The village of Puck was isolated from the rest of its neighbors. Located in the northwest part of the Town, it was surrounded by large walls of rocks. There were merely two ways to go there. One was by climbing the high rocks that surrounded Westershire in the west, second was by passing through the road between Kenward and Whiston. The first option was, of course, mostly unlikely as Westershire was owned by one of the Haverstons and climbing over the high rocks could deem fatal.

The second option was the only possible way for the villagers or anyone in the Town to take, but that would mean passing through two Everard estates and driving by the Everard mines.

Given their location and sources of income which was through mining or working for the Everard crop plantations, the village of Puck was very loyal to and dependent on the Everards. Should anyone suspicious go through the known passage to the village, the first to know were the Everards themselves.

Nicholas could not look at Sophia for too long due to the presence of one person: Fanny, his housekeeper in Wickhurst.

The woman was old enough to be his grandmother, but she had been with the family for so long until she was asked to work for him that she was amongst the people he could truly trust to keep his secrets to herself. She did not also question his sudden decision to temporarily take her elsewhere to be a companion to his friend.

And although Fanny was not aware of the true nature of his relationship with Sophia, the woman had been living far longer than him to know more than what she ought to. One look from the woman and Nicholas knew she understood enough of the situation. In fact, Fanny did not even show her surprise when she learned that the woman she was to accompany was colored and almost completely blind. Whatever was on the woman's mind, Nicholas might never find out unless he asked which was not going to happen.

Which was why he could not dare look at Sophia. There was no denying the sexual attraction he felt for the woman despite his distrust toward her. He was a man after all and his desires emanated wherever he went, especially now that Sophia was within his reach.

He had not heard from Carmel and he would not be surprised if the woman was going about Wickhurst, doing the usual things she did, enjoying her freedom. But Nicholas could not help but think that this time would be perfect to have his lover with him.

He was starting to feel distraction was paramount at this point. He could barely stop himself from touching Sophia, even more so last night when she appeared too vulnerable as he explained to her the arrangements he hastily placed into action.

But he must refrain himself and control his urges if he wished to control her. Should he allow himself the luxury of having her for a kiss or a tumble in the bed, she would have full reign over him again and he could not let that happen.

He did not realize he was doing the exact same thing he was avoiding until he saw Fanny watching him while he absently stared at Sophia's silent and calm face inside the carriage. He quickly looked away and closed his eyes which then provided his mind the chance to remind him of the feel of her hand when he guided her earlier inside the carriage.

Why did he have to do it? He had not done so the last time. Why did he have to touch her!

He shook his head and stifled a frustrated groan by faking a cough. He crossed his legs over the other, uncrossed it again and tried the other leg. He remained uncomfortable.

Fanny's wrinkled eyes did not leave him and he almost glared at the woman.

He cleared his throat again. "I will be departing right after we arrive," he announced to no one in particular. He was aware the two women already knew of his plans. He had been talking about naught but his supposed plan since they left Whiston.

"Fanny shall be your companion for the time being," he said to Sophia who remained unmoving in her seat. She already knew about it.

He turned to Fanny and said, "You shall not be her servant, of course, but you are expected to cook for her and provide her with her basic needs." The old housekeeper merely frowned. Fanny already knew of her tasks. He had told her countless times before.

To avoid the housekeeper's inquisitive gaze, he focused his eyes over Sophia's head, the safest spot he could look at the time being. "You can keep you dog, of course. I am not too evil not to allow it," he said to her, glancing at Aabha. Perhaps the dog was the safest spot to stare at after all. When Sophia did not comment, he added, "Despite the village's loyalty to the Everards, you cannot allow yourself the freedom to move about as freely as you would like to. They are not accustomed to someone like—" Nicholas stopped himself before he carefully continued, prying his gaze away from Aabha to focus over Sophia's head again, "—to a person of color who enjoys the same privilege as them. They are highly religious and follow strict social rules like the higher classes. They take pride in working for the mines or the plantations and they do not willingly welcome strangers. Futhermore..." Nicholas' words trailed away as Sophia finally moved and her delicate hands came up to tuck the stray curls behind one ear. He blinked when Fanny cleared her throat and he snapped his head toward the housekeeper.

"I believe you have already reminded Miss Sophia of the same matters, my lord," Fanny gently said, the tone she used resembling that of a governess telling her ward to relax. "We shall be cautious as you have instructed, we will not allow anyone to step into the cottage and we shall remember to lock the doors at all times."

Nicholas tore his eyes away from the housekeeper and looked out the window. He saw a few men walking with their gears to the direction of the mines. Some of them stopped in their tracks to watch the carriage like watchful and loyal dogs, but when they recognized the carriage, their stance relaxed and they made a waving gesture.

With contentment, Nicholas sighed. Sophia would be safe in Puck.

*****

The cottage was large enough for two. In fact, it was too large to be considered a cottage which Sophia pointed out the moment she was oriented of the space.

Nicholas merely stayed mute as he watched Fanny walk to the kitchen. His gaze transferred back to Sophia and he said, "I will escort you to your room."

She let him hold her by her elbow toward the direction of her chamber. It was situated beside Fanny's and was almost empty to prevent any unwanted injuries for Sophia.

When she asked to be left alone for a while to rest, Nicholas shrugged and walked out of the chamber to find Fanny in the kitchen. The housekeeper looked at him with a knowing look.

"Do make certain she eats every meal," he instructed. "She is rather frail and has lost an amount of weight."

Fanny merely nodded. The look she wore almost relayed a message across to him that she knew precisely the reason behind Sophia's current state—him.

"She is—" Nicholas was about to say that Sophia might try to manipulate Fanny but oddly he could not bring himself to do so. And so he stopped himself and sighed. "I will have a footman check on the two of you every day. Should you need anything, do inform him. I expect a full report of your daily activities be written on paper to be delivered to me through the footman."

Fanny allowed a soft smile. "You have already told me the same instructions too many times, my lord." She chuckled before adding, "I may be old, but my memory is not."

Nicholas nodded and looked over his shoulder at Sophia's closed door.

That very same afternoon, Nicholas left Puck, a bit uneasy but satisfied all the same.

*****

Sophia immediately realized that Fanny felt sorry for her, even pitied her. She was afraid to ask how much her companion knew so she simply let her curiosity die down.

She ate the supper the housekeeper cooked for them both and she had to admit Nicholas was correct when he once said that his housekeeper was not a good cook.

"Whatever are you smiling about, Miss?" asked Fanny with laughter in her voice.

Sophia shook her head. "Nothing. I simply remembered something fond."

"Ah, memories..." Fanny said without finishing her statement.

"You feel sorry for me, I believe," Sophia could not help but point out. She had not had any proper conversation since Nicholas took her away from Theobald. In fact, she had never had any conversation with another woman apart from that brief one she had with the Everard sisters in the Theobald garden. "Is it my color and my blindness?"

She watched the shadowy form of the woman move, not away but toward her from across the table. "My years serving for the Everards taught me how not to judge anyone the hard way, Miss. I do not pity you for the color of your skin or the condition of your sight. I simply feel sorry that you cannot enjoy the same privilege we can because of them."

Sophia simply smiled.

"And I understand everyone has a secret and I respect your secrets," the woman added, surprising Sophia. How much did Fanny know? "Lord Nick is not bad. He is a very good master."

Sophia chuckled. "You do not have to force me to believe you, Fanny. I very well know the best and worst of Nicholas Everard."

*****

Dear Lord Whiston,

Miss Sophia is doing well. She expressed over breaking fast that she was missing her molding clays. I am afraid news of our presence in Puck has already spread across the village.

Yours,

Fanny

Nicholas burned the letter and gave the footman instructions to be utterly careful whenever he traveled to Puck. "Always beware of any stalkers. Travel in different times of the day and change routes should you suspect anyone following you," he had instructed. Although he was curious as to when Sophia had started a hobby for molding, he did not scribble a reply.

The following day, the same footman delivered another letter from Fanny.

Dear Lord Whiston,

Miss Sophia has been redecorating the cottage. She also went with me to the market this morning but decided not to do so again on the morrow as we had trouble procuring anything. The villagers would not dare be near her, nor would they sell us anything. Apart from that, she has been in a fairly good mood.

Yours,

Fanny

Nicholas immediately penned a reply and hastily asked the footman to ask the butler to procure a list of items.

Dear Fanny,

Please refrain from taking Miss Sophia out of the cottage. Molding clays shall be delivered on the morrow. Redecorating the cottage is not a problem, but do assist her in moving or lifting the furniture. Again, no visiting or socializing with the villagers.

Yours,

Lord Nicholas

*****

Margaret sat stiffly in a chair across from Nicholas' study table. Ralph was pacing behind her, hands on his hips.

"You mean to tell us that you told the League about Sophia?" asked Ralph with a frown on his face.

Margaret nodded. "And they want her."

Nicholas did not expect the sudden rage that ignited inside him at his sister's words. "The hell I will allow it!"

Margaret was the only calm person in the room now. "They can make her talk. The man the Guards captured during the ambush is almost talking as I have heard."

"I thought you have decided not to join the League's investigation on Osegod," Nicholas said.

Margaret sighed. "His name ties with the slavery case I am a part of. It can no longer be helped."

Nicholas watched Ralph brush his fingers through his hair in frustration.

"Have you told the League where Sophia is?" he asked his sister.

She shook her head. "I took the liberty of not involving your name, Nick. I simply relayed to them Sophia's connection to Lord Durley and his slave trade from what the Guards gathered during their investigation in Rock'oles."

He let the silence reign for a moment. "No, you cannot have her."

Margaret planted her palm on the table. "Nick, she can be the answer to this slavery case. We need her to tell us everything that she knows. If what you and Ralph said is true, then we must have her. She is the closest person to Durley."

"You have once sacrificed a mother and her child, Maggie. I will not let you do it again."

Anger crossed his sister's eyes. "Osegod is strongly connected to the slavery case, Nick. If we solve this, we can have enough supporting details to involve him in the case. It will stop the bigger things he is planning against the Town." Margaret stood to her feet to fully face Nicholas. "He is planning something with Durley and we need to know all about it. At the moment, Durley has not shown himself in any social events. God knows what he is doing! Sophia as a witness will be enough for the Men of Courts to take action."

Nicholas shook his head.

"Where did you take her, Nick?" asked Ralph.

He glared at his brother. "And why do you ask?"

Ralph blinked and stole Margaret a look. "I agree with the League. You are emotionally attached to this woman whether you believe it or not. The League can extract more from her. You are not trained for—"

"I was trained by our Mother to be empathetic!" he burst out, jumping from his seat. He glared at Margaret. "You gave up Aurora and her child to the League to help their case against Osegod, Maggie, but from how I see it, your precious League of Founders has not had any progress. Can you tell me how Aurora and her child are faring at this moment? No wonder the woman did the things she did in Wickhurst! It would have been better than the prison the League has placed her into. And do not tell me she is not in prison, Maggie, because she is." When his sister remained silent, Nicholas shook his head. "How do you assure that you will not use Sophia as a pawn like you do with Aurora and her child? Have you bloody lost your mind?" When Margaret flinched at his words, he started for the door. "Sophia will not be taken by anyone from the League or the Guards." With that said, he stalked out of the room in fury.

*****

Dear Lord Whiston,

Miss Sophia is very much thankful for the molding clays, my lord, although she pointed out she did deserve it for being a most behaved 'prisoner'—her own words. She has not been seen outside the cottage since your last instruction as she had been quite busy with her new project, but a woman came by this morning. She specifically asked for Miss Sophia and demanded for her to never come near her children as they lived merely across the street.

Yours,

Fanny

Nicholas stopped himself from walking out the door and hop unto his horse. He burned the letter without writing a reply. The next day, Fanny's letter contained more disturbing details.

Dear Lord Whiston,

Miss Sophia had asked that you need not know, but as I have promised, I believe you ought to know that a pie was delivered this morning to the cottage. We were both ecstatic upon receiving such welcoming gesture but horrified when we discovered the pie was filled with mud. I do not believe the village of Puck is growing accustomed to her presence here, my lord.

Yours,

Fanny

The letter was not enough to make Nicholas travel to Puck and shove the mud pie down the throat of whoever made it but he surely had done so quite too many times in his mind. The letter that arrived with the footman the night of the following day however made Nicholas grab his writing articles to write a letter addressed to one gentleman.

Dear Lord Whiston,

A workman by the name of Mr. Cavel came over to the cottage last evening, my lord. He claims to have a want for a 'tumble' after a hard day's work. Miss Sophia refused to show herself but instructed me to lock the doors and windows when the man refused to go away. As he claimed by shouting outside the cottage for us to hear, he had enough townsends to pay for Miss Sophia's services. His wife came an hour later to 'rescue' her husband from Miss Sophia—her words not mine. Perhaps, my lord, you can provide a footman in addition to the protection you are giving Miss Sophia.

Yours,

Fanny

Nicholas was gritting his teeth as he finished his letter.

Mr. Cavel,

Should you ever set foot near the cottage again, you shall find yourself in another village. Please take this letter in kind for I will not be as forgiving the next time. Should you repeat your action, I will personally drag your kind arse by my horse to deposit you outside a brothel for my cottage is not it. It does not house a whore, sir, but a woman with an Everard's protection.

For your kind consideration,

Nicholas Charles Everard, Lord of Whiston

Fanny's letters continued to pour in daily with lesser news of any harassment from the villagers. Once he replied that should Sophia wish to go out, she may do so again but only if the footman was available. She did and Fanny was merely happy to inform him that they managed to go to the market and were sold the goods they needed. Nicholas' letter to the workman must have spread around the village, he thought.

And although he wanted to see for himself Sophia's current condition, he could not easily do so as he feared that the League may be watching him. Margaret may not have told them of Nicholas' involvement, but no one could truly know with the League of Founders.

What he was not expecting though was another letter from Fanny. It was delivered by the footman he sent to live with the two ladies after the workman incident.

Dear Lord Whiston,

Miss Sophia is sick and shaking with fever. The village doctor refuses to come near her. Please do come quick before I start burning these horrible villagers myself!

Yours,

Fanny

Nicholas immediately jumped to his feet and shouted for his butler. "Get Doctor Johannes at once!" He turned to his footman and ordered, "Take the doctor to Puck."

"And you, my lord?"

"What the bloody hell do you think? I am going there now!"