Captain gallops down towards a stone house tucked in by hills. The creamy marble of the pillars out front are polished to gleaming and they support an elaborate roof of stone. A man with a wispy beard appears from the side as Eliza brings her horse to a stop. She jumps down and gathers the reins in a hand. The house is really nice but it wasn't as fancy or large as Eliza thought Harrington would own. Its beauty is within is simplicity.

"Hello." Eliza leads Captain to the man. " Is this Duke Harrington's house?"

"Yes ma'am, would you like me to inform him you have arrived?" He asks cheerfully.

"No that's all right but can you stable my horse?" Eliza passes to reins over to him, "Thank you."

"Just go through the main foyer and then take a left and you'll reach his study, he should be around there." The man says stroking Captain's neck lovingly, Captain is incredibly picky about who touches him, Eliza is the only one he let's brush him and yet he seems happy with this man.

Eliza nods her thanks and walks over stones to the main door. She pulls the door open and slips inside. The foyer is not well lit and it smells rather musky like it hasn't been cleaned in a while. Paintings of various men and women adorn the walls, the odd candle stutters in a hold. Eliza follows the man's instructions, not lingering in the creepy hall and winds up in front of a door that must hide the study. Eliza places a hand on the handle to go inside but the sound of gaily laughter stops her from opening the door. The sound comes from further down the corridor and is high pitched and feminine. Did the duke have a sister? Or is it his mother? Or someone else? Eliza curses herself that she knows almost nothing about Harrington.

She tiptoes down the carpeted floor and stops when she reaches a door that is partially open. The laughing comes from inside, Eliza's mind wrestles with the choice. She could peak for just a second or go back to the library. Giving in to her curiosity she crouches down onto her knees and takes a quick look inside. Harrington sits on a chaise lounge next to the notorious whore of the ton, Isabella Cavendish. Eliza places both hands over her mouth to cover the sob that escapes as her stomach plummets. Her heart pounds painfully, a tear rolls down her cheek.

Married to a man 23 years her senior Isabella slept around with many men and found her living by being a mistress to several politicians before her marriage. Now she entraps rakes and wandering husbands into her vile hands. Even though she isn't fond the duke Eliza's heart broke a little at seeing him so comfortable with a woman like that. Or is it because it isn't her? Eliza frowns at that thought.

She risks another peak and Isabella is practically in Harrington's lap, her hands all over him. The dress reveals more than a nightdress, her face is painted perfectly and her red hair spills around her seductively. She is walking temptation to men, experienced but young and very pretty.

"Are you all right ma'am?" The man from the yard stands with a tray holding two drinks. Eliza jumps to her feet in fright.

"I..." She panics

The door opens fully and Harrington stands there, his eyes register her presence in surprise. Not wanting to be caught Eliza runs back down the corridor and towards the front door. Harrington dashes out of the parlour and gives chase.

Yanking the door open she sprints down the steps and frantically looks around for Captain.

"Eliza!" Harrington shouts her name as she searches for her horse. She doesn't look back as she takes off around the side of the house to the stables. Captain is tied to a post outside the stable door, his head picks up when he hears his mistress running towards him.

"Nuh uh." Harrington reaches her side before she can mount, he lifts her from behind and spins her around. He places Eliza on the floor and she spits hair from her mouth.

"Sorry I ruined your fun." She hisses trying to control her shaking.

"It wasn't what it looked like," Harrington tells her. Eliza laughs mirthlessly "We aren't even married and you are already bored of me."

"That's not true." He protests

"Then why is she here?" She demands

"She came to see me..."

"I will not be the wife everyone pities because her husband is sleeping with Isabella, I refuse!"

"Listen to me..."

"I will not be pitied."

"Eliza I am not going to sleep with Isabella!" Harrington shouts. "Just listen to me." He says more softly and he places his hands on her shoulders.

"She came over to persuade me to make appointments with her but I was going to show her the door when you arrived."

"From what I saw you were obviously kicking her out." Eliza sniffs, hurt.

"You have to trust me, I will never have an affair, never. " She is silent for a moment.

"You just have to trust me." He says.

"I do trust you." She confesses quietly.

"Thank you."

"But if you do have an affair then I will hurt you in return," Eliza vows

"I expect nothing less." Harrington smiles and Eliza begrudgingly smiles back. She then surprises him by throwing her arms around his neck and giving him a hug. She smells of cinnamon and apples, he puts his arms around her and squeezes her back.

"I came here to apologise for this morning," Eliza confesses hesitantly into his chest. He pulls away and looks into her face, her expression is one of worry.

"I am sorry, I was immature and rude." She looks at the ground guiltily. "You were just trying to make all this easier and I was being difficult. I am sorry for the things I said and I hope you can forgive me."

Eliza looks into his face apologetically and wrings her hands together.

"I forgive you," Harrington says. "This is hard for both of us."

"Thank you." Eliza feels lighter and more confident now.

"Shall we go inside?" Harrington asks, shivering as he is only in a shirt and the cold flows easily through the thin cotton. "Have a cup of coffee?"

"I don't like coffee but I will take some tea," Eliza replies as she slips her arm through his. Together they walk back to the house.

Once inside Eliza hangs up her cloak.

"Why don't you wait in the lounge?" Harrington says as they walk through the foyer, "I'll just show out Isabella.

"No, wait." Eliza seizes his arm before he walks off. "Will you let me show her the door?"

He sees a mischievous smile spread over her face and a naughty gleam appear in her eyes.

"What are you going to do?" He asks hesitantly

"Nothing." She replies innocently. "Just talk to her."

"Alright then."

Eliza smiles and saunters off to face the whore, Harrington stares after her in wonder. Before entering the room she takes a deep breath, preparing for a fight.

She shuts the door behind when she enters. Isabella is lying on her back on the chaise lounge but sits up when she see Eliza. The two women stare at each other for a moment.

"Do you know who I am?" Eliza asks walking over to her.

"I take it you are the plain boring girl marrying the duke," Isabella replies haughtily.

"In some words," Eliza says positively as she picks up items and examines them coolly.

"I am sorry he is going to be spending a lot of his time with me." Isabella leans backwards and the movement forces her bosom up.

"No, you aren't. " Eliza doesn't look at the woman.

"No you're right I am not, he is very handsome and rich.

"No I mean he isn't going to be spending a single second with you," Eliza replies coldly and turns to face the smug woman.

"You see my fiance is a respectable man and cavorting with whores like you will never happen."

Isabella straightens up, "You are nothing but an unsatisfactory wallflower that no one wants!" She cries. Eliza looks unimpressed by the outcry.

"I may not be able to take care of those type of needs but I fairly intelligent and I don't sleep with every man who holds the door for me."

"I also have some shred of self-respect, I think that tips the balance."

"How dare you." Isabella springs to her feet in outrage.

"Oh I dare, If you ever even talk to him again I will ruin you."

"How would a little nobody like you do that?" Isabella laughs cruelly and Eliza smiles.

"You see one of the advantages of being a wallflower is people talk like you aren't there." Eliza glides towards her and stands nose to nose before saying,

"How's Reggy? Did you talk recently? I bet he's dying to hear from you."

Eliza enjoys seeing the blood drain from her face, even though the paint you can see how white Isabella has gone.

"You can leave now." She smiles her victory as the other woman races out of the room like a frightened rabbit almost knocking down the duke in the process.

"That is how you deal with whores," Eliza says as she pats Harrington's arm and waltzes past him cheerfully humming.