If the information came from someone else, Nicholas would have dropped his jaw and exclaimed as much profanities as he could. Hundreds of words would be clamoring to escape his mouth in disbelief and he would end up being a subject of mockery amongst his family or friends.

He was not one who could take such surprising revelations in a common manner.

But this time he managed to be calm as his mind reeled, confronted by an unbelievable matter.

Because he was facing Sophia.

She was not his family, nor was she a friend.

She was Sophia. And she just told him one of the most farfetched lies.

He scoffed with intent to mock her. "Do you expect me to believe you? How can he—"

Her eyes were filling with tears and he was utterly certain she was shaking with intense fury. Her hands clutched harder around the fabric of her gown. "I am his father's bastard with a slave," she said, her voice shaking. "Do not believe me if you must, I do not expect you to. But Marcus is my brother and he is the only one I have in this horrid world."

He fell silent. The strength in her words, the intensity of her tone, made him almost want to believe her.

"He will come for me, my lord, and I tell you that he will not appreciate this abduction," she haughtily added after a while, gaining confidence as she began to calm down. "So please, if you wish to spare your family, do take me back to Rock'oles."

What did she mean by her last words? Was she affirming Durley's capacity to do the Everards harm?

But she might simply be giving an empty threat.

He did not appreciate that he was left speechless. What was he to say?

Could he insist he did not believe her? Of course he ought to. But she seemed to be telling the truth.

Bloody tarnation! "If he is truly your brother, Sophia, and if he would truly do anything for you, answer one thing," he began carefully, leaning over to see her reaction, "Why in bloody hell would he leave you alone in Theobald?"

He did not get the reaction he expected. He anticipated that she'd claw on his face and wail in anger, but she simply offered a faint smile and a shrug.

"Why did he allow your uncle to do the many horrible things you spoke of?"

Her smile quivered for a brief second before she quietly uttered, "The things you believe you know of my past is but a tinge of the entire story, my lord."

Nicholas' eyes flickered away from her as he tried to control the urge to shake her and beg her for the truth. He had told her everything about this family—his life—despite his initial plan to use her. She managed to seduce everything out of him and he wanted to blame her as much as he had been blaming himself.

And now he demanded for the truth with no intent of believing her.

He was the utter fool in the end. He played right into her game.

Every conversation they had was creating more confusion than clarity.

Nicholas was starting to believe there was no winning this game as much as there was no reclaiming the life he had before she happened. She had thoroughly ruined him in all sense.

*****

Sophia did not know what Whiston looked like and mayhap she would never discover its beauty. But one thing was for certain: it smelled and felt wonderful.

If only she was not here against her will, if only she was here because Nicholas wanted her to be with him, she would have been content with the smell of the fresh air she never experienced in Rock'oles.

She figured it came through the large windows that faced the plantation surrounding the estate. Nicholas had once told her that Whiston was surrounded by windows that spanned from ceiling to floor. There was little light coming through as he led her upstairs and down a corridor with the footmen behind them carrying her things.

She was escorted to a series of twists and turns, probably a dungeon if one could ever be built on a second landing.

When Sophia heard the screech of the door swing open, she almost turned to Nicholas to beg him to return her to Rock'oles. She did not belong here and Marcus could be in danger.

But what good would begging do when Nicholas was intent to keep her prisoner?

Whatever possessed him to do this, Sophia could never ken. She would have done the same should Marcus' life be in danger and the only way to save him was to imprison the person she hated the most in the world.

And so without a word, Sophia entered her prison and heard her bags drop on the ground somewhere in the room. The sound of the footmen's boots walking out made Sophia's heart begin to hammer against her chest.

Just as she expected, Nicholas uttered, "You shall remain a prisoner here until you give me the truth."

Was he a total fool after all? Had she not been telling him the truth all these time? Her jaw twitching with renewed rebellion and anger, Sophia said, "Perhaps you could tell me what you wish to hear, my lord, so I could repeat it for your satisfaction. Since it is apparent you do not believe my truth, I might as well indulge you with what you desire to hear. You wish to know of our evil plan, is that it?"

"I do not appreciate your sarcasm at this time, Sophia," he seethed.

A faint voice in her head was asking where her old Nicholas had gone to, but Sophia ignored it. They had both changed since they parted. Things died to give birth to this very moment, one that of lies and truth wrapped in a thick sheath of confusion.

"I speak of no sarcasm, Nicholas." She could not help but use his name for she had to remind herself that she was facing the man she created, made him this way and perhaps she deserved this. She had stolen the world of a great man.

"You are not doing very well as a prisoner, Sophia," he snapped. "One must think you've had a good practice in Rock'oles considering how Durley turned you into a loyal servant."

Her hands balled into fists beside her. "I am not a prisoner in Rock'oles. I never was."

"We will talk more when I deem necessary."

When she heard his footsteps, fear surged inside her. She would be alone in this chamber knowing naught but the unknown. Nicholas might forget she was here and by the time he returned, she might be in a state of total obedience.

She did not want to ever experience it again.

"Marcus never made me feel as wretched as you are doing now," she could not help but say in haste, causing Nicholas to pause in his steps.

His shadowed form turned to face her and the faint light coming from the ceiling lamp caught a glimpse of the dark look on his face that Sophia nearly regretted what she said. She shook the feeling off for it reminded her of the years she spent with her uncle. He would do the same and she would ask for forgiveness for something she said or done.

"Because he is your brother?" Nicholas asked. He stepped forward and she stepped back. "Tell me then, please, what kind of brother allows his sister to bed all men that come through her chamber?"

Sophia turned away, not wanting to argue about Marcus with Nicholas. Her brother had done many things and she could not bring herself to defend him when most of them were completely wrong.

Marcus was a good man, only that she was the only one who was aware of it.

"No answer?" Nicholas taunted behind her.

"Everyone in Rock'oles was forbidden to touch me."

She heard his mocking laugh. "Oh, truly? Then those other men merely stayed to deliver their letters and read for you?"

Sophia blindly walked away from him, glad that she did not stumble unto anything. She already felt weak as it was. She needed to be alone if she was to stay here. She ought to find a way to contact Mr. Mast in Rock'oles.

"No answer again?" Nicholas asked. Was he not leaving earlier?

Sophia slowly turned and lifted her chin as she uttered, "The last I whored myself was at the brothel where my brother found me."

She saw his form stiffen for a while before he made a move to turn toward the door but not without saying, "No, it was when you allowed me entrance into your chamber. Or perhaps not. One can never know who else you managed to seduce after me."

His words, along with the closing of the door and the sound of the lock being turned from the outside caused Sophia to finally break down.

She found the bed and buried her face in a pillow where she screamed her frustration, fury and pain.

*****

She was manipulating him, Nicholas thought.

She dared tell him that he was the first to touch her after her life in the brothel?

I never thought I could ever find pleasure in bed. I have never known passion until you, Nick. And I never truly known joy until this moment...

Her voice rang in his head and he shook it off.

Bloody hell, he needed a drink.

He rushed to his study but before he arrived, he heard a commotion from the entrance hall.

He groaned and rushed to the drawing room where he knew a pistol was at hand should Ralph opt to have an argument.

Once inside the drawing room, Nicholas found his favorite chair and sat down to maintain a cool mien before his brother burst into the room with a resounding, "Are you a bloody fool!"

He watched as Ralph walked up to him in long, purposeful strides like a Town Guard that he truly was. As Nicholas settled the back of his hand under his chin, he realized he had lost his young brother years ago. He had indeed turned into a man.

"The League is taking care of things, you bastard," Ralph spat in frustration, glaring down at Nicholas like a hungry predator. "We ought not to meddle!"

Nicholas sighed. "Anything that concerns Osegod is my concern, Ralph. It ought to be our concern," he pointed out. "Have you forgotten the bombing accident? The threats? Maxine's carriage accident? Are you waiting for more?" He crossed his leg over the other. "If Durley is conniving with Osegod, we, the Everards, as Osegod's enemies, would surely suffer. We have two things he is after, brother—wealth and Aurora."

"Aurora is with the League, Nicholas. Bloody hell! You are not even a Guard to start doing anything!"

Nicholas pointed at nowhere. "But Osegod may not know that. He might still believe we have his former mistress under our protection! And you have been investigating Durley yourself despite what the League has instructed!"

"And you bloody took his mistress!"

Nicholas did not correct Ralph, thinking that Sophia could have been lying about being Durley's sister. That was yet to be confirmed.

"Do you even have a concrete plan?" Ralph asked, pointing at the door. "You have abducted a woman against her will, Nick! Do not be a bloody fool! Durley could very well have your hide behind bars!"

"That is if you found him?" he asked.

Ralph let out a frustrated sigh. "No," he snapped. "The other Guards are still in search when I left after learning you never reached Rock'oles and took a different route."

"And what did you tell the family?"

"That you are in Whiston making a fool of yourself."

"Did they ask questions?"

"You know our mother. Of course she asked hundreds of questions she answered herself!" Ralph stared at him for a while. "What are you planning to do with her, Nick? Bloody hell, if you are thinking of avenging—"

"I am not one who thinks of revenge, brother, merely precaution," he uttered. "Durley is planning something with Osegod and I want to know what it is."

"You think she will tell you?"

He shrugged. "If she doesn't, then Durley will."

Ralph's eyes rounded. "You think he will come after her?"

He smiled. "And I shall be ready."

*****

Ralph immediately left to go back to Rock'oles in time to escort their mother and Emma back to Wickhurst. Nicholas was content that his brother did not arrest him which was the proper thing a Guard ought to do.

But Ralph knew why he was doing this. This was not about keeping the Town safe. This was about preserving their family. Unless they were certain that Osegod had left them alone for good, they could never put their guards down.

Ralph would try to talk with Margaret and perhaps their sister would know what to do after some inquiries with her fellow Leaguers.

"Until then, do try to keep your hands off her," Ralph had said before storming out of the estate.

And that was precisely what Nicholas did.

He had made certain that she was given food and drink, but only the most trusted servants were allowed to serve her. And even then, they were never allowed entrance into her chamber unless they were to prepare her bath or draw the curtains. They were not allowed to even look at her or speak of her.

Aabha, of course, had to be separated from Sophia. The dog had grown restless and would not leave Sophia's door, practically living in the corridor for three days now.

Once, the dog surprised Nicholas when it sauntered into the dining room where he was having a meal. It did not attack him, but it growled at him.

Nicholas growled back saying, "You shall not see your mistress until I say so."

*****

By the end of the first week, Nicholas thought Sophia would be compliant enough. Surely a week inside a bedchamber with naught to do but weep and mourn was sufficient to make her talk.

He ordered for her to be taken to the parlor. He had thought of many ways to make her give in. He once even wondered how Durley manipulated her so he could do the same.

But it seemed that he was up to a big challenge when she emerged looking fresh and calm in a pale yellow dress, far from a state he was hoping for. Bloody hell, had he not given his servants enough instructions? Surely she could not have taken care of herself this well on her own!

She looked bloody radiant in that dress and with the bright light streaming through the open windows around them.

"Please, take a seat, Sophia," Nicholas offered, clearing his throat.

He paced around the room as she settled down, only stopped when she remained unmoving, her expression flat and unreadable.

Bloody tarnation.

He cleared his throat again. "I am willing to forget everything you have done to me and my brother," he began, stopping to face her from the center of the room. "If you will tell me the truth. I will give you the protection that you need."

"What? Marry me? Give me your name?" she sarcastically asked.

He shook his head at the incredulous thought. "I am not as foolish as before to offer such arrangement, Sophia. I have been a fool to have offered it to you."

He watched a play of emotion cross her eyes but he hardly recognized them as she lowered her gaze. He continued with his offer, narrating what he planned for her. He figured he had to give her something in return if he wanted the whole truth from her.

"I will take you to a village where you will be free. You will have your own estate, a cottage if you like. I will provide for you."

A frown slowly knitted over her eyes as he looked up to blindly look at him. "What makes you think that I will not try to escape?"

Nicholas smiled with contentment. "You will not because by then, your dear Marcus and Osegod shall be in prison. Now, choose: tell me the truth or go to prison with the two bastards. Sharing everything that you know will merely make things easier and faster. Otherwise, it shall not stop their fate because believe me, Sophia, they will be there whether or not you tell us the truth."

Nicholas started to pace around the room again, growing confident with his thoughts. He knew she saw the sense in his words and he was not planning to stop.

"And as you know, I do have connections. I merely have to say the word and you merely have to cooperate with the Guards and you will walk away free." He stopped and gauged her reaction. "Now, if you wish—"

"Nick! You will not believe the progress we made moments ago in Kenward! Max was devast—"

"She called our names and—"

Whatever Nicholas, Emma and Ysabella were about to say was left unspoken as everyone except Sophia stood stupefied in a collection of utter horror and surprise—Nicholas for seeing his two sisters bursting into the parlor clad in their walking gowns and Emma and Ysabella for seeing the woman sitting in the middle of their brother's parlor.

His sisters' eyes were wide with surprise as they both stared with mouth hanging open in surprise.

"Oh, sweet Mr. Jones!" Ysabella gasped, covering her mouth with her hand.

"What the bloody hell!" Emma and Nicholas shouted in unison.