Nicholas stood in front of them like a total fool. He did not gawk, nor did his eyes widen. In fact, he simply stared.

Maxine took the chance to pull her hand free from Maxwell's grasp and whirl to hiss, "What are you doing?"

Maxwell tore his eyes away from his speechless brother and gazed down at her. "Have I not made my intentions clear enough?"

She gasped and blinked in disbelief. "I am sorry, my lord, but I must have missed the question when you asked!" she snarled with derision.

From the corner of her eye she saw Nicholas move his head from her back to his brother.

"I am not marrying you," she snapped at Maxwell, jumping back when he attempted to grab her hand. "Stay away from me, you horrid man!" she added, scurrying to hide behind Nicholas. "Your actions are appalling, my lord, I tell you that!"

Maxwell's face darkened, stalking after her. "And what would you have me do? Allow you to disappear from Wickhurst after I have compromised you?" He scoffed, carefully following her around Nicholas. His brother turned to stare at them both while they circled him. "Do you think me daft?"

"No, I believe you are irrational apart from being asinine!" she hissed at him, stepping back as he moved forward, entirely aware that Nicholas was following their movements as he was trapped inside the invisible track they were making around him. "I am not marrying you!"

Maxwell bared his teeth and increased his pace until he caught her hand. But Maxine grabbed Nicholas' hand as he tried to pull her toward him.

"What the bloody hell is happening!" Nicholas roared, glaring at them both. "What the bloody hell is happening!" he bellowed once more, this time his anger echoing around the room.

Both Maxine and Maxwell stopped and stared at him.

Maxwell opened his mouth to speak but Nicholas was already demanding, saying, "Do not make me feel more of a buffoon as I am feeling now, brother, for I will have none of it!" He turned to Maxine and frowned. "Why are you forcing my valet to marry you?" He turned his head back on his brother with a scandalized look on his face. "I do believe you are a man who fancies the opposite sex, Maxwell, so please be so kind and explain exactly why you would drag my valet to Tiny Town! You are no nancy!"

Maxwell's face contorted. "What the bloody hell, Nicholas," he said, pulling Maxine closer to his side. "Could you be any more blind and not see that your valet is a woman!"

Maxine closed her eyes and groaned in frustration. Was it time for her to stride into the offices of the Town Herald and chronicle her secrets for publication?

Nicholas looked dumbfounded when Maxine opened her eyes once more. He was staring at her with mouth hanging open and then his eyes widened as he looked at her closer, this time really seeing her.

Ah, bloody hell, the man was not completely blind after all.

"Now, if you could get over your shock, can we now proceed to Tiny Town?" Maxwell asked with impatience. He turned to Maxine, eyes dark and determined. "We are going to wed."

"And I say no!" she cried out, pulling away from him. He did not let her, his grip tighter now.

"And as I have said, I cannot let you walk away from Wickhurst and from me, woman." His voice was almost threatening as he said the words through his teeth. "You could very well be carrying our child in your womb this very minute or have you not thought of that?"

Maxine went cold. No, she had not thought of that.

Maxwell's hand loosened around hers, silently telling her that she could pull away now if she truly wished to, but Maxine could not do so. She did not want to admit it, but she was allowing that one reason of having his child be a part of a decision that a part of her oddly and mysteriously wanted.

"We shall talk more later," he promised, pulling her toward the door.

"Bloody wait!" Nicholas shouted once again, making them stop. They both turned to face Nicholas.

"She is a woman, Nicholas," Maxwell said to his brother. "She had always been since the very moment she walked into your estate. Now, will you move and go with us to Tiny Town or not?"

"I—" Nicholas stared at Maxine once again. "I bloody need an explanation."

"One you shall have in the carriage," Maxwell snapped at him.

Maxine felt as though she was floating while Maxwell led her out of the study, down the corridor, the stairs, across the hallway, out of the estate and into the carriage.

Tiny Town? Bloody Tiny Town!

*****

"You mean to say that the servants know and no one bothered to tell me?"

Maxine had been bowing her head for a long time but when Nicholas' question boomed around the carriage, she looked up and said, "No. Well, yes, they found out but they had been unaware as well until two days past."

"One of the reasons why I decided to take this trip to Tiny Town," Maxwell said beside Maxine.

She turned her head to throw him a questioning look.

He sighed and muttered, "The scullery maid made a trip to the Wickhurst office of the Town Herald twice."

Maxine's eyes widened. "Lottie?"

"She did not go inside, but she attempted to twice," he said. "I believe that it would not be long until she gathers the courage to knock on the doors."

"But she—she could not be thinking of telling—"

"You ought to have told me when they found out," he interjected. "Is that why they have been avoiding you?"

"How did you know?"

"It merely takes one meal in that dratted dining room to notice, Maxine. Everyone had been too wary of your presence like they had never been before," he said. "Unlike my brother, you must know by now that I am not a blind fool."

Nicholas glared at Maxwell from across the carriage. And then he turned to Maxine and glared even more. "You lied to me."

"Have you asked her of her gender, brother?" Maxwell asked.

"No, of course not! But then who would bloody ask!" Nicholas said in outrage.

"Then she did not lie," Maxwell said.

Nicholas' nostrils flared. "You said that your father is—"

"From Theobald," Maxwell interrupted. "Again, not a lie."

Maxine threw Maxwell a darting look before she faced Nicholas again. "I did lead you on to believe a lie," she admitted. "I am utterly sorry, my lord."

Nicholas snorted. "And all for a crazy adventure of finding your mother?"

"Yes," she murmured, bowing her head.

Nicholas fell silent and the awkward silence lingered for a little while with naught but the sounds of the carriage wheels against the road and the hooves of the horses. "Ah, bloody hell!" Nicholas groaned all of a sudden, making Nicholas and Maxine snap their heads. He was staring at Maxine with complete horror. "You have served me as my valet for months!"

Maxine frowned and blinked in confusion. "That I did, yes."

"And you have dressed me too many times!" He pointed at Maxine as he turned to look at Maxwell. "She had undressed me countless of times as well!"

"I do not see why that would—" Maxine started but Maxwell had already turned to face her with a frown.

"In what level of undress have you seen my brother in?" he demanded.

"I once woke up completely naked! After a night at Grey's!" Nicholas proclaimed with dread.

Maxine's face flushed while Nicholas cried in horror and Maxwell glared at the information.

"I did not undress you that night, my lord," Maxine murmured. "As I remember, you undressed on your own. I did naught but stand in one corner."

Maxwell cursed under his breath and Nicholas groaned even more. "Bloody hell," he said as he rubbed his face with his hands in frustration. "I am to have my valet as my sister-in-law. And she had seen me naked and had served me—"

"Bloody close your mouth or I shall make you with my fist down your throat," Maxwell warned.

Maxine turned to Maxwell. "I do not have my bag."

"I took the liberty of grabbing it," he told her. She nodded and stole another glance at his face.

He seemed unperturbed. In fact, he seemed satisfied, a stark contrast to Nicholas' current state.

"I am a Trilby," she uttered with meaning.

Nicholas snapped his head and gawked across them. "You are a bloody what?" He glared at Maxwell. "I thought you said you shall tell me everything?"

Maxwell rolled his eyes and ignored Nicholas. He met Maxine's gaze and said, "And you are also a Theobald."

"I am a bastard," she corrected.

"And so are half of the ton," he said with a shrug. "Mayhap not in word, yes, but in character they mostly are."

Maxine looked away and stared out the window. Was she doing the right thing? Ever since she had left Willowfair, she had started to doubt herself. Mayhap she ought not to have left Theobald. Mayhap she ought not to pursue finding her mother. Mayhap she ought to go back home.

And now mayhap she must get away before they reached Tiny Town.

*****

Tiny Town was not merely known for being a separate state from the rest of the Town, thus with independent laws of their own that many eloping lovers took advantage of, but it was also quite far from Wickhurst. It was, the very least, a four or five-day journey from Wickhurst with constant stops, but one could cut it short to two and a half if they traveled with merely one stop at a small village but that would mean they must take the more difficult road instead of the longer and more comfortable one.

Maxwell was keen on the idea of reaching the infamous town for couples that he decided on the rougher course much to Maxine and Nicholas' disappointment.

They spent most of the journey answering Nicholas' questions, ones he often asked too many times that both Maxine and Maxwell had had enough at one point and shouted for him to ask the next question.

"How did you know?" he asked Maxwell.

"Bloody hell, Nick," Maxwell retorted, "Just one bloody look and you will realize she is a woman!"

"I did not! And so did everybody else!"

"Ysabella knew—"

"Because she met her before!"

"No matter," Maxwell dismissed, "I knew. I simply did. She had always been a woman, Nicholas."

"And you chose to debauch her," Nicholas snapped back, giving Maxine an apologetic look, saying, "Pardon my language, my lady."

Maxine smiled. "I have heard worse from you, my lord."

Nicholas groaned once more and it was followed by more unnecessary recollection of the many times she had seen him in his worst state and behavior.

As the lights from the distant holes grew dimmer, they decided to stop at the village of Oakley.

Maxine realized that it was the village closest to Theobald.

Mayhap she must go home?

*****

"Do stop the ruckus, Maxine, please," Maxwell groaned from the other side of the bed. Of course, he had insisted on sharing the bed now that they were on their way to Tiny Town. "This is the first that I get to have a proper sleep," he added against the pillow.

Maxine stopped tossing and slowly breathed out.

He was here in one room with her for he must have suspected she would attempt to escape.

Theobald was very near. She could get out of Oakley now and run her way back home. She could lock herself back in her chambers and she would never have to see a single Everard again.

"What is the matter?" Maxwell asked beside her.

"I thought you said you wanted to rest."

"What is the matter?" He rose to his elbows and loomed over her.

Maxine gulped as she stared up at him in the dark. The only light was coming through the windows from the lamps outside.

Since that night in the townhouse, they had never been this close again. She had made certain that it did not happen.

"You are frowning," she murmured, averting her gaze.

He stared down at her for a very long time before he straightened on the bed in a sitting position. "Come here," he gently whispered, taking her hand to pull her up beside him.

She was in her nightgown, one of the many things he packed for her. Up to that moment, Maxine was quite lost how he managed to do it.

Maxwell shifted on the bed to face her, his shirt half-opened as the night was proving to be rather hot. Maxine would still not meet his gaze and she chose to focus her attention on his right shoulder.

"What is it now?" he asked, peering down to catch her eyes.

Maxine's jaw tightened as she blinked, forcing herself to meet his gaze. For a second she found herself lost in the depths of his globes as they glimmered in the darkness of the room.

"You have not proposed to me yet," she rushed. She turned her head to the right to lift her chin in a haughty mien.

"Bloody hell, Maxine, we are to reach Tiny Town by the morrow," he said a gentle yet impatient tone. "That ought to tell you what I had always intended to do. Does that not equate to a proposal?"

She arched her brow and her head snapped at his words. "Oh, God. How would I know? I have never witnessed a proposal, and neither have I experienced one to be an expert, but I can tell you for certain, my lord, that you are not very good at it."

He closed his eyes to maintain patience. "It was never taught in school, nor was I given a chance to practice before."

"Well, you ought to at least try!" She arched her brow. "Theobald is very near from Oakley, you see. I could gather my things and—"

"Bloody hell, give me a minute then!" he hissed at her. Maxine thought she heard him mutter, "Ah, bloody hell..." as he narrowed his eyes in concentration.

She offered her hand with a mocking smile. "I believe they hold the lady's hand," she explained.

Maxwell took her hand in his and then he stared at her for a long time.

"I very much hope you are thinking of the best words to make me swoon and are not sleeping with your eyes open, my lord," she said.

His eyes narrowed with warning, but he finally spoke. "Maxine Theobald, I am proposing that we marry."

She arched her brow. "That is your proposal? You have thought that long and you did not come up with a good reason why we must wed?"

"I was thinking of why we should not," he corrected. "I could not think of one."

"Why would you refuse to think of a reason why we must?"

"The list can be too bloody long," he snapped with impatience.

Her heart swelled but she did not let him see it. Instead she frowned. "Are you certain you cannot come up with a single reason why we must not move along to Tiny Town? Surely you have doubts!"

"I rarely doubt myself. People, I often do, but you have become an exception."

"Then what of you being an utter fool, my lord, for surely this is a foolish idea!"

His hand tightened around her hand. "I am a lord, Maxine, but I am no fool." He sighed. "I have witnessed many men make foolish mistakes simply because their hearts have been swayed."

Her heart stopped for a moment. Did he just admit that his heart was swayed? "And you are about to join the rank," she snapped instead.

"No, I believe I am saving myself the trouble." He peered down at her. "You are not entirely convinced this will work?"

"Of course, I am not! This is too much! I have not imagined myself marrying anyone!"

His lips quirked as he brushed his hair away from his face with one hand. "Good."

"What?"

"I thought you were about to say that you never imagined yourself marrying me."

"I do not see the difference."

"Ah, but I am not just anyone." He pulled her closer toward him. "I have told you I do fancy you. We are good together."

Maxine swallowed as his face drew near.

He stared into her eyes. "Will you marry me now?"

Maxine lost herself into the depths of his green globes.

She knew what he was capable of. She had despised him for it, but she also admired him for daring to do anything for his family. He had thought the worst of her, yet she also found herself appreciating his keen wit and understanding. He had annoyed her too many times, yet had also given her days excitement at every turn.

And Maxwell Everard was a great lover. Not overly romantic but certainly very passionate.

It took her almost forever to realize that she wanted to say yes. Not because she was in love with him for that was yet to be determined, but because she could see herself loving this man. And she could feel that he could too. Should they both give it time, Maxine almost believed she could have a happy life.

"A proposal deserves an answer," Maxwell urged, snapping her back to the moment.

"Oh, bloody hell, please tell me this will be the last foolish thing I will do," was her reply.

"And the most rewarding, I tell you," he said with a smile, wrapping his arm around her to pull her closer against him. His mouth carefully covered hers in a sweet, urging kiss.

His mouth froze against her and when he leaned his head back, her heart started to hammer. Did he change his mind?

"Theobald is very near. I could gather a horse and ride there to meet your father. We could have a real wedding in Wickhurst or Theobald—wherever you wish it to be. We do not have to go to Tiny Town."

Maxine saw images of her in a big white gown with her father, Rachel and her two brothers, Gabriel and Samuel. And she saw the entire Everards there as well, grinning and snickering at Maxwell. But it did not seem to be perfect enough.

And it did not have to.

She shook her head and wound her arms around Maxwell's neck. "I have never been to Tiny Town," was her answer.

"But you do realize we are still going to discuss more of this matter, yes?" he murmured against her mouth. Maxine simply rose to her knees to straddle his lap for she did not wish to think of anyone at that moment. Whoever she would have to face—her family and his—she would at least not do so alone. He would be there.

Yes, he would be there.

Was it ridiculous to be thinking she was being a fool for such an impetuous decision, yet feeling that she had made the best choice amongst the wrong ones?

*****

"...will you love her, comfort her, honor and keep her, in sickness and in health? And forsaking all others, keep only to her as long as you both shall live?"

The clergyman's question ought to have pushed Maxwell to dash toward the door and disappear from the rest of society without a single glance back. But today, he simply stood there facing a woman wearing the most simple blue chiffon dress to a wedding he had ever seen and said, "I will."

Nicholas shifted in his feet beside him. If anyone was eager to run away today, it must be his dratted brother.

The clergyman with graying hair turned to Maxine and Maxwell's heart started to pound. "Will you obey him—"

He silently groaned in his head at the first question. He ought to have talked with the man before they started to wisely hide the dangerous word 'obey' within his series of questions!

"—serve him—"

Ah, the second most dangerous word where Maxine was concerned. What was wrong with these vows!

"—love, honor and keep him, in sickness and in health? And forsaking all other, keep only to him as long as you both shall live?"

Maxwell's eyes narrowed as he held his breath waiting for Maxine to open her mouth.

Her beautiful pale grey eyes found his and he saw the smallest of smiles form on her lips before she said, "I will."

Nicholas nudged his side as a jesting gesture and he was able to finally breathe.

The clergyman ordered him to take Maxine's hand. "Say your vow, my lord," said the clergyman.

Maxwell swallowed, trying his might to remember the words. He caught her gaze and found them in their depths. "I, Maxwell Arthur Everard, take thee, Maxine—" he paused for a second to consider his next words "—Trilby Theobald, to be my wedded wife, to have and to hold, from this day forward, for better or for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish until death do us part."

He saw Maxine's eyes water at the mention of her name. He would dare not finish this wedding without letting her realize that whatever her name was—whoever she was—she would still be his.

The clergyman gave Maxine an expectant look. Maxwell lifted his brows, silently telling her that he was waiting.

"I, Maxine Trilby Theobald, take thee, Maxwell Arthur Everard," she started in a shaking voice before she paused to swallow and continue, "to be my wedded husband, to have and to hold, from this day forward, for better or for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish—"

Nicholas loudly cleared his throat, interrupting Maxine's words.

Maxwell glared at his brother but Nicholas hissed, "Obey."

Maxine frowned while Maxwell continued to scowl.

"Love and obey," Nicholas corrected in a loud whisper, throwing the clergyman a wary look.

Maxwell and Maxine turned to the man standing in the middle. He nodded his head. "It is 'to love and obey' for you, my lady."

"I care not if it is cherish or obey," Maxwell snapped.

"But the vow ought to be followed as it was written—"

"—to love and obey until death do us part," Maxine interrupted, correcting herself. "There, I said it." She threw Nicholas and the clergyman a mocking smile.

The man cleared his throat and motioned for the rings.

Nicholas handed the ring to Maxwell who sighed. With a slightly shaking hand he slipped it through her finger. "With this ring I wed thee, with my body I worship thee, with all my worldly goods, I thee endow. In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the holy Ghost. Amen."

Maxwell stared at the golden ring he procured in haste in Wickhurst and vowed to design one especially for her. He looked up and realized that Maxine was staring at the ring as well, her eyes aglow with excitement and what seemed like apprehension.

As the clergyman took both their right hands to join them together to say, "Those whom God hath joined together, let no man put asunder," Maxwell realized that he had said his vows in truth.

As he watched Maxine listen to the rest of the clergyman's words, Maxwell realized that he might be in love. There was no denying it. He ought to have seen it coming.

Now, how to tell her and how to make her love him in return?