Adelia rolled over and smiled, surrounded by warmth and love. Lords, if only she could have this openly, freely.

Eudora couldn't go soon enough.

Vigo splayed a hand on her belly from behind her, kissing her bare shoulder.

Sante's dark and curly head pressed into her thigh. Frowning, Adelia looked around and then smiled when she spotted Simone coming with a tray of food for them.

The long, lean Roamer woman was gloriously naked and stood head and shoulders over Adelia, just like her twin. The only visible difference between them was the scar on Simone's throat and a mole on Sante's top lip.

Adelia often entertained herself by kissing and licking Sante's mole. She was ticklish there. She pushed up when Simone leaned over her, meeting her lips in a sweet kiss. She nosed down her chin to leave a tender kiss on the scar on Simone's throat that stole her voice years ago.

It had been three days since they smuggled Lenie out of the Manor, and Eudora was frothing as predicted. It wasn't something Adelia and Letty were dealing with, however. For the moment, Eudora was taking her rage out on her Guard. The Matron was blaming them for the absent Senator Brann as well.

"You're thinkin' too hard, Querida," Vigo chided in her ear, taking the lobe between his teeth.

"Apologies," she chuckled.

Simone joined them on the bed and offered her a crisp piece of bacon. She reclined on one elbow to accept.

Sante smiled at her twin and signed. Simone laughed silently and gave her sister a bowl of orange wedges.

Adelia chuckled when Vigo reached over her hip and stole one from her.

"Will you be seein' Lord Sloane today, Querida?" he asked, playfully sticking his tongue out at Sante, who laughed. He signed his words with one hand, so she knew what he was saying.

Vigo sat up to scoop fluffy eggs onto a triangle of toast. Munching, he watched Adelia joke and laugh with the Twins.

When they were with her like this, the cool and poised, carefully controlled, and distant Lady Adelia Windemere did not exist. She was happy, young, and carefree. Vigo often wished he could spare her the burden of her duty, but she would not be who she was without it.

"Yes, I must see Sloane today," Adelia sighed, lying across his lap. "I've news he will find encouraging."

Vigo finished his toast and dusted his hands, while Simone left the bed with Sante to draw a bath for them. He wrapped a few of Adelia's tousled blonde curls around his fingers, gently tracing a claw across her cheek.

"I believe he fancies you," he murmured.

"Darling," she chuckled, "he can fancy all he wants. I've nothing for him."

His dog preened within him, and she laughed harder, seeing right through him.

"We've no luck findin' the true Chronicler," Vigo said, frowning. "It seems everyone is certain it's Josef now, but no one recalls who it was before him."

"Convenient amnesia," Adelia shook her head.

"Or," Vigo offered, "they truly do not know. We've been most persuasive, Querida. If they knew, they would'a said."

"Hm. That could be. What do you propose, love?"

"Perhaps we should search for someone the Matron has no influence over. We met former Manor employees in the Tween. I could make some inquiries. Discreetly."

"Of course. Carry on, love," she caressed his cheek. "I have every faith in you."

He was purring when the Twins came to fetch them for the bath.

***

After their bath, Adelia stood at her wardrobe, fully dressed, but loath to leave the haven of her room. She traced a finger down the gilded Sweetlock she kept in a lockbox here. It would never do for one of Eudora's spies to find it.

She really would have to kill her mother then.

The Matron refused to allow any of her children to choose their life partners, and Adelia would not be bullied into an alliance for Eudora's benefit, any more than she would allow any of her siblings to be used.

Fuck that bitch.

There was a time when Adelia was concerned about her antipathy toward her mother. Upon witnessing how ruthless and callous Eudora could be, she forgave herself and moved on, channeling that hatred into proactively opposing her whenever she could.

She secured the case holding the Sweetlock and hid it behind a false door. Sealing that, she arranged her gowns over the panel and closed the wardrobe.

"Lord Sloane for you, Milady," Sante announced.

Adelia turned and signed her thanks. She followed her into the sitting room and nodded to Lord Sloane.

"My Lady," he bowed. "Good morning."

"My Lord, please join me," she waved to a small table with a carafe of juice and goblets. "Have you eaten?"

"I have. Thank you. Shall I pour?"

"Please." She sat down and accepted the goblet from him. "I've some news for you, that I hope you'll consider good."

"Any news is more than I have now," he sighed, taking his seat. "Sadly, Uncle remains missing."

Adelia managed a sound of sympathy. Simon Brann was mad dog shit by now. It was a definite improvement.

"Perhaps my news will help. I have found an aristo who will second my motion for your regency. In fact, I have found several. A vote is assured, and it seems it will go in your favor."

Sloane's mouth fell open in surprise. "My Lady...you are truly a miracle worker!"

"Nonsense, my Lord," Adelia demurred. "I simply made inquiries. I am intrigued by your plans for the Brann estate, and I hope to see it all come to fruition. Now, I shall be attending Enclave this afternoon. I suggest you join me, so we may move on this now, while the interest is high."

Sloane nodded eagerly. "I shall follow your lead. My Lady."

"Splendid. Shall we meet at Chambers just before midday, then?"

"Certainly."

"Afterwards, I would be pleased for you to join my sister and me and a few companions. The younger generation of aristos is coming together to prepare to step into our parents' shoes. Some of us are quite terrified to do so. Since you are already taking on that role, many of us would benefit from your experience."

Adelia arched an amused brow when Sloane blushed. "My Lady, my experience is minimal at best. I've had my mother to guide and advise me, is all."

"Which is more than some of us have. Say you'll join us, my Lord, if for nothing more than to become acquainted with those who will become your peers."

"Peers," his lips twisted a bit. "I would hope for friends, but yes, I would be pleased to join you."

"Peers can become friends, my Lord," Adelia saluted him with her goblet, "given time."

"Of course," he agreed, returning her salute. "I shall keep that in mind."

***

The salon was alive with laughter and merriment, and Adelia was flushed with success.

Not as much as Lord Sloane, of course, after being named Senator-Regent of the Brann estate until his uncle's whereabouts could be confirmed. As the heir to the estate, there would be no issues keeping him in power, no matter the outcome.

Adelia's motion passed by a three-quarter majority, a larger margin than she anticipated. Lord Erik -as he happily insisted she call him- submitted an abundance of proof of Brann's mishandling and the consequences of allowing him to maintain control.

Eudora was furious, of course. She vehemently opposed the motion along with several aristos who had no true cause to do so.

Adelia and Letty took note of them and planned to approach them in the very near future.

"And a toast," Erik raised his glass toward Adelia, seated with Letty on a wide sofa, "to the dear Lady Adelia Windemere, my champion!"

Adelia nodded graciously, raising her glass toward Erik. "I merely opened the door, my Lord. It was you who kicked it off the hinges. Brilliant presentation, sir, and bravo for standing your ground under such harsh opposition."

Eudora went so far as to suggest Erik had something to do with Brann's absence. Proof, however, was presented that the young man was at the villa for the entire night in question.

Erik laughed and turned to speak to another member of Adelia's growing cabal of young and hungry aristos. She was carefully cultivating the heirs to several key houses. They would serve her well when she made her move against Eudora. Even complacent aristos would act to protect their children.

At least Adelia hoped so. She had nothing to gauge such things by.

Adelia sipped her wine and arched a brow when Simone caught her eye from across the room.

Eudora coming. Pissed. Sante and Vigo behind you

Adelia thanked her with a movement of her fan and slanted a look at Letty.

They scored an impressive victory today. Eudora's will had been thwarted and publicly so.

She would not take that lying down.

Within moments, the Matron swept into the salon, steel blue eyes snapping flames of rage.

"Sloane!"

Erik turned to the Matron and bowed respectfully, along with everyone else in the room, as she approached him aggressively.

"How dare you," she snarled, "demean the name of Senator Brann and undermine me in this manner!"

Erik drew himself up, and his smiling eyes cooled. "Your pardon, Your Ladyship. I did make several attempts to speak with you since I arrived in Windemere over a month ago. My uncle's disappearance forced my hand.

"As for demeaning him," Erik continued, "Uncle Simon needs no assistance from me in that regard. He is a wastrel and a drunkard, and no one can dispute that, given the disarray of the estate."

Eudora gasped in outrage. "So, you will destroy his reputation for your own ends?"

"My lady, his reputation is already in tatters, again, without my influence," Erik said evenly, clearly coming to the end of his patience. "He sent word to my Lady Mother that he required funds quite desperately, and it was not the first time.

"Lady Sloane dispatched me to assess and address the situation, as Brann is part of my inheritance. Simon Brann is pentoless, my Lady. Only my mother's intervention these past years has kept the estate solvent, and he has made no moves to tend to his duties to the family holdings. As I outlined to the Enclave, I am willing and able to change that.

"Now, as you are so very concerned with upholding his good name, perhaps you might enlighten me as to why he paid so little attention to his holdings and so much to drunken revelry."

Eudora narrowed her eyes and realized they were the center of attention. She lifted her chin and assumed a cooler mien. "We shall speak of your Regency in private...Senator."

"We shall not, my Lady," Erik smiled humorlessly. "I am already engaged to discuss my plans for Brann with Lady Adelia. You see, when I sought an audience with her, she accepted. Immediately. While I appreciate your current interest in the matter, I am no longer in need of your input.

"You may relay whatever information you wish through Lady Adelia or Lady Collette. Please excuse me, Your Ladyship," Erik squared his shoulders. "I feel in need of a bit of air."

Adelia worked her fan slowly and nodded to Erik when he bowed to her before he made his way through the open salon doors to the balcony.

Eudora cast her narrow gaze around the room, frowning when no one looked away, and several smirked. She snatched a glass of wine from a server and stalked across the room to her daughters.

"What do you think you're doing?" she demanded.

"I've no notion what you mean, Mother," Adelia said. "Senator Sloane was quite distraught. I did as I am trained to."

"Humiliate me?!" Eudora hissed.

"Resolve a matter brought before me by a liegeman," Adelia responded. "The Senator did his due diligence in his efforts to speak with you on the matter beforehand.

"Did you expect him to simply sit on his hands and watch his inheritance dwindle to nothing? If you find yourself in a less-than-positive light before your aristo cohorts, I cannot say whom you might blame for that but yourself."

"Mind your tongue, you little bitch," Eudora growled softly. "You will never outdo me."

"I sincerely hope not," Adelia responded, "as I could hardly face myself if I should fall to such depths. Now, Mother," Adelia cleared her throat and stood, forcing Eudora to step back or be pushed, "this is a casual, light-hearted gathering of young aristos, the future Enclave. Surely, you've some pressing matter to attend to. Elsewhere."

"Have you any messages for the Senator, Mother?" Letty cut in.

Both daughters smiled serenely in the face of Eudora's rage. She moved forward and gasped when Vigo stepped up beside the sofa.

"My Lady," he said softly. "Do you require assistance?"

"Thank you, Sir Vigo," Adelia kept her eyes on her mother. "Her Ladyship is overset. Perhaps you could have someone escort her to her rooms for a lie-down."

"I'll not have your Clanless lapdog soiling my chambers," Eudora arrogantly cut Vigo off.

"Well, then," Vigo murmured, the soft growl in his voice far more intimidating than Eudora's, "best be on your way, Your Ladyship. Pressing matters, and all. Simon Brann won't fall into your lap, will he?"

"Unless he already has," Letty added, an inquiring brow arched.

"That would explain so much," Adelia remarked. "Good day, Mother. Enjoy your ball tonight."

Eudora made to answer but stopped when several of the young aristos moved around the sofa in silent support of the Windemere daughters.

Seeing herself outnumbered, Eudora made her exit as regally as she was able.

***

Adelia didn't take the time to celebrate her victory. She quickly sent her coterie out to spread rumors of the Matron's questionable state of mind. Before sunset, doubt of Eudora's fitness to continue to rule was in every servant's mouth and making its way to their master's ears.

Adelia assigned additional members of Vigo's Clan to watch over Letty and covertly over Senator Sloane.

One couldn't be over-cautious, then Eudora was on the rampage.

That evening, she welcomed Erik into her sitting room, where she took an early supper. Adelia was lounging with Vigo and the Twins, signing and snacking on small sandwiches when Andra brought him in.

"My Lady," he bowed. "I didn't mean to intrude."

"Not at all, please come in. Thank you, Andra. Did you want to join us?"

Andra smiled and declined. "I've eaten, my Lady, but thank you. Good evening."

"Good evening, Andra. Lord Erik, you haven't met Sir Vigo Salazar and Dames Simone and Sante Alonzo officially."

The Roamers nodded from their reclined and comfortable positions.

Erik nodded back, warily approaching the table laid with their meal.

"I do apologize for my abrupt departure today, my Lady," he said. "I'm afraid I allowed the Matron to vex me rather much."

"Nonsense," Adelia rose from the tangle of arms on the lounger. "Eudora can be quite vexing, even at her very best. She can drive one to drink, I'll say."

Erik's lips twitched in humor. "My experience with her is limited, but I shall take your word for it."

"Indeed." Adelia waved a hand over a selection of decanters. "Join us in a brandy?"

She smiled when Erik laughed heartily and nodded. "Gladly, my Lady."

Adelia poured five snifters half full. She stacked three in her cupped hand and took a fourth with her free hand. She went back to her Roamers and delivered their drinks, toasting with them before sipping.

Adelia turned back to Erik to find him frowning with his snifter in hand.

"Problem, my Lord?" she inquired, arching a brow.

Erik cleared his throat. "I must say, I was quite taken aback when I saw your...people. I had always been led to believe that when their eyes...looked that way, well, they were dangerous."

"Oh, they can be, surely," Adelia nodded, "but so can anyone, no matter their eye color. You've been misled, my Lord," she went on, smiling when Vigo nuzzled her hand. "Vigo and the rest are no threat in their current state."

"So, I see," Erik agreed. "They seem quite tame, I'll say."

Adelia's eyes narrowed, and Vigo growled.

Erik swallowed his brandy in one anxious gulp.

"Tame?" Adelia repeated. "They are loyal, courageous, and resilient. But tame? Never."

"I...meant no offense, my Lady. Nor to you, Sir, Dames. I'm afraid I spoke without thought."

"You spoke in ignorance," Sante murmured.

"Patience, sweet," Adelia threaded her fingers into Sante's soft curls. "He's making the attempt, after all."

"I am," Erik said earnestly. "I do hope you'll bear with me. I will work diligently to shed my prejudice."

"See that you do," Vigo advised. "We can be...sensitive."

Erik's eyes bulged, and he lifted the empty snifter to gulp air. "Um. Yes, I will be careful."

"Rogue," Adelia chided, tapping Vigo's nose. "He's teasing you, my Lord."

Erik breathed in relief. "Oh, well, that's all right then."

"He is sensitive, make no mistake," Adelia smiled. "But he'll not act on an Enclave aristo without my say."

"Oh...Um," Erik frowned. "Are you...teasing as well, my Lady?"

"Am I?" she arched a brow. "My Lord, I asked you here tonight to make certain you understand what is now at stake. As you have stepped in to preserve your legacy, I am working towards doing the same. My path is not as straightforward as yours, however. Eudora will fight me every step of the way, and she does not know the meaning of fair play.

"I must have allies in place who are willing to stand steadfast in the face of her fury, and all the weapons she can deploy. Those you met today are among those allies.

"The younger generation hasn't fallen under Eudora's influence, and they have no secrets she can use against them, unlike their parents. My sister and I are working to break her hold over them, but after today, that work will be more difficult."

"Why is that, my Lady?"

"Today, Eudora saw her wall of power crumble. She will do anything to maintain control. It is all she has."

"What of her children?"

Adelia shook her head while her Roamers chuckled.

"Her children despise her," Adelia said. "She has never been motherly toward any of us. We look after each other because she never has."

"How sad," Erik shook his head. "I cannot imagine such a thing. I've always been close to my mother."

"Then you are fortunate," Adelia told him. "I am beyond being pained by it, however. Now I must attend to the duty of the Stead. I cannot oust Eudora immediately, but I can build influence in the Enclave in preparation for that day. I need to break her hold on the aristos to restore the Enclave as a fair forum for the people.

"Do not underestimate the danger. Eudora is fierce, cunning, and ruthless. Anyone who opposes her is subject to censure, exposure, and expulsion. I would even venture to say she has permanently disposed of some who refused to bow to her.

"Can you stand with me, Erik? Will you?"

Erik put his snifter down and approached her. Stopping a few paces away, he sank to one knee and bowed his head.

"Your cause is just, my Lady. You came to my aid when I had lost all hope. Whatever I may do to forward your plans, I am your man."

"Excellent. Now, we must speak of your uncle."

Erik frowned, rising. Adelia waved him to a chair and sat down near Vigo.

"What of him?"

"Simon Brann is dead."

Erik blinked. "How...do you know this?"

"I killed him."

Erik swallowed. "I...Why are you telling me this?"

"Brann was not only a drunkard and a wastrel," Adelia explained, holding Erik's gaze. "He was a lecher who preyed upon young and innocent women. He pursued my sister despite her adamant refusal of his attention. Eudora was using Selene to keep Brann in her pocket.

"She promised him that Selene would be his if he continued to support her. I warned him to stay away from my sisters or forfeit his life. He did not heed my warning."

Erik laced his fingers together and studied his knuckles. Adelia gave him a moment before she went on.

"Many of the young ladies you met today are survivors of your uncle's lust for virgin flesh. They were cornered, coerced, and violated. They lived in shame and terror, all thanks to Simon Brann, and Eudora was tacitly complicit.

"I cannot say whether Brann would have died by another hand eventually had I not taken the task on. He was not well-liked nor respected. No one trusted him with their daughters, and few trusted him with their wives.

"Sister, aunts, nieces, grandmothers," Vigo muttered. "He was a sickening creature."

"So," Erik took a deep breath, "you knew when I first came to you that he was dead."

"I did."

He nodded slowly. "Does the Matron know this?"

"No, but should she learn of it, she might attempt to use it to sway you to her side or to discredit me."

"That's why you told me," Erik surmised.

Adelia nodded.

"I must admit, I suspected Uncle Simon for some time of...unseemly behaviors. It is disturbing to know that any of the young ladies I met today suffered at his hands," he shook his head.

"We were not close," he went on. "In fact, he resented my presence from the start. All he wanted from Mama was money. When I arrived, he repeatedly blocked my attempts to begin restoring Brann. He was quite livid when I refused to part with a pento until he relinquished control."

"The young ladies in question are of good family," Adelia told him. "With substantial dowries. Fortunately, Brann failed to successfully impregnate any of them."

"Lords!" Erik's pale face went stark white, then grey.

"That was his aim, his plan to line his pockets and warm his bed with a nubile young body," Vigo pointed out. "Compromise a lady of wealth, so her family could be shamed and pressured into marryin' her off to him. My Lady and Lady Collette assisted those afflicted with such vile seed."

"Once that plan failed," Sante added, "he set his sights on Lady Selene, and signed his death warrant."

"I'm...going to be sick," Erik croaked.

Simone kicked a wastebasket over to his feet just as his belly rebelled. She rose and filled a glass with water. She stood by Erik's chair until he sat up, gasping and red-faced.

Simone offered the water in silence, and he accepted with thanks.

"We are sensitive to such things," Sante explained when Simone rejoined them on the lounger. "For my sister and I were subject to such. We are Sweetlocked to Vigo, but our last Boss disregarded this, pursuin' us aggressively.

"We declined his attention, of course. We are devoted to Vigo, and he to us. He was Underboss of the second rig. Simone and I are both Leads in many disciplines. Chadwick refused to allow us to work with Vigo, however. He always assigned us to the Boss rig, so we worked under him."

Erik frowned. "I...is that unusual?"

"Quite," Adelia answered. "For a Roamer, their Sweetlocked companions are a calming influence. Separating them unnecessarily is folly and can lead to conflict among the crew. Roamers who have Claimed another as their own can be  lethally protective."

"So, when our Lady caught Brann goin' after Lady Selene," Sante finished, "there was no question of the consequences."

Erik blinked slowly at them. "I cannot fathom what you've been through," he said quietly. "I thank you for taking me into your confidence, and I will not rest until your goal is met, my Lady."

"I thank you for your support, my Lord," Adelia smiled. "I look forward to our success."