Jasper pulls Eliza's chair for her, she rolls her eyes but takes the seat with no protest, Benjamin pats her hand as she sits down, he seems relieved to see her out of the bed. Jasper sits on her right, he picks up a fork and begins to attack the steaming dishes in front of them. Plates of roast carrots, potatoes and parsnips, roast pork and chicken.

Charlotte pours a glass of wine for everyone but herself. Thomas glances at her but doesn't say anything as she sips her ginger beer and places small amounts of vegetables and meat on her plate but doesn't start to eat.

"It's good to see you awake." He says to Eliza as he piles roast potatoes onto his plate. She places her wine glass down on the table and reaches for a fork.

"I am sorry that we have been harbouring on your hospitality for so long." She replies as Jasper takes the fork from her and places chicken and green beans on her plate. "As soon as I am well enough to travel we will return to Ryddan Manor at once."

"Actually," Jasper interrupts, filling his own plate, "Chester Valley is complete."

"Oh." Eliza says surprised,

"We can go there tomorrow if you wish." He says.

"So you are going to let me out of the room then." She jests behind her wine glass, he doesn't find it funny so she continues. "I would like to see the house but all my things are at Ryddan so perhaps we stay there for a few nights while we move in? You wouldn't mind, would you uncle?"

"Not at all." Benjamin says, "I think, Lady Helen, Penny and I would be delighted to have you for a few days."

"My mother will be returning home soon." Jasper says, "It would be nice to spend some time with her before she leaves."

"I didn't know she was leaving," Eliza says as she skewers a green bean with her fork.

"Nor I." Benjamin says confused.

"Naturally she will want to return before the weather turns for the worst." Jasper supplies.

"But it is the Christmas season, she will miss all the balls and parties." Eliza says. Jasper shrugs and eats his meal, Eliza frowns but nibbles on her green bean as she thinks.

"Speaking of balls, Lady Rosemarie is holding a Yule ball Friday next," Charlotte says. "We are all invited."

"Oh that sounds like a great deal of fun," Benjamin says but he turns to his niece. "Unless you don't feel up to it?"

"On the contrary, I feel it will be the perfect event to attend after my ordeal," Eliza says with a mysterious smile.

"What are you going to do?" Jasper asks suspiciously. Eliza scoffs.

"Why nothing at all."

"It's what she says you got to be wary of," Thomas mutters, loud enough for everyone to hear, they all look to him in amusement, even Jasper cracks a smile.

"It's agreed we shall go then?" Charlotte asks.

"Yes," Jasper says. Eliza smiles into her glass, she can't wait for this ball, it might be more entertaining than a usual party.

The dinner is a delightful affair, Eliza feels safe, warm and well fed with her friends and family. She thinks that Jasper also is having a good time despite his previous resistance by the fact he is standing by the fire with a cigar talking animatedly with Thomas. Charlotte enters the living room and sits next to her on the settee, a glass of lemonade and a tumblr of whiskey in each hand.

"Thank you." Eliza steals the whiskey away.

"I am going to do it." Charlotte says, her eyes on her husband.

"Do what?" Eliza asks as she sips the amber liquid.

"Tell him now."

"Oh," Eliza catches on, "Are you sure?"

"Yes." Charlotte takes a deep breath, Eliza pats her hand reassuringly.

"You can do this." She says confidently.

Charlotte gives her the lemonade, stands and lightly coughs. Benjamin looks up from his book, Thomas and Jasper stop talking and look over to her. Eliza gives her a nod of encouragement.

"I have some news," Charlotte says a smile hides behind her nervous expression. There is a moment of tension, Eliza hears Charlotte's heart beating as she speaks.

"I am pregnant."

There's a smash of glass and the moment breaks, everyone looks to the fireplace. Thomas steps over his broken glass and takes his wife's hands. His face shines with a mixture of caution and wonder.

"Are you sure?" He asks, not allowing himself to hope.

"Yes," Charlotte's eyes shine with tears. Thomas breaks into a massive smile and he hugs her. Jasper and Benjamin clap, Eliza smiles and glances at her husband, he has a genuine smile on his face. A rare sight.

"Congratulations," he says as he shakes Thomas's hand, Benjamin does the same. Everyone appears to have double the energy as before and the whiskey is not at fault.

"I was hoping you would be the godfather." An ecstatic Thomas says very quickly, "If you have no objection..."

"That's perfect!" Charlotte cries clutching at him, "Eliza already agreed to be godmother."

"I think this occasion calls for a bottle of the good stuff." Benjamin announces, "Get us the finest bottle from the cellar." He tells one of the butlers.

"Actually." He stops the man before he leaves, "Finest five bottles."

"I can't believe it." Thomas says, kissing his wife, Charlotte laughs and pushes him away. They both glow with uncontained happiness and joy, Benjamin joins in the conversation on baby names, a few ridiculous ones fly about with the sensible. Eliza watches them over her whiskey glass, Jasper notices her scrutiny so he sits down next to her.

"Do you wish you had what they have?" He asks.

Eliza stops staring and faces him. "No," She says. "It's more exciting our way."

"That much is true." He says crossing his legs, he studies her beautiful face. "I like our way too."

The butler returns with the many bottles, he pours four glasses, fills them with more than usual and hands them around. Eliza passes Charlotte her lemonade and down the remains of her whiskey before anyone can speak. Benjamin raises his glass, Eliza and Jasper stand up.

"To Thomas and Charlotte." Benjamin says.

"Thomas and Charlotte." Jasper and Eliza repeat. Thomas and Charlotte kiss to loud applause. Soon the five bottles of wine are reduced to half a bottle, they all sit around the fire, they talk, swap stories and laugh. Charlotte excuses herself around ten and retires to bed, Benjamin follows soon after having drunk most of Thomas's best wine, he sways as he leaves the room and there is a loud crash from upstairs a few minutes later. Thomas himself leaves at eleven leaving Eliza curled up against Jasper, her head resting on his lap. He strokes her hair and they watch the fire crackle and hiss in the grate. The alcohol is causing drowsiness in Eliza but she tries to stay awake.

"My father kept me at his side constantly," Jasper says after a while of watching the flames leap and dance. Eliza stiffens under his arm.

"You don't have to tell me." She says.

"Hmm." Jasper brushes her dark locks. "Every servant he fired, every child he beat, I would be there. He called it "Real life learning" It was horrible at first but I got used to it. He wasn't a bad father on the outside which made hating him hard. He provided me with everything I ever needed and more, no child was more privileged than I. I like to think that he thought he was doing the best for me, teaching me how to be smart, but I think he was wrong."

"About what?" Eliza asks, her eyes half closed, sleep is worming into her mind.

"He said that the worst mistake any man can make is to have friends, friends are a burden that betray you. "

"That's stupid," Eliza grumbles, adjusting her position.

"It is." Jasper agrees, he thinks about his father, the man with an iron will, the man who lies under a fancy grave claiming him to be a loving father and devoted husband. Then he thinks about his wife who is currently lying on his lap, listening to him after all they have been through.

"I love you." He says. No reply. He looks down.

"Eliza?"

Her mouth hangs open slightly, her eyes are firmly shut as she sleeps. Jasper chuckles to himself before carrying her up to bed.