It had been a week since Delaney was out of Belcourt. The woman's exit came like a breeze that the Belles barely had time to grasp the situation.

"They could have waited a little while longer," said Carrie one rainy afternoon. The four of them were in the parlor, their feet tucked under them, blankets on their lap, and the fire crackling in the fireplace. "Just my opinion, of course."

"I agree," Caroline murmured. She did not know why Aliya was in a rush.

"Perhaps it was the uncertainty of the situation," said Fatima.

"Why do you say?" asked Shay.

"It must be Sasha. Aliya herself has told us that Sasha has been a constant bother since she came to Strait." She turned to Caroline. "That is why you must take caution, my lady. Sasha can be quite cunning."

"I know."

"And that is why you must abandon your plans of getting into the Palace," Carrie added.

Caroline had no reply.

That night, she ventured outside with Carrie. In the cover of darkness, they took the carriage outside the estate of the St. Vincents. The place was quiet with only a few windows lit.

For five days now, she had been watching. Two days in, Delaney was busy. It was said that an aunt and cousins from the Americas arrived and were staying with them. But on the third day, Delaney went astray from her companions while out shopping downtown. Carrie followed the woman while Caroline stayed behind in a shop. Carrie reported later that Delaney entered a tavern.

"A tavern here in Coulway?"

"I am certain we did not go far," Carrie sarcastically replied. "Yes, milady, a tavern here in Coulway."

"Did you see who she met up with?"

"No."

"Did she stay long?"

"Ten minutes or so."

She nodded. "She will go out again."

But tonight may not be the night, Caroline thought as they waited outside the estate.

Whatever Delaney was doing, Aliya must not be aware of it.

⠒♣◆♣⠒

Trent got another visit from his father.

"Do you have any other mission for the Circus?"

"None. I am only asked to look after my Belle," he said with a smile. "I am doing rather remarkably well. You should congratulate me."

The man grumbled. "I heard Dior is making progress."

"Says who? Dior himself? He will always say he is making progress."

"Perhaps we can talk to Darcy. Surely they need some help from you."

"I am certain I am useful enough as it is," he said wryly. "But I am considering retiring from my status as a gentleman of Belcourt."

His father's face hardened. "Why would you do that?"

"Because I believe I am more useful in some other way."

"In what way?"

"Here, outside, of course. That way."

"Being in Belcourt, brushing shoulders with the other gentlemen, is where the true mission is."

"Or perhaps the true mission is not just in Belcourt, Father," he said, voice rising. "Perhaps there are other things to focus on other than Belcourt."

"Such as?"

He shrugged. "I do not know. Princess Renee? She did start all this with Caroline, did she not? She is another subject we should consider."

"She is a woman."

"And that does not make her any less threatening. Many kings were made and ruined by a woman. Need I remind you of that?"

His father's face hardened. "You stay in Belcourt."

"The moment Caroline decides to leave and as soon as it is safe for her to do so, I will leave with her."

"I did not come out of my way to enter you into the Circus just so you can play husband, Trent!"

"And I did not say yes to being a Royal to be a whore to a bloody deranged criminal who tried to kill my future wife!"

His father stood. "You are not leaving Belcourt."

For the first time, Trent gave his father a challenging look. "You might as well take a sit and watch me do it, Father. It shall be my honor."

"You bloody ingrate."

He scoffed and rolled his eyes. "Should I start grooming Jamie for the dukedom? Because I feel that you will disown me soon. I am certain my dear brother will be happy to take my place as your heir."

The duke's face was scarlet but he said nothing. With a sharp turn, he left the room, screaming for his carriage.

"He does not look pleased," Orlin said, entering the room.

"He does not always look pleased."

"Where are you going?"

"My Belle."

The butler scoffed. "Good riddance, then, my lord."

"She has been quite inquisitive lately. I'm afraid she is beginning to suspect Caroline."

"Has Lady Caroline been reckless again?"

"She always is."

"But she believes she is wise enough."

"I am afraid so."

"Then go and put your Belle at ease, my lord. However you do it."

"Go away, Orlin. And prepare the carriage."

⠒♣◆♣⠒

Gabrielle smiled at Caroline. "Your hair is longer. The true colors are showing."

"We have been trying with the lemons but it has been raining lately," she lied. Fatima arrived with a tray of tea and biscuits.

When they were alone again, Gabrielle asked, "Have you made progress?"

"Yes."

"And?"

"Jade is rather suspicious."

"How so?"

She shrugged. "She has been following me around. She must think I never noticed, but I have. She is not very good at her job."

The Soldier frowned. "But she was the one who tried to save you when you were taken."

"She was?" Caroline asked. "I must have forgotten you told me that. I do not remember. But still, she could have lied to Belcourt, yes?"

Slowly, the Soldier nodded. "I will look more into Jade." She paused and added, "And what of Ruby and the other Belles? Anything suspicious?"

Caroline blinked. "Ruby seems fine. My best friend amongst the Belles, as a matter-of-fact." She picked up her cup of tea. "Don't the Soldiers look into the Belles?"

"We try if there are leads, but our numbers are limited. There are other... things we take care of."

"Of course."

"And your memory?"

"I had a dream last night. That of the same boy. I was a small girl in the dream. We were playing."

"That must be your fiancé. We are told that the two of you grew up together."

"We did, did we not? It is a wonder, really, that I do not find it surprising at all. I mean the custom of having betrothed children grow up together as friends."

"The mind is a great mystery."

"Indeed."

Gabrielle cleared her throat and looked around. "What of your flower?"

"Robert Dior?"

"Yes."

"Charming man."

"Arielle believes otherwise."

"But he truly is. In private, of course."

"He does not force you into anything, does he?"

"No."

"And he is not suspicious at all?"

"He is suspiciously arrogant at times, but it must be because he is a future duke."

"And of your fiancé? Has he come forward to tell you who he is?"

"No, he leads me to believe we have never met before."

"And if he chooses to introduce himself? Would you admit that you are already aware of him?"

"That will be determined. But I am certain he will not do that. It will ruin his good relationship with me, do you not think so?"

"Why?"

"Well, I am friends with his Belle. That will be rather awkward for him if he becomes aware of our betrothal while he is with my friend."

Gabrielle shrugged. "I can only imagine that, to be honest." Gabrielle just stared at her cup. "Sasha reported the incident with Alexandre Moulin. He confronted you during breakfast in Dockerly. Is that correct?"

"Yes. The French."

"Yes."

"He said we knew each other in the past."

"And?"

"And of course, I do not remember him. I told him so. He was offended, I believe. Said some bad words. Sasha came to my rescue."

"And I believe Trent also."

"And my flower. The two of them dragged the man to another room to wait for two footmen."

"By the state of the French as he was escorted out of the estate, we have reasons to believe that your fiancé has some unfinished business with the man."

"Then perhaps you should ask him because I would also love to know more."

Gabrielle smiled and nodded. "Perhaps we will."

"Good. I would love more details about my past, one with a French in particular."

By luncheon, Gabrielle had left and Caroline prepared for a meeting with the other Belles. Jade had arranged another tea party in her villa and Caroline had no other reasons to decline the invitation.

But before she and Carrie walked out the door, Shay rushed in from her task and breathlessly said, "She's... she's on the move!"

"Where?" Carrie demanded, already rushing out the door.

"Tavern, same tavern," Shay say, gulping air.

Caroline bounded down the steps and ran to the carriage. In no time, they were rushing to the tavern. "You can go for that tea, milady," said Carrie, but Caroline said, "No, I will need to see who she is meeting—Carrie, there is a back entrance to this place, yes?"

"Of course, milady."

"Then take us there."

The back entrance was far from the façade of the tavern, but it was an effective way to hide carriages that did not want to be seen, marked or unmarked.

And the moment Caroline saw one of the two carriages, she swallowed.

Goodness.

She had been into one of those carriages too many times before.

Searching for the driver, she found the man standing straight and unmoving by the entrance and her heart began to hammer.

"Let us leave, Carrie," she ordered, moistening her lips.

"Do you recognize the carriage, milady?" asked Carrie once they were back on the road that led to the direction of Jade's villa.

"Yes."

"Whose carriage was it?"

"Someone I know."

⠒♣◆♣⠒

"He has been quite accommodating of late, I tell you," said Jade, clutching the locket over her breast. "Been giving me so much gifts I could practically pay for my own dowry."

The other five Belles smiled, but Caroline knew what everyone else was thinking. Jade was bragging again.

"And tonight, he promised to be here again," said the woman.

"But Jade, darling, perhaps you are getting too carried away with your flower," said Summer. "I mean no disrespect, of course, but he is not just a lover. He is your flower and you are a Belle."

Something akin to evil flashed across Jade's eyes before she covered it with a smile. "I know, Summer. Stop being too obvious with your envy."

"I am not envious! Goodness, Jade. Why would you think that?"

"Because you sound like it!" Jade cried out. Then she composed herself and said, "No matter, I know that not all of us have gentlemen like Trent," she said, throwing Ruby and Caroline a look.

"Mine is quite friendly and that is all that matters," said Ruby.

"Mine is rather a fun man in private, aloof as he may be outside," added Caroline, silently cursing Jade and the locket that dangled around her neck. And the bloody bracelet. And the bloody jade ring.

Jade tucked her read strands behind her ear. "Summer, dear, I am sorry for taking offense," she said to Summer who had gone pale a while ago.

"It is fine," said Summer, "I was merely concerned, Jade. I was not envious. We Belle should constantly remind each other of our purpose and mission. It is easy to be blinded by the love and gifts of our flowers, but they are not who we serve."

"I know, but still, you cannot blame me if I am enamored at the moment. Trent has always been good at paying me attention, but for months he had been quite busy. It is only of late that he has more time to spare me and he has been quite generous. I cannot deny that I am happy that he can spare me more attention now. I was not bragging if that's what you have been thinking."

"Of course, you were not," said Ruby, giving Caroline's arm a secret squeeze.

Caroline smiled sweetly at Jade. Then she wanted to pull at the silver locket again and twist the cord until the woman choked to death. Then perhaps she could steal the jewelries for herself.

"Well, no matter, we should enjoy this afternoon. But you cannot stay longer than five. I have to prepare for when Trent comes tonight."

Very much later, as the Belles exited the villa, they all groaned collectively.

"Goodness!" Summer exclaimed, fanning herself. "Did you hear that? She literally had to tell us every little detail of her activities in bed with her flower."

"It is almost unbelievable," said one of the Belles.

"She has always had a wild imagination ever since our days in the Common Court," said Summer. "I will not be surprised if it is all made up. I cannot imagine Trent begging her on his knees."

"And crying at that!" said Ruby with a snort. "She is my best friend and it feels bad to talk behind her back, but I feel better when I do. I'd rather have all these negative emotions out than have them boiling inside. But no matter," she said, hooking her arm around Caroline's, "We can all just pretend we did not suffer the entire afternoon hearing about those horrid details of Trent being tied to bed." She squeezed Caroline's hand. "I am certain it was also all just pretend for Jade. Well, for the most part, that is. We cannot discount the fact that she does enjoy Trent in bed."

"I would rather talk about something else. A bonnet would be a good subject. Men cannot always be the topic."

"I agree," Ruby said. "But I'm afraid I should dash. Aaron will spend dinner with me tonight."

"How about you, Carol? Would you like to join me for shopping?" asked Summer.

Caroline shook her head. "I'm sorry, Summer. I do not feel well. Quite faint, actually. My ears are still ringing. I can still hear Jade talking in my head."

The Belles laughed and bid farewell, all of them climbing into their carriages and heading to different directions.

⠒♣◆♣⠒

That night, Carrie returned and confirmed to Caroline that Robert Dior had entered the same hotel Ruby did.

"What are you planning to do now, my lady?" asked Carrie.

She sighed. "I do not know. I will have to think. Thank you, Carrie, you may retire for the night."

An hour later, Caroline was still pacing in her room, biting her fingernail.

A heavy rainstorm had just started.

She was becoming restless.

Perhaps she should go to Trent.

No, he said they could not meet each other.

But Robert was being suspicious.

Another hour later, she was sitting at the side of her bed, frowning at the floor. Then she jumped to her feet.

Perhaps she should really go to Trent.

But he was going to Jade tonight.

She closed her eyes, her entire body tightening.

Then she let out a harsh breath, her nostrils flaring.

She had to go to him.

Because she had important things to tell him.

And because she did not want him to go to that wench.

She looked out the window. The rain had stopped.

Was it a sign?

The moment you come to me to beg, Carol, I think you will tell me the reason, because you know I deserve it.

Turning to face her brown cloak, she thought it was time to go.