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It was pleasant weather at the Phantomhive estate. The birds were singing, the sun shone brightly in the gardens, and a gentle gust would ruffle the immaculately kept flowers and hedges. The servants were busying themselves around the estate with their various duties, there now being many more servants in the employ of the family then there had been when the former Earl had been in charge.

Lady Elizabeth Countess of Phantomhive, was talking to head maid (and sniper) Mei Rin about the seating arrangement for tonight's dinner when she heard a carriage pull up through one of the open windows. She rushed through the dinning hall and foyer, out the grand front door and was greeted by a most pleasant sight. Her children were on time. She had sworn she thought they'd be late. She walked down the stairs and embraced the two of them, one arm for each. Warren responded in kind and Ceceila – as usual – merely stood still and let it happen.

"I am so happy you two are back, tell me, how was London? Did you attend any parties? Warren, did any young ladies take your fancy?" Elizabeth linked arms with both of them as she walked them into the house. "Ceceila I took the liberty of ordering you a lovely new dress for tonight it will most certainly suit you my darling and Warren there is a new suit for you upstairs as well. I want you both on your best behaviour tonight as we have some special guests joining us. Warren no practical jokes, Ceceila no uncouth remarks, best behaviour am I clear."

Elizabeth was in high spirits and excited, she didn't think she had been this excited since her wedding day. She was smiling and her eyes - although older - were twinkling with happiness, things were good for her at this moment in time and she was happy. She had two beautiful children whom she loved, a successful international business and respect from London's elite as the Lady Phantomhive.

"Mother must you always inquire as to my love life, when I meet a lady I'll be sure to tell you, you will probably be the first person to know. " Warren could not help the blush that appeared on his face.

"I had best be. I would not like to find out you had a reputation Warren." His mother smiled at him knowingly.

Warren laughed as his blush grew and he scratched the back of his blonde head.

"I think I will go and get ready for dinner I have not had a chance to wash up from last night." And with that ungraceful change of topic he sheepishly ran away up the stairs.

Elizabeth laughed to herself and turned to her daughter, she noticed that Ceceila was silent and had not said a word since arriving home. Now this was not unusual but her expression - normally it would have been blank or somewhat bored - but she looked concerned worried even.

"Ceceila, darling, are you alright? You seem anxious." Elizabeth walked with her daughter through to the east parlour and they sat down and Elizabeth rang for tea. In a rare instance Ceceila decided to speak openly.

"Mother…what was father like?" Ceceila's tone was skittish and unsteady, unlike her as she was usually so blunt.

Her daughter looked Elizabeth dead in the eye with her darker than black eyes and it made her nervous, her heart rate increased and her happy expression faded and was replaced with a mouth pressed into a thin line and the sudden urge to look anywhere but at the teenager.

It was at this point Mei Rin excused herself into the room. There was a prolonged silence as the sniper turned maid clumsily came in with tea and placed it on the table with a little help from Elizabeth so that boiling water did not spill everywhere. It was only after the door was closed and it was just the two of them that the conversation resumed. Elizabeth smiled a small smile at her daughter.

"I have told you before that your father was a very good man, he worked hard to make sure that you and Warren would want for nothing, he was kind and caring. He always treated me to presents and cute things when I-"

"You're lying."

Elizabeth sighed. "Ceceila I have told you before you do not call people liars in polite society it-"

"Stop changing the subject mother. I know, as does Warren, that our father was a cruel man we hear it from the people who worked with him in London. Why are you hiding that from us? Did you think that we would not find out given the work that you and the King make us do, it was inevitable."

"I do not make you do the work of the watchdog I am preparing you for-"

"Stop. Changing. The. Subject." A dark aura was emanating from the young Phantomhive and the shadows seemed to shift and flicker around her.

There was a long silence in which mother and daughter were locked in a heated stare. Elizabeth's breathing was quick and she was fidgeting with the lace in her dress she desperately wanted to break eye contact and look away but she knew, she knew that because of the way Ceceila was that she would force the truth from her. Elizabeth could feel the words on the tip of her tongue and it was taking all she had not to blurt out everything. She suddenly remembered something that he had done, he could not lie but he never told the whole truth either. Elizabeth took a deep breath and chose her next words carefully.

"Your father loved me in his own way. He had a charming voice and captivating eyes; he dressed well and had a strong work ethic. True, at times he was rough and he could be cruel, but he gave me you and I would not for a second wish for anything more than exactly that." Elizabeth did not allow her voice to waver and she picked her cup up to sip her hot tea.

She had allowed that the statement could be applied to either the former Phantomhive head or his butler, therefore telling the truth but not the whole truth. Ceceila seemed to accept this as she sensed no lie and sat back in her chair and lifted her tea, although her worried expression was still present on her face.

"Now Ceceila I believe I am due an explanation and an apology." Elizabeth put her cup down gently. "Firstly I am your mother and you do not speak to me in that manner. Secondly, what in the world brought this line of questioning on? Did something happen in London?" Elizabeth resumed sipping her tea while waiting for the explanation.

"Sorry mother I…It is nothing, it's silly." Ceceila stood and left the parlour faster then humanly possible and as Elizabeth watched her daughter speed out of the room like lightning she suspected that whatever it was it had something to do with the crow.

Elizabeth reached her free hand round to the back her neck and brushed her finger over the small black mark on her skin, she had not noticed the thing for a whole 3 years. It was only when Ceceila had started displaying 'unusual' abilities as a toddler that it had started to tingle slightly, therefore alerting her to its presence. Elizabeth knew better than to push Ceceila to an answer, she would lock whatever was bothering her up in her head and it prying it out of her would be as easy as prying open a vault. Her spirits had been dampened somewhat, but she was determined not to let this ruin her evening. Her guests would be arriving soon and this thought brought back a small smile. She then decided that she would finish her tea, let the evening play out as it would and then tomorrow she would deal with Ceceila's strange behaviour.

Elizabeth stood standing in the foyer waiting to receive her guests, her two children stood proudly next to her.

Warren wore his brand new pinstripe moss green suit with a dark brown waistcoat and an off white shirt. He had tided his blonde hair up if only slightly, but it never did what it was told anyway. His ever-present cigarette was held loosely at his side and the outline of his silver case could be seen in his pocket.

Ceceila stood in a light lilac dress with full-length sleeves and a high neck that had a cream under blouse and a corset that felt like it was squeezing her insides into mush. She admitted only to herself that this dress actually did suit her; Mei Rin had said that this was the latest up and coming fashion and that soon all the girls in London would be wearing it. Her hair had been tied into a tight bun that sat on the top of her head, they had at first tried to get the bottom to poof out but her straighter than straight hair would not go any other way. Mei Rin had also insisted on putting coal and a light purple paste on her eyelids and as such her dark eyes stood out and looked even darker, she thought she did not look as odd as she usually did. She maybe even thought she looked pretty.

A carriage pulled up and Elizabeth quickly gave the both twins a once over making sure they were suitable for their guests. As the door opened a large older man with thick black-grey hair, matching bushy beard, a tall broad countenance and a rugged face stepped through. He was dressed in a crisp white shirt with a black waistcoat admonished with silver buttons. However he did not wear trousers but a red and black tartan kilt, instantly betraying his nationality as that of Scotland not England. His expression was pleasant and he held a soft smile on his face as he looked towards Elizabeth. Next to him was a young woman who must have been roughly the same age as Ceceila and Warren. She had thick, slightly curly, dark brown hair, blue eyes, and a pale face with rosy cheeks. She wore a light brown dress that had hints of the same tartan the older man wore running through it. The fashion was older at least a few years and her dark hair was loose and flowing and not tied neatly as was the fashion.

There was a butler who was at the back of the party bringing bags in and he was joined by snake as they helped move the luggage upstairs.

"M'Lady it is wonderful to see you again." He stepped up to Elizabeth and bowed in front of her as he kissed her hand. His voice was low and weathered but it was sincere and kind.

"It is my pleasure Laird Sinclair. Ceceila, Warren this is John Sinclair the 17th Earl of Caithness and his daughter Miss Margaret Sinclair. They will be staying with us for a week at my invitation." She turned back to her guests. "Now I imagine you two are hungry from the trip from London. Dinner will be served in one hour, so Warren please show Laird Sinclair to his room and Ceceila please show Miss Margaret to hers." Elizabeth left no room for negotiation or argument from her children as being used as tour guides. So they snapped to.

"If you please Lord, ah sorry, Laird Sinclair this way" Warren said. His smile and charming voice made it seem as if the Laird was most welcome.

"Lead the way young Warren and if you will you can call me Mr. Sinclair, no need to be overly formal."

Warren merely smiled as he led Sinclair away to his room.

Ceceila looked at the young woman and instantly felt an irrational contempt towards her.

"This way." Ceceila walked quickly forcing Miss Sinclair to almost run to keep up.

"Your dress is very fashionable Miss Phantomhive, I wonder if you might tell me wear you had it made?" her Highland accent was strong and her attempts to hide it were in utter vain.

"I do not know my mother had it made for me. I have no interest in fashion." Ceceila's blunt tone did not seem to have the desired effect as the girl kept opening and shutting her mouth.

"Really? Well I will say tis a relief I have no interest in fashion either. I was merely told that that is what all the fashionable London girls like to talk about. Truthfully I am interested in hunting and riding more than anything, do you ride or hunt Miss Phantomhive?" at this point Margaret Sinclair was now running to keep up with Ceceila's quick pace.

"Both. This is your room if you need anything ask Mei Rin." And with that she turned on her heel and left as fast as she could. Really, she was quite annoying. Annoying because Ceceila had sensed no ill will coming from the girl nor were any snobbish remarks spoken. She was a good person and it irked her. She hated good people, they brought out a side to her she'd rather not think about, a side that made her think about doing appalling acts to said person.

When it was time for dinner a bell was rung and everyone in the party made their way down to the dining hall. The seating arrangement was a strange one. Usually Elizabeth would be sat at the head of the table, however on this occasion she was sat sitting opposite Laird Sinclair with Warren sitting opposite Margaret and Ceceila sitting next to her. The conversation through out dinner was very standard; weather the state of London's youth, new expositions due to be showcased at the crystal palace and of course how each persons estates faired. However once the food was finished and new coffee was brought out from Britain's colonies in the Americas that was when the atmosphere shifted.

There was a lengthy silence, which was followed by Laird Sinclair and Lady Phantomhive making awkward eye contact then Laird Sinclair announced something wholly unexpected. Warren choked on his coffee and started coughing uncontrollably, Margaret dropped her spoon and Ceceila stared with pure unbridled fury at the large bearded Scottish man who was holding hands with her mother.

Marriage. No. No, it can't happen. They cannot get married they do not know one another. He is not her father, and that silly little Margaret is certainly not her sister. Ceceila's mind was working overtime when she was met with the overwhelming urge to throw something at Sinclair. So she did. Ceceila – in complete silence with a now blank expression - starting throwing coffee cups, vases - whatever she could grab - at the happy couple in pure rage. She knew she should stop but she could not control her actions. She simply saw red and wanting nothing more than to obliterate any trace of happiness from their faces. Ceceila then abruptly ceased her actions and left because if she didn't leave she would end up hurting Warren by accident and she could not forgive herself if she did.

Nothing had actually hit anyone which was a good enough reason for Elizabeth to believe that it had gone as well as it possibly could have gone with Ceceila and she squeezed Sinclair's hand in confirmation that everything wold be alright.

Warren -having recovered from his coughing fit – was the first to break the silence "You are to marry him? But we have never met him before not even once, this is the first time- I do not know- I cannot-" there was a pause in which Warren simply stared at the wall opposite "Why?" he said exasperated

"Warren you may not know him but I do and I ask that you find it in your heart to afford me this happiness. I understand that you will have mixed feelings about the situation, but please understand that I have been on my own for a little over 17 years. John has also been on his own since his wife died so not only is this an advantageous marriage it is a good match." His mother looked at Sinclair with a smile on her face that Warren had not seen before. Then it was the Scots turn to speak.

"Your mother is an extraordinary woman and I respect her strength and admire her beauty young Warren and I understand that this will be hard for both you and your sister to accept but I hope that given time you'll see me as a father figure and that you'll treat Margaret as a sister." Sinclair looked and sounded so sincere that it was stupidly difficult for Warren to dismiss him and do what his twin had done and stormed out.

As he was the more emotionally aware of the two he decided that he would speak to Ceceila later and bring her round to an understanding even if he had to manipulate the truth slightly. All of this felt incredibly overwhelming and he automatically reached for his cigarettes and lit one with practised motion.

"I think I will smoke outside tonight." he stated, then got up to move but not before he was mirrored by Miss Sinclair.

"Mind if I join you?" she said and without waiting for an answer she followed Warren through a side door and out to a veranda.

"I wanted to leave the happy couple to their musings, can I have a smoke?" she spoke in a quiet more subdued way than she had initially. She was handed a cigarette and Warren struck a match for her to light up with.

"I am happy for them. When my father said we were coming here I thought he might announce something like this. I knew he had been sending and receiving letters from a woman, it did not take much to put two and two together. Add the fact that my father is dreadful at hiding things from anyone and that he became as excited as a child on Christmas when reading those letters and it did not take much to come to truth." She took a long inhale of her cigarette. "This is good tobacco."

"Thank you I had it imported from America, it is a new blend from the south." He was looking straight out into the darkness of the estate grounds. The nights blackness was the same colour as Ceceila's eyes he had always thought.

"Your sister was not happy I think." Miss Sinclair spoke tentatively.

"She does not handle new people or change with very much grace, but I am sure she will come round. I will have to speak with her however. I doubt mother could say anything at this point in time that would bring Ceceila round to her perspective." He inhaled once more. "She is a little different from everyone else as you will inevitably come to see Miss Sinclair."

"Well then you must give me some advice if I am to get along with my new sister and please call me Margaret." Miss Sinclair turned around and smiled a genuinely kind smile at the young blonde Phantomhive.

Warren could not help but smile back and the thought that 'this young woman would be a breath of fresh air at the estate' fleetingly went through his head and then just as quickly left.

"Patience and calm. I would say is key with Ceceila, she has little regard for others feelings and will say what she means, do not get angry with her. In a fight, just remember you will always lose to her. Even if technically you won make her think she did." He chuckled at his own remark and Miss Sinclair followed suit. Her laugh was airy and light, it sounded like spring Warren thought.

"That sounds awfully complicated, I think I will simply treat her as I treat everyone I know, with kindness and compassion. I am sure she will warm to me eventually." She smiled and looked out into the darkness of the estate and crossed her arms over her body. "It is getting quite cold perhaps we should return to the dinning room to give our formal congratulations to our parents."

"A stellar idea, Margaret." They both extinguished the last of their cigarettes and flicked the butts onto the ground. Warren gestured his arm outwards "Ladies first." and he bowed slightly. Margaret laughed again, and again Warren found himself unable to not join in, honestly he swore her laugh was contagious.

A/N Surprise! Lizzy's getting hitched. Do not worry dear readers Sebastian will show his devilishly handsome face in the next chapter when we return to London and to the continued investigation of the Crippen case. What do you think will happen?