Margaret took her responsibility as a chaperone seriously. After the sèance, she sat between them back to Elsick House and stayed attached to Eliza's hip the entirety of the day after. She held her elbow as they traversed through the massive gardens and was her partner for bridge after luncheon. She was even the one to introduce Eliza to the wondrous library and Eliza couldn't shake her to explore the shelves in peace. Colin had tried to sway Eliza outside after dinner, but Margaret argued that she needed a refresher on her waltz before the ball and strode off to the record player with a disappointed Colin in tow.
Eliza had wanted answers about Cecilia, but she did not want to ask Margaret. She was unaware of his aunt knowing anything about the raven-haired mystery, but she didn't want her shaken confidence to show. Margaret had shared similar views to the duchess about men, that they should be wanted, not needed. That women should be able to live as they please and that men shouldn't run their lives or control their happiness.
Eliza was too new to love to understand the rules of marriage or engagement. She loved Colin deeply and he did control a lot of Eliza's emotions, including happiness. Margaret made it seem Eliza should never bother Colin with her troubles. That she either needed to find a trusted confidant to discuss her feelings with or write them down in a diary and forget about them. Margaret flustered her as most of what she said went against everything Eliza felt. She wanted to know about Colin and she wanted him to care about her. That she wasn't going to give him a minimum of two children and then discover a life for herself, which is what Margaret suggested as they took their tea on the veranda.
After Margaret's dance lesson with Colin, Eliza was instructed to head up to bed and prepare for their tea at the Whitman's tomorrow. Colin didn't miss Eliza's frown as she left the room and she was discussing her frustrations with Lucy when a knock comes on her bedroom door. Lucy is surprised to see Brandon waiting on the other side and he passes her a note before striding back down to Colin's wing.
"A note for you my lady," Lucy says as she hands Eliza a cream-colored square. The Bradshaw's seal is stamped onto the ruby wax seal and Eliza's curious as to why Colin has sent her a note. After she unfolds it, she turns away from Lucy to read its contents:
After the clock strikes nine,
go to where the grandfather clock chimes.
There, your favorite author awaits.
Push it twice and don't be late.
Head toward the square of light.
And there you'll find your heart's delight.
Eliza glances toward Lucy and says, "He sent me some sort of riddle." She reads it aloud and then Lucy looks to her, "It's about to be nine, my lady. You better figure this out soon."
"Why wouldn't he just tell me where to go? Why the mystery?" Eliza asks and Lucy stops brushing her hair, "Perhaps he was worried that Brandon would read it. Or Lady Henry would intercept it."
Eliza glances at the pocket watch laying open on her vanity before asking, "The grandfather clock? Where was that obnoxious piece of furniture?"
"The morning room?" Lucy suggests and Eliza now remembers there being a clock in the drawing-room as well as the library.
"If he mentioned my favorite author, I'd assume he's suggesting books. Which would point to the library. I am still unsure what I am to push?" Eliza wonders as she touches her finger to her chin.
"Well, you can't wander the halls in your night frock, my lady," Lucy says as she wanders over to the wardrobe. Eliza watches as her maid's nimble fingers comb through her clothing and she finally pulls a navy silk robe out. She helps Eliza shrug it on, but she still feels exposed.
