have." She had no idea how much Mary knew, how much Tom had told her, or how much she simply suspected. "You heard her and Robert… for an older woman to have an affair with a younger man is probably the worst thing in the eyes of aristocrats."
"Isobel, no one knows about you and Tom.", was the first thing that came to Mary's mind. "And even if they would, they'd probably react differently. Lady Anstruther is no more than an acquaintance, but you are family. You'd never be judged as harshly."
"Maybe not as harshly, Mary. But sufficiently enough to make things awkward. And then there are acquaintances of the Crawley family who would bite our heads of – 'Lady Mary's brother-in-law involved with her mother-in-law' sounds quite ridiculous. And I don't think I could live a life where I pretend like nothing happened, hiding the truth from everyone."
Mary gave Isobel's words some thought. That sounded very much like Tom and Isobel had been together, and Tom simply didn't say it for the sake of keeping it quiet. Mary knew better than to discuss that any further. When she asked Isobel whether she'd want a moment alone, the latter agreed and Mary went out to the Great Hall. Isobel, on the other hand, opened the door of the library that lead in to the gardens of Downton Abbey and decided to sneak outside for a bit of fresh air.
What Isobel didn't expect was that anybody else would be outside. But she could see a shadow to her left, meaning that someone was about to come around the corner. Probably someone from the downstairs staff, who also slipped a way for a quiet moment.
END OF CHAPTER 18
Author's Note: I really enjoyed writing a chapter that included a lot of characters, it was great to figure out a way to include them all in the dinner conversation. Also, I often wondered why Isobel and Rosamund had so little screentime/interaction with each other, so I wanted to give them a few lines that showed how I feel they'd be towards each other: friendly, actually liking each other a lot.
Hope you enjoyed reading it!