Eliza expected to part ways with Colin at the ballroom's French doors so she could dash off to go get ready, so she was stunned to see a fully dressed Margaret leading an unfamiliar woman around the space with her arm raised in the air.
"There they are," Margaret says, clearly annoyed as if she had been searching for them.
"Mother, you're here much too early," Colin states in shock to the woman striding behind his aunt. Eliza tugs Colin back a step, alarmed that her future mother-in-law will first meet her in a cotton walking dress, with perspiration dotting her hairline.
"Yes I know, Mummy is here far too early, but your father had estate business to tend to that required us to come sooner than anticipated," The Duchess replies, and Eliza's heart is in her throat while her stomach flips over.
Colin's mother is shorter than Eliza expected and is wearing a frock with a split between her legs. When she takes a step forward to kiss her son's cheeks, Eliza realizes she is wearing Harem trousers tucked into a silk blouse, making it appear as if it is a long, gold-patterned dress. Her dark, curly hair is tucked into a simple pin on the top of her head and she wears no flashy stones or accessories. All of the opulence and pomp Eliza thought came with The Duchess vanishes, leaving her startled at the casualness.
"Eliza, my love, meet my mother, Alexandra," Colin says with a warm gaze. "Mother, this is my beautiful fiancée, Lady Eliza Winter."
Her light brown eyes drink Eliza in before saying, "My goodness. You're darling. I knew you were going to be beautiful if my son demanded to marry you." She lets out a deep laugh and then kisses Eliza's flushed cheeks.
"I'm so honored to finally meet you, Your Grace," Eliza stutters out while dropping into a quick curtsy. "But I will admit, I had planned to be properly dressed and not standing before you with muddy shoes and wind-swept hair. Please accept my apologies."
"No apologies needed, my darling. I see you were out for a stroll in this beautiful weather," she says as she waves her thin arm around the space toward the back patio.
"I was just telling her of the legends of the forest," Colin interjects while sliding a comforting hand around Eliza's shoulders.
"Ah, Margaret was just telling me of your adventure in the woods Lady Winter. Apparently, it led to a rescue mission," Alexandra says coyly with a smirk while Eliza's cheeks blaze.
"She is now well acquainted with the property line," Colin adds and he too has a cheeky grin. He then drops his arm from Eliza's shoulder and says, "Have you eaten? Did Margaret ring for tea?" Margaret, who had been observing the introductions in the background pipes up and says, "Of course I rang for tea, nephew. I know your mother gets fussy when she's hungry."
"Has your stroll given you an appetite? Shall you join me?" The Duchess asks the couple and Eliza had thought she'd have a few hours to get her wits in order. To prepare her manners and topics of polite conversation. She had not expected to be thrown into tea with her mother-in-law completely unprepared. Colin glances down at her and her mouth hangs open for a split second, unable to formulate a reply.
"I think Eliza wanted a proper bath before dinner. Why don't you go prepare for this evening while I join my mother for tea," Colin offers, giving her an out if she wants it. She decides to take it and answers, "Yes. I know my maid was planning my return. I shall meet you back in the dining hall." Colin plants a soft kiss on her cheek and Alexandra gives Eliza a warm smile before reaching out to hold her son's arm. Eliza strides off between the tables scattered around the ballroom, anxious to get back to the comfort of her room. As she crossed the threshold into the hallway she hears Alexandra's jovial voice, "I didn't mean to catch your bride by surprise. She looked absolutely horrified when she realized who I was." Eliza stops striding forward, curious to hear Colin's reply, but it's just a murmur before she hears Alexandra reply, "Oh, she'll soon learn I do not play by the rules. I do not give a fig about royal customs when we are casually at home."
