They arrive at the house at ten minutes to eight. Jasper opens the carriage door and helps Eliza out. Golden twinkling lamps outline the central London manor, the tinkle of an orchestra from inside trickles outside to the arriving guests are they are welcomed into the festive ball. Jasper and Eliza follow the swarm of brightly dressed guests inside to the warmth. 

Servants stand in the doorway, they take the coats from the guests as the wait to greet the hosts. Eliza notices Rosemarie standing between her parents in a plum gown, nerves are written all over her face as she greets everyone, she sees Eliza and turns a deep shade of red. Rosemarie's mother smiles and laughs as people compliment her house and family, she bathes in the warm light of praise. 

The couple in front Jasper and Eliza say their goodbyes to the hosts and move into the ballroom. Rosemarie and her parents look towards Jasper and Eliza as they step forward, Eliza feels herself being looked up and down but she refuses to react. 

"Lady Carrick." Jasper kisses the hand of Rosemarie's mother. "Thank you for inviting us." 

"Tis a delight to have you in our humble company." She replies daintily, sweeping a curl out of her face. "Have you met my daughter?" 

Rosemarie turns an even brighter shade of scarlet, Jasper bows to the embarrassed girl. 

"I remember we met at Lady Charlotte's engagement ball. It's lovely to see you again." 

"And you." Rosemarie murmurs as she curtseys. "A pleasure." 

"Rosemarie has just returned from finishing school." Lady Carrick boasts, "Did you attend finishing school Lady Eliza?" 

"I did not." Eliza says, caught off guard, "Rosemarie is very lucky to have such an opportunity." 

Rosemarie looks down at the ground as her mother casts Eliza a disgusted look and carries on talking. "Indeed she is, as a mother I thought it was essential that my daughter has the best chance in life." 

"I agree," Jasper says, "When I have a daughter I will do anything to give her the best life, however, I am unsure whether sending her away for most of the year is a path I shall follow, for selfish reasons." 

Eliza turns a small laugh into a cough behind her hand at the look on Lady Carrick's face, a mixture of surprise and shock. #

"Good evening." Jasper bows and whisks Eliza away from the stunned Carrick family. 

The ballroom is awash with the festive spirit, red, gold and green tinsel have been wrapped around portraits and tables, twinkling candles are everywhere you look and the smell of mince pies and spiced wine wafts between the crowds of people. The orchestra plays upon a small stage, ladies skirts swirl as they dance with men in their finest Christmas suits. 

"You certainly made an impression," Eliza says as they walk between guests, people cast them glances as they walk. 

"She was insulting you." He bluntly replies, Eliza laughs. 

"Of course she was, tis her nature to belittle those she believes are inferior." She says accepting a glass of wine from a passing server, Jasper waves him away without picking up a glass. 

"But she was insulting you." He insists, "I didn't like it." 

"You always surprise me." She says, patting his arm and smiling. "Oh look there is my uncle with Charlotte and Thomas." 

They walk over and greet each other, Thomas hands Jasper a glass of whiskey and mutters out of the corner of his mouth. 

"They insist on only serving wine and champagne so I have snuck a bottle from Lord Carrick who seems to be struggling." 

 Everyone looks over at Lord Carrick who is standing awkwardly behind his wife, he stands silent as she talks for both of them. A servant walks past with a small glass on his tray, he surreptitiously hands it to him and the lord drinks it in one swallow before hiding it behind a vase on the table at the back. 

"I am not surprised, ghastly woman," Jasper says taking the whiskey. 

"I cannot fathom how such a lovely girl has such a vile mother," Benjamin says, drinking his own whiskey. 

"Finishing school." 

They turn around to see Rosemarie wearing an amused smile. 

"Oh." Benjamin coughs. 

"I was hoping to talk to you." Rosemarie says to Eliza, "Do you have a moment?" 

"Of course." Eliza says, she looks at her unmoving company and then turns back to her, "Do you have a private place we can go?" 

"Yes." She says, she walks to a side door and opens it, Eliza follows her into an abandoned corridor. 

"What is it you want to discuss?" She asks as soon as the door to the ballroom is closed. Rosemarie twists her hand together and hesitates. 

"I want to apologise for what you overheard my mother saying about you. It is inexcusable. I am most dreadfully sorry, you do not deserve to be faced with such criticism"

Eliza rests a hand on one of Rosemarie's."Rosemarie, no child should have to apologise for the shortcomings of their parents. Your mother is welcome to her opinions and they are no reflection on you." 

"I..." Rosemarie begins to speak but a loud crash from the ballroom and several voices begin to shout. They both share a startled look before opening the door and hurriedly walking inside. Eliza strides to where Charlotte and Benjamin stand stationary. 

"What's happening?" She asks but they don't say anything. Everyone in the ballroom is silent, their attention glued on the entrance hall where a crowd as formed. 

"Where's Jasper and Thomas?" She asks looking around but then she hears Jasper's raised voice clearly above the shouting. 

"If you could calm...." 

 Eliza glances around at the fixated guests before hurriedly walking through them to the entrance, she pushes past the last few people to where Lady Carrick stands, hands on hips, her face bright red and furious. Jasper stands between her and the door, Thomas next to him. Eliza stops next to Lady Carrick as she begins shouting. 

"How dare you walk into my house! You have no place here and you will NEVER EVER be accepted by honourable society." 

Jasper shifts and Eliza catches sight of the people behind him. 

"James!" Her hands spring to her mouth when she sees him holding hands with Cecily in front of the open door. Lady Carrick hears Eliza's surprise and turns to her with a deadly glare. 

"I presume this is something that you organised to embarrass me, you selfish, gold digging whore, you may have married up but you are nothing!!" She yells, Eliza scoffs. 

"Don't you dare talk to my wife like that," Jasper says walking forward and taking hold of Eliza before she can retaliate, he pulls her back and they stand in front of James, facing a furious Lady Carrick. 

"But you must see what she is! She invited a shamed man and his maid whore to my dignified party to ruin the happiness of so many." She roars. 

"I invited them." Jasper yells, he takes a breath and then speaks more evenly, "I invited them, not Eliza, so please turn your anger on me ." 

"I...I." Lady Carrick seems lost for words, she twists in her spot, looking for help. "I won't have them in my house." She says shrilly, "You understand of course, they are not..."

"I don't understand actually," Jasper interrupts. "I understand that your pride prevents you from understanding that it takes compassion and truth to understand the people around you. I pity that you are too narrow-minded and conceited to appricate the value of the people around you." 

"I don't...how can...?" 

"You have insulted my wife and my best friend, therefore, you have insulted me and I cannot stand to be in this house another second," Jasper says seizing Eliza's hand. 

"I agree," Benjamin says appearing behind them with Charlotte, Thomas nods. Jasper marches to James and Cecily, he shoves them outside the door, Benjamin, Charlotte and Thomas follow them into the night. Eliza stops just before the door and turns to Lady Carrick.

"I have to thank for your genorosity, it's been a delight." She struggles to not laugh, "Good evening." 

She curtsies and shuts the door behind them.