~Update!~ The carriage ride was a long one, but Elizabeth had her thoughts to keep her company. As she sat on the red velvet seat, she thought of her mother, Victoria, and how she missed her so. She recalled distant memories: Ten-year-old Elizabeth sat in the Italian Garden of her home, making a daisy chain. The midsummer sun shone down on the grass, and Elizabeth could see the dew drops still on the thin, green blades. She looked up and saw her mother standing over her, holding a small silver box. "Happy birthday, Elizabeth, dear." Announced her mother, and handed Elizabeth the box. Instinctively, Elizabeth held the box near her ear and shook it gently. The sound of something metal came from inside, and Elizabeth looked back up at her mother. In the sunlight, she could really study Victoria Hound's features: high, visible cheekbones, a small, pointed nose, piercing blue eyes and a round chin; all framed by beautiful golden curls. In a way, Elizabeth felt bad for her mother. She was loosing weight rapidly, and nor her or her father understood why. You could probably have wrapped a blade of grass around Victoria's wrist. "Thank you, mother." Said Elizabeth, and proceeded to open the box. Inside was a beautiful golden locket with flowers carefully engraved on the front. She opened it and saw a picture of her mother and father, taken only a few days before. "It belonged to me. Though, I though you would gain more use of it than I." Stated Victoria, smiling at her daughter. Elizabeth could not help it: she scrambled to her feat and wrapped her arms tightly around her thin mother. She felt her mother's hand on her shoulder, and then heard her say "My darling, my angel. I thank the Lord for the wonderful gift that is my daughter." Elizabeth wiped her cheek with the heel of her hand. She did not want to have tear stains on her face when she arrived at the Ross' home. Thinking of that memory pained her, because that was when Elizabeth first realised that her mother wasn't going to be alive for much longer. Back then, she hadn't known why her mother had given her the necklace, but now she did. Her mother knew she was dying, and wanted Elizabeth to have something of hers. The carriage came slowly to a shaky halt, and the door opened wide. Standing outside the carriage, hand outstretched, was a boy about Elizabeth's age, with dark black hair and brilliant green eyes. He smiled a goofy smile, which made Elizabeth giggle, and she took James Ross' hand and stepped down from the carriage. Her father was right: the Ross family was extremely wealthy. They were parked outside what looked like a palace, in a place that looked nothing like London. The house was surrounded by trees and acres of grass, a small fountain in the middle of the driveway. Elizabeth was taken aback by the sight of the house, and didn't hear when James had said something to her. "Pardon?" She asked. "I said: lovely day, isn't it?" Replied James, who didn't seem annoyed at all. In fact, he too was staring at his home, marvelling at its incredible beauty. "Yes, it is. Superb." "Well, shall we go inside?" Asked James. Elizabeth only nodded in response. James held her elbow lightly and guided her up the large driveway into his magnificent home.