“No.”

Bella whined, pleading with Lincoln to acquiesce. “But she looks gorgeous.”

“That's precisely the problem.”

This conversation had been going on for a while in the kitchen while I sat in the front room near the window, fanning my face while waiting for Lincoln to give Bella the key to the house.

“You're upset that your fiancée is beautiful?”

Lincoln made a strangled noise. “No. I'm upset that other men would see her like that.”

“Was it so bad that you had to lock the house as soon as you saw her? The carriage would be here in a few minutes.”

“Good. Then the coachman would grow tired of waiting and leave.”

“I think it's time I intervene,” I muttered to myself. After picking up the ends of my dress and parted cape, I walked to the back room’s door with a fixed glare on Lincoln. “I'm going whether you like it or not. If this guy doesn't help us, our relationship will be a lot harder to maintain.”

The siblings turned to me puzzled at my harsh tone.

Lincoln moved to touch me. “Andrea, wh-”

I raised a hand to stop him and gestured for him to hand over the house key, looking pointedly at his left breast pocket—where I was sure they were.

As he reached in to get the keys, he tried to hold my hand. “Andrea, are you okay? If you don't want to go, we won't.”

“That's all you're concerned about. The stupid party. I don't care if Baines becomes the king of England. I'm only doing this because I don't want us to be forcefully separated and you couldn't even tell me I looked pretty or anything after I dressed this good for you.” I snatched the key from his hand. “If you can't understand that, I don't want to see you for the rest of the night.”

I was suddenly grateful that I had not insisted on Bella putting ‘coloring’ on my face as I wanted to. If I had, they would have been ruined by the tears threatening to fall from my eyes.

Great. I feel like I'm PMSing.

Just before I opened the door, strong arms wrapped around me. I instinctively melted in his embrace, feeling my fear and anxiety for the success of the plan catch up with me. My eyes closed to force down the tears but a single stray fell.

This scene seemed so familiar, only that we were in reversed positions. He walked away that night. I couldn't bring myself to do the same.

“I'm sorry, my love,” he whispered. “I'm the biggest idiot in London.”

“You sure are,” I whispered back with a sad chuckle.

“I'm sorry that I didn't tell you that you're the most beautiful woman I've ever set my eyes on. In a room of two hundred women, I'll still look at you. Seeing you walk down the stairs this afternoon with a smile made me anxious that other men may begin to see you the way I do and approach you for your hand.” He kissed my shoulder. “But I should have put you first.” He kissed my neck. “I should have cared for you and realized that you could be scared about going into a battlefield tonight.” He kissed me behind my ear. “Do you forgive me, my love?”

“You make it hard not to when you talk like that,” I muttered with rosy cheeks.

He spun me around and wiped the teardrop. “Look at you stealing my breath all the time.”

“Stop flirting with me,” I said with a fairly disguised smile.

“I will on one condition.”

I hesitated because of the mischief in his eyes. “Which is?”

He tapped his lips with an expectant look. I rolled my eyes and wrapped my arms around his neck. He held my waist pulled me closer and closed the gap.

When we pulled away, out of breath with silly grins on our faces, he said, “You get more intoxicating every-”

I covered his mouth to prevent him from finishing his statement. “I need to go now. I'll see you in thirty minutes.”

He frowned. “I'm suddenly very sorry for not dressing when you and Bella did.”

“Stop being a baby, my love.”

I slipped out of his arms and opened the door. He let out a whine and tried to reach for me again. I walked further from him, only turning momentarily to kiss my fingers and wiggle them at him.

Heavens. I loved him.

When I stopped in front of the carriage, the coachman stared at me for a few seconds with surprise before running to open the carriage door. “M’lady.”

I smiled, glad that the dress was having its intended effect. “Thank you, kind sir.”

Bella nudged me in a teasing way as I settled opposite her. “You made the man blush.”

I waved my gloved hand in front of my face. “Oh, nothing of the sort.”

“Whatever you say. Now come, the color on your lips is fading.
***
The crowd went silent.

It was by no means an easy feat since almost the entire district was present. However, it was important to note that although 19th century London was an era of large dresses, uncomfortable corsets and flower patterns, I was wearing a white v-neck maxi dress that hugged my upper body and flowed past my ankles to brush the floor as I walked, not to mention the cape that was attached from the neck and even longer than the dress itself. The waist and cape edges had embroidery from dark yellow thread that looked gold as Bella had intended since actual gold was expensive. Instead of tying my hair up like most of the girls there did, I opted to let it flow down my back in its natural wavy curls. What helped perfect my entrance—besides my smile—was that Lady Danbury arrived at the same time I had.

Seeing my dress, she had taken a few minutes to gaze at me in shock and then hurried to me and linked my arm in hers to lead me to the heart of the party.

“You look better than anything I've seen in a long time. So simple yet so…so…elegant.” She held onto my arm tighter. “I have to meet your tailor.”

“I'm sure you know her. Bella Castilla.”

Lady Danbury gasped. “I do know her. I had asked Mother if Miss Bella could make mine for the ball. Unfortunately, Mother declined saying I would bother the poor woman too much.”

“You still should have reached out. Bella loves drawing dresses.” I looked left and right to make it seem like I was about to tell her a highly classified secret. “Don't tell anyone but I'm her apprentice.”

She giggled at my silliness. “We would make good friends, Miss Danbury. What do you say?”

I smiled at her enthusiasm. “I would like that.”

“All my friends meet my family. Do you know that?”

“Know wh-”

Before I could complete my statement, she steered me in the direction of the noble Danburys who sat at a table together, scrutinizing us.

“Mother, Father. This is Miss Danbury, the fun one I told you about.” She turned to me. “Miss Danbury, this’s my father, Marquess Danbury, my mother, Marchioness Danbury and my baby brother, Anthony.”

I pressed my lips together to prevent myself from laughing at the words ‘baby brother’. “Your Graces, I am honoured to be in your presence.”

“You are quite cultured despite all the things I have heard about you,” Marchioness Danbury said.

“Mother!” Lady Danbury exclaimed.

Her mother sighed. “It's alright, Rosella. I meant no offence.” The older woman walked around me, staring intently at my dress. “Your dress intrigues me.”

“I have Miss Castilla to thank for that,” I replied.

The marchioness’ eyes softened. “What a lovely woman.” She glanced meaningfully in Lord Danbury's direction. “Anthony, would you spare Miss Danbury a dance?”

I almost fell to the ground to weep with joy as to how easy the marchioness had made my quest. However, I remained silent awaiting Lord Danbury's answer. He hesitantly drew his eyes away from the patterns of my dress and looked up at his mother and then at me with a lazy smile. “Of course, Mother.”

He held my hand and led me to the dance floor, attracting more attention than I had gotten at the time I entered. Even the people already dancing made way for us to step into the centre and remained at a reasonable distance.

He placed his hand on my waist, pulling me gently to himself. I glanced at his fingers with a soft smile.

Bella would enjoy being in his arms.

“You wanted my attention?” he asked haughtily, glancing down at my dress again.

Right. I didn't like him.

“I need your help,” I said deciding to go straight to the point before he thought I was interested in him romantically. I nearly shuddered, just thinking about it.

“My respect for you makes me feel inclined to give you the time allocated to this dance.”

My eye twitched. “I wouldn't be here if it wasn't necessary.”

“I can see that which makes me all the more interested in what would make you throw away your pride to ask me for help. It also has to be something my sister cannot do despite being the first child of a Marquess so you plan to use my future position, am I correct?”

“Aren't you a smart one?” I muttered.

“What was that?”

“Nothing of consequence,” I said before going ahead to narrate everything my brothers, the Castillas, Christine and I had discovered about Baines’ treason. “...We suspect that he could be getting help from abroad so we need someone with eyes and ears everywhere and you, because of the nature of your business and your position in society are the perfect candidate. So would-”

“What do I gain from helping you?”

“He would largely restrict your travel and shipping lines when he is Duke. I assume that would pose a big problem.”

Lord Danbury frowned. “I suppose so. However, there's also the possibility that his plans don't work and I am not affected at all. There would be nothing to gain in that instance.”

“Can't you just help a poor girl out of the goodness of your heart?” I muttered before I could control it.

He dipped me. “Charity is the marchioness’ speciality.”

As I straightened, my eyes connected with Bella's sad ones that had been following us alongside many others in the room. When she saw me, she smiled widely and gave me two thumbs-ups. An idea popped into my head.

Sorry, bestie. I'll have to sell you.

“I do have another thing to offer,” I said with a wide smile.

The future marquess frowned, sensing that he was no longer in control of the situation and was about to agree to whatever I said. “What might that be?”

“I noticed you might be slightly infatuated with my best friend and dress designer, Miss Castilla.”

His eyes turned cold. “Are you trying to blackmail me?”

“Of course not. I love Bella as myself. However, I do promise you three dances with her tonight if you consider helping us keep watch across international lines for suspicious activity.”

“And a guarantee for a second meeting,” he hurriedly added with a boyish twinkle in his eyes.

I laughed. “Bella would be looking forward to it.”

“She…returns my affections?” he asked cautiously.

“For years now. Long before she met me.”

We danced silently across the open area with wide smiles on our faces, gazing in opposite directions deep in thought.

“Why are you actively working against Edward? Any way that I choose to analyse it from, it doesn't concern you in any way,” Lord Danbury said.

“He wishes to take me as his bride against my will,” I replied.

Lord Danbury’s thoughtful expression turned puzzled. “Should you not be glad about that? You would be a duchess.”

“It's the last thing I…I…want…”

Seeing Lincoln pass under one of the flower archways into the main gathering with his black coat draped over one arm was enough to steal my thoughts away. He did get more handsome anytime I saw him, even though the last time had been thirty minutes ago. He took off his hat and ran his fingers through his hair, looking around the crowd for someone. Eventually, our eyes met and he gave me a dazzling smile that made mine widen.

“I see,” Lord Danbury said.

I blinked, crashing down to earth and remembering I was dancing with someone. “What?”

“The Castillas are impressive in their own right.”

“They are.”

“May I ask why you're dancing with another man when you have a lover?”

I huffed. “I'm not dancing with you. I'm plotting.”

Lord Danbury gave me the first genuine smile of the evening. “I look forward to seeing you again, Miss Danbury.”

The orchestra played the final notes of the song. I separated from him and curtsied, pleased with the results of our conversation. “Likewise.”

I hurried to Bella, excited to share what her crush had said.

“You look happy,” Bella said with a smile I could now see was forced.

I leaned closer to her to whisper in her ear since the women around us were moving closer. “I am. He offered to help on the condition that you dance with him thrice and meet him some other time. He likes you.”

Bella turned to me with wide eyes. “You're joking.”

“He's heading here in a bit.”

Bella looked up, searching for the marquess. Their eyes met. He smiled softly at her and her cheeks flamed. “Oh, he smiled at me. Me.” Suddenly, she grasped my hand tightly. "He's coming here.'

The girls around us began to whisper.

“Lord Danbury had never approached a female before.”
“Do you think he and Miss Danbury are lovers?”
“Look at her whoring herself to men.”
“First Lord Baines and then Lord Danbury. Next thing we know, she'll be charming married men.”

I held my tongue so as not to ruin this moment for Bella since I was sure she would try to help me. I glanced at the said woman. She hadn't even been paying attention to what was being said and was looking ahead at her approaching crush.

Lord Danbury stopped and bowed to Bella. “May I have this dance, Miss Castilla?”

“I…um…” She looked at me for confirmation that this was real. I nodded, gesturing for her to go. “Y-Yes. Of course, m-my lord.”

He linked her arm gently with his and led her to the dance floor, staring at her the entire way. Bella’s cheeks reddened with every step. She did enjoy being in his arms.

“Why did Lord Danbury haul off my sister?”

It felt like murderous waves were emanating from a dark point behind me. I turned around with a bright smile, hoping to dispel the…never mind, the darkness was too much. I opted to dip into an apologetic curtsey. “I apologise, Mr. Castilla on Bella’s behalf for not informing you about Lord Danbury asking her for a dance. She went off rather excited.”

“What did you do?” Lincoln whispered with a raised eyebrow.

“Nothing that Bella or Lord Danbury didn’t want,” I replied.

Before he replied, he looked over my shoulder. “Lord Baines is behind you.”

I didn’t need him to finish his statement before I slipped behind him and tried to blend with the crowd, which was futile since they parted for me wherever I went, probably afraid to be associated with someone who didn’t mind commiting fashion atrocities.

Tch. Cowards.

I glanced behind me. Baines had stopped and asked someone else for a dance, probably realising how ridiculous it would be if he kept chasing me through the crowd.

I heard someone clear their throat beside me.

“Am I in your way? Sorry,” I said and took two steps away without turning around, scanning my surroundings for a suitable escape route.

“Not quite, Miss Danbury. May I have this dance?”

I turned to him in disbelief. The young man who didn’t look a day over twenty stood there, awaiting my response. “You’re serious?”

He cocked his head to the side in confusion. “Why wouldn’t I be?”

I stared at him, trying to figure out his ulterior motive. Then I remembered that it was common in their time for random men to ask women they weren’t acquainted with for dances at public events in hopes of finding a marriage partner.

Would the ‘I have a boyfriend’ line work here? Probably not.

Also, Imelda Danbury was quite popular. Any news about her courting someone would blow up.

Not to mention what Baines would do.

I smiled at him politely. “You seem like such a delightful man that it pains me to refuse but I’m not in the right head space at the moment. I thought it was noticeable.”

His expression turned concerned. “Oh. That’s terrible. Is there anything I can do for you?”

“Nothing, just fresh air but if you do see any of my brothers, please send them my way. I would really appreciate that.”

I headed towards the least crowded area in the large venue, walking slowly to admire the area. The sun hadn’t set completely so the colorful twilight sky really highlighted the flowers of different colors that were used to decorate the area. Every few steps I took, a little girl with bouncy pigtails or a little boy in shorts ran past me laughing. Without the pressure of everyone staring at me as I walked or the threat that was Lord Edward Baines, I could almost imagine this day as serene and beautiful.

I passed by the food table and grabbed a plate and stacked it with hard chocolate. Then I went further to open the single wine bottle on the table and pour myself a glass.

A few passersby gasped, muttering something about how uncouth I was as a young lady. I rolled my eyes.

The bottle was on the table, wasn’t it?

Picking a somewhat isolated corner on the table, I pulled a chair there and sat there to begin giving stink eyes to all the people who were whispering about me.

I felt someone tug on my hair. I turned to rip into them but melted as soon as I saw a little girl looking at me with bright blue eyes.

“Are you an angel, Miss?” she asked innocently.

“I wish I was,” I replied with a kind smile, brushing her thick brown hair.

“Andrea,” a woman yelled as she ran towards us. My heartbeat spiked for a second until I realised she was talking to the little girl. She stopped short at the sight of me. “M-Miss Danbury. I-I am so sorry. She-”

“Mama. Angel?”

“Stop bothering Miss Danbury,” the woman scolded and pulled the girl to hide behind her dress. There was a slight quake in her body as she spoke. I tilted my head slowly and watched her eyes nervously follow the movement.

Why did she seem scared of me?

“It’s alright. Your daughter lifted my spirits.”

She curtsied. “Thank you, my lady…I mean, Miss Danbury.”

I suddenly understood what was going on. In the past month, I had shared the first dances of major social gatherings with two future marquesses. The unique dresses I was wearing at both events didn’t help matters. People could have also assumed that these men provided my dress expenses and are probably trying to court me.

I clicked my tongue. Just another complication added to the list.

I looked up at the woman in confusion and then sighed.

Right. She was waiting for me to ask her to leave. Noble women always dismissed the people they had spoken to. I thought of explaining to her that I was not going to become nobility in this lifetime but decided against it. People would always believe what they wanted to. She could even begin to say that I'm humble and modest—a perfect candidate to be a marquess.

“You may go,” I said.

She scrambled away, pulling her hesitant daughter with her. I waved at her daughter behind her back and the little girl beamed, returning the gesture.

“High society suits you,” a voice said behind me.

“Aww, and I was having such a wonderful night.”

Antoinette took a deep breath to calm herself. “Imelda, behave yourself.”

I stood and leaned close to her, reducing my voice to a whisper. “I will if you tell me just how much Lord Baines paid you to commit treason.”