Jasper's head jerks up violently as the sound of knocking on Ryddan Manor's front door echos through the house. Benjamin and Helen also look up, Eliza has been missing for over 14 hours and everyone has barely slept, Jasper's wound aches at the lack of rest and strains every time he paces the room. Penny cried on the way home from the dress shop and is now napping, Charlotte went home immediately in hope that Eliza might turn up there. There has been no word from James who went out to search London for her, Jasper went with him last night but returned when the night set in to see if she was at Ryddan. The sound of a woman's haughty voice carries from the open door to the living room through the wall, Benjamin recognises the voice immediately and he grimaces.

"Who is it?" Jasper asks noticing, he had informed the butler that under no circumstances should they be disturbed but from insistence in the woman's voice he could tell they are about to be imposed on.

"It's my aunt." Benjamin replies. The front door shuts and you can hear the sound of heels on the floor. The party wait for all to be revealed, the door opens and Lady De Roch walks in followed by a hesitant Eliza.

"Eliza."Helen jumps up and moves to pull her into a hug, Jasper straightens his posture and Benjamin shifts awkwardly. Elizabeth throws her stick out to prevent Helen hugging Eliza.

"Who are you?" She demands. Helen stumbles back in surprise.

"Helen Harrington." She replies in confusion.

"So you're the mother." Elizabeth says disgusted, "Your boy left my precious niece in the perilous streets of London."

Helen recoils in shock, unable to formulate a reply. Elizabeth notices Jasper and storms towards him. Eliza simply stands like a silent statue.

"You must be the coward you left my darling girl, she was attacked because of you!" She says viciously. Jasper narrows his eyes and tries to seek out Eliza but the woman in front of him hits his shin with her stick.

"You look at me boy, she came upon my house in a destroyed dress." She hammers on, "Blood dripping from her hand."

Jasper snaps into action at that and brushes the woman inside, he stands in front of Eliza and pulls both her hands up to inspect them, he spies the the long thin slash down one hand, she snatches her hand away before he can touch it. Eliza looks into his face with dead and bored eyes, she doesn't say a word but moves around him to address her startled uncle.

"Uncle I am sorry for distressing you, that was not my intention, I acted in a foolish and unforgivable way, it will not happen again. I ask to be excused while you think of a suitable punishment, I would like to retire to the sewing room and think upon my sins." Her voice shocks everyone around her, it has no spark, no light, just a polite dead sound. Her uncle looks visibly effected at the contrast, he struggles with his words.

"You will not be punished," He says worried, "I am glad you are well."

"Thank you uncle, you are most kind." She says, "May I be excused?"

"Of course." He says uncertainly. She curtsies to him and swiftly leaves the room. Everyone looks around at each other, what has just happened? Even Elizabeth looks to be astonished.

"What happened to her?" Benjamin demands of her. "Tell me everything!"

"I would hope you had better manners." She says stiffly, her nephew frowns.

"Tell me."

"Very well." She sniffs, "She appeared at my front door around 4 o'clock, I gave her a bed for the night, she didn't explain what happened until we were in the carriage on the way here." She glares at Jasper who takes no notice.

"If you'll excuse me." He bows and walks to the door.

"She doesn't want to see you." Elizabeth calls to him.

"But she must." He answers under his breath, he walks into the hall and goes past the library to the room he knows contains material and ribbons. He opens the door to see Eliza sitting on a lounge holding an embroidery hoop and fishing a needle through the fabric. She has removed the coat and bonnet, she places the fabric next to her and rises when she sees him enter.

"My lord." She gives him a deep curtsy before returning to her original seat. He strides towards her and stands in front of her figure.

"Eliza, I was so worried when I couldn't find you." He begins, "I was terrified something had happened to you, I should have gone after you but you disappeared so quickly."

"I am sorry to have caused you upset my lord." She says tonelessly, not looking up. Jasper flinches at the lack of emotion.

"Why are you talking like this?"

"Like what my lord?"

"You aren't sounding like yourself, why are you using my title?"

"Would you like me to call you something else my lord?" She asks.

"DAMMIT ELIZA." Jasper hits the dead fireplace and she jumps and her eyes glare at him. She carefully places the hoop to the side and approaches him calmly, hands knitted together.

"Yes my lord?" She says slowly, "What is the matter?"

"YOU." He shouts, "You are the matter."

"Me?" Eliza smiles, "I thought this is what you wanted, a submissive pet, who uses your title and is a toy for your amusement." She glowers at him, "Or is that not what you wanted, my lord?"

Jasper stares at her incredulously, "You are doing this to spite me?"

Eliza mock gasps, "Never my lord, I seek to please you."

"Eliza I don't want a part in whatever this game is."

"Really? Because you started it."

"I beg your pardon?"

"You had such a problem with me that I decided to show you what you want, it's not my fault that you don't like it."

"That is not what I want."

"I don't believe you."

"How dare you?"

"Oh I dare, after all you are all the same, you want a gorgeous blonde heiress to show off, who never speaks her mind, who dotes on you, craves your attention and approval, never does anything for herself. You want a pretty dog." Eliza glowers, "Don't tell me I am wrong, when you pictured your wife you don't think of someone like me, you think of a girl like Lady Rosemarie, innocent, naive and willing to please his lordship, someone you can control and flick on the nose when she pees on your carpet!"

"Hold your tongue." Benjamin appears in her eyesight, he looks livid, her eyes widen and she bites her cheek.

"You do not speak to anyone like that." He orders, "You must be punished for your disrespect."

"Sir Benjamin, she is to be my wife, she is now under my care." Jasper points out, "It is my job to punish her as I see fit."

"I am not a child, I do not need to be punished." Eliza interjects but neither man pay attention to her.

"Of course." Benjamin says bowing his head. "As you wish."

Jasper smiles at the man and seizes Eliza's unsuspecting hand. She yelps as he pulls her out of the sewing room.

"Where are we going?" She demands as he drags her through the corridor and out the front door. Having left her coat inside the wind bites at her exposed arms. Jasper yanks her down to where his horse stands, all tacked up.

"Run and I'll catch you." He promises darkly letting go of her hand to untie his horse, he turns her to face the drive.

"Climb up." He tells Eliza who snorts.

"No."

Sighing he drops the reins and bends down to pick her up by the legs, she struggles against his grip and tries to dislodge herself but to no avail. He places her on the horse back and mounts behind her. His body encases hers, trapping her in place.

"This is technically kidnapping." Eliza says as the horse trots on. Harrington chuckles and she can feel the deep vibrations from his stomach.

"Are you going to tell me where you are taking me?" She asks straining to see his face.

"No." He replies.

"Why not?"

He doesn't reply.

"Harrington?" She prompts, trying to turn in her seat.

"This journey will be much more amicable if you contain your questions." He says and so she laps into silence, not wanting to talk to him anyway.