"Well?" asked Cole, brows arched high. "Why are we here?"

Wakefield looked around the gaming room of Grey's. "I do not see Nick or Ralph anywhere." He frowned at Maxwell and narrowed his eyes. "Why are we here?"

"I do have a favor to ask," he started but his brothers-in-law were already shaking their heads. "You have not heard it yet."

"Well, if it is about your wife's family tormenting you with daily missives, I believe there is no law against it and we cannot take them to courts," Cole said. "I cannot help you."

"And if you are planning to use me as part of a plan to take revenge, Max, I tell you that it is not necessary," Wakefield added. "We dared not do it, Cole and I, am I right, Cole?"

He glared at the two men. "That is not what I have in mind."

Both men leaned back against their chairs. "Then what is it?"

"I would like for both of you to talk to your wives."

Cole and Wakefield frowned. "What for?"

"Ask them to talk to mine."

"Do not tell me you and Maxine are estranged. It has merely been fortnight since that ruckus in your mother's estate."

"Do cease your outrageous imaginations, Wakefield," he snapped. "Ask your wives to talk to mine. Convince her to agree to a grand wedding."

"She has expressed no desire for a grand wedding," Cole said under his breath. "And everyone understands it."

Maxwell sighed. "Her brothers would not stop urging me to do it and I have tired myself of asking her."

"Then bloody tell them to urge her," Wakefield uttered.

Cole looked at Maxwell for a while. "I shall ask Meg but I cannot promise that she will agree."

"And Ysabella will most definitely do what her friend and sister-in-law wishes," Wakefied said. "But of course, I will try."

"She is proving to be difficult where the matter about her birth is concerned."

Cole shrugged. "One cannot blame her. We have all witnessed many bastards meeting bad fates in the past."

"But the story will soon come out," Maxwell said. "Even if the Herald cannot publish it because of Samuel, the gossipmongers will soon smell the scent of a gossip."

"Is that why you are taking her to Kenward? Ysabella shared your plans."

"Yes," Maxwell retorted, taking a gulp from his glass. "We decided to reside there."

"Finally leaving Vinge, eh?" Wakefield chuckled.

"And what of her other family?" Cole asked.

"You mean the Trilbys," he said and then shrugged. "She has not spoken about them."

"And the search for her mother?"

"We have not discussed it since the family dinner."

Wakefield studied him with assessing eyes. "And how is marriage faring you?"

"Very well," he snapped. He took another long gulp from his glass. "I have a question," he stated after a moment of silence. His brothers-in-law waited with anticipation. "Do you tell your wives you love them? If so, how often?"

Cole sputtered in his drink while Wakefield laughed at the top of his lungs, nearly toppling back on his chair.

"What?" Maxwell asked with frustration.

"Max," Cole said, "do not tell me you have not yet told her. It is obvious that you do."

"Of course I have told her. I am no fool."

"Then do so every bloody day so she does not forget," Cole said. "Not in words all the time, of course. There are other ways."

"So long as she returns the words and actions, Max, you will remain a foolishly happy man," Wakefield said.

Maxwell's face turned grim.

Cole and Wakefield frowned at him.

Then Wakefield gasped as the realization came to him. "She has not said the words yet, has she?" He guffawed, slapping the table. "Ah, bloody famous!"

Cole's shoulders shook as he chuckled. "You are in a bloody big predicament, Maxwell."

Maxwell swallowed his drink. "I gave her an ultimatum."

It was Wakefield's turn to sputter and Cole to chortle.

"Why the devil would you do that!" Wakefield cried out, coughing hysterically.

Maxwell shrugged, not offering a reply. He stared at Cole who could not stop from laughing. "I believe she will not ask for a divorce. She asked for our families to meet after all and that does not signify a separation, rather a union."

"Or she could simply have asked to meet both families to confess—" Wakefield stopped when Maxwell glowered at him. "Why the bloody hell are you asking these questions if you go and act like the devil himself when we offer undesirable replies!"

Maxwell harshly grabbed the bottle of brandy and poured himself a glass. "She has not expressed the desire to be separated from me."

"Of course, because she is still in need of your help," Wakefield wryly uttered.

"Still in search of her mother, is she not?" Cole added conspiratorially. "I agree with William. Maxine still finds the need of you."

"The two of you are bloody useless," he snapped, emptying his glass.

Cole and Wakefield's laughter slowly died down and their faces morphed into pity. "You must be patient," said Cole. "Your wife is the kind of woman who does things impetuously. She is also rather proud. In fact, the two of you are utterly similar. You must know better."

Wakefield leaned against his chair and sighed. "I say honesty is not working for your wife, Maxwell."

He frowned. "Whatever do you mean?" Cole turned to Wakefield with the same questioning look.

His brother-in-law slowly let out a wicked smile. "I say you make her do her own confession."

"How?" Cole asked before Maxwell could.

Wakefield leaned his forearms on the table and lowered his voice. "When I started to believe that Ysa was considering other men, my brother included, I started to recognize an undeniable surge of jealousy," he stated, "and that jealousy turned to fear—intense fear, I tell you. And look where I am now." He smiled at Maxwell. "I believe such feelings are not solely for men. It is also applicable on women."

Cole shrugged and leaned back into his chair. "Meg has given hint that a scorned, jealous woman is not one we must make."

Maxwell stared at each brother-in-law with doubtful eyes.

"Do as you please," Wakefield said. "Continue to beg her for an answer or play a harmful trick to make her do it."

He vigorously shook his head. "My wife shall have my neck should she know I tricked her. I am not even quite certain if she has forgiven me for having planned to use her against the Trilbys and Osegod."

His companions dropped their jaws in surprise.

"Then do not do it," Cole said. "To have been scorned once is enough for a woman, twice will be detrimental for your life."

"Agree," said Wakefield. "You are left to grovel then."

Maxwell sighed. Grovel. If only that could work.

*****

Maxine was frowning at her hands as she counted.

A fortnight had passed since Maxwell had very much insisted that she give him an answer.

Yet he had not talked about it at all since they returned from Meriwether.

Could he have changed his mind?

No, that couldn't be.

He would not have suffered her brothers' beatings if he loved her any less. He would not have passionately made love to her last night if he did not love her, yes?

Or perhaps he was getting tired?

That would explain it. It was very like Maxwell if that were so.

She looked out the window and sighed, the frown still on her face.

They were to leave his estate soon and settle in Kenward and she was merely eager to do so. She hated to confront that fact that sooner or later her identity would be revealed to the entire Town. She was already informed by one of the chambermaids that Lady Gedge, the biggest gossipmonger of Wickhurst, had instructed one of her servants to know who the woman Maxwell was hiding in his carriage three days past as he drove around the town. Apparently, the woman spotted their carriage while in the park with her equally gossip-hungry friends.

Her father had insisted that they announce her marriage to Maxwell before any scandal broke off, but she was not quite ready. How would Wickhurst see the Everards and the Theobalds now?

Maxwell was not aware of such thoughts as she kept them to herself. Even now as she quietly turned to find him reading a note delivered merely minutes ago, she could not quite muster the courage to tell him of her fears.

He would not care, of course. Maxwell was Maxwell. Yet he cared for his family so much. If she were to be presented as a Theobald bastard, then people like Lady Gedge would want to know more. They would want to know who her mother was and her being a Trilby would certainly be a big scandal.

And the Trilbys would not like that at all. How certain was she that they would not do anything to the Everards and the Theobalds in a great desire to protect their name?

She wondered if she could simply live in Kenward for the rest of her life and be an invisible wife to Maxwell.

That, again, would not do as well.

He had commented about an upcoming ball and that the entire Everards were invited, to which he hinted that he wished for her to go with him.

Maxine watched him slowly rise to his feet, folding the note in his hands. "I have somewhere to go," he told her. "I am afraid I cannot make it in time for supper."

Maxine waited for a while for him to explain where he was going but when he did not, she nodded and said, "Of course."

He walked around his desk and walked toward her. Cupping her face in his hands, he gave her a kiss. A hint of a disappearing bruise was around his eye. "I will see you tonight—very much later tonight," he wickedly added, sending a tingling sensation down her spine.

Without as much sharing where he was going or who he would be with, her husband turned and walked to the door.

It had been a fortnight and he had not yet asked her the question.

Bloody hell, what was he planning? Surely he was planning something?

*****

Maxine paced around the drawing room for nearly an hour since her husband left, thinking of the possible ways his mind was working, perhaps thinking of tricking her to make her own confession.

It was not like him to simply let the matter rest. He was not a very patient man. He must be concocting a plan, she thought.

"What could it be?" she whispered aloud, biting her nail, frowning at the floor.

She was about to turn and start pacing again when she heard a carriage drawing to a stop outside. She ran over to the window and found Ysabella hurriedly climbing down the carriage.

With a frown, Maxine rushed outside the drawing room to meet her sister-in-law.

"Good that you are here!" Ysabella exclaimed, her face fuming with anger.

"What is the matter?"

"It is your bloody husband and his two equally stupid brothers, that is what!" said Ysabella.

Maxine frowned. "Whatever do you mean?"

"He is not here, is he?"

"No, he left."

"And where did he say he was going to?"

Maxine shook her head. "He did not say."

Ysabella's scoffed in utter disbelief. "Of course he would not say! He is in Rock'oles!"

Maxine blinked. "Rock'oles?"

"You know what Rock'oles is!"

Maxine went cold as her entire body stiffened. "Rock'oles," she gritted through her teeth. "How did you know they are there?"

"Well, Ralph and Nick had the audacity to come by our estate and invite my husband to go with them!" Ysabella said, waving her hands about in fury. "Said Maxwell is on his way to meet them there for a jolly good time!"

Maxine's jaw tightened. "And you personally witnessed this?"

"Of course not! William shared it after those bloody rakehells disappeared from our estate without him. He never fancied Rock'oles, see? But my brothers obviously still do, including your husband!" Ysabella turned and started for the staircase.

"Where are you going?"

"Packing your things, of course! We are to give that devil of a husband of yours a proper lesson! He said he confessed his love and yet he goes to such a horrid place for a jolly good time! I am telling you, Maxine, this is not how marriage should work! You must teach him a lesson!"

Maxine's thoughts ran wild as Ysabella continued to climb up the stairs. "Of course," she said, "teach him a lesson, indeed."

"Good! Now, you must help me—"

"Come along, Ysa," Maxine said as she followed Ysabella up the stairs. "Help me change out of this dress."

"What?" Ysabella asked, pausing in the middle of the staircase, dumbfounded. "I meant we must pack your bags, Maxine! You can leave wearing the same dress."

"No, I need a different attire to enter Rock'oles," she said, reaching her sister-in-law.

Ysabella blinked a few times before her eyes widened in realization. "What! You cannot mean to say we are—"

Maxine lifted haughtily lifted her chin, stopping Ysabella's words. "I was raised by a very terrific mother, dear," she said. "It is time to apply her examples to the test."

"What do you mean?" Ysabella carefully asked with a frown.

"Well, I ought to fetch my husband and take him home where he belongs, of course!"

*****

"If you believe this case to be impossible, then why the bloody hell do we have to come here again?" Maxwell asked under his breath.

Ralph nonchalantly rested his arm on the back of his chair. "Perhaps I ought to have asked Samuel's help then," his brother said, turning to throw him a scowl, "but that is quite impossible at the moment since the man is still utterly cross over your elopement with his sister!"

"One I do not bloody regret," he hissed, looking around the large chamber. Nicholas was making his way toward them, the black-haired Tania in tow. "I cannot stay for long."

"I will need your expert eyes," Ralph hurriedly as Nicholas and Tania approached. "See if you can find anything odd. You remember faces quite well. See if you see anyone who does not quite fit in."

"Everything about this place is odd," he snapped before he forced a small smile on his lips and greeted Tania. "Tania."

"Ah, Maxwell," the woman purred as she joined Nicholas in a winged chair, literally sitting on his brother's lap. "Why! I have not seen you in ages! I was starting to believe you have grown tired of this place!"

"As I believe I will never be invited into your chamber, I have lost interest," he lied, lifting his glass to his lips.

Tania laughed, caressing Nicholas' hair. "Then perhaps you would like to meet our new girl, Veronica?"

Ralph straightened in his chair as Tania jumped off Nicholas' lap to find the aforementioned woman. He leaned toward his brother and asked, "Well? What did she say?"

Nicholas groaned. "Bloody hell, Ralph, we just arrived. I could not very well come up to her and ask her if she knows of a man by the name of Lord Durley!" he hissed. "You say he is the only constant name that appears on your investigation. Do you think me daft to simply blurt it out and blow your bloody chance? Are you a Town Guard or not?"

"And what of the woman who serves him? Have you found her? She is the missing link in this case, Nick."

"Allow me more time, Ralph. You did not have to come here for this as you have been an utter failure in acquiring an invite into a chamber," Nicholas snapped. "As I have said, I need more time."

Maxwell could understand Ralph's frustrations. It would have been easier if he could have one of the women invite him into her chamber, but him being a Town Guard was not helping at all. The women were wary to be alone with him.

"But you have been spending quite some time in this place since our last visit!" Ralph hissed at Nicholas. "A simple mention of the name could evoke a response!"

"And that will be tantamount to me being banned from this place!" Nicholas hissed back. "Would you rather I express my intentions of buying a dozen of slaves?"

"Perhaps, gentlemen," Maxwell wryly said, eyes on Tania and a blonde woman who had a flush on her face making their way back toward them, "you can use the new girl. Tania has been here for ages and her loyalty is unquestionable. A new girl, on the other hand, can be swayed to cooperate."

None of his brothers were able to say another word for Tania and Veronica reached their table by then. "Gentlemen, allow me to introduce dear Veronica," she said, pulling the girl closer. "Veronica, the handsome Everard brothers I have been telling you about," she said, settling back unto Nicholas' lap.

Veronica's face flushed further as she looked at each men, spending a few seconds longer on Maxwell. Her lips curved into a sensuous smile, the innocent and naïve look completely gone. "You must be Lord Kenward," she said, deliberately walking toward him. "I have heard of you, my lord," she said as she settled beside his chair, her hand resting on the back, fingers deliberately touching his shoulder.

He could see Nicholas and Ralph staring at him cautiously. He threw Ralph a look of warning as Veronica surreptitiously teased his hair.

Ralph cleared his throat and said to Veronica, "I have an empty, lonely spot beside me, Veronica. Perhaps you would like to fill it with your gracious presence?"

But instead of obliging his brother's request, the woman settled her hips on the armrest of Maxwell's chair. Nicholas winced behind Tania while Ralph started to panic, shifting in his seat in discomfort while Maxwell hid his scowl behind a tight smile.

"I do like talking while staring at a person's face, Veronica," he gritted out, "so if you could kindly take Ralph's offer so I can see your beautiful face while we carry this conversation further?"

Veronica and Tania chuckled but neither moved from their spot.

Maxwell started to count in his head, intending to leave when he reached ten, but stopped when his brothers froze in their seats, eyes wide with horror as they stared at a very specific space behind Maxwell. Ralph suddenly reached for Veronica, pulling the girl away from Maxwell none too gently, eliciting a surprised gasp from the woman as she landed straight on the spot Ralph offered earlier.

"Thank you, Ralph, for doing the honor," Maxine's cold voice said from behind him. Maxwell froze, finally recognizing the cause of his brothers' horror.

Tania jumped to her feet with a scowl on her face. "Who are you and how did you gain entrance?" the woman demanded.

Maxwell tried to move but his wife's hand stopped him, pushing him back on his chair by planting her hand on his shoulder. It was a very angry, heavy weight. He warily looked up and found Maxine's face glaring at Tania before turning her head to glower at Veronica. "Fret not, ladies," she said with a tight smile, her fury expertly contained, "I am merely here to fetch my husband."

Tania's brow arched. "Husband?" she asked, looking at each Everard man. "My dear, you must have come to the wrong table!"

Maxine's hand tightened around Maxwell's shoulder that it was almost painful. "No, dear, I believe I came to the right one."

Veronica jumped to her feet, slapping Ralph's hand away. Her face was flushed and she stiffly turned to face Maxine. She looked at Maxine from head to foot. It was also only then that he realized his wife was wearing her infamous shirt and breeches. Of course, she would, a small part of him wryly stated. "If you are here to fetch a husband, dear, then you ought to have come in your best gown. We do not welcome bedraggled—"

The woman was not able to finish her words as Maxine left Maxwell's side, so fast that Maxwell could merely stare, to grab Veronica by the arm. "Bedraggled or not, woman, I can throw a good blow. My fist is currently being ready as we speak. Do you wish to have it now?" his wife hissed at the woman, her other hand closing into an angry ball of knuckles. "I beg you to say please."

Tania and Veronica gasped in horror. Other women from the other tables nearby were also on their feet, looking at the scene with great interest. The other lords simply chose to turn their backs, quite aware that a wife was within the premises and they were afraid to be recognized and found out.

Veronica, however, did not appreciate to be brought to shame in front of the other women and she harshly pushed Maxine back. Maxwell jumped to his feet to catch his wife. He did not wish to cause a scene, especially in a place like Rock'oles. Ralph's investigation was still ongoing and they could not afford to be banned.

"Please escort this woman out of here!" Veronica shouted in fury.

"Whoever is guarding the doors outside shall have a price to pay!" Tania added, stepping closer to Maxine. "I am telling you, lady, your husband is not here."

Nicholas cleared his throat, so did Ralph. None of his brothers knew how to handle the situation. All were aware that Maxine did not wish to have her reputation revealed. They could not simply affirm her claim that she was the wife of one of them. And Maxine must have realized that too for she brushed Maxwell's hand away and stiffly turned to leave. It was a silent order that he followed her now.

Maxwell started to follow but paused as he heard Veronica say, "And if one of the gentlemen in this room is truly yours, it shall not be a surprise at all!" Maxine halted in her steps, her fury palpable. "You gentry-bred know naught but to make your husbands' lives a boring hell to live with what with your flimsy characters and dire choices of fashion! Go back where you belong—in an empty, lavish estate and wait for your husband to—"

"That is enough!" Maxwell barked, whirling on his feet to face Veronica just in time to raise his hand to stop Maxine from making an attack, one she obviously intended to do. Nicholas and Ralph jumped to their feet to stop Maxwell as he pointed one finger at Veronica and say, "You do not speak to my wife in such a manner, madam," he wrathfully gritted through his teeth.

Tania gasped in surprise but he did not hear it nor did he care that everyone in the bloody chamber now knew of his marital status.

"You are obviously new here so please allow me to give you unsolicited advice," he said, stepping closer so his furious face towered over Veronica. "Dare not generalize every man who comes through your doors for all do not have the same reasons you spoke of," he harshly whispered before taking a step back, grabbing Maxine by the hand.

"You will forever banned from this place, my lord!" This time, it was a man's voice who said the words, followed by a drunken laugh. Maxwell stopped yet again. He turned around with a mocking smile on his face, giving a salute to no one in particular as he said, "Gladly! Unlike most of you, gentlemen, I am merely happy to go home!"

He dragged his wife out of the chamber and stopped in the middle of an empty corridor. He forced her to face him and although the narrow corridor was dimly lit, he could see her scowling at him. "I was able to realize something while you were talking to that chit earlier," his wife started. "You deliberately made me jealous, Maxwell. You conniving, devil! You made it appear that you are here to be with a woman, did you not! I knew you were up to something!" she said, pushing his chest with one finger.

His anger started to wane as he stared at his wife with amusement. "Why would I do that?"

"Because it has been a fortnight and you have decided you have begged enough for my answer, that is why!" his wife harshly exclaimed.

A chuckle rumbled in his chest. "I beg your pardon, love, but I am here for a completely different reason."

"What—bed that woman? I told you, Maxwell, I will not condone a mistress in this marriage!"

He sighed. "Ralph has asked for my help," he said, looking around to see if anyone heard him. "Why don't we go home and I will tell you all about it?"

She slapped his hand away. "Is Wakefield part of this?"

He frowned. "What?" Obviously, his wife did not believe his reason.

"He told Ysabella that you are to come to Rock'oles with Nick and Ralph. And you all know how Ysabella will react to that information!"

Maxwell's eyes narrowed. "Are you telling me that Ysabella is here with you?"

"Of course! She is currently distracting the guards outside with a hysterical drama of looking for her own husband!"

"And you managed to slip right through looking like this?" he asked, looking her up and down.

"Do not steer the conversation, Maxwell."

"I am not, Maxie," he wryly said. "As I have said, Ralph asked for our help which is why I am here." He looked down the empty corridor. "Yet now that I think of it, Cole and Wakefield did suggest to make you jealous." He caught her hand before it landed on his arm. "Which I did not agree to. I have no intention of doing so."

She glared at him and pulled her hand away. "You are looking quite happy that I barged in here."

He grabbed her by the waist to pull her against him. "Of course."

"You are a brute, Maxwell," she glared.

Maxwell smiled and said, "You did not merely marry me because I could help you find your mother, did you?"

She finally relaxed and she sighed. "I believe I married you because I love you, you cynical bastard."

He leaned down to seek her lips. "Well, that was quiet easy, was it not?" he asked against her mouth.

"Banned! All Everard men—banned! She has no power to do so!" Nicholas was shouting with fury as he and Ralph stormed through the doors. "See what you did!" he said at Maxwell and Maxine. "Banned!"

Maxwell broke the kiss and turned to stare at his furious brothers. "My wife just told me she is in love with me, brothers."

"How did you even slip through the guards!" Nicholas demanded from Maxine. "One rule for all members of Rock'oles: no wife or female member to enter the doors! I have followed the rules religiously and now I am banned!

"We must talk with the owner," Ralph said, storming past Maxine and Maxwell, foot grinding the ground. "We cannot be banned!"

Nicholas followed Ralph. "Ysabella must have something to do with this! I knew Wakefield had that wicked look on his face earlier, that devil!" His voice rang down the corridor as he talked to himself.

Maxine frowned at Maxwell. "You do not look happy either. Is a membership in this place that important?"

He shook his head. "Not for me, no, but for Ralph it is. This place is part of a mission."

Her eyes rounded with realization. She shrugged. "Then perhaps I must help them regain their membership. Would a letter of apology addressed to the owner suffice?"

"Let us hope it will," he said. "Now, where is my conniving sister? We must find her before my brothers do."