Eliza leans against a pillar catching her breath, the dance with Harrington had ended long ago however her heart rate is still spiking, her blood rushes through her veins like fire and a hot blush has risen into her cheeks. Having escaped from the company of her guests she allowed herself a glass or three of champagne and a little time to relax and enjoy the cold marble against her flushed skin. Eliza curses herself silently, she felt something when dancing, a warm tingling feeling that her entire body on fire, she can't shake the feeling on his hands on her waist. The promise of a platonic agreement is going to be harder than she thought if every time they are together her body reacts like that.

Eliza watches him from her hiding place, he is standing with her uncle, talking, to the casual observer he seems relaxed and is enjoying himself however to her he is on guard and wary of the situation.

"Sneaking off at your own engagement party are you?" Eliza jumps in shock as Charlotte appears behind her.

"Oh, Charlotte." Eliza's heart slows down. "Sorry, I am just taking a moment."

"Staring at your fiancé." Charlotte supplies smugly, both look at Harrington. "He's a lucky man."

Eliza winces slightly and turns away, her friend begins to ramble about wedding dress shopping, flower arrangements and centrepieces. A sick feeling of guilt creeps into Eliza's stomach, the past few days were hard enough pretending to Charlotte that there is something there. The only people who know the complete truth are her and Harrington. Charlotte and Thomas were of course around when the scandal took place however they both think there is a spark and hope for the couple when in truth there is only bitter tolerance.

"Charlotte, I need to tell you something," Eliza says, interrupting the wedding spew. The guilt manifests in her stomach and roots itself there.

"You are my best friend and I love you."

"What's wrong?" Charlotte's forehead creases in worry. Eliza looks around to check nobody could overhear, she takes a long breath.

"Harrington and I are faking the engagement," The words pour out. "We agreed to pretend to be in love and then divorce later." The confession doesn't help as Charlotte steps back, hurt written all over her face, "But all the things you said this week, that it was going well..."

"I had to lie to you, Harrington said it would be for the best but I couldn't." Eliza takes Charlotte's hands in hers silently begging her to understand, "I thought keeping the charade for everyone would be easier so I had to."

"No, you didn't." Charlotte rips her hands away, Eliza seizes her wrist to prevent her from walking away.

"I am sorry." She says pleadingly. Charlotte says nothing.

"We have to make people believe and they do thanks to this party, to you." Nothing.

"Charlotte?" Eliza searches her friends face for some sign of forgiveness or acceptance.

"Plan your own damn wedding,'' Charlotte says, pulls free and walks away. Eliza leans against the pillar for support, this marriage is causing too much hurt, it wasn't supposed to hurt Charlotte or anyone but it is. Her best friend turns her back on her and talks to Thomas as though nothing has just happened.

A loud commotion in the hallway halts the band in mid-tune and everyone turns his or her attention to the doorway. A man wearing a whisky stained suit staggers into the hall followed by apologetic servants who are trying to prevent him from crashing.

"Where is she then?" The man hollers and sways into the room. Harringtons face flashes with pain and recognition, he strides to his side and holds up the drunk man, he whispers angrily into his ear but the drunk pushes him away.

"Where's the lucky girl, I heard she is some sort of scandalous embarrassment."

Eliza looks for Charlotte to help her but she just observes coolly making no move to intervene, even Benjamin only stands there watching the man trying not to collapse. Eliza takes a deep breath, she can handle this, its just one drunken man. Her heels click on the way over, everyone watches her go with anticipation. The drunk zooms in on her approach and leers.

"This is her then," He nudges Harrington who still attempts to make the man leave. "Nice treat to have in your bed, not as pretty as some but those curves are something else."

The crowd begin to whisper and gossip but Eliza steels herself ahead and refuses to back out, she waves away the servants assistance.

"I am Eliza Turner, Jasper's fiancé." She says clearly. "Welcome to my engagement ball." The fake smile hides her whirling brain, how to get rid of this guy without causing a scandal.

"Dominic." He extends his hand and Eliza reluctantly accepts, he places a sloppy kiss on her hand.

"Shall we get you a glass of water?" She says wiping her hand discreetly on her dress and capturing his elbow. Not giving him a chance to protest she turns him and pulls him away from the room. Eliza sends a "Get the hell here" look to Harrington who follows swiftly. Once they are out the door and out of earshot she releases the man and pushes him on to her fiancé who staggers slightly.

"Take him to the library, I will just be a moment," Eliza says quietly and leaves the pair to walk back into the ball. It is still quiet, no doubt everyone has their ears straining to hear what happens next. Eliza braces herself puts on a fake smile and walks to the doorway of the ball. Scandalised faces look at her.

"I apologise for the distress ladies and gentleman." She announces. "Please continue to enjoy the evening."

Eliza finds Charlotte's face in the crowd but hurries out of the room. She jogs through the corridor and pushes the door to the library. Harrington stands looking at the drunken mess on the floor but he turns when he hears her.

"Who the bloody hell is this?" She demands wrinkling her nose at the strong smell of whisky and piss.

"My cousin," Harrington replies bitterly.

"Oh." Eliza scrutinises the floor.

"I haven't seen him in few years, I thought he was overseas."

"Pfft." Dominic struggles to his feet and focuses on her. "Overseas."

"Why are you marrying him, he's a liar and thief, stole my inheritance, left me in the gutter to rot." He rambles. "Acting like he is better than us." Dominic pokes Harrington in his chest. "Because you are so rich and bloody entitled."

Harrington is a cold statue, regarding his cousin with powerful hatred.

"So when you get bored, Elizzzza, I'll show you a good time," Dominic promises, Harrington growls at him warningly.

"What? I don't mind your casts off." Dominic says innocently.

THWACK.

Eliza pulls back her fist and smashes it into the man's smug face, Dominic's nose snaps to the left and he staggers into a bookcase.

"Never call me a cast off again." Eliza spits venomously. Blood drips from his nostrils and Harrington feels a small satisfaction that his feisty fiancé has caused his worm of a cousin to be sprawled against a bookcase.

Eliza takes a steadying breath, she doesn't look back as she leaves the room. The reality of what she had just done hit her when she leans against the wall of the corridor, she has just punched a lord or something. Unknown to her Harrington has followed her and almost walks right past her in his urgency to find her.

"Eliza." He stumbles backwards.

"I am so sorry, I didn't mean to hit him, but all the things he was saying made me so angry." She begins to rambles panicked, "I didn't mean to cause any trouble, I know he's your family but I just....." Eliza tails off as Harrington places his huge hands on the sides of her face.

"Don't worry, I was going to do the same thing." He says darkly.

"So you aren't mad? What if he presses charges?" The panic is evident in her voice.

"Of course I am not mad, it was hilarious," Harrington cups her face but Eliza doesn't seem to relax.

"But I thought..."

Harrington lowers his lips onto her and pulls her closer to his chest. He kisses her with passion and desire, such that Eliza feels her heart beat loudly and her blood run to her ears, his lips are soft against hers, she leaves her arms limply at her sides but she relishes the close intimacy.