Over the next four days, Eliza stays in bed, only getting up to use the bathroom and washing with Charlotte's help. The days tick by and Jasper reveals to be bossier than previously thought, he sticks to her side and tries to feed her soup. He stops her from getting out of bed, he tries reading to her when she is awake but he ends up being snapped at and eventually banned from her room on the fifth day. Eliza sits in her bed with a book open on her lap, she feels cooped up, she is longing to get out of bed and stretch her legs. The damp cloth over her eyes slides down her face as she sits up. Her fever has vanished and the nausea has passed, the only thing stopping her from getting out of bed is her insistent husband.

"You're banned," She says for the third time today as the door opens. She feels her bed dip as he sits down.

"I thought you would like a hot chocolate," Jasper says, Eliza takes the cloth off her face as the smell of creamy chocolate reaches her nose.

"Thank you." She says grudgingly, taking the mug from him. After two days of water, whiskey and soup anything else sounds heavenly. He places a hand on her forehead, she fusses and knocks his hand away, careful not to spill her drink.

"You have a visitor," Jasper says tucking her better into her blanket.

"Really? Who?" She asks taking a sip, the chocolately liquid coats her tongue and she closes her eyes in pleasure.

"Your mother."

Eliza's eyes snap open and she slowly lowers her mug with a frown. "My mother is here?"

"She's downstairs," Jasper says.

"I don't want to see her." She says.

"She's upset, she heard about your illness."

Eliza shakes her head.

"You should talk to her." He replies calmly.

"I don't want to see her." She insists.

"You should," He says.

"Why?" Eliza says, her glare defiant.

"Becuase you may not want her in your life but if you don't give her the closure she needs then you'll leave her hurting, she may deserve it but you are not the kind of person to hurt anyone like that." He says calmly, Eliza looks at him and bites her lip.

"That is....that is...." She stutters, "Fine,"

Jasper smiles and kisses her cheek, he leaves the room. Eliza sits up in her bed, puts her empty cup on the side and waits patiently. Her fingers drum on her thighs as she waits. Unfortunately this time she cannot escape and it weighs heavily on her mind.

From what she can remember of her mother growing up, Katherine or Kitty was a normal mother, she cared for the children but left them to the governesses and nursemaids until they were well behaved enough that she could criticise Eliza when she spoke out of turn or didn't curtsey. It became obvious to Kitty that while one of her daughters excelled in society, the other was lacking in refinement.

There's a knock on her door.

"Come in," Eliza says, brittle. Her mother walks in, she shuts the door and stands awkwardly in the middle of the room. Her chestnut hair sits elegantly on her head and the dress she is wearing is of thick, rich french material and design, it clings to her body, it would seem that even in her later age that Kitty Turner is a beautiful and captivating maiden.

"Please, sit down." Eliza nods to the armchair. Kitty sits and folds her hands in her lap.

"Thank you." She says quietly.

"You're lucky that Jasper convinced me to entertain your plea," Eliza says. Kitty looks down into her lap, Eliza remains silent, her mother looks up into her face with wide eyes.

"I don't know where to start."

"Start with why you are here," Eliza says bluntly. Kitty nods quickly.

"I am sorry for turning up at your wedding like that, I didn't mean to ruin it."

"You didn't." Eliza states.

"Oh, good, I just wanted to wanted to see you. You looked so beautiful." Kitty says. "I know you told me to leave and I was going to but I came here to right things. I waited in an inn for you to come back from your honeymoon but then I heard Elizabeth talking to Benjamin about you and that you were sick. I couldn't...."

Kitty sniffs and wipes her tearing eyes. "You might have died and I hadn't made things right."

"So that's what you wanted to tell me?" Eliza asks after a moment.

"No." Kitty says,"I want to say that I am sorry for everything, I loved your father more than anything, I am not making excuses but when he died and you two fell ill, I couldn't take it. I told myself that leaving you with your uncle was the best path for you and I know it was a horrible decision but I don't regret it. You have grown up to be a wonderful lady all without my help."

Eliza considers her words for a moment, Kitty shifts in her chair awkwardly, Eliza sighs.

"I did hate you for leaving me, you were meant to be my mother."

Kitty lowers her head in shame.

"But you were." Eliza says, "You made the best choice for me, it was a selfish choice but it worked. Mother, I will accept your apology."

"Thank you." Kitty cries. "Does this mean we can be...mother and daughter again?"

"It's going to take time." Eliza says frowns, "I will accept your apology when I am ready."

"Oh I see," Kitty swallows, disappointed. Eliza offers her a bitter smile.

"You should return to France."

"Yes, I will." Kitty stands.

"Maybe you can visit for Christmas," Eliza offers.

"I'd like that," Kitty says with a small smile. "Get better."

"Goodbye," Eliza says. Kitty gives a small wave and shuts the door. Eliza breathes a sigh of relief. It didn't go as terrible as she expected. There is some muffled talking outside and then the door opens.

"How did it go?" Jasper says as he enters.

"It wasn't terrible, we talked." She says, "She is going back to France."

"And how do you feel?" He asks taking her mother's seat.

She groans, "I don't know, she hurt me a lot but I understand why she did what she did."

"Also don't pretend you weren't listening at the door." She says with a side glance.

Jasper pretends to be shocked. "I'd never."

Eliza laughs and holds out her hand, he takes it and she pulls him next to her.

"I am feeling rather hungry." She says.

"Would you like me to bring something up?" He suggests.

"No, is Benjamin still here?" She asks.

"Yes."

"Let's all have dinner together."

"You aren't well enough." He says firmly.

"Says who? I am strong enough for a dinner." Eliza protests, she flips the covers up and stands up. She looks triumphantly at him and walks past him.

"I don't approve of this," Jasper says, walking behind her, into the corridor.

"Duly noted." She says as she enters Charlotte's room. "And duly ignored."

Jasper leans against the door frame watching her open the doors to her friend's wardrobe. He watches every move in case she shows a sign of fainting.

"What do you think of this dress?" She asks pulling an emerald dress out of the wardrobe.

"It's...green." He says. Eliza rolls her eyes, she walks behind the changing screen, a set of underclothes over her arm. She pulls the nightgown off and puts the green dress over the underclothes. She reaches around the back to tie up the laces, the dress is too small for her so it doesn't fasten up entirely, she fusses with the top corset button before giving up, she pats a few hairs down in her long plait and smoothes out her dress's skirt.

"Are you alright?" Jasper calls. "Have you fainted?"

"If I had fainted, I wouldn't be able to reply." She points out as she comes out from behind the screen. She pulls on a pair of slippers and walks over to him.

"Fair point." Jasper offers his arm, Eliza wraps her arm around him, he grips her tighter than usual.

"Jasper," Eliza says as they walk out of the room and to the top of the stairs. "Jasper."

"Jasper!" Eliza forces him to stop.

"I am sick of being stuck in that room," She says, "I promise if I feel faint that I will let you know."

Jasper sighs, he looks into her honest eyes.

"Promise?"

"I promise."

"Then let's go to dinner." He says with a smile.