Two nights before Christmas, everything was in its place. Annie had come over early and she and Lizzie were getting ready together for the lavish holiday party. Lady Jane had spent months planning everything to the last detail. She had hired chefs, caterers, waiters, bartenders, hostesses, musicians, and drivers. The guest list was long and distinguished. A photographer from the society pages was also present to document the worthies in all of their finery.

Upstairs in Lizzie's suite, Annie made one final adjustment to Lizzie's bright red dress. It was an elegantly modern ensemble from a top fashion house in Paris. It had set the lady Jane back over €1,000. Lizzie looked down at her breasts, tugged up at the dress, and rolled her eyes at her friend. "A, that's an awful lot of cleavage, one wrong move and I'm sure that they'll flop right out."

Annie laughed and looked down at her own even more ample chest. "Oh, just don't bend over too far and you'll be fine."

Annie then handed Lizzie a mirror. "Elizabeth, we're best friends so I can be honest with you right?"

Lizzie looked concerned for a moment. "Yes, of course. Is something wrong?"

Annie laughed at the question. "No silly girl. I just wanted to say that right now, you are one of the most beautiful and elegant women I have ever seen."

Lizzie blushed and stammered. "Anne, I..."

"Elizabeth, stand up straight, smile, and play the part. You are gorgeous and will be the center of attention so act it."

Elizabeth saluted sharply. "Yes, ma'am. Okay, then this is it. We're a go. I'll call Edward and have him meet us in the upstairs library. He is expecting my call, I suspect that he thinks that this is to make a formal commitment of some kind."

Annie gave her friend a sad smile. "Do let the young man down gently; he's as much a pawn in this game of thrones as you are."

A few minutes later, Sir Edward arrived at the small private library. He was a tall thin man with a narrow face and the already thinning light brown hair which ran in his family. He greeted the two women warmly. "Miss Anne, Lady Elizabeth, I'm honored."

Lizzie gestured to the door. "Annie, as we discussed."

Annie bowed slightly. "Right then, I'll make sure that you are not disturbed, my lady."

With that, Annie left the elegant library and closed the padded leather door behind her. Edward nervously tugged at the colored sash over the shoulder of his tuxedo. "Lady Elizabeth, at this time I would like to."

Lizzie shook her head and cut him off midsentence. "Sir Edward, I'm afraid that you have been misled."

"I don't understand. I was told that you and your mother and my family had agreed to..."

Lizzie shook her head sadly. "I'm sorry Edward, I don't know exactly what my mother has arranged or agreed to, but I am not marrying you or anyone else."

Edward managed to stammer. "But Lady Jane was adamant that you needed a spouse of rank and an heir, and I need the same, so it made perfect sense as a very reasonable arrangement."

Lizzie shook her head again. "Edward, it is the 21st century. I hold my lands and title in my own name and do not need an arrangement of any sort. What I do need to do is to finish my University degree and return here to make the estate profitable again and keep it out of the National Trust."

"Yes, of course, I understand all that, and with my money, we can..."

"No, enough! There will be no engagement, no marriage, and no more arrangements."

Edward looked down at his brightly polished black leather shoes. "I see. I shall speak to my parents about this misunderstanding. I apologize. But if any of this was about sex, once we had an heir and a spare I wouldn't bother you again and if you were discreet you could..."

Finally, Lizzie put two and two together and figured it all out. She reached over to gently hold Edward's hand. His palm was clammy and he was trembling a bit. She asked softly. "Edward, are you gay?"

He nodded silently and whispered. "So you see, I must have an heir and no one can know."

"Edward, the world has changed. Don't be forced to live a lie. Be yourself and try to find happiness wherever you can. It's not like you are the first gay Duke in English history after all."

The tall young man gave her a sad look and whispered. "Elizabeth, please don't tell anyone."

She squeezed his hand gently. "Do your parents know?"

He shook his head sadly again. "My mother does, but it would kill my father."

Lizzie let go of Edward's hand. "I won't tell a soul, not even Annie. It is your secret to keep."

"Thank you, Elizabeth, you are a fine lady."

Lizzie nodded. "Edward, there's just one more little thing, when I am announced from the grand staircase in a few minutes I will make an equally grand entrance and will then be making quite a scene directed at my lady mother. I apologize to you and your family in advance but her meddling in my affairs must come to an end. The very public drama you are about to witness will ensure that everyone knows that my life is mine to plan and no one else's!"

Edward somehow appeared to be more relaxed. "I see, but then what?"

"I will disappear from the scene and go off the grid to complete my University degree, far away from here."

Just over 50 later, all but two of the guests had been announced. At the center of the ballroom, Lady Jane sipped champagne and stood next to Edward's parents. She was holding her glass in anticipation of a celebratory toast. She began to sense that something was amiss when the caller announced. "Sir Edward Huddleston."

The tall young man descended the sweeping stairs alone with a forced smile on his face. A few moments later Lizzie appeared at the top of the steps. Jane observed how beautiful her stubborn daughter looked. Her long blonde hair was topped by a three-hundred-year-old diamond tiara and the sapphire between her breasts was the size of a quail egg. Lizzie smiled and nodded to the old family servant who announced her in a loud and clear voice. "The Lady Elizabeth Diana Ygraine Windsor, Duchess of High Garden."

Lizzie smiled and gracefully stepped down to the middle platform. She gestured to the assembled partygoers. "Welcome to our home. The Lady Jane and I are so pleased that you are here. Please enjoy the party. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all."

As the assembled party guests applauded, Lizzie made her way down the staircase and then stopped on the third step. She looked around the room and made a few careful observations. Edward had moved to a quiet corner with his parents. Lady Jane was in the center of the room surrounded by several high-ranking guests. Annie was strategically located on the side staircase with a small HD camcorder in her hand. Lizzie made eye contact. Annie nodded slightly and mouthed three – two – one, action.

Lizzie stepped down to the floor and strode directly to her mother. Jane smiled and said. "Elizabeth, you look very lovely tonight, may I introduce..."

"No Mother, you may not!"

Lizzie smiled at her guests. "Ladies and gentlemen I offer my apologies. I must say a few things to the Lady Jane and they may as well be in public."

The room became almost silent as Lizzie turned towards her mother, she then removed the diamond tiara and handed it to Jane. Next, she reached behind her elegant neck, unclasped the ornate Edwardian platinum necklace and Sapphire, and handed them to her mother. Finally, she removed two more diamond hairpins dropped them ceremoniously to the floor, shook out her long blonde hair, let it flow down her back, and began the speech that she had been rehearsing in her mind for weeks. "Mother, there will be no engagement, no marriage, and no more of your clandestine arrangements. There will be none of this nonsense ever again!"

"Elizabeth dear I just want the best for you..."

Lizzie's blood pressure was rising for real and it was no longer an act. "Don't dear me mother. If and when I marry it will be to somebody I choose and someone who chooses me. Here is what happens next. I will return to University and complete my degree as I promised father and that is that."

The crowd parted as Lizzie turned towards the main door, she looked over her bare shoulder at the shocked look on her mother's face. The last thing she said so all could hear was. "Don't look for me. Don't come after me. If you behave, I will do you the courtesy of a call when I arrive at University."

As Lizzie exited stage left of the grand ballroom the previous silence was replaced by the buzz and murmur of the crowd.

Lizzie thought to herself...and scene.

Once she exited the ballroom and passed the shocked guests she went to the main entrance of the grand old house. The doorman opened the huge carved oak door and nodded respectfully. Lizzie immediately turned right towards the side of the house, walked down a gravel path, and passed through an ornate hedge as she made her way to the equipment barn. The rain had begun to fall in earnest and it felt good on her bare shoulders. The large cold drops masked the tears streaming down her cheeks. Parked next to a large mowing machine was her late father's 1978 black MGB-GT. Brandon had made sure that it was ready to go. She opened the boot, took off her high heels, and dropped them unceremoniously next to the spare tire. She removed a pair of old Nike running shoes and slipped them on. Lizzie then got into the car, started it up, and drove off into the gloomy, wet darkness.