After a fitful nights sleep, Eliza woke feeling more tired than she had in months. After Higgins had informed her he was writing his will that would leave his property to her, he had made it very clear the conversation was over for the evening and insisted they both retire for the evening. Reluctantly she had withdrawn to her room.

Walking into the dining room, she found Higgins and Colonel Pickering eating breakfast. Unlike how she felt, Higgins looked refreshed and appeared to be eating his toast with gusto.

'Good morning,' Eliza took her chair with a shaky hand and sat.

' Good morning Eliza,' Pickering appeared his usual oblivious self. Higgins looked at her as he sipped his tea. His face was a blank canvas for once. Any other time Eliza could read him like a book.

' Eat up Eliza' Higgins pushed the toast holder towards her. ' We have an appointment this morning.'

' Where are we going?'

' We have an appointment to sort what we discussed last night.' Pickering never even looked up. Eliza dropped her toast onto the plate and pushed it away.

' I'll go get ready' she left the room as quickly as she could.

XxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxX

The office of the solicitor was oak panelled, dusty, old and very male.

' I'm afraid there is no one here today Professor, ' the flustered secretary moved papers randomly around the desk.

' What do you mean, I arranged an appointment with Mr Hale.'

' I know, but something came up and I'm not certain when he'll be back in.' She avoided his gaze.

' I'm certain this is not ideal but...'

' But I leave on Thursday' Higgins blurted out without thinking. Eliza looked at him her eyes somewhere between anguish and anger. So this was the reason he wanted to suddenly write his will. Planning was one thing, immediate circumstance was another.

At this moment before she could comment, an elderly male, tall, lizard like entered the room.

' Professor, apologies, my son had to leave yesterday quite urgently. My grandson has been wounded and this left my son and his wife quite worried as you can imagine.'

Higgins felt a little remorseful about letting his temper start to show.

' Of course, I understand. Are you a solicitor?'

' Alas not anymore. I can give you some advice but I haven't practiced for years.'

' And your advice would be what?'

The elderly man looked at Higgins noticing his age and becoming rather doubtful about his reasons for leaving would be for active service.

' May I ask where you are going and how long you will be away from Thursday Professor?'

Higgins hesitated. ' I am engaged with the War Office, I'm afraid I cannot discuss where I am going, but I do need to sort my personal affairs just in case you understand.'

The retired solicitor nodded sagely, ' I'm afraid it will be impossible for this office to write you a will in time and get it legalised and notarised before Thursday. May I offer another course of action?'

Higgins nodded and looked at Eliza who until that moment had been sat quietly next to him.

'Well,' the man continued, ' if this lady is to be the sole beneficiary, ther are two reasons a man would leave everything to a female, either she is related, mother, sister etc, or he is in love with her, I suggest if you are not related, you marry her.'

Higgins turned slightly towards Eliza, who had turned quite pale.

' Well Eliza, you heard the man. To make this a lot easier and smoother, we need a marriage of convenience. You up for the challenge old girl?'

Without thought, Eliza nodded. 'Of course, if it makes matters easier before you leave on Thursday Henry.' Higgins had never heard her use his first name before. He quite liked the way she said it.

'Then that's settled.' Higgins stood up. 'May I use your telephone, I need to make some arrangements through my mother...she's never going to believe this!'