Eliza dashes after her friends, the shock of the icy wind outside cuts through her shock and confusion as her feet patter down the steps and she races to catch up with them as they walk down the line of carriages to find theirs. They reach Jasper's but before the door can be opened Eliza pushes past them and shields the door with her body, her hands on the handle.

"Someone is going to explain what just happened before ANYONE is getting in a carriage!" She says determinedly, looking at them individually.

"I think it was quite obvious what took place." Jasper says looking at his peers, "Lady Carrick insulted you and..."

"No!" Eliza holds her hand up and glares at him. "You know that's not what I mean!"

Jasper rolls his eyes but answers. "I invited James to this party."

"When? Why?" She cries looking from him to James and back again. "What happened to he will never be accepted by society?"

"Don't you want to see James and Cecily?" He asks with an amused smile.

"Of course I do," Eliza snaps, she turns to the couple, "I am delighted to see you both but I am at a loss at how you got here."

"By carriage, I presume," Jasper interjects sarcastically.

"Sush." She places a finger on his lips, he leans back.

"I was just answering your questions." He states defensively, Eliza turns to face him completely with a very annoyed look on her face.

"You, sush." She says firmly, she turns to James. "Could you explain?"

James looks towards Jasper but complies, "He wrote to us, a week or so back, inviting us down. That's it, that's why we are here."

Cecily nods in agreement.

"Did you know?" Eliza asks Charlotte and Thomas suspiciously, they shake their heads.

"Fine." Eliza takes a deep breath, she lets go of the carriage door and crosses over to James and Cecily, she hugs them both tightly.

"I cannot quite believe you are here." She says over their shoulders. "How are you both?"

"Very well miss," Cecily says,

"You aren't my maid anymore, you don't have to call me that," Eliza says with a wave of he hand as she releases them and shivers. "It's really cold."

"Here." Benjamin passes her her black fur cloak. "I was sensible and grabbed it on the way back."

"Thank you." She says wrapping into around her shoulders, the thick material protects her skin from the harsh bitter cold that hangs in the misty air.

"Jasper." James clears his throat, "Thank you for what you said in there, it means a lot."

"You are my best friend," Jasper says, "Nothing is going to change that."

"I think it is safe to say that this night is over." Benjamins sighs and looks up into the night sky. Charlotte yawns, her head droops onto her husband's shoulder.

"I think we shall return home," Thomas says brushing a blonde strand of hair away from her face. "Have a drink before bed."

"I like the sound of that." She says.

"And I." Benjamins says regretfully, "I expect my aunt shall still be up, she'll want to hear this new scandal before anyone else."

"We should return home too," James says to Cecily.

"Where are you staying?" Jasper asks as he buttons his coat up.

"My parents are letting us stay, they aren't as prejudiced as I thought." James replies with a wonky smile, "I am still disinherited but small steps"

"We have to arrange a dinner so you can tell me all about Scotland," Eliza tells Cecily.

"I'd like that." She replies with a gentle smile.

"Goodnight everyone," Thomas says, he leads a sleepy Charlotte to his carriage and helps her inside.

"I hope to see you soon," Jasper says to James, they shake hands for a moment. Cecily murmers her goodbyes and they walk and climb into their carriage.

"Goodnight uncle," Eliza says kissing his cheek. "Give my love to Aunt."

"Hmph, that woman will outlive us all." He grumbles, he waves goodbye as he clambers into his carriage.

"Shall we go home?" Eliza asks as she takes Jasper's hand. He resists her tug towards the carriage.

"What?" She says, blinking at the odd the look on his face.

"I have..." He pauses, "....an idea."

"Oh, dangerous." She rolls her eyes, "Do tell."

Jasper doesn't say anything but yanks the door open and bundles her inside, she scrambles up almost tripping on the steps and sits in a seat.

"To Westgate street please," Jasper says to the driver as he climbs in after her.

"Westgate street?" Eliza asks with a frown as the door slams shut. "What's in Westgate street?"

"Just trust me." He says settling into his seat. The carriage jolts forwards and the horse's hooves beat the ground in a continuous rythm. Eliza studies Jasper's face as they are pulled away from Lady Carrick's Christmas ball and towards Westgate. She smiles to herself in the silence.

"Why are you looking at me like that?" Jasper asks, irritated.

"Like what?"

"Like a kitten and a dog are snuggling by the fire." He says with distaste.

"Thank you for inviting James and Cecily." She says, he sighs and runs a hand through his hair.

"You were right." He admits, "I needed to grow up, people may talk but I shall let them because I did right by my friend."

"That's a very different view from a month ago," Eliza says. "It's good however because people are going to talk about the terrible Duke Harrington who ruined a respectable party with his floundering and selfishness."

"Really?" He turns to her, a slight twitch in his eye but he catches her teasing look and he scowls and looks out of the window.

"So why are we going to Westgate?" She asks, "There's not much there and it is almost struck 10."

"I said trust me. " Jasper replies not looking from his window, "Wait, stop." He calls to the driver who brings the horses to a quick stop on a dark corner.

"Wait here," Jasper says and then he darts out of the carriage and disappears into the dark night, cold night air rushes in and Eliza pulls her cloak tighter around her. She squints her eyes trying to make out anything through the window but the night has swallowed her husband. She folds her arms and leans against the back of her seat, her foot taps on the floor as she hums a tune to herself. Her hands fiddle with the fasten on her cloak as she waits, she lets out an impatient sigh.

"Bored already?" Jasper asks appearing suddenly, opening the door with flowers in his hands. "I wasn't even two minutes."

"Flowers?" Eliza asks ignoring his question and looking at the roses in his hand.

"These are for you." He hands her a small bunch of roses. Their rich scent fills the carriage.

"Thank you." She says accepting the blood-red flowers, Jasper shuts the door, preventing the night from creeping in, he bangs the roof of the carriage and it continues down the road.

"Who are they for?" Eliza asks noticing the bunch of white lilies in his other hand.

"I thought we could visit Westgate Cemetery," Jasper says. "Your uncle told me it is almost the anniversary of your father and sister."

"Oh." She looks down at the roses on her lap. "It is."

"My father also died around this time and he is buried in Westgate too." His eyes are fixed on the carriage floor.

"I thought he'd be buried up north?" She says.

"My mother chose to bury him with my grandparents," Jasper says bitterly.

"That's nice." Eliza offers, unsure what to say or do.

"Hm." Jasper grunts and turns to the window. The carriage slowly comes to a stop in front of the wrought iron cemetery gates.