He made his way through the long hallway that eventually led to the drawing room. Entering the room, he stopped dead in his tracks as his eyes came to rest on the very familiar female who stood with her back to him.

“You have excellent taste, Lord Williams,” She announced and turned to him, her eyes perusing the large drawing room. “Persian rugs, excellent paintings, this amazing fireplace... The sofas, couch and coffee table come together just excellently.” Her large green eyes finally came to settle on him, a small smile playing at the corners of her lips. “James will go crazy if he thinks I'm about to redecorate our home again but it's worth the try.”

Stiffening, his fingers balled in a fist as he stood before her —Elaine Winston! The last time he had laid his eyes on her was five years ago, on the day he got married to her niece.

“Mrs. Winston, it's so...” The words died on his lips because he lacked the appropriate word to use to complete his sentence —nice? Surprising? Unnerving? Unpleasant? He was unable to put his feelings for her into words. He simply wasn't expecting this intrusion into his life, most certainly not now. “I wasn't expecting you.” He ran his eyes over her; from her brown hair that now had streaks of gray, to her overly tight corseted green dress, to her shoes, and back to her ageing face.

“I didn't think I had the luxury of time to announce my arrival considering the news of your impending marriage met me only three days ago, Lord Williams. Now, I knew it sounded ridiculous and I did try to ignore it but I couldn't. I realized the only way I would get any sleep would be if you told me this silly news of a wedding is only but the tales of a busybody.”

Even before Mrs. Winston finished speaking, Ethan could feel anger rise up from within as he listened to her words.

“You can't possibly be serious about this wedding,” Mrs. Winston laughed nervously, willing him with her eyes to put her fears of his marriage to rest. “Ethan, I'm certain you must be furious about Juliet's disappearance, but getting a woman to replace her is simply madness!”

He tightened his fist, afraid he'd break something. Nearly two years! It took her nearly two years to finally show up! After months of reaching out to her since the disappearance of her niece, he had simply gotten tired. The night Juliet ran off, he had reached out to Mr. and Mrs. Winston —the only family Juliet had left— both of whom had neglected to return his letters and had simply done nothing to help him find his fleeing wife. And now, Mrs. Winston thought she could just show up out of the blues like a nightmare, and dictate to him who he could marry?! —it was the most ridiculous thing he had ever heard.

“If this is all you came to say, Mrs. Winston, you may return in peace, knowing your message has been delivered.” He forced the words out, his limbs trembling with rage as he clenched his teeth.