"Because I would hate for it to become proud."
She laughed again, and that was how most of their happiest moments happened: not with music, not with grand declarations, but with ordinary jokes at the end of ordinary days—the kind of moments nobody wrote down, the kind that eventually became a life.
The following autumn brought the first real threat to their marriage. A letter arrived from London addressed to Julian. He read it twice. Eliza was writing at the desk when he entered the room.
"What is it?"
"A legal challenge."
She put down her pen. "To what?"
"The estate."
He handed her the letter. A distant relation claimed that Julian's father's will had been altered after the old Duke's death. If the claim succeeded, Julian could lose several properties and a large portion of the family's income.
Eliza read the final paragraph. "Who is making the claim?"
"Viscount Rothermere."
"Do you know him?"
"Yes."
"Do you trust him?"
"No."
"Then why is he doing this?"
"Because he believes I am vulnerable."
Eliza folded the letter. "Are you?"
Julian smiled. "Not anymore."
She smiled back. "Good."
But Rothermere was not foolish. He did not attack Julian directly. Instead, he attacked Eliza. Within days, whispers began circulating that the Duchess had manipulated her husband into spending money on the estate. Someone claimed she had discovered the legal weakness and encouraged Julian to hide it. Another suggested the marriage itself had been arranged to give Eliza control of Bellamy property.
The rumors were absurd. They were also effective. Julian wanted to confront Rothermere publicly. Eliza stopped him.
"Do not."
"He is lying about you."
"He wants you angry."
"I am angry."
"That is why you must not give him what he wants."
Julian looked at her. "What would you do?"
"I would find out what he knows."
He smiled. "Sometimes I forget why I married you."
"Because I am charming."
"Because you are terrifying."
She laughed.
They began investigating quietly. Eliza went through the household accounts. Julian examined old legal documents. Henry searched London for anyone connected to Rothermere.
The answer came from an unexpected source: a stable boy remembered seeing a man near the old records room the week before the challenge was filed. He described the man's coat. Julian recognized it: Rothermere's secretary.
The man had been searching for something.
"The necklace." Eliza touched the pendant. "Why would he want this?"
"I don't know."
"Then let's find out."
The answer was hidden in the miniature compartment. The note from Julian's great-grandmother had not been the only thing inside: there was another piece of paper behind it—a list of names. At the bottom was the name Rothermere.