Eliza did as she was told and boarded the first train back to London. Her mother was surprised to see her home so soon, but even more surprised when she heard the reason why.

"Lord Tennyson? A murderer and a deadbeat. I have no words," Mary says as she drops onto the chaise with her dainty hand covering her mouth.

"Apparently Colin suspected it for some time, he wasn't surprised in the least," Eliza adds, but Mary was still gazing off into the distance, trying to process how her peer was about to be thrust into scandal.

"Well darling I think it's best if we put some distance between that family. If he was throwing an engagement to you around, I would hate for you to be associated with that scheming rake."

"I imagine the Tennyson scandal will hit headlines. I am in complete agreement to shun them as the rest of London will."

"Poor Colin though, he is related. Not sure if this will taint his reputation as well." Mary says with a grimace. Eliza remembers what Colin told her in the woods and puts her finger in the air as she says, "Oh and I have other news mother, news that may be bigger than the Tennyson reveal." Mary finally darts her eyes back to her daughter and replies, "More news?"

Eliza nods, "Yes, I also discovered that Colin is the son of the Duke of Fife." Mary drops her hand and straightens her spine as she gasps, "Lord Bradshaw is a marquess?"

"Apparently that's where his title is from. I had no idea, not one person clarified his position to me," Eliza explains, her flurry of emotions coming back to her.

"Well how did you end things darling? Do I dare wonder if my daughter is about to be a marchioness?" Mary asks, her eyes as wide as saucers. Eliza shakes her head and then drops her head into her hands. Mary pops up off the chaise and crosses the room to sit next to her daughter on the sofa. She pulls Eliza's hands from her face as Eliza answers, "He said his title didn't matter, that he wanted to take the next step in our relationship. He said he did take Adelaide to the dinner party last night, but only for work."

"Oh you like him, don't you my darling?" Mary asks softly. Eliza looks to her mother and after a moment nods her head. "Why do you seem so scared?"

"Because he's...just look at him! He looks like that and he's the son of a Duke! He could have any woman in England!" Eliza exclaims.

"And he's choosing you! I don't know why you seem so surprised," Mary states.

"I'm nervous that every time we are together, he'll have to justify marrying me," Eliza confesses but Mary simply shakes her head, "He's from Sussex darling, you'll have a whole new town to enjoy. The nonsense only hovers over you in London and Scarborough." Eliza sighs and knows her mother is right. "That, and you are the daughter of an Earl who will inherit. No one would question the link; it could have been set through a matchmaker." Eliza frowns but it's true. She may not want to marry for political reasons, but to the outside world, it makes sense on paper.

She also doesn't understand why she's suddenly so insecure. This man has seen her at her worst and still wants to give it a go- she has nothing to lose at this point.

"Eliza, I don't know why you are so in your head about this. You are smitten and will regret it if he leaves back to Sussex and you didn't tell him what's in your heart," Mary finally tells her while pulling Eliza's chin toward her. "Don't overthink this love."

"I'm trying my best not to. I feel squeamish about finding love because Penelope was murdered. I wish the circumstances surrounding Colin and my friendship were different," Eliza admits. It will be odd when someone asks, "And how did you two meet?" And Eliza replies with, "He was the lead detective on my best friend's murder investigation."

"You can't help where and who you fall in love with. If anything, be glad something wonderful came out of this horrid business," Mary states plainly. Eliza nods and then hears the grandfather clock inform the house that it's midnight. Mary looks to Eliza and says, "Well my dear it looks like you'll have the night to sleep on it. I doubt he'll be coming round in the middle of the night." Eliza nods and they both stand from the sofa. Mary gives her daughter an unusually long, tight hug before releasing her back to her room. Eliza is surprised she has enough energy to climb up the stairs after the emotional and physical day she had. She traipsed all over Kent and cried all the way back to London. Every bit of her is drained.

She had given Lucy the remainder of the evening off as soon as they arrived home since she too had been through a lot. So, when she got to her room, she realized she was going to have to get herself to bed. She had just undone the buttons on her blouse when she hears a tap at the window. She shoots her gaze over to the panel by her bed and sees Colin perched on the tree. She quickly throws a robe on over her half-open shirt and dashes over to open the window.

"I didn't know if I should come," Colin says hesitantly, as he crosses over the windowsill.

"What made you apprehensive?" Eliza asks while clutching her robe closed.

"I didn't know if you'd be awake," he admits and Eliza sighs out her anxiousness. He stands next to her vanity and she can tell he's just as exhausted.

"How did things go in Kent?" Eliza asks him as he sticks his hands into his navy pant pockets. He blows out a long breath before answering, "It will be front-page news all over London tomorrow morning."

"My name won't be printed will it?" Eliza hesitantly asks, but Colin nods, "I believe him taking you hostage may make it into some articles. Apparently, the driver was eager to talk." Colin motions 'money' with his hand and Eliza drops onto her bed.

"I was hoping just Andrew's arrest would be the story. I should have known it wasn't going to be so short and simple," Eliza admits. Colin tilts his head as he looks to her and asks, "And how are you?" Eliza glances to him and knows he wants to pick up the conversation where they left it on the steps in Kent. He needs to know if she's going to continue this relationship now that the case is wrapped up. She takes in a deep breath, summoning all of her courage and finally answers, "I'm alright. I'm glad we managed to solve this thing and you can go back to Sussex with all of it wrapped up neatly with a bow."

"Does that include you? Being wrapped up neatly with a bow and coming to Sussex with me?" Colin eagerly asks, while still maintaining a safe distance from Eliza. She stares into his questioning blue eyes and then drops the hand that was clutching onto the robe. She stands from the bed and finally says, "My mother has practically already written our engagement announcement for the Times."

"I haven't been granted proper permission from your father. I can't ask you what I want to without it," Colin adds but Eliza smirks. She takes a step closer to him and says, "You are the son of a Duke and the object of his daughter's affection. You don't even need to ask for his blessing it's already been given." Colin reaches for her hands and she adds, "I will be a lucky woman if I am able to not only marry a marquess, but the man I love. Marriages based on love in our circles are myths, fairy tales."

"The man you love hmm?" Colin asks with a smile still playing on his lips. Eliza nods and tilts her chin up to him. He quickly finds her lips and pulls her into him. His hands find her face while her arms wrap around his waist. After a few moments wrapped up in each other, Colin pulls away and says, "We are going to need a very quick engagement. I don't know how much longer I can continue kissing you alone in a room and leave it at that."

"Well in order to have a quick engagement, I'd need to be proposed to properly first. Once we have that obstacle out of the way..." Eliza says with a grin and Colin takes a step back from her.

"I shall go get my ducks in a row then. I'll contact my father and get proper permission from your father," Colin says while striding back to the window.

"You'll also need a ring," Eliza adds and he smiles to her. He opens the window panel, but before he slides it out, he asks, "You're not going to have me tell my father I found the woman I want to marry only to deny me are you? You're in this? All in?"

Eliza folds her arms over her chest, "You're not going to have me go tell my mother I'm going to be a marchioness, only for her to see Adelaide Greensbury on your arm at the next dinner party are you?" Colin laughs and quickly replies, "The only woman that will be on my arm from now on is you."

"Well unless you want my chaperone on your other arm, I suggest you go get a ring," Eliza suggests which causes Colin to laugh.

"You won't just tell me that you'll say yes will you?" Colin asks and Eliza shakes her head, "Guess you'll just have to propose and see?"

THE END! THANK YOU FOR READING MY VERY FIRST HISTORICAL FICTION MURDER MYSTERY! I ENJOYED DOING SOMETHING DIFFERENT :) IF YOU ENJOYED IT PLEASE VOTE SO I CAN TAG YOU IN THE SEQUEL! THANK YOU THANK YOU READERS!

IF ANYONE HAS AMAZON OR GOODREADS, IT WOULD MEAN A TON IF YOU'D DROP A REVIEW THERE! THANK YOU!

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08SWJ9RH8/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=Love+%26+Murder+Kindle+erin+st+james&qid=1610517381&sr=8-1

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/56657602-love-murder