Ellie looked out her window from across the street.

She watched the old man climb out of the car and enter the hotel with guards surrounding him.

A little while later, another man entered the building with his own guards in tow.

Ellie took a long breath and sighed.

She turned away from the window and looked at her reflection from across the room.

She did not know if Byron was still alive, and if he was she hoped he would be there when she saved him.

-Above and Below

*****

With heart hammering hard against her chest, Emma ran all to the rear of the tent to find the smaller ones which housed the actors and crew.

She had been to Ulric enough times to know where Stella's tent was and she wasted no energy to go there.

Without bothering to knock, for she was honestly expecting to find no one, she pushed her way through the flaps, bursting into the tiny room with heavy breaths.

But the actress was there.

Stella whirled around, eyes round with surprise, to face Emma.

"What are you doing here?" Stella snapped, looking behind Emma, probably to check if she was with company.

"I am alone."

Stella's eyes darted back to her, filled with accusation. But instead of voicing it, the actress ordered, "Remove yourself from the premises, Emma."

Emma ignored her. "What happened here—" she stopped mid-sentence when her eyes landed on the basin of water in Stella's hands. Inside floated a white cloth. The woman herself was nearly in disarray, not in her usual glamour of fine gown and perfectly donned hair. "What happened, Stella?"

Stella looked at Emma for a long time before deciding her words were better left unsaid. "Go away, Emma. Go back to Wickhurst."

She walked past Emma with her basin full of water and out of the tent.

Emma turned and followed Stella who stopped and turned, blue eyes swimming in a pool of anger. "I have started to see you as not just another shallow gentry. You have always been wise, but I guess you are blind after all. Just like the rest of them."

"Then do make me understand what is happening, Stella. That is why I am here!" Emma almost begged, walking closer to the woman. Her throat was closing up on her as tears pooled her eyes. "This... I... Please, I need to understand. I do have trouble recognizing who to believe at the moment. Both my instincts and my mind tell different things and I am bloody confused!"

Stella looked about. When she faced Emma again, her lips were shaking and her hands tightened their hold around the basin. "You do not know what he has done for you." Emma froze. Stella scoffed incredulously. "You have no inkling at all, do you? Of course you do not! You are simply like the many damsels in distress in the novels you read, after all." A drop of angry tear dropped from Stella's eye. "Now, please, Emma, go. We have enough of you people from Wickhurst."

No, was Emma's first thought. No, she could not leave. If she did, she would find herself back in Wickhurst with no answers and more confusion. She looked at the basin Stella was holding. "Where is he?" Stella looked away and Emma demanded, "Tell me where he is, Stella or I swear to God!"

Stella looked at Emma. "He would not want to see you."

"I do not bloody care. I want to see him now. Where is he?" The more Stella was not saying, the more Emma felt the dread eating her alive. "Where is he?" she asked again, looking around. "If you do not tell me, I will look for him myself—"

"Keep your voice down!" Stella hissed. Emma looked at the actress in the eye. Stella looked like she was internally struggling and Emma feared she would only insist that Emma left. "Follow me."

Stella turned and started walking.

Emma followed, crossing the path toward the giant tent, around it and into a secret entrance that led to the back of the stage. From the little gaps, Emma saw that the chairs were no longer there, folded away to one corner.

Was the theatre moving away this soon?

Did that mean Wynne was fine? Did she expect worse? Would he be physically capable of throwing her out then? Because she honestly thought he might be hurt.

Yet as she followed Stella down the narrow corridor leading up to Wynne's office, she knew she did not think wrong. The smell of different tonics was in the air and she could hear hushed voices traveling through the open doorway.

Stella stopped outside to look over her shoulder at Emma. "Do keep your calm."

Emma followed the woman through the doorway, interrupting the discussion between Lawrence and another man who was a member of the theatre's crew.

"What is she doing here?" Lawrence demanded when he saw Emma, but Emma did not care if the butler was throwing her daggers with his look for she had gone stiff as her eyes landed on the spot where Wynne's table once stood. Now, there was naught but a lone bed and in lay a person she barely recognized.

A gasp escaped her throat as she stood there, frozen in shock at the sight of Wynne Hastings.

"Oh my God." Her voice quivered as tears blurred her eyes. She blinked, her vision clearing and she almost stumbled as she rushed to his bedside. She looked at Stella who was laying the basin of water on the table in one corner while the other man excused himself from the room. Emma opened her eyes but no words escaped.

Her eyes landed back on Wynne and her hands instinctively reached out but she stopped herself. Could she touch him? The very sight of him told her touching him might merely cause him further pain.

"Step away from his lordship, please, my lady," Lawrence said and although with respect, his voice and demeanor were filled with ire and warning."

Emma stumbled back, her entire body shaking, her eyes filled with horror at the sight of Wynne. Whoever did this to him had naught but evil in their veins.

Lawrence blocked Emma's view by coming to Wynne's bedside, bending over and placing the damp cloth Stella handed him over Wynne's forehead.

Emma felt helpless as she watched Wynne, her mind jumping from one conclusion to the other. But she knew—deep inside she always knew—what caused this. But why? Why would his own family do this to him if he had done nothing but follow their orders?

Unless he made a mistake.

Unless he disappointed them.

Without looking at Emma, Lawrence spoke, "I told him you would not bring him any good. I always warned him. He ought to have listened."

Emma felt the blood drain from her head.

She searched for Stella who stood by the other side of the bed, eyes no longer angry. Instead, the actress looked determined. "We are going away the very moment he recovers," she told Emma. "The best way you can help him is to keep your family at bay. That includes your fiancée." Her blue eyes locked with Emma's. "He would want nothing to do with the lot of you after everything he suffered."

Emma felt her knees give in. She stepped back and held on to the empty chair beside her.

"Compose yourself, my lady. You have seen enough, I believe," Stella said, lifting her chin. "Go back to Wickhurst where you belong."

She shook her head.

No, she could not leave. How could she?

But what was she to do? How would she be of help when she was not even welcome here?

With shaky breath, Emma nodded, tears falling straight to the floor. Forcing what was left of her strength, she walked to the doorway.

The moment she was out of sight, Emma braced herself on the wall and slumped to the floor. She could hardly cry. She was simply in pain.

*****

Hours later, Stella walked out the door and found her standing by the doorway.

The actress seemed surprised. "What are you still doing here?" Stella demanded.

Emma looked at Stella, eyes bare of any emotion. "I do not know where else to go."

"Home. Wickhurst. Buford. Whichever suits you," Stella retorted with a frown. "Ulric is the worst place for the both of you. I am not jesting, Emma, you cannot be in one place as him."

Emma shook her head. "No, I am where I want to—"

She was not able to finish her words when Stella's attention was stolen from her. The actress had turned to the side. Emma turned her head and found Dr. Johannes walking toward them. She pushed herself away from the wall. Both she and Stella were ready for the doctor before he even reached the doorway.

"You stay here," Stella ordered Emma after Doctor Johannes greeted them in haste. "Or Lawrence will throw you out himself."

Emma stopped in the middle of the doorway. She watched as Doctor Johannes talked with Lawrence and Stella. The butler noticed her presence and immediately sauntered toward her. With one last look of disapproval, Lawrence shut the door in front of Emma.

It ought to have been enough to make her leave, but Emma squared her shoulders and stiffly returned to lean against the wall beside the door.

She waited for more than an hour, aware that everyone back home would start to wake up and it would not be long before they would wonder why she had not yet come down to break fast. She knew that this would not be the perfect time to disappear, after what happened to Samuel and the fire, but Emma was willing to be fool enough to believe that she was where she ought to be.

When the door finally opened and Doctor Johannes walked out, Lawrence quickly closed the door. Emma heard the lock turn, but instead of being dissuaded, she turned to Doctor Johannes.

The man was looking at her with a knowing and apologetic look on his face.

"How is he, Doctor?" Emma asked, hoping her voice did not shake.

"He is in a very bad shape at the moment," the doctor honestly replied. "But he will recover."

Emma nodded. Doctor Johannes, discreet as always, did not say anything further. He might be wondering why she was here of all places. He gave Emma a slight bow but Emma called after him as he started to walk away.

"Doctor, can you answer a few questions?"

"My job always puts me in difficult situations where I am not allowed to speak more than what is necessary, my lady," the doctor said without stopping. Emma equaled his steps and he added, "But ask away. I will decide whether it is proper to answer or not."

Emma swallowed. "The night Samuel was attacked. You were the doctor who attended him."

"Yes."

"Who rescued him, Doctor?"

"That, I do not know. Lord Buford claims to not know the men who picked him up from the road."

Emma's shoulders fell.

Doctor Johannes stopped walking and looked at Emma. The man knew many secrets of the Town, but he was not in liberty to say anything. "But I do know who called for me."

"You do?"

"Lord Buford did not tell you where I first treated him?"

"First treated him? I knew he was taken to the estate of one of the gentlemen who found him before they transferred him to Buford."

The doctor nodded. "Yes."

"Then can you tell me whose estate it was?"

Doctor Johannes shook his head. "I am afraid I cannot—"

"Tell tell me which estate you were called to, Doctor, please."

Doctor Johannes took his time, looking at Emma as though he wanted to help. "I hope that the information I give you will not put a dash on my career, my lady. But perhaps it is about time I speak. I have read Lord Buford's recent articles and I am sorry that I do not approve of them."

Emma nodded. "Tell me, Doctor. Where did you go to first the night Samuel was attacked?"

"Will the information be of any aid?"

"To my conscience, yes. I need answers, Doctor, please."

Doctor Johannes struggled for a long time. His eyes kept looking back and forth from Emma and the door to Wynne's office.

"I love him. And guiltily so," Emma said. Doctor Johannes did not seem surprised. "You must understand how difficult this must be. I need answers, doctor. No one is willing to give me the truth. At the very least, do help me find my way to a good start."

The man shot Wynne's closed door one more look. Looking back at her, he took a long breath and sighed. "You did not hear this from me, my lady."

Emma eagerly nodded, a tear falling as she did so. "Yes, of course."

Doctor Johannes watched as she hastily wiped her face with the back of her hand. "I was called to come to Ezra Trilby's estate."

Emma nodded.

Doctor Johannes looked like he regretted telling her, but his words told her otherwise as he said, "This is the first time I broke a client's trust, my lady, but if it gives light to the truth, then I will sleep in peace tonight."

"Thank you, Doctor. I give you my word that your name shall not be tainted."

The doctor nodded. It seemed he had something more to say but he decided he had said enough. Emma did not wish to pressure him further so she merely waited as he bowed to her one last time.

Emma waited long enough to ensure that the doctor had left before she exited the theatre and climbed on her horse.

She must return to Wickhurst.

But she had one last stop before going home.

*****

When Ezra Trilby appeared at the door, his eyes emitted anger.

But when Emma thought he would push her away, he grabbed her arm and pulled her through the door, ordering for the butler to leave them alone.

"Why are you here, my lady?" he demanded, looking about as though he was afraid they were being watched.

Emma realized she would not be invited into a parlor so she went straight to the point. "Why did you save Samuel?"

Ezra Trilby frowned and then he chuckled, shaking his head. "I would not, for the life of me, attempt to do anything heroic for that bastard, my lady." He shook his head again. "No, I did not save him. I merely called for the doctor."

A shiver ran up her spine as she slowly realized the truth. "Then who—"

"Who do you think?"

He did not have to say it, really, for Emma knew.

"Leave now, Lady Emma," Ezra Trilby ordered, reaching for the door handle.

"Why would Wynne—"

"I cannot tell you more. I have done enough for you Everards because of that fool. I cannot do more. Leave now, please. You are simply placing us both in trouble with your presence here."

And what if Samuel lied? Wynne's words rang in her head.

...he is also quite efficient in keeping some unnecessary details wordless...

What if I say I saved him instead?

Emma's breathing started to shake as she stumbled back.

"Are you all right?" Ezra asked. "Bloody hell, woman, get a grip and get the hell out of my estate before I get flagged as well."

Who would want to associate themselves with us after that?

Emma nodded and stiffly turned to the door. She had found herself unwanted by quite a few people that night. But at the very least, she got more enlightenment now than when she merely had Samuel's words to rely on. Thank you," she said through quivering lips.

*****

Emma did not return to Ulric immediately as much as she wanted to. She had been quite busy with estate affairs what with almost the entire Everards now at the manor.

Their mother had insisted that they all dined together before Margaret and Cole travelled to Devonshire with the children where they would take a long vacation to gather their thoughts and keep the children safe. The decision to leave for Devonshire was unanimous. The Devitt family would leave in a week. Cole simply had a few matters to sort in the Courts.

All the while, Emma had kept everything she discovered all to herself. Things were just returning to normal. Everyone was not willing to discuss the fire in fear of the children overhearing them. But all were weary and all were set to blame the Trilbys.

That same night, Emma escaped from her bedchamber again and rode to Ulric.

When Stella saw her tethering her horse outside the theatre, the actress merely ignored her.

Emma quietly followed the woman to Wynne's office but Stella stopped outside the door, turning to Emma. "I am not going to ask you to leave because he will."

Emma froze and then she smiled. "He is conscious?"

Stella stiffly nodded. "Very. And he will be very angry to see you."

She did not care. She reached for the door before Stella could and pushed her way in.

Lawrence was nowhere in sight and she was glad. At the very least, she had merely one brooding man to deal with.

As Emma's eyes found Wynne. His words from that night in the theatre came back to her. Just a little longer, Emma... She shivered. It seemed so long ago since she felt herself wrapped in his embrace, his lips against hers, their breathing one and the same. This could be our last moment together, see?

"What the hell are you doing here?" he demanded as soon as he saw her. Although his eyes were still swollen, the anger was imminent. "Stella, escort her out of here at once! What the bloody hell had you been thinking allowing her in the premises?" Wynne shouted.

Emma flinched, but she remained where she was.

Lifting her chin and squaring her shoulders, she asked, "Who did this to you?"

"None of your bloody business."

"Did my brothers?" she asked. Well, she had to at least be certain.

He scoffed. It was answer enough.

"Your family."

He snapped his head and glared at her from his bed. "Leave, Emma."

"I refuse to when I know—"

"I no longer wish to associate myself with you or any of the Everards. Do you understand, woman?"

Emma's eyes did not waver, but she felt her resolve starting to wane. Was he blaming her for putting him in this state? Perhaps he ought to. He had every right, after all.

"Why would they do this to you, Wynne? What did you do?" she asked instead. "Or is it for something you did not do?"

"Bloody hell, woman, remove yourself from here!" He pointed to the door. "Or do you wish to see me struggle my way out of this bed to drag you out of here?"

"No need," Emma said, her knees getting weak. "I can make a graceful exit."

It was enough to know he was doing fine. As she turned to the door, she said, "I will leave you be for now, Wynne Hastings," she said. "But I will be back tomorrow night. By then, I hope to at least reach your bedside."

*****

Stella closed the door after Emma left.

The picture of her frozen as he demanded that she leave was still fresh in his mind. The pain in her eyes was undeniable, but so was the guilt. And he did not need her guilt. Under the covers, he balled his hands into fists in frustration.

Why would she come here after accusing him of trying to kill Samuel? Had she not made it clear that he was a Trilby and she an Everard?

"Why would you do that?" Stella softly asked, turning to face him. "She came here yesterday looking for answers and she was devastated to find you barely alive. That should be enough to tell us she is willing to give you a chance when everybody else already gave their judgment."

He hid his surprise by glaring at Stella. "Stop meddling, Stella."

Stella arched her brow. "If I did, you would not be alive. But then, I placed you in this state by insisting you save a friend. Perhaps I ought to be blamed as well."

He had nothing more to say.

He refused to discuss Emma, Samuel or any of the Everards.

As Lawrence had said, he did this to himself.

Perhaps it was time to listen to his butler and focus on recovering.

And then leave.