Caroline thought she had planned everything well enough, but the moment her gaze landed on Jade below the schooner, she felt her body stiffen. She would feel a knot at the pit of her stomach, reminding her of the injury she suffered.

She despised the woman too much that it was getting harder for her to control her emotions. It was easy to pretend to be an injured woman with a memory loss when Jade was not in sight, but it was another when the woman was there and with Trent.

She could not believe she had pushed him toward his Belle numerous times in the past, even suggesting that he paid the woman's dowry and free her from Belcourt!

"Carol!" Jade greeted with a big smile on her face, looking far better than when they last saw each other. The reason for that was the man who owned the arm she was hugging. Jade's arm was not just looped around Trent's. It was pulling him closer, holding him captive, making Caroline wonder if his arm was alright. Obviously, it was, seeing he did not appear to be in pain while his Belle was almost hanging on his limb like a monkey.

Ruby was also there with her flower, Aaron Stanway, whom Caroline had met many times but had never had the chance to be chummy with. Trent had always made certain not to get her involved with anyone that had anything to do with Belcourt.

When they were introduced, however, Aaron looked at her with a hint of recognition in his eyes. "I know this may be our first meeting, my lady, but you look very familiar."

"It must be the hair," she said with a tight smile.

Aaron's chuckle was contagious. The man was undeniably charming. He pointed at Caroline and said, "I see, it must be the hair then. Too many women cut them short like you do."

"And where is your flower, Carol?" Jade asked, looking around. She felt Trent's gaze on her.

"He will join me at Islefield tonight. He has other things to take care of before, I am afraid."

"But how will he cross the ocean?"

She smiled. "He has his own schooner."

"Now, you make me curious who this flower may be!" said Ruby, blue eyes filled with interest.

Trent had been quiet, staring at her, face unreadable.

"Should we board?" asked Jade, pulling Trent along with her.

Caroline looked over her shoulder. Fatima was following two men who were carrying their luggage. Her maid waved at her before disappearing with the men.

"Carol?" Ruby asked as Aaron guided her up the schooner.

She nodded, following the pair up the wide planks.

She gritted her teeth as she watched the back of Trent's head. In his injured arm was the woman who tried to kill her. In front of her was one of the women who abducted her from her daughter's grave.

It was not the best moment of her life.

And to her surprise, she had wished Robert Dior was with her.

⠒♣◆♣⠒

Islefield was a large island down south of Sutherland.

"Are you also aware that Sinhold is merely an hour away?" Ruby whispered to her.

"It is?"

"Yes."

Caroline fell silent for a while. She looked around the ballroom. It was the first ball of the weeklong party and their host, the Duke of Islefield, had just finished his speech introducing his wife, whom the party was in honor of. The duchess said a few words, and the music began along with the dancing.

There were no other members of the Circus, she had noticed. Apart from Trent and the very late Robert Dior, Caroline had not seen a friendly soul. Everyone else in the ball were all loyal servants to the king.

"I wonder how many bones we will find in Sinhold should we go there," she could not help but wonder aloud, making Ruby turn to her with a horrified look on her face.

"Carol! Hush!" said Ruby.

"Oh, do not tell me you are not curious," she said with a laugh.

"Well, I am. And I can easily find out by looking into the records in the Library. But no one dares to do so because it is simply a tragic thing."

"Why? I am certain those women sent to die there deserved what they got."

"No man or woman deserves such harsh punishment."

Caroline's brow arched. It was the first time she heard Ruby say anything against Belcourt. "Then you do not approve of it?"

"I would say yes if I am in the position to do so, but I am not."

"So you simply accept it?"

"Just as the people outside Belcourt accept that their king beheads their criminals."

Caroline nodded, for the lady was right.

"I can sense that your conversation is not pleasant to the ears," Jade's voice said behind them. Caroline turned and met Trent's eyes. She glanced away and smiled at Jade.

"We were discussing bones," she said.

The woman's face crumpled. "I thought so, but should we please change the subject? I hate talking about—"

"Death and murder?" Caroline could not help it. She saw the look of warning flash in Trent's eyes, but she ignored it.

Jade froze for a second before she nodded. "Exactly. Gory subjects. Hate them."

"Very well, what do you suggest we talk about?" Ruby absently asked as waved her hand at Aaron to catch the man's attention.

"I would rather talk about Carol's flower."

Trent, speaking for the first time, turned to his Belle. "What is this sudden curiosity about Carol's flower? Surely, there is no better man than Aaron and I?"

Jade laughed, lifting her hand to fix Trent's cravat. Caroline met Trent's gaze, and she wryly stared at him, saying, "My flower has not yet arrived."

"Then perhaps he will not come at all. I heard the tide has gotten stronger earlier," he said with a quick smile.

"He will arrive, Trent. He promised."

Aaron arrived and Ruby scowled. "I thought you said you are going to get drinks."

"I changed my mind," said Aaron. "Since my father is the host of this party, I as his son have the responsibility to showcase my talent."

"You barely have any," Ruby said, eliciting a laugh from Jade and Trent. Caroline swallowed the bitter taste at the back of her tongue. It was clear that the four people she was with had spent many days together.

"You hurt my feelings, my dear friend," Aaron said to Ruby, turning to her to offer his hand. "I am a marvelous dancer."

Ruby grinned, her face lighting up. "Good Lord, how could I forget!"

Ruby took Aaron's hand and soon the two of them headed to the dance floor. Jade turned to Trent, tucked his hair behind his ear, and said, "We should dance."

Trent smiled and stepped away from his Belle to offer his hand with a gallant gesture. Caroline fixed a smile on her lips throughout the ordeal, cursing Robert Dior in her head because she was looking more like a fool to be constantly left alone.

Trent did not even spare her a glance when he led Jade to join the dance.

"I should say he is doing a rather remarkable job," Robert's familiar voice said behind her.

"And you are late," she gritted out.

"I apologize," he said, stepping beside her, eyes on the dancers.

"Show your remorse by dancing with me."

"Why?"

"Because I want to dance."

"I am not a reliable dance partner."

She grabbed Robert's hand and tugged. "Tonight, you will do."

⠒♣◆♣⠒

"That is the Marquess of Chester!" Jade whispered to Trent, eyes wide with wonder as she stared at the man dancing with Caroline.

Trent's jaw tightened. "Yes."

"I did not know he is a flower!"

"Apparently, he is now."

"Good lord, this reminds me of Sasha all over again."

He frowned. "How so?"

"Her first flower was a duke. And now, Caroline has a future duke for her flower." Then she blinked and stared at him, her face painted with concern. "Are you alright with it?"

"I have no choice, do I?" he asked. "I am but a fiancé she does not remember."

"You must be jealous."

"No," he said, giving the answer he knew Jade wanted to hear, "but I am glad it is Robert Dior."

"Why?"

"The man is a bore."

Jade laughed. "Oh, but he may not be."

From the corner of his eye, he could see Ruby also staring at Robert with awed curiosity.

"Boring is the new interesting," Jade added. "But let us pray that Caroline does not fall for boring."

He did not reply. In fact, he just whirled Jade around so he could have a full view of Robert Dior dancing with his fiancée. After ensuring that the man's hands and eyes were in the proper places, he smiled down at Jade and continued his painful charade.

⠒♣◆♣⠒

Caroline could see the expectant look on Ruby and Jade's faces.

Wanting to applaud the two ladies for their terrific acting skills, Caroline pulled Robert toward them.

"You have to at least show that you are interested to be a part of their world," she hissed at the man earlier before dragging him to where Trent and the others were standing.

Her fiancé was not looking all too pleased, but he masked it with a small smile as they approached.

"Ladies, gentlemen, this is Robert, my gentleman."

"Only saying his name does not hide what he is, Carol," Jade said, giving Robert a sweet smile, offering her hand to Robert.

The man stared at it and haughtily ignored it by bowing, "It is my pleasure to make your acquaintance, my ladies," he said as Jade lowered her hand, face flushed. To Trent, Robert smiled and said, "I did not expect to see you here, Chalbarth."

"So did I, Chester."

Robert turned to Aaron, nodding with recognition. "Your father has outdone himself again, Lord Emsworth."

Aaron laughed. "I was afraid you would say the party is terrible, Lord Chester."

"Why would I say that?"

"Because that is something you would say."

Robert frowned. "Everyone assumes they know me well enough to predict my next actions."

"Your reputation precedes you."

A shrug and a turn to Caroline, Robert said, "Should we go for a walk in the garden?"

"May I suggest the beach?" asked Aaron. "It is better than the garden."

Trent, to Caroline's surprise, immediately turned to Jade and said, "Shall we?"

As they walked through the crowd of guests, someone bumped against Trent's left shoulder. Caroline jumped to rush to his side but Robert pulled her back, stopping her. Clearly, Trent had not yet fully healed by how his right hand came over his left shoulder. Jade, who must have thought nothing of it, asked if he was alright, which he briskly brushed aside by a wave of his hand.

"Always watch how you act around him," murmured Robert. "Remember that he has someone else to look after him."

Caroline gritted her teeth. "And should I also remind you I have been expecting my flower since this afternoon? You were late."

"I apologized for being late."

She sighed. "Honestly, I care very little what you do here, Robert. I only expect that you at least provide me company whenever you can spare the time. I do not want to look like a lost dog following them."

Robert did not reply. Instead, he said, "I sense that I will get another visit from him tonight."

Caroline could already smell the breeze down the hall that led to the back of the manor and it greeted them in the doorway, blowing their hair and gowns.

Hooking her hand around Robert's arm, Caroline frowned, eyes still on Trent. "Why would he do that?"

Robert shrugged. "I do not know. He does it whenever he is angry at me because of you."

"Why would he be angry at you because of me?"

Robert looked at her. "I honestly do not know."

⠒♣◆♣⠒

Later that night, Caroline was in her room, curious.

Why would Trent be angry at Robert?

She looked at the mirror and at Fatima standing behind her, brushing her hair. "Fatima, why would a man come to another man in anger?"

Fatima blinked. "I am the last person you should ask, my lady. I have very little knowledge about men. But from all the gossips I have heard and witnessed, I believe that when a man comes to another in fury, it is mostly because of another woman or a debt."

"Why?"

Fatima shrugged. "It could be many things. Men believe they reserve all rights to everything they own, and that explains the debt and the women. They are angry when they see another man threatening to claim what they believe is theirs."

"That does not sound so appealing when you put it that way."

"It is not, but I am afraid many women find it romantic. To be owned like a property, I mean."

She stared at Fatima for a while, fighting with her thoughts.

She had to do it now, she thought, and so she asked, "Is that why you go out whenever I leave the villa? Because a man owns you?"

Fatima's hand stilled. Then the woman blinked. "I do not go anywhere else, my lady. I just go out for shopping."

"I do not believe you."

She saw anger flash in Fatima's eyes. Then panic. "I do not—"

"Your hand is always smeared with ink. You are constantly writing letters. To whom do you send them?"

"I do not—"

"Just tell me where you go to when you are out of the villa, Fatima. I promise not to tell Belcourt. You can trust me to keep your secrets."

"I go to Belcourt."

She frowned. "Belcourt?"

"With Carrie."

"Why?"

"To meet with Aliya. It is the only place where we can meet with her freely. She can meet other Belles outside, but not anyone from the Court of Service."

"And why do you meet with your former mistress?"

Fatima did not answer. Caroline stood and faced the woman.

"Fatima, I will only ask twice. Why do you meet with your former mistress?"

Fatima just shook her head. "To chat. We have become good friends over the years."

"Fatima, I may have lost my memories, but I am not stupid. I know when someone is lying to me."

Fatima's eyes filled with tears.

"Do you want me to go to Belcourt and inquire?"

Fatima's lips quivered.

"If I do that, you will be in trouble."

Fatima moistened her lips. "If I tell you, you will tell Belcourt."

"If you tell me, I may have a good reason not to."

A shaky breath escaped the woman's lips. "Aliya is keeping my son safe."

Caroline froze. That was the last thing she expected to hear. "Your son?"

Fatima nodded. "I bore a child while I was serving Aliya years ago and I—she had helped me keep it a secret."

"Carrie and Shay?"

Fatima nodded. "They know." Then the woman caught her hand, desperation in her eyes. "I do not want them to get in trouble because of me. Please, my lady, I do not—"

The knock on the door made them both flinch in surprise.

Caroline nodded. "We shall talk more later," she said, going to the door. She opened it a crack, and she frowned when she saw Robert standing outside. "What is it?"

"I want to spend the night in your bedchamber."

Her eyes widened. "Why in the bloody hell should I allow that!" she hissed.

"Because people expect—" he stopped when he saw Fatima.

Caroline sighed and looked over her shoulder. "You may retire, Fatima."

The woman briskly wiped the tears from her face and with her head down, rushed out of the room. Robert slipped inside. "Now, if you get out and take a turn to the right, you will find the second door unlocked. That would be my bedchamber," he said, pulling at his cravat.

Caroline gaped. "Why would—"

"Your fiancé is waiting for you there."

Caroline's jaw dropped. "What are you—"

"And he said that you would rather spend the night with him than with me."

"This is preposterous—"

"I told him the same, but he says he has something very important to tell you."

"What?"

Robert blinked at her. "I will tell you if I know, but I do not."

"His Belle is here. We will be in trouble if she finds out—"

"The woman has gone to bed."

"That is not reassuring."

"I have men watching everywhere, Caroline. Just go. I am tired and I want to sleep."

With frustration, Caroline grabbed her robe and walked out of the room.

Following Robert's instruction, she reached his bedchamber and entered.

"This is stupid, Trent," she hissed as she slipped inside.

He was standing in the middle of the room. Without a word, he walked toward her, stepping closer to lock the door behind her.

As he stepped away, Caroline followed him, much to her surprise, so she belatedly stopped herself. Clearing her throat, she asked, "What do you want to talk about now?"

His brown eyes flickered to her lips as she moistened them with her tongue before he looked at her. "I think I know who the Belcourt rat is."