Eliza never particularly cared for Easter. She went to church with Ivy, of course, as if Ivy would allow any other outcome, but sitting in church during the Mass was especially tedious. Eliza had never been much for sitting and just listening, while contemplating her immortal soul.

This year, it was odd to sit with Ivy and Mr. Potts. Although it was nice not to be two ladies alone, it was still a bit tiresome to constantly have Mr. Potts hanging about, Ivy had invited him to their parish church, St. Thomas' for Easter Mass. So now in addition to having to behave under Ivy's watchful eyes, she had Mr. Potts squinting at her fidgets. The church was old - the last time it had been refurbished was probably when her great-grandmother was still alive and England had still had a King. Her gaze lingered on the sunlight filtering through the high stained glass windows. It was nice to see a bit of sunshine, even if it was March. She wondered if William's church in Covent Gardens was getting any sun.

Ivy pinched her, and Eliza turned back towards the priest. With any luck, Communion would be soon and then she could get back to her office. It may be Easter Sunday, but it had also fallen on Quarter Day this year, and all rent was due. Luckily, she had made just enough to cover and the landlord had already been paid, but hopefully, there would be a queue of people looking for a private detective's aid in collecting missing money.

Thanking God under her breath, Eliza stood to receive communion and filed down the aisle, followed by Ivy and Mr. Potts, however, when she returned to their pew, they were followed in by a strange man. Eliza tried to analyze him while facing front and receiving the final prayer, but it was difficult to study the man while also bowing her head in prayer and trying to sing along to the right words in the hymnal. From the few glances she could steal, he seemed to be well-dressed, and older, perhaps not quite as old as her father would be, but certainly older than William. She wondered where he had come from, and why he had decided to move to their pew - where had he been sitting previously? Was he an old acquaintance of her father? Would he stay after Mass long enough for her to ask?

By the time the priest had finished the final blessing, Eliza was about reading to spring out of her chair to ask questions of the stranger. After all, Church was the one place where you could be friendly and welcoming to a stranger without an introduction!

The man clearly was of the same opinion, because as Eliza was turning to him to greet him, he was turning to her and they almost collided taking a step towards one another.

"Dear lady Eliza! Excuse me! Are you alright?" the man's voice was average, he had a slight midland accent, but Eliza wasn't sure if that meant he had lived there most recently or if he'd been gone from there for a long time.

"I'm sorry sir, I am quite well thank you. Who are you?"

Ivy gasped behind her. Perhaps that had been a little too direct, but the man seemed unfazed.

"Dear cousin Eliza, I am Mr. Abraham Collins, a cousin of your late father, here to check on your welfare and do my familial duty."

Ivy gasped again, but this time, Eliza wasn't sure if she had gasped as well. At least she couldn't be accused of being too direct now.