Eliza did as she was told, boarding the first train back to London. When she stepped into the family home, her mother blinked in surprise, her sherry glass pausing mid-air.

"Eliza? You're home early—" Mary's words cut off as she took in her daughter's expression. "What happened?"

By the time Eliza finished explaining everything, Mary had sunk onto the chaise, one delicate hand covering her mouth.

"Lord Tennyson? A murderer and a deadbeat. I have no words."

Eliza sighed, sinking into the chair opposite. "Apparently, Colin suspected it for some time. He wasn't surprised in the least."

Mary, however, was still staring into the distance, as if trying to mentally process how one of her peers was about to be dragged through scandalous ruin.

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

Eliza gave a humorless laugh. "I imagine the Tennyson scandal will be splashed across every paper. I fully intend to shun them just as the rest of London will."

Mary sighed dramatically. "Poor Lord Bradshaw, though. He is related, after all. I'm not sure if this will taint his reputation as well."

At Colin's name, Eliza sat up, remembering what he had told her in the woods. With a mischievous glint, she raised a finger.

"Oh, and I have other news, Mother—news that may be even bigger than the Tennyson reveal."

Mary's eyes snapped back to her daughter. "More news?"

Eliza nodded, her pulse skipping. "I also discovered that Colin is the son of the Duke of Fife."

Mary dropped her hand and straightened her spine. "Lord Bradshaw is a marquess?" she gasped.

"Apparently, that's where his title comes from. I had no idea—not a single person clarified his position to me. I'm surprised Aunt Jane did not know." Eliza exhaled, still reeling from the revelation.

Mary stared at her, then leaned forward eagerly. "Well? How did you leave things, darling? Do I dare wonder if my daughter is about to become a marchioness?"

Eliza's face burned as she shook her head and dropped it into her hands. Mary, suddenly alight with curiosity, popped off the chaise and crossed the room, settling beside her daughter on the sofa. She gently pried Eliza's hands from her face. "Tell me."

Eliza sighed, her voice muffled with hesitation. "He said his title didn't matter to him. That he wanted to take the next step in our relationship. That he did take Adelaide to the dinner party but only for work."

Mary's expression softened, a knowing smile curving her lips. "Oh, you like him, don't you, my darling?"

Eliza glanced up, her heart hammering in her chest. She hesitated, then gave a small nod. Mary studied her, her smile fading just slightly. "Why do you seem so scared?"

"Because he's...just look at him!" Eliza burst out, throwing her hands in the air. "He looks like that, and he's the son of a Duke! He could have any woman in England!"

Mary arched a brow. "And he's choosing you. I don't know why you seem so surprised."

Eliza huffed, folding her arms. "I'm nervous that every time we're together, he'll have to justify marrying me."

Mary simply shook 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 sighed. She knew her mother was right.

"That, and you're the daughter of an Earl who will inherit," Mary added matter-of-factly. "No one would question the link. If anything, a matchmaker could have arranged it."

Eliza frowned. She hated thinking about it in such cold, political terms but her mother wasn't wrong. On paper, their connection made perfect sense. Still, she didn't understand why she suddenly felt so insecure. This man had seen her at her worst and still wanted her. What did she have to lose?

Mary reached out, gently tilting Eliza's chin up. "I don't know why you're so in your head about this. You're smitten, and you'll regret it if he leaves for Sussex without knowing what's in your heart. Don't overthink this, love."

Eliza swallowed. "I'm trying my best not to. But... I feel squeamish about finding love when Penelope was murdered." She exhaled shakily. "I wish the circumstances of our relationship were different."

It would be morbid, wouldn't it? One day, someone would ask how she and Colin met, and she'd have to say, "Oh, he was the lead detective on my best friend's murder investigation."

Mary shook her head. "You can't help where or who you fall in love with, darling. If anything, be grateful that something wonderful came out of this horrid business." Eliza nodded slowly. A deep chime from the grandfather clock echoed through the house announcing it was midnight.

Mary squeezed her daughter's hand. "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 gave a small smile, and they both rose from the sofa. But before she could leave, Mary pulled her into an unusually tight, lingering embrace.

Eliza held onto her mother for a moment longer than usual before heading upstairs. She should have been too exhausted to make it to bed but somehow, she climbed every step. She had traipsed all over Kent and cried all the way back to London. Her body and mind were utterly drained.

Lucy had the rest of the night off—Eliza insisted, knowing she needed the rest as well. So, when she stepped into her room, it was quiet. Still. She barely had the energy to undress. Her fingers were moving lazily over the buttons of her blouse when she heard a soft tap at the window.

Perched on the tree outside her window, Colin looked every bit the rogue she had accused him of being. Heart racing, she grabbed her robe, hastily tying it over her half-open shirt, and dashed to the window.

"I didn't know if I should come," Colin said hesitantly as he stepped over the windowsill, his movements careful.

"What made you apprehensive?" Eliza asked, clutching her robe closed.

"I didn't know if you'd be awake," he admitted, "And you seemed appalled you had let me in previously when you became aware of my title." Eliza exhaled, releasing a long breath. He stood near her vanity, hands tucked into the pockets of his navy trousers, exhaustion evident in the slope of his shoulders.

"How did things go in Kent?" she asked.

He blew out a slow breath before answering, "It'll be front-page news all over London tomorrow morning."

Eliza's stomach tightened. "My name won't be printed, will it?"

Colin hesitated before nodding. "I believe your abduction may be mentioned. The driver was eager to talk." He rubbed his fingers together in the universal sign for bribery, and Eliza groaned as she sank onto the edge of her bed.

"I was hoping just Andrew's arrest would be the story. I should have known it wouldn't be so simple," she admitted.

Colin tilted his head slightly, watching her carefully. "And how are you?" Eliza knew what he was really asking. He wanted to pick up where they had left off in Kent. Now that the case was over, he needed to know if this—if they—end here?

She took a deep breath, summoning her courage. "I'm alright. I'm glad you managed to solve this and that you can go back to Sussex with everything wrapped up neatly with a bow."

Colin's jaw tightened. "Does that include you? Being wrapped up neatly with a bow and coming to Sussex with me?" His voice was eager yet cautious, his body still maintaining a careful distance. Her pulse fluttered. She met his intense blue gaze before slowly releasing the hand clutching her robe.

"My mother has practically already written our engagement announcement for The Times," she finally said with a smirk.

Colin let out a small, breathless laugh. "I haven't been granted proper permission from your father. I can't ask you what I want to without it."

Eliza grinned and took a step closer. "You are the son of a Duke and the object of his daughter's affection. You don't need to ask for his blessing—it's already been given."

Colin reached for her hands, his grip warm and steady.

"I would be a lucky woman," she whispered, "if I am able to not only marry a marquess but the man I love." Colin's breath hitched. "Marriages based on love in our circles are myths. Fairy tales."

"The man you love, hmm?" Colin asked, a smile still playing on his lips.

"Oh Colin, you've consumed my every thought since the moment I confronted you at the Erikson's. I dream of your smile and ache for your touch. I understand now why women go mad when they are in love."

Eliza tilted her chin up to him. He didn't hesitate—his lips found hers as he pulled her against him. His hands framed her face, warm and steady, while her arms wound tightly around his waist. For a few stolen moments, they were lost in each other, but when Colin finally pulled away, his breath was uneven.

"We are going to need a very quick engagement," he murmured. "I don't know how much longer I can keep kissing you alone in a room and leave it at that."

Eliza grinned. "Well, in order to have a quick engagement, I'd need to be properly proposed to first. Once we have that obstacle out of the way..."

Colin took a step back, still grinning. "I shall go get my ducks in a row then. I'll contact my father and get proper permission from yours." He was already striding toward the window when Eliza added,

"You'll also need a ring."

He turned, his eyes glinting with amusement. He unlatched the window but hesitated before sliding it open.

"You're not going to have me tell my father I've found the woman I want to marry only to deny me, are you?" he asked. "You're in this? All in?"

Eliza folded her arms over her chest. "You're not going to have me 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 let out a hearty laugh. "The only woman who 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 teased, making him chuckle again.

"You won't just tell me now that you'll say yes, will you?" Colin asked, arching a brow.

Eliza shook her head. "Guess you'll just have to propose and see."

THE END

THE END! THANK YOU FOR READING MY VERY FIRST HISTORICAL FICTION MURDER MYSTERY! I ENJOYED DOING SOMETHING DIFFERENT :) IF YOU ENJOYED IT PLEASE CHECK OUT THE SEQUEL! THANK YOU THANK YOU, READERS!

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

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