Tanaka prepared the carriage as Sebastian helped Ciel prepare for the outing. Cane in hand and his hat tipped down over his face, Ciel was halfway out the front door when a carriage pulled up behind his own.

The door flung open and, as expected, Marquis Alexis Leon Midford stepped out, quickly followed by his wife Frances Midford, who stiffly adjusted her dress as the Marquis assisted his daughter down.

Elizabeth was a woman now, and it showed. She no longer looked – or acted – like

a young child. Ciel knew how jealous many other noblemen were that he would be able to call her his wife; it was too bad she'd soon be a widow.

She smiled and waved when she saw him, muttering something to her parents before all but running into Ciel's arms. She was still taller than him and still much stronger – Ciel was worried she'd knock him over.

"Ciel, Ciel! Oh, Ciel, I missed you! It's been far too long."

Ciel reluctantly hugged her back. "Er… Yes… It has been too long, Elizabeth."

Elizabeth pulled back to look at his face, her eyes scrutinizing. "Have you been sleeping? You have dark circles around your eyes." Her fingers brushed his face and Ciel shrunk away.

"I've been sleeping well, actually. I suppose I'm just a bit worried about the wedding, is all…"

Elizabeth, still smiling, nodded. "I'm sure that's it. But don't worry! Everything will be alright." She kissed him lightly on the cheek and he cringed.

"Elizabeth! That's no way to behave." Frances, carrying a suit case, had appeared behind them and was glaring at Ciel over Elizabeth's shoulder. At her mother's voice Elizabeth shrunk away, muttering an apology. Frances turned her gaze to Sebastian. "Butler, why aren't you taking these bags? And you still haven't cut your hair! How improper. It's a good thing I'll be here to ensure that the living conditions will be well adjusted for Elizabeth's stay."

Sebastian bowed slightly and took the suit case from Frances, then went to get the others.

"Ciel, why are you all dressed up to leave?" Frances asked. "We aren't interrupting anything, are we?" Her voice was cold and uncaring.

"Of course not. I was just thinking that I needed to do some last minute shopping, but it can wait." Ciel said. Alexis was coming up the stairs, smiling cheerfully at him. Ciel frowned. "While Sebastian gets you're things why don't you come in out of the rain."

There was a brief mutter of agreement and Ciel guided them into the manor. Sebastian was just behind him.

"Sebastian," Ciel said, softly so only his butler could hear, "take the bags to their rooms and continue on to the crime scene. I'll entertain them for now but be quick!"

Sebastian nodded and was gone in an instant.

Ciel cleared his throat. "So, why don't we go to the drawing room and discuss-"

"Now is no time for discussion!" Alexis said, clapping Ciel on the back. "We've got plenty of time for planning later. Let us just enjoy ourselves right now! Maybe play a few games of billiards – and I hear you're good at chess? In all these years we've never played together, have we?"

Ciel internally cursed his parents – or whoever it was that had organized his marriage – and agreed sourly. "Of course. What was I thinking?" He tried to smile. "Let us head to the game room then, shall we?"

.

Elizabeth was quickly bored with watching Ciel and her father play chess and had started playing with an eight ball from the billiards table, watching absent-mindedly as the sun made its way across the darkening sky. It was slowly moving to hide behind a large tree just outside the window, peeking through the cracks in leaves and branches.

She glanced over at Ciel. The thought that she would he his wife in only a month… the time would surely pass quickly, and the thought of it made her heart flutter. However in recent years she'd learned how to keep her emotions to herself until it was necessary they be shared. She constantly wondered if Ciel liked this better than the over-enthusiastic child she'd been merely a few years ago, but was never brave enough to ask.

She turned the eight ball over in her hand. The shiny black surface reflected the dimmed sunlight, and she felt a twinge in her stomach. She hated the color black.

.

Ciel lazily slid a pawn into place on the board right next to Alexis's king, which glimmered pearly white in the limited sunlight. "Checkmate," he said for what must've been the hundredth time that day.

The marquis seemed a bit surprised, glancing from the board to Ciel and back. "My… I really need to brush up on my skills, don't I?"

Ciel smirked. "Care to play another game?"

Alexis sighed. "I'd rather not…"

Behind him Frances laughed softly, though obviously trying to hide it.

Ciel just kept smiling. "I suppose it's nearing supper, anyway. Would you like me to show you to your rooms so you can prepare?"

"Isn't that the job of a servant?" Frances asked. "Speaking of which, where's that butler of yours? Isn't this a task that should be appointed to him?"

Ciel stood. "I sent him on an errand and he hasn't returned yet. Besides, our rooms are all right near each other so it won't be much of a bother."

Frances seemed unimpressed.

Ciel waved a hand, motioning for them to follow. "Come along. I'll show you the way."

Elizabeth was next to him in moments, her arm folding into his. "Our rooms are next to each other's?" she asked.

Ciel nodded. "I thought it be better we stay close to each other, considering the whole purpose of your long-term visit is to allow you to become accustomed to living here."

Elizabeth smiled. "That's very smart of you, Ciel," she said affectionately, squeezing his hand.

Ciel simply nodded, resisting the urge to pull away. He would have to get used to this, despite his reluctance to be in a romance with Elizabeth. So instead he just endured, leading her through the winding hallways.

.

Bard examined the note left on the kitchen counter, surprised that Sebastian would trust him with such a duty. As he read through the recipe left for dinner he gleefully noted all of the areas in which he could alter things to make them more exciting. He was sure rolls toasted with a flame-thrower would be delicious.

Without much hesitation he told Mey Rin to set the table and went to work.

.

Ciel stared at the plate in front of him with absolute shock. He knew Sebastian wasn't back yet, but he hadn't considered that Bard would have to prepare dinner.

Frances poked at a lump of chicken with her fork. "This looks awful," she said. "Hopefully my daughter won't be fed like this regularly – is this even edible?"

Ciel hesitated before skewering something onto his fork and putting it cautiously in his mouth. He tried not to gag, chewing slowly and forcing himself to swallow. "Of course… You wouldn't expect anything less of me, surely?"

Frances glared at him before reluctantly starting in. Elizabeth seemed skeptical, while Alexis was already eating, though he didn't seem pleased. Ciel continued to eat, as well. He took every possible chance to send a glare in Bard's direction.

"It's so poorly seasoned!" Frances said. "And far too overcooked. It's so tough I can barely chew it."

Ciel couldn't disagree so he stayed silent.

"The corn isn't so bad…" Elizabeth said.

Frances disagreed stubbornly. "It's cold." She picked up a blackened roll. "And what is this?"

Ciel had never been more ashamed in his life. Where is Sebastian?

All through the meal Frances complained, as though it were Ciel's complete fault that the potatoes were unrecognizable lumps. Elizabeth tried to counter her mother's sharp criticism, but Ciel was quick to silence her to save his own dignity.

When the main course was finished Mey Rin appeared to collect plates, promising dessert in a moment. Ciel contemplated telling her not to bother in fear of being sick the next day.

However all his fears were dispelled when Sebastian appeared with four perfect parfaits, placing them gently in front of each person, apologizing smoothly for the inconvenience before taking his place behind Ciel.

Frances stared in astonishment before taking a timid bite. "Ah… this is amazing!"

"If I couldn't make a decent parfait what kind of butler would I be?" Sebastian smirked.

Ciel watched carefully as Alexis and Elizabeth both followed their matron's example, erupting in compliments. A smile curled his lips and he turned to Sebastian. "Did you find anything?" he asked quietly.

"I'll show you later."

Nodding, Ciel turned to his own parfait. He wasn't hungry, though. For the first time ever Sebastian's presence left him feeling unnerved. Something just wasn't right.

Ciel pushed his chair back after a few moments of half-heartedly poking at the parfait. "If you don't mind I'll be excusing myself early. Goodnight." Without giving anyone else a chance to reply he started away, waving for Sebastian to follow. As soon as they were out of the dining room Sebastian leaned down to whisper in Ciel's ear, as if concerned about being overheard. "My lord, is something the matter?"

Ciel lightly pushed him back. "Of course not. I'm just anxious to hear about the murders."

Sebastian frowned before producing a crumpled paper and offering it to Ciel. "I borrowed this from the Yard."

Ciel examined the wadded paper, frowning. "Sloppy."

"Quite the opposite, actually. It's just as I found it."

Ciel scowled. Everything about the butler was bothering him tonight. The slight curved smirk on his lips, how that one obnoxious strand of hair hung over his forehead, the way those crimson eyes burned with terrifying wisdom; those eyes were a terrible reminder of how much he knew every time Ciel looked at them.

Ciel turned and continued toward the staircase. "Come. The Midfords might hear us down here."