Things weren't as good as they once were for Thomas and Elizabeth Garfield. Not since Thomas had lost their fortune. He had thought for sure the multipurpose cane was going to be the next big thing. Everyone swore it would be. Only a fool would not invest in it. After all, what gentleman wouldn't have wanted it? Not only was it a cane, but it also had a butterfly net, an umbrella, and a flute. Plus you could measure your horse and have a pipe to smoke. Thomas would have loved it himself and thought everyone else would.<br/><br/>His wife's brother-in-law, Lord Angus Allerton had told Thomas he would go in with him to invest in this new cane. Thomas had been so sure they would make their investment back and more. But, then, Angus backed out at the last moment. That left Thomas having to invest even more of his own money because he couldn't back out the contract. Unfortunately, for Thomas, not everyone thought the cane was as great as he did. It took a few months but the company failed and Thomas lost his money.<br/><br/>Here he was, in the house his parents had bought him and Elizabeth as a wedding present keeping up appearances. Elizabeth had to take on part time work as a seamstress just so they could afford to keep one maid and their butler. The rest of their household staff had been let go. Their butler, George, received the letter sent by Lord Allerton and gave it to Thomas. He found his wife doing alterations on a wedding dress in the sitting room.<br/><br/>"Elizabeth, my dear, we have been invited to Angus and Marianne's home for a masquerade next Sunday."<br/><br/>"I am sure his whore will be there."<br/><br/>Elizabeth replied grumpily to her husband as she worked and talked to him at the same time. She disliked her brother-in-law greatly. Not only had Angus' actions screwed them out of their fortune, forcing her to work as a seamstress just to get by, but he also blatantly cheated on her sister, Marianne. Angus didn't even hide his little young harlot. Everyone knew and talked about it. It just made Elizabeth angry to think how her dear sister was treated. Thomas sighed at his wife.<br/><br/>"Most likely. We do not have to go if you do not want to."<br/><br/>Elizabeth thought a moment as she threaded her needle before she said.<br/><br/>"No, we will go. Marianne will need my support. Plus, we can eat that bastard's food and drink all his wine."<br/><br/>She didn't always hate Angus, but after what happened with the multipurpose cane and his actions with Miss Bradley, any affection she had for her brother-in-law was long gone. All she felt for him was angry and disgust. Thomas nodded his head, he did not like Angus anymore then his wife did. Not since Angus backed out of the investment deal, causing Thomas to invest more money then he had planned to. It was Angus' fault that they were living like this.