Edmund's POV

The moment Edmund closed the door to Juliet's room, he turned around and demanded, "Gisors, any worthy news thus far?"

"Yes sir." Gisors bowed. "A witch living on the outskirts of London said she was paid by a woman to place a curse so that the victim contracts the Winona's disease."

Edmund frowned. He stared off into space. "Could we be mistaken? This might be a curse placed on another woman. Not on Juliet."

"Either way, it's illegal and against the law." Gisors twirled his long, brown moustache. "Besides, the witch mentioned that her client requested for her to place a curse specifically on a single young woman in her mid-twenties.."

"This is too much of a coincidence," Edmund said. "Did the witch say who the woman was? Is it that foul-mouthed Mrs Rosewood?"

Gisors shook his head. "The woman wore a cloak when she met the witch. The witch didn't know where she came from and how old she was. Least to say how she looks like. Although...."

"Although what?" Edmund demanded impatiently.

"She managed to squirrel away one of the woman's silver rings. You know how greedy these witches are, they swindle their clients." Gisors shrugged.

"Did you manage to get the ring?" He gave the apothecary a pointed look.

"Of course, m'lord, how can you doubt me?" Gisors took out a small brown, leather pouch from his pocket and handed it to him. "It took some persuading, cajoling and blackmail but I got the job done in the end."

Edmund shook the pouch and a small, silver ring dropped out. "Interesting..." he mused, turning the ring over and examining it.

"You recognise it, m'lord?" Gisors asked. "It's an interesting design. Certainly not in fashion nowadays."

"Ouroboros," Edmund murmured. "It's an ancient symbol to symbolise cyclicality, the never-ending recreation of oneself."

"Do you think the ring has any significance m'lord?" Gisors asked. "For all we know, the unknown woman might just have extremely bad taste for jewellery."

"No." Edmund pocketed the ring. "I'm extremely sure that Juliet's poisoning wasn't a coincidence. It was planned by a cult or something. Go around and make enquiries about any cult or group with Ouroboros as their symbol."

"Yes sir." Gisors raised his eyebrows. "Pardon me, sir, but I have a suggestion to make."

"Yes?"

"M'lord, I fear that it's important for you to resume your court duties," Gisors continued earnestly. "It's unbecoming of a young earl to abandon his job for a woman."

"She isn't just a mere woman, Gisors," Edmund replied irritably. "You know how I feel about her ever since I was young."

"That's why you need to keep up the appearances." Gisors lowered his voice. "If what we suspected is true, the person behind Lady Juliet's curse is still at large. We can trust no one and it's important not to draw attention."

"What about Juliet?" Edmund retorted. "I can't leave her here."

"It's best if we move her to your house until her family returns," Gisors whispered. "There are always spies about. If word gets out that Lady Juliet isn't dead, the unknown woman might strike again. This is why m'lord, you must cooperate."

"Who's going to bring her there? I've a meeting later," Edmund replied with a frustrated voice.

"Lord Jasper has volunteered. He should be returning back from his meeting soon," Gisors said.

Edmund's face instantly darkened. "You know that I don't trust him."

"Sir, if I might say a few fair words," Gisors continued. "Lord Jasper is a good man and I'm a good judge of character if I may say so myself. He's loyal to his country and kind to everyone even if he might be playful and flighty at times."

"I know that," Edmund sighed. "I never said that he was a person of dubious character. I don't doubt his character."

"Then why do you doubt him, m'lord?"

"If I may say so, Gisors, I just don't trust him to keep his hands to himself around Juliet."

**************

Back to Juliet's POV

"Edmund?" she croaked out.

With a moment, Edmund was by her side. He kissed the top of her forehead and he whispered, "I'm sorry Juliet but I'm due for a meeting."

Juliet coughed violently but thankfully, there were no specks of blood on her handkerchief. Edmund looked almost relieved and he continued, "We need to move you to my house to recuperate. Lord Jasper will accompany you there."

"Don't leave me," Juliet whispered.

"I won't." Edmund smiled wryly.

There was a knock on the door and Jasper strode in. "Juliet." He smiled and he turned to scowl at Edmund. "Aren't you supposed to be gone already, Lord Edmund?"

Edmund nodded, squeezed Juliet's hand and disappeared from the room.

"Come now, Juliet." Jasper's scowl disappeared the moment Edmund was gone. He carefully helped her up, out of the door and down the stairs.

"Am I really going to Edmund's house?" Juliet whispered worriedly. "I fear that this will invite gossip."

"I'm sure he wouldn't mind." Jasper rolled his eyes. "I would have liked to put you up at my house but my mother has some guests over."

Like a gentleman, Jasper helped her into the horse carriage and got into it himself. As the horses galloped off, Juliet looked out of the window. It seemed a long time since she last saw the world. What a terrible thing this illness was.

"Thinking of something?" Jasper cocked his head to the side and surveyed her bemusedly.

"The day is dreary and dull." She shrugged and mastered a weak smile.

Jasper coughed. "Juliet, I need to ask you something."

"Jas," she laughed weakly. "Why do you sound so formal with me? Go ahead."

"Did...." he hesitated. "Did Edmund Aughust make a move on you during my absence?"

Juliet almost choked at his question. "Jas!" she gasped. "How ludicrous! Are you suggesting Edmund would do someone unhonorable to me?"

Jasper frowned. "You called him by his first name."

"I call you by your first name too."

"That's different. We've known each other for so long."

"Jas," Juliet sighed. "If you want to be technical, I've actually known Edmund far long than you."

"I'm different from him." Jasper lowered his voice. "I will never leave you. Not like him. He left you here all alone unprotected to manage his father's business."

Juliet tore her gaze away from Jasper's hot and scorching glare. What was wrong with Jasper today?

As if sensing her discomfort, Jasper's face slowly relaxed into a smile. "I was just joking. I was just pointing out the fact that I will always be by your side."

Juliet was momentarily distracted by the view outside. She leant out of the window and gaped.

"Jas..that isn't Edmund's house," she whispered. "I've been to his house before. It isn't as big as this."

The mansion came into view and it was a sheer monstrosity with its opulent decoration and fancy structure. Surely this wasn't where Edmund spent his time home?

"Don't you know?" Jasper gave her a queer look. "He owns multiple residences. The one you went you to the other time was just a holiday lodge."

A holiday lodge? Compared to Edmund's house, hers might just been a dogshed. She couldn't wrap her head around how rich Edmund was. Their difference was starkly apparent now.

Suddenly, the door to the carriage flew open and Juliet almost yapped.

"Lady Juliet and Lord Jasper," a middle-aged, chubby-looking lady with frizzy red hair announced. "Welcome to Aughust Manor."