Eliot returns to the salon, pausing at the door to take in the scene of Sophie laugh with her sisters, even Parker is deeply engaged in the giggles. Eliot has not seen either of them this happy in a very long time. Even Hardison and Connie have joined the sewing circle to share the joy. As Eliot enters the room, he is immediately beckoned to fill the seat between Teddy and Frankie. The conversation lingers over glasses of Sherry for another hour or so. Eliot, Hardison, Sophie, Parker, and Teddy make their way towards their rooms to change for dinner. As they approach the hall, Teddy spies something out the window that draws her attention and beg off of an escort the rest of the way. Sophie spies what Teddy saw out the window. She knows that Teddy is heading to chat with Connie as she spies Connie wandering towards what forever will be "their" spot.
With a quizzical look exchanged, Sophie clarifies with, "Connie", as they continue on their way down the hall. After Eliot and the others leave her, Sophie makes her way to join Teddy and Connie. Sophie slips out the door and down to the spot under the arches. Her approach is a moment of pure nostalgia for Sophie. This was the spot that she and Teddy would steal away to when they were girls. Teddy must have passed it down to Connie at some point in their history. "Their" spot is the old chapel which has long since fallen from use eons ago. Sophie creaks the door open to find Connie and Teddy sitting on the steps of the former altar.
Sophie walks up between the pews on her approach to her siblings. Connie looks up startled to see Sophie. "Relax, darling, trust me, she and I invented this concept, Puddle-Duck." Sophie casts a wave in Teddy's direction. Sophie plucks the joint from Connie's lips enjoying a trip back into her past as Teddy eyes her with a smile. The room is lit in dazzling colors from the lights of the house mixed with the rapidly fading sun. This was where she and Teddy would share secrets, swiped flasks, and many a cigarette when home from boarding school and university. Sophie fondly remembers Teddy's Brighton blue blazer hanging off the final pew in the row.
Teddy stretches out on the stone as she has done since she was a girl. When life got to be too much, this was where Sophie would find her sibling. Sophie has to wonder when Teddy shared this secret with Connie though she is not surprised. Connie and Teddy are so very much alike. Connie has always been a bit of an odd duck and despite his best efforts to conceal his differences, his oldest sisters always saw through the charade. Connie always sought refuge in Teddy's world, where he could be his authentic self. Connie's path to his authentic self is letting himself out of the closet. There was always so much pressure on him as the male heir to the Cavendish name.
"So how is Oxford." Sophie taps Connie on the leg. "It's Oxford. You know all pomp and a bit of circumstance." Connie's eyes fall as he answers. Sophie knows that Connie is struggling. She wraps her arm around the youngest as an offer of comfort. Teddy pipes up. "When do you go back?" Connie smiles at the possibilities that come with that question from Teddy. "Mid January." Sophie has to smile at the sudden hope in Connie's eyes with the potential offer from Sophie. "Come and hang with Raffy." With a smile, Sophie has to ask what a Raffy is. Teddy offers a wicked side glance as she answers. "You will see tomorrow." What cannot be denied is the relief and joy that has manifested in Connie at the thought of not having to spend the break in the "prison." Teddy lightens the mood by sharing some stories of his sisters' misspent youth associated with this space. Sophie swears that Teddy had a Maurder's map of the House. She always had a dozen escape routes mapped from any given room. Time passes far too quickly as Sophie glances at her watch with the announcement that they have to head in to prepare for dinner.
Eliot has spent the last few hours pondering what the conversation with the Duke meant. He enlisted Hardison's help to see if Hardison could dig up any details as to what is in the works. As he and Eliot sit with the screen illuminating the history of the Cavendish family before them. Hardison makes an offhanded comment that touches Eliot. Hardison mentioned how nice this all is, not the ridiculous wealth or surroundings, the family is the center of his comment. There is joy here. Eliot has felt what Hardison is trying to articulate. As they dig, Eliot is surprised that nothing is obvious, there is no obvious threat, yet something prompted the Duke to engage him. The Duke knowing of his, his particular skills is not shocking. Eliot's services are known in certain circles. The circles of powerful men are small. What the Duke referred to was personal, deeply personal. Damien was not his only dalliance into the world of powerful men and their children.
As Eliot makes his way back to his room to change for dinner, he runs into Sophie in the hall. With a quick sniff of the air, Eliot asks. "Are you high?" Sophie offers a quirky smile that she is unable to conceal. "How..." Eliot does not allow her to finish. "You smell like Woodstock, it is a distinctive smell." Sophie taps Eliot on the nose with an air of whimsey which charms Eliot. "Come on, let's sober you up for dinner, shall we." Eliot offers an arm to escort Sophie the rest of the way. As Eliot drops Sophie into her room, he sees Teddy in the hall with an exchanged smile that Sophie notices. "You have to share exactly how you know my baby sister, Eliot." Sophie again taps Eliot on the nose.