"No, Bree, Lady Renee is still the Marchioness of Rothsker. She never bore her late husband an heir before his passing."

"Yes, I understand," Briana said to Iyana. "Her nephew inherited Rothsker and is now missing."

"Mayhap hiding somewhere. I heard he has so much debt the Marchioness had to rescue Humbrick from him, thus making her the mistress of the manor."

"But her nephew is the Marquess. She cannot claim the title—"

"Whyever not? Of course, she can! Would you not agree, my lady?"

Sasha looked away from the window of the bedchamber assigned to her, tearing her eyes off the garden below. "What?"

"Bree is insisting that Lady Renee is not the Marchioness of Rothsker."

"She is still the Marchioness as there is no known heir, and the present Marquess, her husband's nephew who has gone missing, has none either. She retains her title."

"See, Bree? I was right!"

Briana rolled her eyes. "Of course, you are."

"And contrary to what they say, I believe the Marchioness herself is keeping her nephew prisoner somewhere in this estate."

Briana and Sasha shared a look.

"Well, it could be true! If he marries, the Marchioness shall lose her title, yes?"

"But she would still have Humbrick. It is a rather vast estate. She also owns the tiny island across from here, are you aware of that?" asked Briana. "She would not find a need for her title. Her husband left her enough."

"Yet her nephew might take it all back if he resurfaces. Best keep the man hidden. That is if he is still alive."

"Goodness, Iyana, where have you been getting all these stories?"

"I heard the other maids talking earlier."

"Best we mind our own business," Briana said, looking around the room. "Where is the other trunk?"

"Which trunk?"

"The green one."

"I do not know. Did we bring a green trunk?"

"Yes, we did! You carried it yourself!" Briana cried in frustration. "Now we must look for it."

"Go on, then. I will have to help Lady Sasha with her gown and hair."

Briana helplessly sighed.

Sasha sent her a smile before she left.

"Now, my lady, we should start preparing you for the ball tonight. I have heard enough about Humbrick Ball. They say that many things happen here."

"As I have heard."

"But we never truly heard of the details, have we?"

"Mrs. Compton's maid, the petite one who always has a green ribbon on her wrist, has a cousin who works here and even her cousin refuses to share any detail of what happens during the Humbrick Ball. Do you think the Marchioness executes harsher punishments that Belcourt?"

Sasha just absently nodded and shook her head.

"I should say Belcourt has things to learn from Lady Renee. Whatever she has done to make everyone who attends Humbrick follow her rule, Belcourt must know. I cannot gather one story—not one! How is that even possible? Most people outside Belcourt are by now aware that we have a lake. Yet with this famous Humbrick Ball, no one would dare say a word."

"No one wants their sins spoken, Iyana," she said. "Everyone has a vice they do not want to share."

Iyana scoffed. "Women in particular, of course. I am not blind. I saw the carriages of mistresses lined up outside."

Sasha just smiled.

"Which is why we must prepare you good, my lady. It is the first ball in Humbrick tonight. First impression, they say, lasts."

Sasha absently watched as Iyana opened the trunk filled with her new ballgowns, displayed them on the large bed, and talked to herself about how they should do her hair for each one.

She felt useless.

She was doing nothing because her maids would not allow her.

She was not making progress with her mission.

Sasha sighed. What would she tell West if she met him here? He was expecting her to find his sister and she was not even certain if she should.

And then there was Gabrielle who had deliberately lied to her. Why did the woman tell her not to go to Belcourt when it was clear that the mistresses of both the Courts of Arms and Flowers had no idea? And why did she not tell both mistresses about Sasha's agreement with West?

*****

The week-long Humbrick Ball was the party that no one dared to talk about after it was over, and one spoken too often before it started.

Coinciding with the other balls happening in Coulway, the people who were not invited this week could only imagine who was here. People would forever remain wondering if any of their sons or daughters; brothers or sisters; husbands or wives had been to Humbrick. They shall never know for nothing escapes Humbrick, the place of temptation and vice.

Tanner and Rider were fast to find West after he went down from his chamber, dragging him to a packed drawing room filled with affluent individuals, most of whom titled lords who came to the ball without their wives which was a very common and deliberate circumstance.

Humbrick Ball was designed for men in the highest of stations to display all types of despicable behaviors, bringing their mistresses to be the most common one.

For unmarried men, it was an occasion that they could enjoy without being stalked by women and their mothers, an opportunity to meet potential lovers, and even men they could potentially have business with. West, in the five years he had been attending Humbrick, only came to find people who would cast the same votes as him during parliament.

In the middle of the drawing room was the woman that everyone was fond of—Aliya. Dressed in white, her shoulders bare for all men to gawk at. She was showered in attention as she talked with a glass of brandy in her gloved hand. She immediately spotted West and his friends make their entrance. Her eyes glistened with recognition and she took a step forward.

"Your Grace," she said, giving West a curtsy. "It is such a pleasant surprise that you came early for the ball." She turned to the large man beside her. "You do remember you introduced me to Lord Eaton, my lord, yes?"

The Marquess of Hartcaster regarded West with his blue eyes. As a man with a reputation to be aggressive and brutal, Hartcaster was nothing like that. The man could be as soft as a bloody kitten when parliament was in session. He was always the first to cave in.

"Eaton," Hartcaster said, giving West a nod. He turned to Tanner and Rider. "Keene, Leighton."

"I believe you have not introduced us to your friend, Lord Hartcaster," said Tanner, eyeing Aliya with interest.

Hartcaster turned to Aliya who nodded before proceeding to an introduction. West looked around the room, nearly kicking himself. He was not interested in who else was in the bloody room. He was only interested in one person.

But surely, she would not be here. She was fairly new in Coulway and it would take great connections to be invited to Humbrick. Nearly everyone who received an invitation had, in one way or the other, was familiar to Lady Renee.

"I believe there is a game of faro starting in the next room, my lords," Aliya said to Tanner and Rider.

"I do not play the game," Rider dryly retorted before he walking away to get himself a drink. Tanner, on the other hand, was desperate to please Aliya, saying, "Then I suppose you will join us?"

Aliya flashed Tanner a gorgeous smile. "I will if you will save me the spot."

Tanner was instantly at the door, leaving West alone with Aliya and Hartcaster just as Aliya wanted it.

"I wish to apologize to you for the way I have disregarded Sasha's feelings back in Belcourt, West," Aliya said. "Perhaps I should have not done it."

"Her sentiments were not directed at you," West dismissively said. "She was merely tired. I'm afraid it was I who insisted that we go to Belcourt without informing her servants. She had to walk for miles to find a messenger to deliver the news of our whereabouts. It was not you who she was cross with. It was I."

Hartcaster chuckled beside Aliya. "Then I hope you made certain you paid for it, Eaton." He patted West's back with one mighty smack. "I am glad you have become a gentleman. We need more to make these ladies happy." He wrapped an arm around Aliya and pulled her to his side. The woman chuckled gaily, relishing the attention they were drawing from the other guests.

"By the by, I am sure you wish to meet a few gentlemen from Belcourt," said Hartcaster, looking around the room. "Emsworth! Chalbarth!"

Two young men West was fairly familiar with walked toward them. "I am certain there is no need for introductions," Hartcaster said to them. "But it is good to know we all have something in common, despite our differences during parliament."

Aaron Stanway, Earl of Emsworth, snapped his head at West, realizing Hartcaster's statement. His blue eyes rounded in surprise and amazement. "There is no way in bloody hell you are a flower!"

The brown-haired man beside him started to chuckle. "If Hartcaster says he is, then he is, Emsworth." He offered a slight bow at West. "Trent Durham, Earl of Chalbarth, Your Grace."

"I am familiar with your father, my lord. Please, just Eaton."

"Very well," Trent said with a wide grin, "Eaton it is. I prefer Trent, but Emsworth here always insists that Chalbarth becomes me."

"No, it does not, Trent," Aliya said with a grimace. "The name sounds old."

"And what have we here?" asked a red-haired woman, joining their little circle.

West was becoming more uncomfortable. Rider was standing alone beside the liquor cabinet and he sent his friend a look, silently asking for help. Rider merely shrugged, sipping his brandy with a grin of contempt.

"Jade, West Blackwood," Chalbarth was saying.

"It is an honor to finally be introduced to you, Your Grace," the black-haired beauty beside Trent said.

"And where is Ruby?" Jade asked Aaron.

The blond man shrugged. "She should be here somewhere, hiding from Willoghby. The bastard said he would not be attending and yet he is here. Makes me feel like the most unfortunate flower of all, really, sharing the same Belle with that bloke."

"I would not let Willoghby hear that if I were you, Emsworth. You would not want your caricature on The Grimes on the morrow," warned Hartcaster.

"I care little," Aaron replied, transferring his gaze to West. "And have you brought with you your lady, Eaton?"

West's jaw tightened.

He was about to open his mouth to reply when Jade said, "Of course, Sasha is here. Whatever do you mean? I saw her jump out of her own carriage earlier."

West froze. "And that is the very reason why I ought to excuse myself," he said, stepping away. "I reckon Sasha must be quite ecstatic for me to find her."

"Oh, of course," said Aliya, waving him off with one hand. "Go and get your lady, West. We shall see more of each other this entire week, I am sure."

With a bow, West escaped the drawing room.

His steps digging on the marble floors, he set out to find Sasha.

*****

Sasha lingered outside the ballroom, debating with herself.

The footman was announcing everyone's entrance. She did not like that at all. She paced, her heavy tortoise gown dragging behind her, causing discomfort in her back. The corset around her waist was making it difficult to breathe.

No had told her they shall be announced.

If she would be lucky to spot Prince Albert tonight—if he was in attendance—she might strangle the bastard.

"Sasha," a familiar voice called to her, and Sasha whirled around.

Gabrielle was standing a few feet away, free of her green cloak. She was wearing a black gown embellished with red and white floral pattern. Her red, curly hair was tied tightly behind her, a few curls left to the side of her face. She looked divine. Yet she also looked like a bloody liar.

Sasha forced a big smile. "Good evening, Gabrielle. I did not know you were invited to this ball."

"Belcourt can do anything, Sasha."

"Are you here to make certain I am doing well?"

"I am here in case you need help."

She nodded, looking around them. "I may need a ton of it."

"You shall be fine. You look wonderful tonight. One look at you and your flower will certainly start treating you as you deserve to be."

Sasha scoffed, both at Gabrielle's statement and the woman's incredible ability to act so nonchalantly innocent.

Did this woman realize the position she was placing Sasha in? From the very beginning? Did she know how it felt like to be lying to every bloody person she was talking to? All for what? For a man's secret that may not even exist? And for a secret Belcourt would not even share with her?

But then, Sasha thought, perhaps she was the only one feeling the animosity. Perhaps she was the only one who hated the lying and the betrayal. Perhaps everyone was doing the same. And Gabrielle was doing it tremendously well.

"Sasha! Thank goodness you are here!" They turned to find Ruby rushing toward them.

Ruby stopped, recognizing Gabrielle. "Gabrielle? But why are you—oh," she stopped, covering her mouth, leaning closer, "Are you here on a very special matter?" She eyed Sasha, eyes narrowed playfully. "Oh, you two are working together." She chuckled. "Am I interrupting something of import?"

"No," Sasha. "We were just talking about my dress."

"Good," Ruby said, grabbing Sasha by the hand. "I do have a request. Would you mind, Gabrielle?"

Gabrielle smiled at Ruby and shook her head. "Of course not, Lady Ruby. I will see you around?"

"Famous," Ruby chirped, pulling Sasha away. "Now, I do have a request. You must know that I do have two flowers, yes?"

"Willoghby and the other I have not met before," Sasha absently replied. She looked over her shoulder to find Gabrielle gone.

"Yes, yes, you are correct. Willoghby has expressed to me that he shall not be attending Humbrick this year and I willingly accepted the invitation by my other flower, see? Because I much prefer him of course," Ruby kept talking, guiding Sasha back to the entrance of the ballroom. "But Daniel is here. He just showed up!"

Sasha stopped walking and frowned. "By Belcourt rules, Ruby, you are not responsible for the man. You have already made an appointment with another gentleman."

"Yes, but he found me this afternoon and demanded that I accompany him tonight."

"Surely you told the man you cannot."

"Of course." Then Ruby grimaced. "Well, perhaps I did tell him he might enjoy your company tonight."

Sasha's eyes widened! "Surely you did not!"

Ruby flinched. "I am sorry, Sasha. I thought your flower would not be here, but I found out that he is, and I am about to go insane—"

"Bloody tarnation, Ruby, what have you done?" Sasha groaned, spotting Willoghby walking toward them. "He is here."

"Who?"

"Willoghby!" she hissed. "I could strangle you, Ruby, really, I could."

"Good evening, ladies," Willoghby interjected with a smile, his deep blue eyes on Sasha. His dark curly hair, whatever he put on it, was looking disgustingly greasy tonight. "Sasha, dear, you look particularly beautiful tonight," he said, smiling at her, ignorant of the fact that he was boldly staring at another woman while his Belle was standing right beside him.

Sasha nearly scoffed at the gall of the man. He stood there as though the Garden Ball did not happen. As if he did not trick her into a room with an intent to harass her. It was as if that night never happened! If there was one thing that was clear to Sasha tonight, it was the state of Willoghby's sanity.

"Mr. Willoghby, as a matter-of-fact, I was about to tell Ruby here that I cannot accompany you tonight. You see, I am here with my gentleman. Surely, you must understand."

Willoghby blinked in confusion. He turned to Ruby. "Then what of me, Ruby, dear? You have Emsworth for tonight. Who shall take me?"

Ruby helplessly turned to Sasha. "Well, Sasha..." she said, looking about, "I do not see your gentleman anywhere. Perhaps you can spare Daniel a little time."

"No," Sasha strongly replied, stepping away from Willoghby when he made a move forward. "No, do not come near me, sir," she said, holding out her hand. She turned to Ruby. "I am very much sorry for this, Ruby, but you must know that your flower once tried to attack me in secret. As much as I would like to grant your request, I would hate to be sharing the same air as this man."

Ruby looked utterly stupefied as she turned to Willoghby with a scowl. "Daniel?"

But Willoghby, the bloody lunatic, just stood there smiling. Then he frowned in confusion as he turned to Ruby and say, "I am not certain I heard Sasha correctly, dear."

"He is insane," Sasha said, gathering the skirts of her gown. "Utterly insane, Ruby, I tell you." She started to walk away but Willoghby caught her arm.

"Let go of her, Daniel!" Ruby hissed.

"But Ruby," Willoghby said, voice turning cold it sent chills up Sasha's spine, "I demand to have an escort tonight."

"That will not be me," Sasha said, pulling away from his grip and stumbling back. "Good lord, you are insane."

Ruby scoffed in disbelief, her eyes wide with horror. "Daniel, if you do not leave now, I assure you that Belcourt will hear of this. At the moment, there is someone from the Court of Arms within the premises. She can easily find a way to take you to Belcourt."

The smile returned on Willoghby's lips. "I am not afraid of Belcourt, dear. I own The Grimes. Do not threaten me with a woman with naught but a dagger as her weapon."

Sasha and Ruby turned to each other in disbelief. "Oh, Sasha, did you hear him? He owns The Grimes!"

"I heard it, Ruby, he owns The Grimes!" Sasha retorted, forcing out a laugh. "Oh, how funny." Then her face straightened. "But you must have realized, sir," she said, cocking an eyebrow, "that you sold your life to Belcourt."

For a moment, she saw the flash of panic cross Willoghby's overly confident mien before he laughed out loud, drawing attention from some guests lining outside the ballroom, waiting to be announced inside.

"What seems to be the matter here?" a man's voice asked from behind them. Ruby whirled around and her face was suddenly filled with relief. "Oh, good lord, thank God you are here." Willoghby sneered, recognizing the blond man who now stood beside Sasha's friend, putting a protective arm around Ruby.

The man smiled at Willoghby, seemingly undermining the situation as though he was used to it. "What seems to be the problem now, Willoghby?"

"Oh, the problem, you ask?" Willoghby said through his teeth, "Our dear Ruby here has promised me the company of Sasha who, instead of being gracious about it, is now accusing me of something abhorrent."

Sasha scoffed with incredulity.

The blond man turned to Sasha and his smile widened. "Ah, is this Sasha, Ruby?"

Ruby nodded. "Sasha, Aaron Stanway."

Aaron Stanway bowed at Sasha, completely ignoring Willoghby. "I am very pleased to make your acquaintance, my lady."

Sasha allowed the man to kiss her gloved hand. "As I am, sir."

"Is Willoghby being a pig again?" he asked, turning to Willoghby, giving the man a taunting look. He clucked his tongue. "Not a behavior Belcourt appreciates, sir."

Willoghby glared at Aaron. "I came here expecting a Belle."

"You only have one Belle, Willoghby," Aaron said, the charming smile completely disappearing. "And at the moment, she is with another gentleman. Be a good sore loser and go on your way."

Willoghby continued to glare while Aaron regarded him with naught but a cold, calm gaze. Finally, he tore his eyes off Aaron and slid it to Sasha. With a smile, he took a step back, hands in the air in surrender.

"Good lad," said Aaron, holding Sasha and Ruby's elbows, guiding them away from Willoghby.

"Sasha, is it true? What he did to you? Why have you not told me? Why have you not told Belcourt?"

"Nothing happened. West arrived in time to rescue," she said with a wave of her hand.

"When did it happen?"

"The Garden Ball."

"And you never told me!" Ruby gasped in horror. "I should report him."

They stopped at the end of the line of guests.

"That, you should," Aaron said with a sigh. "I have warned you about him, Ruby, have I not?"

"Well, yes, but he has never done anything untoward thus far."

"To you, yes, but apparently, he has other activities in mind with other Belles." Aaron looked at Sasha with concern. "I do hope you realize that not all gentlemen in Belcourt are anything close to that pig."

Sasha smiled, albeit weakly. "I am beginning to realize that."

"Now, I am certain Eaton is here somewhere, but since he is not, I would gladly escort both of you ladies into the ballroom."

Sasha looked at Ruby who held out her hand to hers. She gripped Sasha's hand tightly. "Fret not, Sasha, we shall deal with Willoghby the very next day. We will send a message straight to Belcourt. God willing, we would never have to deal with him again." And adding only for Sasha to hear, Ruby whispered, "He shall be a great loss, but you are more useful to Belcourt than he will ever be."

Sasha nodded, looking about for a sign of Willoghby. He had disappeared, probably mixed in the crowd that was growing behind them. She moistened her lips in anticipation, not quite sure if she should continue with the ball.

She had not stepped into the ballroom, yet she felt as though she had gone through so much. First was Gabrielle being here and then Willoghby. A perfect concoction to keep her awake tonight.

"Move along, ladies," Aaron said in a cheerful voice.

Sasha had to smile. This man was a breath of fresh air.

"I believe you have your hands full, Emsworth," the very familiar voice spoke behind them. Sasha froze as Ruby and Aaron turned.

"There you are, Eaton. I was hoping to be announced with two beautiful ladies tonight. What a shame—"

"You can be announced with both ladies, Emsworth."

"I will?" Sasha heard Aaron ask in surprise.

She did not move, nor did she turn around. But she felt him take the empty spot to her left, standing in line with her.

"You did not tell me you are attending Humbrick," his deadpan voice said beside her, loud enough for her to hear, but not quite enough for anyone else to.

"I was sleeping when the conversation came up," she replied, pretending to fix her gloves. "Are you planning to be announced before or after us?" she asked.

When he did not reply, she turned her head and looked up at him.

He was not looking at her. His gaze was focused up ahead.

Sasha sighed. "Very well, you can be announced before us," she said, stepping back. Sasha could see Ruby looking at her with concern.

The line got shorter and they eventually reached the door of the ballroom.

West murmured his name to the footman who then proceeded to announce his arrival.

"The Duke of Eaton!"

Sasha did not move forward.

She watched as West walked into the ballroom.

She watched as how everyone within her eyesight, including those already inside, paused to turn.

A bitter smile curling at her lips, she noticed the distance between them grow, finally grasping the fact that they were indeed worlds apart.

"I wonder," Aaron said beside Sasha, taking her elbow by his hand. "Did the two of you fight?"

"A little," she lied.

"Well, whatever it was about, I am sure he would get over it soon. You look beautiful tonight, Sasha, darling. He would not be able to ignore you for long."

Ruby took her hand again as if in consolation.

But Sasha did not have to be consoled.

She did not have a fight with West. What they had was an understanding. His world was his outside Belcourt and she was not part of it.

From the start, they knew who they were and where they stood in Sutherland's society.

"Come, Sasha," Ruby whispered. "Let these people know your name. I see your flower is quite the brooding kind. Let us show him how that temperament can be harmful, shall we?"

Squaring her shoulders and lifting her chin high, Sasha followed Aaron and Ruby. She did not care how they should announce themselves. She just wanted this night to be over with.

Aaron murmured names to the footman, taking a little longer than everyone else.

The footman looked at both Sasha and Ruby before he nodded.

"The Earl of Emsworth with Lady Ruby and Lady Sasha of Belcourt!"