She merely stared at him, blinking at him with curiosity and utter calmness, while he stood there in front of her like a bloody moron, his breath sparing him for a few seconds. She was two steps away; he could lean over and stretch out his arms, grab her and take her away from here. But the unfamiliar look in her eyes made Trent understand what Sasha meant.

Caroline had lost her memory, and she was safest here.

"Trent!" Jade's surprised voice said, her hand finding his, pulling his attention toward her. Trent fixed his gaze on his Belle and he sensed that she knew that he recognized his fiancée. He would be a fool to even deny that fact. Ruby was wearing the same arrested expression as Jade's.

This could only mean two things: one, they were being Belles and were trying to protect Caroline; two, they were hiding something.

Finding that he had no other choice, Trent broke into a smile. "I am not aware that the Garden has welcomed a new Belle," he said to Jade who stepped beside him, assuming a pleasant smile as she, too, faced Caroline, hooking her arm around Trent's. He looked down at Jade, catching the woman's gaze. "Well?"

However, she managed it, he may never know, Trent thought, as he witnessed how his Belle maintained her composure, her smile seemingly genuine as she transferred her gaze to Caroline and say, "Trent, it is my pleasure to introduce you to the court's new Belle, Carol."

His smile froze on his lips and he did his best not to clench his teeth as he turned to Caroline and smile. "It is my pleasure to meet your acquaintance, Lady Carol."

Bloody hell, her smile was the same. "Good evening, my lord," she greeted with a small curtsy. She turned to Jade with a slight frown before she fixed her eyes back to him. "Please, forgive me, but your name sounds familiar, my lord."

"Trent is a very common name," said Jade with a chuckle. "But I can provide you Trent's full name and title if he wishes me to," she added, giving him a meaningful questioning stare.

She wanted to learn what his plans were for Caroline. "My title shall remain separate from my affairs here in Belcourt."

Caroline's brows rose. "I understand, my lord." Then, with a laugh, she shared a look with Ruby and Jade. "But I am quite certain I will learn more about you soon."

He let out a dramatic, pathetic groan. "It would not surprise me."

Then he stared at her, just stared at her. And with a blink, he pretended to survey the room and asked, "Ruby, is Aaron in attendance?"

"If he is, I do not know where he is," Ruby said, her own composure regained.

"Fancy a walk in the garden?" asked Jade, pulling at his arm.

"Of course," he said, giving Caroline another bow before he turned and hastened out of the drawing room.

Jade was studying his expression as they made their way to the garden. A few Belles and their gentlemen were also around, but they found a lone path for themselves.

"Are you planning to introduce yourself to her?" Jade asked, probably deciding there was no use pretending.

"No," he replied, jaw tight. "When did you find out?"

"Just tonight when Lady Mariam presented her to us." His jaw tightened even further because he could not tell if she was lying. "I have heard of someone fainting outside Belcourt's gates weeks ago, but I did not think too much of it. Gossips spread around Belcourt, too, if you must know. I admit that I was utterly surprised to know that they took in a full-grown woman."

He tightened his jaw. "We have been searching for her for weeks."

"Is that why you have been so preoccupied of late?"

"Yes."

She slowly nodded with the realization. "They say that she was attacked. But I assume that you may have already guessed by now."

He did not have to pretend, because the reminder of Caroline almost dying was enough to make every muscle in his body go tight. "Do you know by who?"

"We are not told of all the details. You know, Belcourt. And if I know, I am afraid I cannot tell you. All we are told is that they assaulted her, she survived, and she lost her memory."

"Perhaps I should ask Lady Mariam."

"She would not provide you with any information unless Belcourt allows it."

"She is my fiancée. I have every right to know."

Her hand tightened around his arm. "And she is a Belle."

He fell silent, for it was the best he could do at the moment.

"Trent," Jade began again after a while, "why don't you wish to be known to her? You had the chance earlier."

"Because one look at her and I knew she did not recognize me, that is why."

She nodded. "They say that she has lost her memory."

"All of it?"

"Yes. She does not remember anyone at all." When he remained silent, she peered at him. "Perhaps if you introduce yourself, she may remember."

"Do you want that to happen?"

She looked offended. "Whyever would I not want that? She is your fiancée!"

He nodded. "I will let her be for now."

"Why?"

"Because I know Caroline. If I force myself into her life now, she will only object to it."

"But—"

He stopped walking and faced Jade. "I do not want to force myself on someone who would not want me, Jade. It would make me look very petty." For what seemed like an endless moment, their eyes locked, measuring each other in their own way.

Finally, she let out an awkward laugh. "Yes, you are correct."

"Thank you." He turned and continued to lead her down the path. "But I expect that you take care of her while she is here. I am certain that whoever tried to hurt her may not rest until they succeed."

"You can trust that I will treat her as Belles treat each other." Her hand tightened around his arm again. "Do you intend to find the people responsible for this?"

"Of course."

⠒♣◆♣⠒

Trent battled with himself when it was time to go.

Caroline had barely spared him a glance, perhaps because Jade had suggested that it was best he stayed away from his fiancée for a while. "She will need time to adjust to her status as a Belle," Jade had told him. "While all other Belles spent most of their years in Belcourt, your fiancée, Trent, has been here merely a month without a memory of the life she had."

Jade, to be fair, had a point, and he obliged when she ushered him to a different table while Caroline was surrounded by other Belles who were curious about her memory loss.

When the other gentlemen prepared to leave, Trent did as well.

Caroline was still surrounded by women and she did not even look his way when he walked past her on his way out of the drawing room where they had been having tea.

He abhorred the fact that he had to leave her here. When his eyes met Sasha's outside in the garden, the woman taking a silent walk with Ruby; he was put at ease. Slightly.

By the time he returned to his estate, the Duke of Remington was already waiting for him.

"How is she?" the man asked even before Trent could get himself a drink.

"She seems physically fine." Pouring a glass of brandy for himself, he cocked his head at his future father-in-law, who refused the offer by shaking his head.

"And?"

"And she does not remember me, of course."

The man frowned. "Are you certain?"

He shrugged, the only thing he was very good at recently. "Quite."

Remington slowly nodded his head. "I agree with Darcy that we should keep her where she is safe for now."

Trent swallowed the bitter liquid, letting it glide and scorch down his throat. Again, he shrugged.

"I hope you do not let your emotions get the better of you."

He scoffed. "If I may remind you, Your Grace, that merely weeks ago, you were on your way to Belcourt to drag her out of there."

The duke shrugged.

They shared a long look, and both scoffed.

⠒♣◆♣⠒

A week later, Caroline walked around the villa given to her by Belcourt. Her villa.

"I hope to serve you for a long time here," Fatima, her maid and companion, said with a smile.

"I heard that you have served a Belle for a long time, Fatima."

The woman nodded her dirty blond head. "Yes. Carrie, your carriage driver, and Shay, the cook, the three of us have been together with Aliya for years before she left Belcourt."

"And where is she now?"

"She is now married to a prestigious doctor," Fatima replied with a proud smile. "If you have not lost your memory, I am certain that you will recognize Doctor Oliver St. Vincent."

Caroline only nodded, staring at the enormous bed in the middle of her bedchamber. "I heard that it takes a significant amount of money to pay your way out of Belcourt."

"It is the least we can do for the years they have cared for us."

Shay, the cook, poked her head through the open door, her wide smile directed at Caroline. "What do you wish to eat tonight, my lady?"

"Any of the ones you have served me in the Library will do, Shay."

Fatima was smiling at her with adoration when the cook left.

"What?"

"You look and act so elegant, I wonder what you were before you came to Belcourt."

She sighed. "I wonder the same thing every day."

Fatima looked around the room and let out a long sigh. "Well, my lady, I believe I should leave you be for now. Do not hesitate to ring for me should you need anything."

Caroline nodded and waited until Fatima was gone before she moved and walked to the window.

She pulled the window just a tiny inch and looked down at the garden.

Now that she was here, she realized she did not know what to do.

Should she wait for a flower? Lady Mariam had suggested the idea, and she did not object. Perhaps she needed a gentleman.

After all, that was her role as a Belle.

⠒♣◆♣⠒

West Blackwood was sitting motionless in front of the fire, watching Trent with curiosity. Although he did not voice his questions, Trent was aware of what he wanted to ask. But he did not have to ask, for it was also clearly written on his face that he already had the answers.

How did it go?

Is she well?

Do you feel like you want to dig a hole underground and build a tunnel to Belcourt?

"Darcy gave instructions that I should attend the Stanway Ball," Trent said, breaking the silence.

"Yes," West replied, uncrossing his legs. "Our theory that Stanway is heading the mission to find Reginald has been confirmed. We heard that he is in correspondence with someone in London."

Trent nodded, the firm look of the Duke of Islefield flashing before his eyes. "And we need to find proof of this correspondence?"

"And more. He is not stupid. I am certain that whatever he is hiding, it is not in Coulway."

"Perhaps I can coax his son to arrange a party in Islefield."

"You can do that, but it shall be a very challenging task. The Duke of Islefield takes pride in his strong bulwark. We cannot look like inexperienced children right under his nose."

Trent smiled. "We shall try to play quietly."

⠒♣◆♣⠒

With nothing to do that night but await more instruction from Darcy, Trent went to Stark's.

Robert Dior, Marquess of Chester, and future Duke of Calbridge, was present. Trent was not chummy with the man, but he was a Royal. The knowledge that they were in the same secret group set to dethrone King Louis made them feel they had something in common, making them pleasant acquaintances.

"You do not have to do anything there," the man said, his face stoic and unreadable. "Simply know which rooms are locked."

If he did not know the man well enough, he would have been baffled by the sudden shift in conversation, but since they had nothing else to talk about, Trent easily assumed the man was talking about the upcoming Stanway Ball.

"I would rather we do not discuss serious matters tonight, Chester," he told the man. And that was when Tanner Macmier and Rider Fairborne sauntered to their table.

"And what are you fine lords talking about?" asked Tanner, dropping in the seat beside Dior's.

"Your foreseeable demise, Leighton, what else?"

Tanner's face hardened. "I find nothing funny on that, Chester."

Rider Fairborne, the Earl of Keene, settled beside Trent. "His mother will throw a grand ball should that ever happen," the man said, face unsmiling. "And she will be wearing red."

"My life is precious, gentlemen," said Tanner. "Ask all the ladies."

Dior was looking at Tanner with the same stoic expression. "Why?"

Tanner frowned. "Whatever do you mean? I was joking."

Dior nodded. "Ah, yes, because I found that hard to believe. I am certain that the ladies would have nothing to offer upon our inquiry."

"Rider, please stop me from boxing this man," Tanner gritted through his teeth.

The earl ignored him and turned to Trent, "We heard what happened."

He just nodded. The three men around the table waited, but he offered nothing, and they took that as a sign.

"More drinks?" Tanner asked, slapping his hand on the table. "Come on, before St. Vincent arrives and empty all the bottles."

"I have somewhere to be tonight," Dior said, checking the time, his dark brows fusing as he did so.

"But we just arrived!" Tanner exclaimed.

"I do not want to be seen longer with the lot of you," Dior stated in a flat tone, standing up.

Tanner gawked. "Rider, is he bloody serious?"

Dior looked down at Tanner. "I am bloody serious."

"I have always known, Dior, that your soul is as dark as your bloody hair," Tanner said, "but even around fellow gentlemen, you are as vile and I am utterly hurt."

"My mother would agree," replied the man. "Of my dark soul," he added.

"And your non-existent friends, for certain!"

Dior's eye twitched. "My non-existent friends are in unanimous agreement that you are not welcome among their circle."

Tanner fumed. "Rider, grab my arm. I am about to stand and throw a fist."

Rider turned to Trent instead, his face equally impassive as Dior's. "Do you know where her villa is?"

"No," Trent replied to Rider as Dior left their table.

"I believe I am facing a different breed of man, really, Dior, every time I am facing you!" Tanner shouted after Dior who merely lifted a hand to wave them goodbye. "And I would rather not discuss this at all."

"Understandable," the earl replied with a shrug.

"Now, I have an idea," Tanner said, looking at them conspiratorially. "It is time we make Robert Dior human, gentlemen."

⠒♣◆♣⠒

An hour or so later, Tanner was grabbing Trent by his coat, pulling him back to their table.

"I am going home, Leighton, let go of my blood coat!" Trent growled under his breath.

"No, you need to be with friends tonight, Chalbarth. We still have a bottle left—"

The man could not finish his statement as Rider pulled him by the back of his collar, saying, "Go," Rider said, pulling Tanner away from Trent. "Let go of his coat, Tanner."

"But he is not going home tonight—"

"Let go now or I will deliver you to Dior myself."

Tanner's hand tightened around Trent's coat, frowning at Rider. "Why?"

"So he can draw out his sword and cut your hand from Chalbarth's coat."

Tanner laughed, letting go of Trent. And then he said, "But I heard Ellise St. Vincent sent him flying on his arse once at fencing!"

Trent sighed and walked out of Stark's, not even guilty to be leaving quite so early.

He may have friends, but they were not truly his friends. They were men from the Royal Circus. He wondered then if he would have ever been a part of their circle if they were not Royals. Had they been merely tolerating each other because of their common goal?

Back in his villa, in his bedchamber, Trent fell back on the bed, eyes wide awake.

He had found her. She was safe.

What now?

She got what she wanted after all, he thought with a scoff. She did not want to marry him in the first place, did she?

With a groan, he rolled to his side.

Bloody hell, he missed her.

He should have made other friends while she was still around. He had no chance to do that because he was always with her and if he was not he was working on his business affairs, and in the recent years, for the Royal Circus.

He was pathetic. His only best friend was the same woman he was madly in love with and would not even want him for a husband. Worse, she lost her memory!

Famous!

A sound coming out from his window caused him to stiffen and stealthily reach for his pistol hidden under his bed.

Fully alert now, he pressed his back against the wall, his eyes frantically searching the room.

His jaw tightened when the sound came again. A rattling sound.

He frowned.

No, it was a knocking sound.

Slowly, he walked to the window nearest his bed and pulled the curtain to the side. Nothing.

Then he walked to the window next to it. Still, nothing.

The sound came again, and he strode straight to the last window and drew the curtain aside, lifting the pistol in front of him.

But there was nothing there.

Trent frowned. He was certain he heard something.

And then the unexpected happened. A fist poked from under the window and knocked.

He rushed to pull the window up and then his eyes widened as he looked down.

"Well? Do not just stand there! Help me up!" Caroline hissed at him.