Friday rolled around, which meant Spratt's newest column was set to make its debut. He woke up in the best mood, humming as he cleaned up from breakfast.

" You seem rather cheery this morning Spratt." Violet Crawley noticed as she watched her butler cleaning. He seemed really cheery and couldn't tell if it was due in part to Denker's absence that morning or the article...she figured she knew the answer.

" Ahh yes, M'Lady. It's just a wonderful day." he smirked.

A wonderful day indeed… Spratt thought to himself.

He had the morning paper laid out on the table, hoping the Dowager would read his article. She didn't even glance once, making him scowl.

Little did he know, she'd read the article and was getting ready to head to The Abbey to a luncheon, where she was eager to share the article Spratt had so elegantly written about his counterpart, knowing Denker had no clue this was coming.

She noticed his shrug as he continued about his morning chores.

" Has Ms. Denker seen the paper this morning?" Violet asked, noting how Spratt had quickly changed his tune, standing up a little straighter at the sink.

" She hasn't M'lady. She's been busy with errands." He replied trying not to laugh right then and there.

He heard the Dowager manage a chuckle under her breath and her cane hit the floor as she stood.

" I'd certainly not like to be in her line of fire when she arrives home." She said, giving Spratt a cheeky look.

" You and me both…" Spratt said under his breath.

" I'll have the car waiting for you in half an hour M'lady." He replied with a nod and a smile playing at his lips.

Just about the time the Dowager was headed down the road she saw Denker headed back to the house and tried to suppress a chuckle she let slip. She never liked for the help to catch her in a moment of weakness.

" Is everything alright, M'lady?" her driver asked, surprised to hear laugh escape from her lips.

" Just fine. Keep driving, we have to pick up Lady Merton." Violet said, tapping her cane against the door.

" As you wish." he replied, maintaining a calm front.

They arrived to Isobel's and Violet was hoping she'd be ready to head to the Abbey. Unfortunately for her, Dickie was waiting instead. She wondered where Isobel was and why she wasn't out front.

" Why Lord Merton, I was expecting Isobel, isn't she aware I was coming?" Violet asked.

" Goodmorning Violet. Isobel should be down any moment. I just wanted to see you both off before you headed for lunch." Dickie said with a smile.

" How charming." Violet responded.

" Oh...Violet, do you mind seeing what's wrong with my wife? It seems as though something has upset her and I'm not sure what it could be."

Violet raised a brow, Dickie was usually keen on Isobel and great at reading her emotions compared to other men. Dickie could see right through her.

" Of course. Although I'm quite surprised you couldn't get it out of her." Violet responded, I am a bit worried.

" She's been so quiet since dinner this morning." Dickie paled a little. He just didn't understand what the problem was.

Before the two could finish the conversation, Dickie heard the front door shut and Violet saw Isobel just leaving the house. She looked rather sullen. A blank expression was on her pale face. Violet hated when she couldn't read her cousin.

Dickie opened the door and made a sweet remark to his wife to which Isobel silently ignored him and shut the door, signaling for him to back up.

Dickie tipped his hat and the driver moved forward, heading to the Abbey.

" Don't start in on me." Isobel spoke up, clearly not wanting to make conversation.

" My, my, who rained on your parade?" Violet quipped, staring up hoping to get a rise out of Isobel.

" Oh I'm sorry Violet. It's just...I haven't felt all that well since coming back from the trip. I think I could've caught something. Dickie was pestering me all last night about seeing Dr. Clarkson and I lost my temper." Isobel said as she put her hand to her head.

" I'm terribly sorry. You didn't have to come for luncheon, although I do have to share something that may be of interest to you and the others." Violet said with a smirk.

Isobel shrugged but raised a brow.

" Trust me, you'll feel better when you hear this…" Violet said looking towards her cousin.

" Oh goody we've arrived." Violet added seeing as though she hadn't elicited response out of Isobel.

….

Inside, everyone sat down at the table for a casual luncheon.

Everyone seemed chatty and in good spirits, except Isobel. Violet noted this as she scanned the table waiting to bring up her story.

She cleared her throat to hopefully change the tone in the room.

" Did any of you catch the paper this morning? Edith- I think Spratt's article this week proved to be a great success, catching Ms. Denker off guard. It's certainly thrilling to watch him get the best of her. Usually she's 10 paces ahead." Violet said, a twinkle in her eye.

Edith had been sipping her tea and stopped short, nearly spitting it out and laughing. The article written had been quite a shock to her and she couldn't believe the information Spratt had gotten out of Denker in the first place. Everyone had read it at the Abbey and it was the talk of downstairs. Denker's drunken quotes filled the column.

" Oh...it was the gossip amongst downstairs this morning. Our staff could hardly contain themselves." Robert said to his mother with a chuckle.

" Did you see her this morning?" Mary asked.

" No, actually I didn't. I just hope Spratt will still consider being employed when I return from lunch. Denker enjoys dancing circles around him, driving him mad." Violet said with a chuckle.

She was clearly amused by the situation, and wondered if there was something more between her staff.

" Did you get a chance to read it, Isobel? You've hardly said a word since you've been here." Robert asked.

Isobel's head popped up from her bowl of soup. She put her spoon down and shook her head.

" I haven't had a chance to read it." she said softly.

Everyone was clearly staring at her, they all knew she wasn't well. No one dared set her off. Violet had warned them all not to make comments about her appearance. Violet had seen the look of worry cross Mary's face when she saw her mother-in-law and instantly pulled her aside, telling her to mention to the others to keep quiet.

" Isobel, aren't you well?" Cora asked, before quickly realising her mistake.

" I'm fine. Just tired." she replied in haste.

" Read this and I'm sure you'll perk up." Violet said as she handed her cousin the article she'd cut from the paper.

Isobel scanned over the title. Denker had drunkinly taken over she presumed. She knew the woman indulged.

" She must've been plastered when Spratt took this down." Isobel commented as she continued to read.

"...the best way to win a man over is by driving him absolutely crazy. Nagging them seems to get their attention. I am an expert at it. For more advice write to me at-" Isobel stopped reading and she started giggling, clearly seeing Spratt had twisted her words around a bit.

" Well dear me, I think the old girl has her eyes set on Spratt." Isobel said.

" If she thinks her tips will have men falling all over her, she's right. She's doing a great job of keeping them down left and right." Violet said.

" Mama...don't be so hard on Denker." Cora chastised.

" Why not? I don't need her playing matchmaker. Imagine that. Denker...a matchmaker? I'm the real expert. Just look at Lord Merton and Isobel." she said with a nod.

" Cousin Violet it right. With her pushy attitude she can have anyone making a match." Isobel retorted causing Mary, Cora, and Edith to all smile.

She was feeling better now that she'd read the article. She was glad she had come to lunch..

Meanwhile back at the Dowager's, Spratt was busy with some chores when Denker finally came up after her lunch.

" Dear Septimus Spratt, might I have a word with you?" she asked with the fakest smile he'd ever seen upon her lips.

Spratt managed an internal laugh and wipe the smirk off his face before setting the items he was polishing down. Truth be told he had been dying to see her reaction. She'd been drunk out of her mind the night it was written and he knew she'd forgotten all about it- that is until now.

" Of course Misses Denker. What would you like to say, on record or off?" he asked taking a seat.

Denker slammed the article down in front of him.

" Just who do you think you are. You just wait until the Dowager comes home and sees this. Now I'm certain you'll be fired. Dear old Spratt, forget me ratting you out about your little family emergency, but these lies you've printed, these misquotations...why she's sure to dismiss you." she said with a laugh.

Spratt coughed a little and straightened his tie.

" Off the record, Miss Denker, I'm still employed here. I never misquoted you. You spent an hour giving me the cold hard facts right at this table. I'm sure you of all people would remember, unless something has hindered you from recalling our conversation." he said with a proud smirk.

" I've got no idea what you're talking about." Denker said, sticking her nose in the air.

" On the contrary. I know on weekends you drink liquid courage...you keep it hidden in the umbrella stand." Spratt retorted.

Denker was left speechless for once. How did he? She wasn't going to let this be a moment of weakness.

" It seems as though you're quite the popular love analyst. We've received two rush letters here addressed to you." he said, sliding them over.

Denker snatched them up and quietly turned and left the room without another word.

" Game. Set. Match. I'd call that a win." Spratt said proudly to himself.

TBC…..