Part 3
Mr Rupert Parker's townhouse was a short walk from Eliza's own childhood townhouse, so instead of getting a carriage, Eliza and William chose to walk. It was not yet completely dark, and the young lamplighters were all at work hurriedly lighting the gas streetlamps.
The streets were quiet, aside from the odd couple out for an evening stroll and the occasional horse and carriage trotting past them. William had folded his arm across his body and Eliza gingerly tucked her own arm into his, as they fell into a comfortable, quiet walk.
Holding William's arm like this as they walked was a recent development in their friendship, one that Eliza still wasn't always completely comfortable with. It always felt to her like rather an intimate thing to do. Still, it was a little chilly outside, and she was enjoying the warmth of being so close to him.
"How was your day?" William asked, by way of making conversation while they walked.
He didn't like to admit it, but he rather liked that Eliza was willing to link arms with him occasionally when they walked together, whereas previously, she was always keen to keep her distance from him. It gave him the hope that things might possibly be changing between them.
"It was fine, yours?" Eliza asked.
Since she'd resolved her latest case, it had actually been a particularly quiet day in her office, but she couldn't admit it to William. She never wanted him to think she was failing at her new venture, or that perhaps things weren't as busy as she would have liked.
"The usual. I had to see Mr Potts at the city morgue this morning."
William noticed from the corner of his eye that this made her smile. Mr Potts had been particularly relieved that for once he'd arrived without Eliza in tow.
"Oh really," she smirked. "Did you give him my regards?"
Eliza wasn't sure what was more fun, annoying William or Mr Potts, who never liked it when she was at the mortuary. It's no place for a Lady, he would always tell her gruffly, despite the fact that nothing bad had ever occurred while she was there.
"Strangely he did question if you were accompanying me. I quite enjoyed toying with him, that you have a habit of turning up when I least expect, so it was always possible. He spent the whole time watching the door, nervously waiting for you." They shared a laugh as they arrived at the steps of Mr Parker's townhouse.
"Just to be clear I'm still mad at you William," Eliza confirmed, slipping her arm out from his and eyeing him cautiously.
"That has been duly noted," William replied with a half smile. Though he wasn't entirely sure if it was for their argument at Victoria Police station, or the fact he'd not declined Mr Parker's offer to attend this evening. Still, she only seemed half mad at him, so he took that as positive.
Eliza stepped forward, to knock on the red front door of Rupert Parker's home, and waited for it to be opened by one of his staff for the evening.
Rupert didn't usually keep many staff at his house. He much preferred to keep himself to himself. That way, there were less prying eyes to see the company he occasionally kept. Eliza herself had only ever met the same two gentlemen butlers on previous visits to her friend's house.
She was a little surprised when an unfamiliar maid opened the door. She wore a rather formal black dress and white apron with a white cloth hat covering her dark hair. She let them in, and then took their coats. Eliza had been here before, so did not need to be shown the way to the drawing room. She didn't know that William too had been here before also.
There was a loud din of conversation as they climbed the stairs up to the second floor, and got closer to the drinks reception. Eliza silently wondered just how many people would be at this party. She wasn't used to being invited to dinner parties like these, and this kind of thing was decidedly outside of her comfort zone.
As if he sensed her nervousness, William placed a gentle comforting hand on her lower back, just for a moment, as they reached the top of the stairs and crossed the landing. Eliza was actually rather grateful to have him there with her, though she would never admit that. She felt a little cold as he dropped his hand away when they reached the doorway of Rupert's drawing room.
When they entered, Eliza took in the large pale blue and white drawing room, with the soft yellow drapes pulled shut over the three large windows. The room was filled with different vases of sweet smelling white carnations and pink roses, symbols of calm and happiness, instead of Rupert's usual choice of the deep blue midnight rose.
The beautiful crystal chandelier hung from the ceiling with it's candles all lit and there were plenty of lit white candles in gold candlesticks decorating each table, sideboard and on the mantle around the fireplace, bathing the room in a comforting warm yellow light.
The large glass cabinets had been removed from the room and the green and gold patterned armchairs had been pushed off the rug in the centre of the room and were up against the walls, creating a large open space in the centre, where the guests were all happily talking.
The two male butlers, who Eliza had previous met at the house, were suited up in formal black trousers, white shirts, black waistcoats and bow ties, with white aprons around their waists. They were both walking with a tray of champagne glasses offering them to Rupert and Tilly's guests.
As they moved away from the doorway, Eliza looked around and noted Rupert and Tilly in the far corner, and counted four sets of couples in the room, who were all mingling with each other.
Rupert was dressed in a formal black dinning suit, but his usual more flamboyant taste was included in the discreet sewn pattern on his waistcoat instead of the standard plain black for an evening suit. He was seemingly comfortable talking with the guests he didn't know.
Tilly looked rather beautiful, in a deep green satin dress, fitted tightly around her body, with a boat neckline and sleeves that covered just her shoulders, and a large flowing skirt. She finished her look with long silk black gloves covering her hands and arms. Her dark brown hair was rather softer then Eliza was used to seeing, as it was pulled back in to a loose bun, and decorated with some small white daisy flowers, the symbol of innocence and hope.
Eliza rubbed her mothers wedding ring that she wore on her right hand with her thumb. She remembered her being such a presence at parties when she was younger, and hoped she could channel some of her sprit to get through the evening.
Then Eliza noticed someone in the middle of all the guests, someone she once knew, who she had not seen in years, and had long ago hoped she would never have to see again. Arabella Herbert.
They had gone to school together, and they had never once gotten along. One fight with Arabella had even very nearly got her thrown out of her school, had Henry not intervened and persuaded the headmaster to let her stay. Arabella remained on her firm list of enemies, even now.
"And the hits keep on coming," Eliza groaned and whispered through gritted teeth, as she noticed Arabella recognize her from across the room and suddenly move towards them.
"Sorry?" William queried, wondering if he'd heard her correctly. He sensed a change in her and that something wasn't quite right.
"Eliza Scarlet!" The high pitched squeal of her name made Eliza want to run in the opposite direction as fast as she could, but her feet didn't listen, so she put on the best fake smile she could muster.
"Arabella," Eliza said, as she reached them.
"I haven't seen you since school!" Arabella said enthusiastically. She leaned in and gave Eliza an unexpected kiss on the cheek. Eliza was rather shocked by the action.
Arabella hadn't changed a bit since Eliza had last seen her on her last day at school. She was still only an inch taller then Eliza in height and wore her blonde hair harshly pulled back in a tight twist at the back of her head.
Her dress was a garish shade of green with white flower embroidery. The bodice was tight all around her body, and it had a straight skirt with a large ruffle at the back. In Eliza's opinion, her make up was far too thick and she wore far too much rouge. She displayed a heavily jeweled diamond necklace, which looked exceptionally expensive, and large diamond drop earrings.
"Yes, it's been a while." Eliza kept her tone light and polite, despite her feelings towards her.
"Why you've barely changed Eliza." Eliza offered a polite smile, which only seemed to give Arabella an opening to give Eliza and William her own life story.
"I'm married now, Mrs Goldberg," she told them, excitedly flashing a large intricately decorated engagement ring next to her plain gold wedding band happily. She pointed towards a tall slim man with thinning blond hair, in a black dinner suit, who was speaking with Rupert and Tilly.
"That's my husband, Mr Hugo Goldberg, he's a senior partner at his father law firm in the city. We're very happily married for 5 years, and have large house in Belgravia. I've recently been spending my time…."
Arabella continued to speak quickly and proudly about her high society life, while William wondered just who this woman was as he stood by, quietly waiting to be introduced. She didn't seem like the type of person Eliza would entertain, far to interested in showing off and seemingly looking down on everyone.
"And who's you're friend?" She finally asked Eliza, looking in William's direction. "I see you're not married," she noted with glee, glancing and pointing at Eliza's ringless wedding finger.
"Erm," Eliza stumbled, looking at William then back to Arabella. She knew the moment she mentioned that William was a police detective at Scotland Yard Arabella would pounce.
"This is … William Wellington," Eliza said slowly.
William nodded his head and offered his greeting while he hid his confusion well. He couldn't remember Eliza ever introducing him without using his title of Detective Inspector. Certainly, they were usually out working a case, but still, this was curious why she wouldn't use it, especially since Arabella seemed so intent on looking down on her. It wasn't like Eliza to be ashamed of his job.
Eliza was hoping that Arabella might get distracted, and forget to question what William did for his profession. She might have even gotten away with it, had it not been for Mr Rupert Parker and his impeccable timing.
"Ah, Miss Scarlet, Inspector Wellington, so lovely you could both make it," Rupert announced. He'd already picked up two glasses of champagne from one of the butlers trays and held them out for Eliza and William to take.
Eliza caught the look of pure glee on Arabella's face get wider, and silently wished the ground would just open up and swallow her.
Rupert leaned into Eliza as if to give her a kiss on her cheek, but instead merely whispered in her ear, "thank you so much." It was so genuine and full of relief that she was there, that Eliza couldn't even be mad at him for inadvertently dropping her in it with Arabella.
"Thank you for inviting us Mr Parker." Eliza gave him a supportive glance, and took a gulp of the champagne. It wasn't really to her taste, but quite frankly she was going to need it.
"You are looking very lovely tonight," Rupert offered to Eliza, "I see you've already met Mrs Goldberg, and we also have Mr and Mrs Rosenthal, Mr and Mrs Stratton, and finally Mr and Mrs Thompson."
Rupert went round the room pointing out each of the couples to them, until he met the steely gaze of Tilly Hildegard, clearly eyeing his interaction with Eliza with curiosity. As Eliza suspected, Tilly was not best pleased with her attendance this evening and if she was honest, right now, she didn't want to be there anymore then Tilly wanted her there.
"The house looks lovely Mr Parker, Fraulein Hildegard has out done herself."
"Yes, she's certainly been very … enthusiastic about tonight," Rupert stammered, taking a gulp of his drink. There was a tone of frustration to him as they shared a knowing glance. They both noticed Tilly in the background giving him a hard stare and motioning with her head to try to move him along, and Rupert let out a light sigh.
"Well, I must see to the other guests, I shall be back with you momentarily."
Eliza wished Rupert hadn't had to leave. With him gone she had to return her attention to Arabella, who Eliza knew was sure to pass judgment on her and comment on William's profession. Which she almost instantly did the second Rupert's back was turned.
"So, a police officer," Arabella said to William, with a full smile, that lit up her green eyes with pure joy, before returning her attention to Eliza.
"Yes," Eliza said firmly. "William is a Detective Inspector at Scotland Yard." Eliza took a breath and waiting for the onslaught she knew was coming.
"I should have known he would be a police officer. I mean at school you always did have a thing for the police. I suppose if you can't join them and become a police officer yourself, you might as well marry one. Right."
There was a tone of unadulterated joy in Arabella's voice, as she belittled Eliza without actually saying anything insulting. William quickly understood perhaps why Eliza hadn't introduced him properly, and he was starting to rather dislike this woman, whoever she was.
Eliza could feel her frustration building, and with gritted teeth she went to respond, but she felt William move a step closer to her side and his hand discreetly press on the small of her back as he spoke.
"Eliza actually works with me at Scotland Yard. She has her own Private Detective agency," he told her, with a defiant, challenging look. "We've worked on a number of large cases together, Murders, bomb plots, she's even helped stop one of the largest forgery operations we've seen at Scotland Yard. I'm surprised you didn't read about that one in the papers."
He might not have liked the idea that Eliza was working as a private detective, or even fully agreed with her doing it, but that didn't mean he was going to stand idly by and let someone else insult her.
Eliza gave a small smile as William looked at her, and for the first time he almost sounded proud of her accomplishments working with him. She also enjoyed the look on Arabella's face drop as William jumped to her defense.
"I don't often concern myself with the escapades of the police. I have far too many more important things to be dealing with." Arabella attempted to keep her politeness, but even William could tell this was now forced.
"I'm sure," Eliza told her. With that final dig, Eliza had lost her patience and her ability to be polite.
"… And just how long did that black eye I gave you take to heal?" Eliza asked, with forced politeness, and an equally forced smile.
"Oh Eliza, you are funny." Arabella forced a laugh, but also gave Eliza a look of distain that she would bring that up.
"Hilarious," Eliza returned raising her eyebrows, and hoping this would at least dismiss her from this now awkward interaction.
Fortunately, Arabella did finally excuse herself, and moved on to speak with another lady, and Eliza breathed a sigh of relief.
William finally dropped his hand from her back and took a step to the side, as he turned to give Eliza a curious smile.
"What?" She shrugged, faking her innocence, and knowing from his look he expected her to elaborate further.
"You gave her a black eye?" William queried with a smile, because it certainly didn't surprised him that she would have done that, even back when she was at school.
"Of course I did," she told him with a laugh, as she remembered the fight she'd well and truly won, before looking away from his inquisitive eyes.
"And if you heard what she said to me you'd have done the same!" William could only chuckle proudly, as he watched Eliza finish off her drink with a similar proud feeling.
"You know I think this evening going to be rather interesting," William offered slyly.
"Careful William, I'm sure Fraulein Hildegard would just love to spend some alone time with you," Eliza warned. She teased him with a smile and a narrowed cheeky look in her eyes.
To be continued….
A/N: In case you haven't guessed, Arabella Herbert is the school child that Eliza had a fight with in the second flashback in Episode 1. That should make for an interesting evening, don't you think. Thank you everyone for all your kind reviews!