"Entice him to take you with him," said the man.

Ellie frowned. "Take me where?"

The smile he gave her was both mysterious and cold. "A place stuck in time, my dear."

"I fear I don't follow."

The man chuckled. "Then perhaps it is about time you learn about The Town."

"The Town?"

-Above and Below

*****

The Everards often went to the yearly Seymour Ball and this year was no exemption. Apart from Maxwell and Benedict and their wives, the others were present.

Samuel, of course, was there to be with Emma. It was their first meeting since their little argument, and like all others, they acted as though it was nothing.

He claimed her first dance, of course, which did not cause a stir to any guests as many saw Samuel as part of the Everards. As they waltzed, Samuel looked at Emma and smiled. "Do you recall how I almost begged you for a dance before?"

She nodded, smiling as she remembered. "I only did so as payment for something."

"It was shameless of me, but it was worth it."

Emma scoffed and rolled her eyes. "You are trying to be romantic, Sam. It does not suit you."

"It pays to be charming in some cases," he said, turning her around. "He looked over her shoulder, his face suddenly serious.

"What is it?" she asked.

"Lord Seymour."

"You do not like him."

"No, not really. He is one of Noah Trilby's supporters."

"Yet you accepted his invitation."

"Most of my supporters are also here," he said to her with a wink. "Now, why don't we forget about politics for now? You and I ought to learn from the last spat."

She shook her head and sighed. "Very well, then." They completed the dance, talking about the stories from Kenward her sisters and mother shared with her. He asked after his sister, Maxine.

"I believe she is doing rather great. You know Maxwell can be quite irritating, but she is surviving."

"Your brother makes her happy," he said. "I am planning to visit soon to urge her to attend the Theobald Party. I heard she wishes to pass this year."

"Our niece is proving to be quite a challenge and I heard Maxine wants to wait until she can tame the young chit."

"Our niece is the sweetest, Emma. She will charm Theobald."

Emma scoffed. "Not when she will be with her cousins."

"She is too young to be dragged anywhere."

"And they are old enough to carry anyone who cannot be dragged," she countered and he laughed.

The music died, but not Samuel's laughter. Emma let him lead her back to her mother and sisters and as he did, she saw Wynne from afar. He was standing by with a few men she recognized as writers from the Town Herald as well. Their eyes locked but it was her who blinked and looked away.

The picnic was her last goodbye to the theatre and P. Wallace. He would be no other than Wynne Hastings for her from now on.

*****

Samuel was escorting Ysabella from their dance where they talked about none other than Emma when he heard her gasp. He immediately saw the subject of her fascination in the form of Stella Marie and Jordan Smith who were amongst a crowd of admirers.

"Please, do not tell me you wish to join them," he wryly said.

"Oh, Sam, I would love to," said Ysabella.

"Not with me," he said, already walking away, but Ysabella stopped him.

"Emma and I are fond of Above and Below, Sam." She started to pull him to the direction of the actors but stopped midway with hesitation.

"What is wrong?" Samuel asked.

Ysabella's face flushed. "I am embarrassed."

His eyes widened in surprise. "You? Ysabella Everard Hayward? Embarrassed?" He pretended to look around the ballroom. "Where is your husband when he needs to disapprove of your words?"

Ysabella slapped his arm. "Oh, stop it!" And then she pushed him to the side and turned to the opposite direction when Stella Marie started to make her way together with Lady Seymour toward them. "They are to pass this way. Hush."

"If you want, I can ask for her company for you," he offered.

"You would dare not!" Ysabella hissed. "Simply pretend we do not see her."

"Well, I can very well do so," he said, turning away from the actress who was near to passing by them, listening to whatever Lady Seymour was saying. "She has more to prove to us, after all," he added to Ysabella. "And Jordan Smith seems to be bound to fall again," he added under his breath, noting Jordan's haughty demeanor from afar.

"Of course, my lady," he heard a sweet voice say behind him and Ysabella. He made a slight turn and found that the voice belonged to Stella Marie herself. And her eyes were on him as she added, "Sometimes I do wonder if those who claim to be giving mere opinions are aware that they are instead making rushed judgments." Samuel thought he saw a small, condescending smile flicker across the actress' lips before she blinked, tearing her gaze from his. "Their ignorance of the difference is quite gnawing."

Samuel's jaw tightened as his gaze followed the actress and their host. "What did you say, dear?" he heard Lady Seymour ask in confusion.

"Oh, that your ball is magnificent, my lady..."

He felt Ysabella slap his arm again. "Oh, you bloody idiot! She heard you!" Ysabella hissed beside him.

Samuel scoffed. "If she did, why would I even care—" his statement was cut off at the sudden quiet that filled the entire ballroom.

Both he and Ysabella turned to see what had caused it and Samuel's jaw tightened for the second time that night.

*****

Emma was watching Ysabella and Samuel with fascination when it happened. The first she notice was that the music had stopped and then the dancing slowed until it came to a halt as well. People began to turn and Emma followed everyone's gaze.

She heard her mother whisper something to Margaret but Emma did not bother to listen.

Her attention was completely drawn to the crowd of three walking into the ballroom. From one corner of her eye she saw Lady Seymour leave Stella to rush forward. And from the opposite side of the ballroom was the woman's husband almost tripping on his own feet as he followed the direction his wife was taking.

What Emma did not expect was what happened next. She saw Noah Trilby's group stop and the man turned his head to look straight at their direction, the woman beside him whispering something in his ear. Emma looked behind her and saw that nearly her entire family was with her.

His cold, empty eyes did not waver as he listened to the woman beside him.

It was no accident. She felt it deep in the pit of her stomach that the man intentionally paid the Everards a silent attention. And as though he lost interest, he blinked and looked away.

"Maggie?" she heard Alex ask and Emma turned to find her sister's face turning white.

"Maggie," she started, but Margaret stiffly shook her head. Her sister suddenly and quietly left their side, murmuring, "I have to find Cole."

Levi left his wife in the company of his family, quietly following Margaret, face dark and serious.

"Who's that?" Alex whispered beside Emma.

"You have to start reading the paper, darling," Ralph murmured to his wife. "That's the Head of the Town Leaders."

Emma's eyes studied the dark-haired group, her eyes staying long on Noah Trilby himself. He looked younger than the previous Head of Town Leaders. His dark eyes were almost empty despite the forced smile on his face.

Yet his presence did not emit as much power as the woman beside him.

"Amelia Trilby," she heard her mother whisper to Alex.

"Oh, yes, I know 'er," her sister-in-law replied.

Lord and Lady Seymour met the group and as they exchanged curtsies, the spell was broken and everyone attempted to resume what they had been doing prior to the short interruption. The music began and the dancing couples continued, although their attention were still on the group that had just arrived. At the other end of the ballroom, Emma saw Samuel quietly follow the group from the sides.

"They did not even bother to be announced," Lady Alice said beside Emma. "They must know everyone knows them."

"Well, I only know that man," Alex retorted, motioning her head toward the third person in the group which Emma barely noticed before. At her sister-in-law's words, she craned her neck to have a look. "That's the Lord of Thorne," Alex said.

"Thorne?" their mother asked, suddenly interested. "Are you certain?"

"Well... oh, well, aye, I am."

"How did you know of him?"

"Uh..." Alex sounded as though she was regretting having said anything. Ralph cleared his throat, saying, "Alex." A warning from Ralph? Emma wondered. "A previous victim, Mother," Alex replied with a hesitant chuckle.

Emma heard the lie in Alex's voice but she did not bother to ask. Not at the presence of their mother. Instead, she focused her attention on the man beside Amelia Trilby. She could barely see him and was about to give up trying when suddenly he turned as though he was looking for someone.

And at that moment, Emma caught her breath.

He was the man she saw at the theatre.

Suddenly, her mind started to reel. And it started working like it had not been for the past couple of weeks.

Her heart began to hammer against her chest as her eyes scanned the busy glittering ballroom to find one man.

And when she did, she saw him standing in one corner alone with a drink in his hand.

Wynne was staring straight at the Lord of Thorne and Emma felt herself go cold. She almost stumbled as she felt her knees go weak.

She saw how Wynne looked away from the man Emma heard him call uncle in the theatre and walked away to join the group of writers he was with earlier.

But it was too late for Emma saw it all and everything suddenly made sense.

*****

Wynne did not know what his aunt was planning, but he believed coming to the Seymour ball was the dumbest thing she had so far thought.

She may be well-regarded in Willowfair, but not in Wickhurst. Although Noah Trilby had a fairly good reputation, not all Trilbys were yet to be regarded equally. Everyone respected them for being amongst the oldest families in the Town, but there were still rumors about them.

The presence of his young uncle, David the Lord of Thorne, was even more stupid.

They should have brought Vega with them, he thought with derision. The woman would be, at the very least, cause a pleasant surprise.

He knew where Emma was standing with her family and he dared not look.

If he was to be found out, it would not be tonight.

*****

Emma barely had time to talk for Levi suddenly reappeared and ushered her and Ysabella to a private room outside the ballroom where they found Margaret looking rather deathly pale.

"Maggie!" Ysabella and Emma exclaimed, running to their sister.

"Keep her company while I go and find Cole," Levi ordered at the door, closing it firmly as he left.

"What is happening, Maggie? What is it?" Ysabella asked fretfully.

Emma noted the fear in their eldest sister's face as she attempted to stand from the settee but failed.

"Stay seated, Maggie," Emma gently said, taking the spot beside their sister.

"What is it, Maggie? What has upset you so?" Ysabella asked again, kneeling before Margaret.

Margaret closed her eyes and covered her face with her hands. "Oh, God, this cannot be happening."

Emma's jaw tightened.

"What is it?" Ysabella urged. "Please, what can we do? Where is Cole? Maggie, should we tell someone? You might need a doctor—"

"No!" Margaret and Emma cried in unison, startling Ysabella.

"I am fine," Margaret added.

"You do not look fine. And I will not be unless you tell me what is going on."

"Ysa, where is Samuel?" Emma asked, trying to change the subject.

Her sister looked confused at first at the sudden change of topic, but she answered Emma. "Oh, he ordered me to find William while he stayed close to Noah Trilby's circle. You know Samuel. I am certain he is hoping to hear something to write about."

Emma did not hear Ysabella's words for her attention was on Margaret who began to shake. "Maggie, they are just but mere people. Do not let their presence affect you so."

"I am utterly confused," Ysabella said.

"I would rather you stay confused than know everything," Maggie murmured, her hands still covering her face.

"Know that you are a Leaguer?" asked Emma.

Margaret was as much surprised as Ysabella who gasped. Margaret's head snapped from her hands to look at Emma. "How did you know?"

"I have not been living under the same roof as you in the past not to notice." Ysabella gaped at Emma. "It's a sensitive matter, Ysa. And all I had was but mere suspicion."

Ysabella was still very much in shock as she faced Margaret. "Maggie, is it true?" When Margaret merely stayed mum, Ysabella gasped again. "Oh, it is true! Does mother know?"

"No!" Emma and Margaret said in unison.

"And she does not have to," Margaret added.

"The brothers?"

"Since the beginning," Margaret admitted.

Ysabella's eyes narrowed. "Even Ralph?"

"Yes."

"Oh, he must be gloating—" Ysabella started, but stopped herself, turning even more serious now. "Then what does it have to do with your condition now, Maggie?"

"Nothing," their eldest sister tried to say.

"Surely you must realize that Emma and I are no longer the little girls you helped mother rear," Ysabella pointed out.

"Precisely why I never planned to tell you of my involvement with the League. I know you too well, the two of you."

"We can keep secrets, Maggie, so please, tell us."

Emma did not bother to ask for she knew precisely why Margaret was shaken.

Instead of addressing Ysabella's question, Margaret looked them in the eyes and carefully said, "I want the two of you to be careful who you tell your secrets to, do you understand? The Trilbys cannot be trusted and now that they have gone to Wickhurst is a bold move even for them. Everything that Samuel has been saying is true. We cannot trust anyone but ourselves. Am I clear?" The fear and desperation in Margaret's voice was almost palpable.

"This is about Fiona, isn't it?" asked Emma.

"Fiona?" Ysabella asked, looking clueless for a moment before it suddenly dawned on her. "Oh, God, yes! I always forget she is from that bloody family—Oh, sweet Mr. Jones, how could I have not realized earlier?"

"Noah Trilby does not claim her to be his," Emma insisted. "Surely there is no reason for him to—"

"Men like Noah Trilby would do anything to make anything—or anyone—that may taint their reputation to disappear. Osegod tried to do it in the past with Aurora Randolph and Gwyneth. I cannot take the same risks."

"Maggie, if you fear that we might have told anyone where Fiona came from, you need not worry. We have always seen her as one of us," Ysabella reassured.

Margaret nodded. She looked at Ysabella and Emma in the eyes. "That will have to remain as such until we all perish."

"She is ours, Maggie," Emma strongly said. "You need not fret."

Their sister nodded, drawing in a long breath.

"Their presence must have caused you such strain. Perhaps you have to ask Cole to take you home now," Emma suggested.

Margaret was not looking her typical calm and collected self. It was quite rare to see her act like this.

Emma reached wrapped an arm around her sister's shoulders.

"I will help Levi find Cole," said Ysabella, rushing to the door. "And call for your carriage."

Margaret looked into Emma's eyes as they waited together. "Mother cannot know."

"She does not have to worry about this, Maggie. Nothing is going to happen to anyone. Not Fiona, not any of the children. Cole will not let that happen and will the brothers. We will not let that happen."

Margaret reached for her hand and squeezed it. "Thank you."

"I am your sister."

Her sister let out a nervous laugh. "I had feared you would follow my footsteps. I had long seen myself in you while you were growing up. You cannot imagine my relief when you never attempted to be a part of the League."

"I did actually consider it," admitted Emma, but she shrugged. "And then I realized one for each family is enough."

"Oh thank goodness," Margaret said with a sigh. "Promise me you will never entertain it."

"I never will again."

Margaret closed her eyes and took a deep breath. "Oh, just as when I thought Osegod was a done deal. And now this..."

While Emma watched her sister collect herself, she decided not to tell what she had found out tonight.

Perhaps later when Margaret was not like this, she will.

*****

The very next day, Emma called for Samuel for there was none she could think of at the moment. Her brothers might act upon impulse and would not consider the consequences.

Although she and Samuel had been having a clash of opinions regarding his career of late, she knew that he was the next person to know what to do next. Despite him being friends with Wynne Hastings, she trusted that he would think before acting on anything as he always did.

He was not one who fought battles like her brothers. He was one who would stop and think.

She paced inside the study she inherited from Margaret while she waited.

Her night had been sleepless and she had to suffer the entire morning trying to act nonchalant in the presence of her mother. She agreed with Margaret that Lady Alice ought to be spared of Margaret's dilemma.

"What is the matter?" Samuel's voice said from behind her.

Emma jumped in her feet, startled by his sudden presence. "Close the door," she ordered, her nerves even more jittery now.

He must sense the seriousness and apprehension in her voice and he immediately obliged.

"Are you going to announce that you have decided to break off the engagement?" he tried to jest.

Emma glared at him. "Tempting, but no."

"Good," he said. His face became serious as he studied her. "What is the matter?"

Emma blinked and took a deep breath. "I discovered something last night."

Samuel slowly nodded. "I am tempted to make another joke, but I am sensing this is something very serious."

"It is," she strongly said.

Samuel's brows rose, waiting for her next words.

"You must promise me one thing first."

"Anything, Em."

"Promise that you will not rush from here with intent to use one of your weapons."

He scoffed. "Unless someone harassed you, Emma, you know that my weapons are solely meant for animals in the woods. Apart from two precious ones, of course, which are my pen and inkwell."

Emma nodded. "Good, because what you are about to hear would truly challenge that. And I am hoping you will be very rational."

"Of course," he said, waiting for her to next words.

Emma squared her shoulders. "Wynne Hastings is a bloody Trilby."