A perfect line of staff stood at attention as Eliza's motor car glided up the wide pebble pathway, the soft crunch of stones under the tires echoing in the stillness. Behind them loomed the white stone colossus that was Elsick House, its enormous columns soaring several stories into the clear blue sky. The sheer scale of the estate was almost dizzying, and Eliza found herself gripping the edge of her seat as the car came to a stop.

Eleven pairs of eyes watched in silent anticipation as the soon-to-be Lady Bradshaw pushed open the car door. She was halfway out of the cab by the time the driver hurried to her side, his gloved hand outstretched to assist her. As her shoes met the gravel and she straightened her posture, the full weight of where she was and what it meant settled on her.

The housekeeper, a tall woman with sharp features and an air of practiced authority, stepped forward, dipping into a perfectly measured curtsy. "Welcome to Elsick House, my lady," she said, her voice steady and formal.

Eliza felt a sudden wave of nerves prickling at her skin, but she squared her shoulders and managed a polite nod, hoping the staff couldn't sense the trepidation beneath her poised exterior.

"Mrs. Davies, the formal welcome was hardly necessary. My father won't be arriving until late next week."

"You sir, are head of the household and will be treated as such," Mrs. Davies reminded him with a stern look. Eliza knows that she and Colin will be expected to act as such as well. 

The butler strode over and landed next to Mrs. Davis and Colin nodded to the tall, gangly man in a black wool suit, "Mr. Hughes."

"We have supper waiting for you when you're ready, my lord," Mr. Hughes announced and Mrs. Davies added, "And we have rooms prepared for both you and your lady's maid, my lady."

Eliza gestured toward her maid, "That's Miss Lucy, she's coming with Lord Bradshaw's valet."

Colin leaned into Eliza, "I'm still Colin here you know? I shan't be calling you Lady Eliza because Mrs. Davies is here now."

"I trust you will adhere to the house rules," Eliza said softly, her tone measured but firm. Before she could continue, Mrs. Davies interjected, her voice clipped yet polite, "As do I, my lady."

Colin smirked at the exchange, his expression betraying amusement. Eliza was certain Mrs. Davies had already arranged her accommodations far from Colin's bedchamber. Turning to address the rest of the staff, still lined up like statues, she noted their expressionless faces. The footmen had already dispersed toward the coachmen to collect the trunks, their brisk movements creating a quiet efficiency. Colin's gaze followed them as they marched toward the rear of the house, their shoes crunching loudly on the gravel. The sudden burst of activity was a stark contrast to the tense stillness that had greeted them moments earlier.

Colin reached for her hand and asked, "Shall we have Mrs. Davies show us around?"

Eliza nodded eagerly, her nerves momentarily soothed by his touch. The scattered noise of gravel under hurried footsteps was the only sound filling the tense air as they stepped inside. The remaining staff maintained their silence, their stillness a sharp reminder of how different this was from Winter House. At home, the staff's welcome was always warm, full of laughter and familiar faces she had known since her days in the nursery.

Here, a massive wood-paneled hallway greeted them, its arched ceilings soaring overhead. Eliza's eyes wandered over the colorful tapestries, which proudly displayed the Duke's family tree and coat of arms. Medieval weaponry adorned the walls between the flags, their gleaming surfaces polished to perfection. The grandeur of it all was overwhelming, and she couldn't help but wonder how much of the decor she would have control over in their own home.

As they moved further into the house, the chill of the vast space settled over her. This was a world far removed from her own, one she was only beginning to understand.

"Do you keep all of your military memorabilia on display in Sussex?" Eliza curiously asked and Colin laughed, "No. Tristan and I sent anything worth displaying to my father, who displays it in Kinnaird." Eliza nodded and was grateful their entryway wouldn't be so bleak. She was hoping for bright wallpaper and fresh flowers in their foyer.

Mrs. Davies continued down the wide hallway, the sound of her practical shoes nearly swallowed by the plush rugs, while Eliza's heels clicked sharply against the cream marble, echoing off the dark paneling. The hall grew dimmer as they turned toward the left wing of the house, its wood-paneled walls casting a heavy, shadowed atmosphere.

As they walked, Mrs. Davies's voice carried through the cavernous space, her words precise as she mapped out the layout of Elsick House for Eliza. "There are thirty-three rooms in total, my lady, and most of the decor reflects the Duke's preferences," she explained.

Eliza nodded politely, but a flicker of unease passed through her. Colin had mentioned his father's distant demeanor, but she hadn't expected the house itself to feel so lifeless, so cold. The somber walls and unyielding formality seemed a direct reflection of a man she had yet to meet.

It wasn't until they reached the ballroom that the oppressive mood lifted. As Mrs. Davies opened the double doors, sunlight poured in, flooding the vast space with warmth and light. The tall windows stretched nearly to the ceiling, their frames capturing the bright blue sky beyond. The soft blue brocade walls seemed to shimmer in the sunlight, and the cream silk curtains, cascading gracefully to the floor, beckoned Eliza to reach out and feel their texture.

Instead, she clasped her gloved hands together and tilted her head back, her gaze drawn to the magnificent painted ceiling. Roman gods and goddesses sprawled across the expanse, their forms interwoven in a display of drama and elegance that took her breath away.

"This is, of course, where we will be holding the ball on Saturday," Mrs. Davies said, her tone brisk but not unkind. "The chairs are scheduled to arrive Wednesday."

Eliza's gaze remained fixed on the mural as she murmured her reply, "It's stunning."

"If there is anything you'd like to adjust about this room before then, my lady, please inform me, and I shall see to it immediately," Mrs. Davies added.

Eliza let her eyes drift down from the painted heavens, the enormity of her new role settling heavily on her shoulders. "Oh no, this room is lovely. Whatever the Duchess chose will do." A look that Eliza couldn't decipher crossed the older woman's face and Eliza glanced at Colin to see if he caught it too.

"The invitations have been sent, why the reason for the hesitancy, Mrs. Davies?" Colin asked.

She puckered her lips before confessing, "The Duchess had wanted Lady Eliza to choose the theme. She had thought she should embrace her new duties as a wife and marchioness."

Eliza's eyes widened, "I am to decide the theme for the ball? A ball that is taking place in a week's time?"

Colin clicked his tongue before shaking his head, "I should have known mother would pull something like this. It's those damn suffragettes that have convinced her party planning is suddenly beneath her." He then looked to Eliza, "She's going to test you, darling. She is strongly against the conventional role of a wife and that includes hosting large social gatherings."

"If she didn't want to throw a ball for our engagement, why is she doing so? I am not one for parties, you know socializing is not one of my strengths," Eliza confessed and she didn't miss the startled look Mrs. Davies displayed.

"You are about to become my wife and whether either of us likes it, I have a title and a responsibility. One of those is hosting and celebrating our engagement. It would not do to have you announced as my fiancèe and then not be granted a ball like every other debutante receives," Colin stated with his hands on his hips. Eliza had no idea he had a passion for throwing elaborate events in her honor.

"I am not every eager bride and you are not every marquess. If your mother finds a ball frivolous or too...ladylike, I am happy to scrap it and have a dinner to join the two families instead." Eliza offered, wondering how a duchess could find throwing balls a duty that should not fall to a lady.

"The food has been ordered my lady," Mrs. Davies interjected. "As well as the seating and liquor."

"A party of this magnitude employs almost the entire town. If we cancel, many tenants would lose a great deal of income from this," Colin admitted and at that, Eliza knew the party would continue. She would not come to this new town and anger an entire community.

Eliza darted a glance to Mrs. Davies, "Well as soon as I am settled, I suppose we should go over the details that need to be fine-tuned."

"Yes, my lady," Mrs. Davies replied and she then looked over at Colin, "I should also warn you that your aunt is chaperoning your stay until His Grace arrives." Eliza could tell her fiancé wasn't expecting to have a watchful eye in the house as a grimace took over his face.

"My aunt? Margaret?" Colin asked in disbelief.

Mrs. Davies nodded, "Yes, Lady Henry will be staying until the ball."

"And then maybe after," a voice sliced through the charged air, and everyone turned to see elegance draped in silk standing next to Mr. Hughes.

"Aunt Margaret," Colin said coolly as she sauntered over to the happy couple. A tall, perfectly proportioned woman stands before them, with hair the color of chestnuts piled high onto her head. A single ringlet lays off her bare shoulder and elegance covers her in pearls and purple silk.

"I was told a chaperone was needed until my dear sister could get here. Can't have the bride's virtue be questioned before the wedding night," Margaret stated bluntly, and Eliza now felt that she was the shade of the red velvet drapes behind her. "Had you really thought your father would allow an unwed couple to stay under his roof?" Colin sighed but before he could respond, Margaret flicked her intense gaze to Eliza and said, "You must be Lady Eliza. The woman who finally captured my nephew's heart." Eliza attempted a reply, but Margaret cut her off, "Have you prepared her for Elsie?"

"She is aware that my mother is not...the traditional duchess. We were just being filled in on the duties she left Eliza to fulfill."

Margaret's dark green eyes swung back to Eliza's timid ones and she took Eliza in in one long sweeping glance. She met her eyes again and said, "Elsie is going devour you, my dear girl."

Colin stepped closer to his aunt, his expression calm but resolute as he gestured toward Eliza. "Don't underestimate Eliza, Aunt Margaret. She's far stronger than she appears."

Eliza managed a small laugh, hoping to ease the tension that seemed to hang in the air like an unspoken challenge. "I trust he isn't speaking of physical strength," she said lightly. "I can assure you, I'd fail to impress on that account."

Margaret paused, her sharp eyes scanning Eliza with an appraising glint. Then, with a faint smirk, she replied, "Well, there must be something remarkable about you to have caught my nephew's attention. Women have been vying to be the apple of his eye since long before he left for Africa."

Her words were delivered with a touch of amusement, but Eliza's heart sank at the mention of Colin's past admirers. The thought of other women, those he had known- perhaps even loved, was a subject they had not yet discussed. The sudden weight of uncertainty pressed against her chest, but she held her composure, offering a faint smile in return.

Colin, unfazed, met Margaret's gaze with quiet confidence. "I look forward to you getting to know why I find Eliza so special. By the time you return to Liverpool, I imagine you'll have no doubt as to why I've chosen her as my wife."

His voice was steady, his words unwavering, but something in Margaret's expression—an almost imperceptible spark in her eye—gave Eliza pause. She couldn't help but wonder if Margaret was unconvinced, or worse, if the older woman saw through the fragile facade of confidence Eliza was working so hard to maintain.

As silence settled momentarily over the grand ballroom while Margret locked eyes with her nephew. 

"I too look forward to spending time with your new bride," Margaret declared as she swung back toward the open double doors that lead to the dining room. When she reached the threshold, she flicked her head toward them and added, "Which is why I have accepted Lady Dupree's invitation for dinner tonight."

Annoyed, Colin shook his head, "Supper has already been prepared for us."

"Eat light. And Eliza?" Eliza stood a bit straighter, "This is a formal dinner with a sèance to follow. I do hope you're not squeamish." Eliza could feel the dare masked in politeness and she immediately knew she had to accept the challenge.

"I've always been curious about sèances. I look forward to it." Margaret smirked but didn't say anything else as she crossed into the dining room.

Colin reaches for Eliza's hand after Lady Henry disappears and tells her, "We do not need to go. We have only just arrived."

Eliza adamantly shook her head, "We're going, Colin. If I cannot handle your aunt, how am I to handle your mother?" Something crosses Colin's mind as Eliza reads his defeated expression. He then looked to Mrs. Davies and said, "Please inform Lucy and Brandon to get our formal wear ready. We apparently, are going to dinner."