A nearly eerie silence fell into the room. Nicholas might be simply shocked but for Maxwell, it was something else entirely. It was far beyond being startled. Fear and panic were laced with the fuddled look on his face as he gauged the valet's reaction.

The first to move was her. She blinked and everything in her face changed. She managed to pull an invisible curtain to hide the hatred he saw in her eyes. "Pardon, my lords," she murmured, bending down to gather the tray and the teacups. "I shall have this one cleaned right away," she added as she straightened on her feet.

"Ah, bother not, Max," Nicholas said. "Let the maid clean the mess later. My brother and I are discussing something of import."

She nodded stiffly, eyes on Nicholas but never on him, which was far worse than receiving a murderous glare.

Maxwell started for the door the very moment the valet walked out.

"Where are you going?" Nicholas demanded.

"I would like to have a moment to think alone," he snapped over his shoulder. "You stay here," he ordered, slamming the door behind him.

She was already nearing the end of the corridor and into the hallway when he ran up to her. "What you heard was—"

"I do not wish to see you or hear your voice," she seethed. Her shoulders were stiff and her steps hurried.

"You have not yet heard of my entire plan. You do not—"

"Max!" a voice said from the main doorway. He stopped and turned to find Ralph striding toward them and the valet. "Good that you are here. Samuel and I called upon you in your estate and were informed that you are here."

The woman had stiffened beside Maxwell, her already blanched face turning even paler. He returned his eyes on Ralph and realized that Samuel Theobald was walking right behind his brother.

"Good day, my lord," his brother's friend greeted. "Pardon for the intrusion, but your brother insisted."

The valet whirled around and scurried back into the corridor where she came from and disappeared.

Maxwell frowned and turned his attention back on the two intruders.

"Samuel is currently in a big dilemma, one that needs our help."

The young man beside Ralph apologetically smiled. "I merely specifically asked for Ralph's help but he has decided for himself that you and Nicholas could offer assistance."

"A matter of truth as my brothers do know more people than I," Ralph said. "Can you spare us a bit of your time?" he asked Maxwell. "Is Nicholas in residence? We are about to discuss a delicate matter that requires your confidence." Ralph started to move. "We must bring this to the study."

Maxwell studied Samuel Theobald. He met the young man's hesitant pale grey eyes.

"Bloody hell," he muttered as realization crept in.

"What was that?" Ralph asked.

"Nothing," he snapped. "I said, lead the way."

His eyes wandered down the corridor. She was gone. She must have escaped into the secret service corridor.

As his brother and Samuel Theobald entered the study, Maxwell hesitated. What if she suddenly decided to act on impulse and escape?

"Max?" Ralph asked while Nicholas' voice from inside could be heard saying, "What is this now?"

Maxwell turned and entered the room.

She would not go away for now, he reassured his mind before he closed the door and locked it.

"What is it? Make it fast," he ordered Ralph.

"Very well," said Ralph, turning to face Samuel. "I hope you do not mind?"

Samuel nodded his blonde head. He appeared more distraught now that the talk was about to start.

Ralph turned to Nicholas who seemed utterly lost and confused. "You cannot repeat whatever we discuss in this room with anyone."

Nicholas slowly nodded. He appeared startled to be facing two more gentlemen after his unfinished talk with Maxwell.

Ralph turned to Maxwell who wryly said, "Go on with it." His eyes were on Samuel now pacing around the room.

"Samuel's sister is missing," Ralph began. Maxwell gave no reaction as he continued to study the young Theobald.

Nicholas, on the other hand, was even more confused. "Sister? You do not have one, Samuel."

"He does," Ralph provided. "Her name is Maxine and she has gone missing."

Maxwell's jaw tightened as he closed his eyes. He pinched the bridge of his nose to keep from shouting all profanities his tongue would allow. A part of him was itching to get out the door and find the woman, but another knew that it would merely intrigue the other men in the room.

"I do not understand," Nicholas said, frowning at the pacing Samuel.

The young man finally stopped and said, "She is my father's bastard and she had been kept a secret all her life. And now she is missing and we cannot find her."

Nicholas blinked and his eyes widened in surprise. "You have a sister?"

"And she is missing," Samuel repeated, tone impatient. "And I am desperate to find her as my parents are."

"Have you gone to the Town Guards?"

Ralph gaped at his brother and rolled his eyes. "I am one, brother."

"My father is currently still hoping that Maxine will return as she had promised but we have not heard from her for so long. He does not wish to make her disappearance public in fear that she will hate him for it."

"Whatever does that mean?"

"She ran away," Maxwell impatiently explained. "And since she is a bastard, and a secret one at that, the Theobalds are trying their best to look for her without the matter being out in the open."

Samuel rubbed his face with his hands. "I am very close to announcing a reward for her return on the Herald. But she has not been abducted. She is of age to go wherever she wishes."

Ralph turned to both Maxwell and Nicholas. "We were hoping that you could ask amongst your trusted acquaintances. I fear that Samuel's sister might be in danger."

"Why so?" Nicholas asked.

Samuel answered, his voice sounding fearful and concerned. "She has no friends. She has never been away from Theobald. She had lived all her life in the manor." He groaned. "I fear that she is too innocent and naïve and anyone could take advantage of her. She is all alone."

Maxwell cleared his throat to suppress the fury he felt directed toward himself.

Nicholas slowly stood up. "Have you considered that mayhap she ran away with someone?"

Maxwell glowered while Samuel shook his head. "My sister is not one who would run away with a lover if that is what you are suggesting, my lord."

"Then bloody publish the announcement! Who bloody cares if she is a bastard?" Nicholas said in frustration. "What good would it do that your family maintains its good reputation if your sister could be in potential harm?"

"They know where she might be," Maxwell said, staring at Samuel.

Samuel nodded. "She left a note informing me that she is out to find her mother."

"Her real mother?" Nicholas asked.

"Yes."

"And you do not know who her mother is?"

"We know. My father provided the information the moment we learned of Maxine's disappearance."

"You are telling us that your sister is out there to find her mother, someone you all know?" When Samuel nodded, Nicholas added, "Then bloody hell find the woman!"

"She does not know who her mother is," Samuel provided.

Nicholas shook his head. "Now you are telling us that your sister is out there looking for a woman she does not know?"

"Yes."

"And she could be lost?"

"Yes."

"You do know how atrocious you sound, yes?"

"You know people, Nick," said Ralph. "Maxine could have found employment somewhere."

"What do you intend to do the moment you find her?" Maxwell spoke.

Everyone turned to Maxwell with a frown.

"Bring her home at once, of course," Samuel replied.

"You are not going to take her to her mother? That is if she had not found the woman yet, of course."

Samuel shook his head. "My father has reasons why he never revealed who Maxine's mother is and I too believe that my sister is better off far away." He turned to Nicholas. "We believe she is in Wickhurst."

"What makes you believe that your sister is in Wickhurst?"

"She has made an acquaintance with Ysabella during the last Theobald party," Samuel provided. "I saw the letters Ysabella sent her weeks ago."

Nicholas groaned. "Of course, our dear sister. Of course."

"We went to Ysabella and she claims not to know where Maxine is," Ralph said. "But since Ysabella is the only person she knows outside of Theobald, we believe that Maxine might have decided to stay in Wickhurst where she can easily find help should she need it while she searches for her mother."

"My sister may be naïve, my lords," Samuel uttered, "but she is no fool."

Maxwell wanted to contradict and say that Maxine Theobald was neither of both. He stared at Nicholas' confused look. The bloody bastard could not even figure out that his valet had the same eyes as Samuel Theobald, the blind fool!

"Where was she last seen?"

Samuel shook his head. "She stole my horse in Theobald and one of our footmen found it a week later. She sold it."

"And the person who procured it could not place where she might have went?"

Again, Samuel shook his head. "The horse was sold by a boy."

"And we could not find the boy," said Ralph.

Nicholas sighed. "I shall try asking a few acquaintances. If you could give me a good description of your sister, it would greatly help."

"And watch Ysabella," Ralph said. "She could have lied to us."

Maxwell nodded. "You can be certain that your sister will be returned safely should we know where she is."

Samuel sighed in relief. "Although I am quite certain that you will not be able to find her as I cannot provide a photo of her and Wickhurst is a rather large town, know that I am grateful, gentlemen."

Maxwell merely nodded.

Now he needed to find her. Fast.

*****

She must go.

Maxine rushed to the kitchen to deposit the tray and the broken teacups, surprising Molly and Fanny. The two stared at the tray and its contents.

"Max!" Molly called out after her. "Whatever happened? Is everything all right?" she asked, following her into the service corridor. "What happened, dear?"

"Bloody hell, Molly, leave me alone for once!" Maxine shouted over her shoulder. The woman stopped cold, stupefied. Maxine could care less for she was feeling a fury burning inside her.

She must go.

Samuel was here. He was here to ask the Everards for help and if she was found, she might never have the chance to face her mother.

She slammed the door to her room and paced around the small servant quarter, obliging her tears to retreat.

Letting out a shaky breath, Maxine closed her eyes. Maxwell Everard was planning to use her and her brother had finally appeared. This was enough sign for her to be on her way. It was time to go to Willowfair on her own, present herself in front of her mother and get what she wanted.

That was all she wanted—answers! Why was everyone else making it impossible?

She whirled to face her bed. Underneath was her bag. She could pack that very moment.

But she could not do so today. Maxwell would know what she was planning and he would attempt to stop her again. No, she would not go today.

Instead of grabbing her clothes to pack, Maxine decided to find a pen and paper. She scribbled a short letter addressed to her mother.

I am the daughter you gave away many years ago. I do not wish for anything but meet you and get answers.

Folding the letter, Maxine squared her shoulders.

It was time to depend merely on herself. No one was set out to help her. No one would be willing to do so without expecting something in return. She would deliver the letter and wait for a response. Should one arrive, she would go to Willowfair. Should nothing come, she would still pack her bags and hop on a hackney to Willowfair.

Her mother might not take her in, yes, but she would get her answers. And then she could go home to Theobald where she belonged and pretend that everything never happened. She'd forget about Molly and everyone in this household. She would forget Maxwell Everard and his wicked ways. He never planned to help her at all. She was naïve to have let him stop her twice in Willowfair!

He was planning to keep her to use her against her mother!

Maxine would forget that she ever met the worst of the Everards.

*****

Maxwell nearly panicked when he was informed that the valet had disappeared.

"Up and disappeared and we do not know where he went," said Oscar, the butler. "Fret not, my lord, for I shall deal with him the moment he arrives."

She might not come back, he said to himself. But where could she have gone? Bloody hell, he ought to have stopped her.

Samuel and Ralph were long gone with the latter saying that they were not in high hope Nicholas and Maxwell could help find Samuel's sister.

But Maxwell did know where Maxine Theobald was. And he had let her slip through his fingers.

He was a bloody idiot.

He paced the entrance hall while Nicholas locked himself in his study to finish his accounting works before heading out for the night.

She could very well be on her way to Willowfair by now and here he was waiting and hoping that she returned? Of course, she would not be returning should she have decided to go. Who would after learning of his plan?

His head snapped up when he heard footsteps coming from the kitchen and he almost did not believe his eyes when he saw her toward the corridor that led to Nicholas' study.

"Where have you been?" he demanded, walking after her.

She ignored him and continued down the corridor.

He ran after her and grabbed her hand. "Stop," he ordered, pulling her back to face him. "Stop, Maxine."

Her eyes registered surprise, but not for long. He had never used her name since she told him. She quickly managed to deduce why he was using it now and her face tightened further. "You must have had a good talk with my brother," she snapped, pulling her hand free.

Maxwell shook his head. "What you heard earlier—"

"Have you told them the truth yet?" she asked in a cold tone. "Ah, of course, you did not. That would ruin your plan, after all." He grabbed her hand again. "Let go of me, my lord."

"You are planning to go away," he uttered without question.

Her eyes lit up with intense fury. "You have been keeping my secret for one reason: you know I am a Trilby and you plan to use me against Osegod. And to think I almost enjoyed your peculiar seduction, one you obviously attempted to control me to your advantage!" Maxwell's jaw tightened. "I knew you cannot be as good as your siblings. There is always one who has bad blood in every family, yes?"

His grip tightened around her wrist. "You have not heard of my entire plan," was all he said, ignoring her insult. "I am not planning to use you without your consent. And you cannot leave. It is dangerous."

"I have never been in real danger until you arrived and showed yourself in front of me," she shot back. "I cannot stay here and do not think you are the sole reason why. I cannot let Samuel find me here and as to my experience with you, my lord, I cannot trust that I can peacefully sleep knowing you are bound to betray me at any time."

"What is happening?" Nicholas' voice asked from behind Maxine. He was standing outside his study, looking at them with curious eyes. "Are you insulting my valet again, Max?"

"None of your business," snapped Maxwell before saying, "You come with me," to Maxine. He started to drag her away from Nicholas and down the corridor. "Dare not follow us, Nicholas!" he shouted over his shoulder.