Maxine simply stood frozen. It seemed as though she was transported back to that night many months ago when Ysabella and Wakefield followed her into a corridor. It was the same as when Ysabella surprised her by entering her bedchamber with a plate of food.

"Maxine! It is you!" Ysabella cried out, rushing toward her in disbelief. "What—what—what the bloody hell are you doing—"

Maxine knew the moment she covered Ysabella's mouth that there was no turning back. There was merely one person who knew her the most amongst the Everards and it was the woman standing before her with her emerald eyes wide open with wonder and surprise.

"Hush!" Maxine hissed in panic, eyes darting toward the open doorway. "Quiet, Ysabella," she whispered.

Ysabella nodded and Maxine uncovered her mouth and rushed toward the door to lock it. When she turned around, the woman was already walking toward her. "Why are you here? Why are you wearing—do not tell me—oh, bloody hell—you are the valet, are you not?"

"Hush!" Maxine desperately hissed. "Hush, Ysabella."

"But—but—you are a valet! How did it come about? You have been avoiding me and now I know why! Oh, this is famous! How did you—"

"Ysabella, calm down," Maxine said, taking grabbing the woman's shoulders. "Please, you ought to be quiet."

Ysabella closed her mouth but her eyes spoke hundreds of words.

There was no way to handle this situation but to be honest and straightforward. "I came here for a reason but you cannot let anyone know who I am."

Ysabella frowned, her face suddenly filled with worry. "Has something happened?"

Maxine shook her head. "No. Nothing bad has happened. My family is safe, although I believe they are very worried because of what I have done."

"What have you done?" Ysabella grabbed her hand. "Maxine, does Samuel know you are—"

"No! And you cannot tell my brother. Please, Ysabella, I need you to keep your silence."

Ysabella stared at her with a mixture of wonder and concern. "But surely you need not be—you need not be a valet! Why are you hiding? Tell me, I will help."

Maxine was already shaking her head even before Ysabella finished her statement. "Your silence is more help than anything else."

The woman sighed and looked over her shoulder. "Are you to tell me that no one knows you here? No one at all?"

Maxine swallowed. "Your brother, Nicholas, believes me to be a man. He met me during the Theobald weekend party when I was posing as a footman and invited me to apply for the valet position. When I decided to run away from home, I had nowhere else to go but Wickhurst."

"Nick does not see you as a woman? Truly?" Ysabella asked with disbelief.

"You did not notice the fact until you had a good look at my face. And you merely recognized me because you know me."

"No one has ever suspected? No one at all?"

Maxine hesitated but it seemed impossible to keep it a secret from Ysabella. "Well, your other brother, Maxwell, knows."

Ysabella seemed unperturbed. She simply blinked and waved her hand in the air. "Well, of course. Max always does notice the hidden things."

"He is suspicious of me. He believes I am a spy to the family."

Ysabella let out a snort. "Worry not. He and Emma share the same love for conspiracies."

"But you shall not tell him who I really am," she said in desperation. "Please, Ysabella, if you do this, I will have no other choice but to leave."

"But Maxine—"

"If more people know I am here, the more I am at risk of being found by my father. I would not be able to do what I have set out to do if that is to happen."

"But we can help. You do not need to hide."

Maxwell had told her that the Trilbys and the Everards were not in good terms. She did not wish for the family to be bothered by her troubles, especially if her main goal was from the very same family the Everards were not chummy with.

"I cannot tell you why, Ysabella. I cannot tell you why I am here or why I have to be here." She held her friend's hand tightly. "But I promise that I shall find my way home when my task is over."

Ysabella sighed once more. "I fret that Lord and Lady Theobald are sick with worry at this very moment, Maxine. Samuel as well! What if something happens to you? I would not be able to forgive myself should that happen."

She shook her head. "Fret not. Nothing shall happen to me. I promise you. I am not one who would venture into danger."

Ysabella was silent for a while as she thought about it. Finally her friend nodded but not without giving her a stern look. "Do promise me one thing: you will seek me out if you are in trouble. You will come to Nicholas or Maxwell and me should you need immediate help."

"Nothing untoward shall happen to me, Ysabella. But yes, I will find you should I be in trouble." She looked at the closed door once more. "Now, go. We do not wish for your family to know why you are inside a closed room with a valet." She chuckled at her own jest.

Ysabella surprised her by throwing her arms around Maxine's neck. "I wondered why you never responded to my letters and now I know why. I sent them to the wrong address! I started writing to you a fortnight ago!"

She laughed and let Ysabella let go of her. "I am sure to read them the moment I return to Theobald."

"I know I ought not to say this, but I quite envy the adventure you are having, my dear," Ysabella whispered with a wicked smile.

"I forgot to give my felicitations. I am glad you are married to Lord Wakefield."

Her friend's face flushed. "So am I, dear Maxine." Then a flicker of interest lit up in Ysabella's eyes. "Have you, by any chance, grown a fancy toward Nicholas? How do you find him?"

Maxine felt her face heat up. "I do like your brother, Ysabella. He is rather nice although too dandy for my taste," was her honest reply. "But do not think that I would consider marrying him," she added sternly. She narrowed her eyes at her friend. "I know of your reputation on matchmaking as my brother had told me many times and I would not be one of your victims. Marriage is not on my list of priorities."

Ysabella laughed. "Very well, then, if that is what you wish." The woman started to turn but stopped. "How about Maxwell then? He recognized you as a woman. That must mean something."

Maxine was stupefied for a moment. That thought had never crossed her mind.

"Ah, but he is not good for you. Nick is a much better pair."

"Ysabella," she said with warning.

Her friend merely laughed and walked to the door. "I shall see you around, Maxine."

"I am called Max now."

Another round of laughter rang around the room. "How marvelous! Max! No wonder Nicholas hired you!"

*****

"You look like death itself, brother," Ralph said, laughing as Levi entered the drawing room.

The second of the Everard children glared at Ralph as he guided his blonde wife toward the nearest chair. "Move," he ordered at Ralph who immediately jumped off his chair to give to Lady Victoria.

"Thank you, Ralph," Tori said with a sigh. She looked up at her husband and smiled. "You do indeed look like death itself, darling."

Levi shook his head and headed to Nicholas. "Move," he ordered and Nicholas jumped out of his spot. Levi dropped on the chaise beside Maxwell. "Should we attend the tea party? I am utterly tired."

"Of course!" Ysabella said, entering the drawing room. "Mother is already at the Haverston estate with Emma and Margaret."

"Where is Lindsey?" asked Ralph.

"At Standbury," Levi replied. "And we are glad we left her with the nanny. The misfortunes of our travel would have caused my daughter such great distress."

Ysabella rolled her eyes. "You always believe your daughter is in distress." She turned to Tori and said, "He does fret over her too much still?"

Tori smiled. "Always."

"Then we better get along and get this party over with so Tori and I can go home to Standbury the soonest possible time," Levi said to everyone in the room. No one moved except Wakefield who stood up to walk beside his wife. "How are you faring, my friend?" Levi asked the man, tone meaningful.

Wakefield shrugged. "Great, really."

"He is not regretting marrying me, brother, if that is what you are trying to imply," Ysabella said with a scoff. "Well, what are you all waiting for? It is time we leave."

Maxwell sighed and announced, "I cannot go."

Everyone turned to him with a frown. "Whyever not?" Ralph demanded.

"I do not feel very well."

"You look utterly fine," Levi said.

"I am not," he lied. "I went home early last night for the same reason."

"Then I shall not be going as well," Ralph said.

"As do I," Nicholas added. "If there are no other guests, I do not think I would enjoy the party. Adrien Haverston seems to have proven to be a bore after all and I do not think a party with little children and—"

"Wait until I tell mother," Ysabella said, stomping her foot. "She has been looking forward to this." She turned to Ralph. "You have no valid reason," then to Nicholas, "and you have the most pathetic one." She turned to Maxwell with a smile. "As for you, brother, you can stay and have a rest."

"That is not fair!" Ralph said. "He is not sick! Look at him! He appears to be capable of killing ten beasts with one hand! I'd wager he could climb up a hole with both if it is not a crime!"

"I feel weak," Maxwell uttered wryly.

"We should leave," Levi said, grunting as he jumped to his feet. He looked down at Maxwell. "Are you certain you are not coming?"

"Yes. I have already told mother before she left."

That last statement was enough for everyone to file out of the room without dragging Maxwell along.

He waited until the two carriages rolled out of the driveway before he stood up and waited for the valet to escape the townhouse.

*****

Maxine gasped in surprise when a hand caught her arm and pulled her away from the door the moment she stepped out. She looked up and found Maxwell Everard dragging her toward the carriage.

"What are you doing?" she demanded, pulling away from him.

"Taking you where you wish to go, of course," he uttered over his shoulder. He opened the carriage and said, "Climb inside. Fret not, Max, the driver is a hired one. Your driver friend is currently driving my family to the Haverston estate."

She hesitated but the determination she saw in his eyes made her turn and climb into the carriage. Once inside, Maxwell knocked on the roof and said, "Fairview estate," he stated for the driver.

The carriage started and Maxine slid to the other end of the carriage so she was not facing Maxwell. But he did the same and challenged her with a cynical look.

"You plan to see her, do you not?" he asked.

Her jaw tightened. "You have hindered me from talking to her last night."

"A matter I shall try to do again today," he said, raising a hand when she opened her mouth to protest. "If your mother wanted you, Max, she would have already taken you in."

A pang of pain seared through her heart and she knew he saw it reflected in her eyes.

"I do not mince words. I do not lie to anyone on matters such as this." His eyes locked with hers. "You must think of this very carefully."

"Think about what?"

"Have you confirmed that she is truly your mother? Do you know who the Trilbys are and what they can do? Do you know of their connection to Osegod, the Head of the Town Leaders?"

Maxine could not speak for she could not find a good answer to his questions. She merely wanted to talk to her mother. How dangerous could that be?

"Do you know what the Trilbys could do to their own?" he asked after a while, his voice more serious now. The tone he used was not one she had heard before. "They have let one of their own be hanged for her sins and denied any connection to her thereafter. They took her child and kept her from the rest of society. They led the child to believe she is a daughter of a servant. They have let that child grow up thinking she was nobody until she was rescued from the Trilbys." Maxwell Everard's eyes were ablaze with fury and spite as he spoke. "I know this, Max, because that child has been rescued by my sister and her husband years ago. I know this because the Trilbys might someday come for her and we fear that they would should they have enough power."

Maxine felt a shiver run through her spine.

"Now, tell me," Maxwell continued, "what do you think the Trilbys would do should they know about you?" He gazed at her for a while, waiting for a reply. When none came, he spoke again, but this time his voice was softer, almost kind. "If Amelia Trilby is truly your mother, then I am inclined to believe that she did not want you for a reason."

She flinched. She understood what he meant and why he wanted to stop her, but she wanted something she had always wanted since she knew what the word bastard meant. "I want to know why she did not want me," she said in a shaky voice. "That is all I wish to know, my lord. I simply want to present myself and demand for answers."

Maxwell fell silent, looking out the window. Maxine let it reign, collecting herself as she did so. The carriage made three more turns before it finally slowed.

"That is her estate," Maxwell said and Maxine looked out the window when they finally drew to a stop.

From across the street she saw a large white estate. "But before you step out and present yourself to this woman, I want you to think of your decision. This may very well be your last chance to talk to her. You have not written a call card, nor have you given her enough reason to accept you into the estate. She might immediately see your presence as a threat to her status. She would most definitely wonder about what you are after."

Maxine stared at Maxwell. "You suggest that I wait."

"Yes."

"But I am here. This might be my last chance to be this close to her. I cannot let it pass."

"Willowfair is not going away, Max. It shall stay here for your return in the future." He turned to face her. "The opportunity to meet Amelia Trilby, on the other hand, may only be once. Willowfair will welcome you back but the woman inside that estate has the option to forever close her doors on you. You only have one chance and you ought to make certain it works."

Maxine sighed. A big part of her wanted to open the door and climb out. She wanted to run across the street and knock on the door. But another part of her believed that Maxwell was correct. What would happen after the door was answered? Did she believe the butler would give her permission to enter? Did she believe the man would not go to his mistress and announce that a woman claiming to be her daughter was outside? Did she truly think that after hearing that, Amelia Trilby would rush down the stairs and welcome her into her estate?

...she did not want you for a reason...

Perhaps Maxwell was correct. Amelia Trilby did not want her for a reason and that very same reason could still stand true. If she truly wished to speak to the woman, she would have to do it properly.

She would have to make certain that should she come knocking on her door, it shall remain open and allow her entry.

"You do not have to get inside that estate today," Maxwell continued, "but we could stay here if you wish."

She turned to look at him. "Stay here?"

"Watch the estate, of course. You would like that, would you not?"

She slowly nodded.

Maxwell shrugged and leaned against his seat. He closed his eyes and murmured, "Have your fill if you must, but dare not do a stupid act."

Maxine glared at him before she turned her attention back on the estate. It spoke of great wealth and power. It stood tall and extravagant beside its neighbors.

Maxine could not remember how long she stared at the estate, hoping one of the windows would open, when the front doors opened and three footmen walked out carrying bags. They loaded them on top of a carriage parked outside. Maxine's heart hammered against her chest as she watched them work, her hope rising to her throat.

Moments later, once the carriage was ready, a young man in black coat walked out. Her eyes searched the open doorway. She was disappointed when she saw no one but the butler standing there. The windows were drawn closed as well. No Amelia Trilby in sight.

"Who is that?" she asked, stirring Maxwell from his nap.

He pushed away from his seat to peer through the window. "Amelia Trilby's cousin, the Lord of Thorne."

Her eyes widened and her mouth fell open. She snapped her head to face Maxwell with awe. "You mean the Lord of Thorne."

He rolled his eyes. "I believe I have said the very same thing, yes."

She turned her eyes to catch a last glimpse of the young man entering the carriage. "But—but—" she turned to Maxwell once again, "But I thought he is old!"

He stared at her for a while before realization crossed his eyes. "Ah, you must have heard the stories then."

"Everyone heard of Thorne, my lord!" She shook her head in disbelief. The carriage had already driven away and the butler had closed the Fairview front doors. "I even used his name to scare away two drunken men on my way to Wickhurst. If they knew what he looks like, I believe I would have been in utter trouble! He is way too young to be the lord who kills his servants and children!"

Maxwell was frowning at her. "What do you mean two drunken men?"

She blinked in confusion. She was talking about Thorne and he asked about drunken men. "The two men I shared a hackney with on my way to Wickh—"

"Are you daft!" he hissed. "You rode a hackney with two foxed men who could have potentially endangered your life? Where have you been living all these years? Inside a bloody dungeon? Do you know what happens to women who—"

"They thought I was a man!"

"You are not a man!"

"Well, they thought I was! And I led them to believe I am Thorne's servant, see?" she said with pride. "You ought to have seen their faces. They were terrified at the mere mention of Lord Thorne!"

"You are one crazy woman," he said, shaking his head.

She turned to the window once again. "I have heard many stories about the Lord of Thorne. I did not for a second think he could be a Trilby."

Maxwell was still shaking his head as he muttered a reply. "It is not a common knowledge." He leaned against his seat once more. "The Trilbys like to paint their names with mystery and danger."

"Yet that Lord Thorne did not appear to be dangerous. A tiny bit mysterious, yes, but not dangerous."

"He is, Max."

She turned and saw the serious look on his face.

"He is one of the Trilby everyone does not wish to cross or disappoint."

She frowned. "Then the stories are true? That he kills his servants, children and anyone who cannot do his bidding?"

Maxwell shrugged. "I would not go as far as say that he kills merely for the fun of it," he said, "but I could safely say he is not one to be trifled with." He closed his eyes. "He may appear young and handsome, but he is as dark as his family."

"You merely said that to give me a scare," she said, lifting her legs and crossing them underneath her.

"Do not do that."

"What?" she asked, finding that his eyes were merely half-closed and he saw her change of position.

"It is not proper."

"I am wearing breeches, my lord," she snapped, looking out the window once more.

"Still, you are a woman and—"

"Oh, another carriage is pulling into the driveway," she exclaimed and Maxwell pushed away from his seat to join her in the window. A man started to climb out. "That is—"

"Osegod," Maxwell's cold voice finished.

"He must be very close to my—" she paused and corrected herself, "—Amelia Trilby."

Maxwell let out a weird noise.

"What does that mean?" she demanded when he leaned away from the window to go back to his nap. From the corner of her eye she saw Osegod enter the Fairview estate with ease before the door was once again shut. "What did you mean by that sound?"

"He is not merely Amelia Trilby's friend, Max," he said.

She frowned. "You mean to say he could be her lover?"

He shrugged. A yes.

She stared outside the window once more. Amelia had not shown herself and Maxine had lost hope of catching a glimpse of her. What could she be doing with Osegod now?

She found that she did not care if the man was truly Amelia's lover or not. She did not care about the woman's affairs at all. All she wanted was to face her and ask her questions. Then she could go home to Theobald and be with her parents.

Suddenly she felt an overwhelming desire to go back and embrace her stepmother. Rachel would know what to do.

She pulled away from the window and leaned against her seat. She stared at Maxwell. His eyes were closed.

Maxine let out a silent scoff. Even asleep, the bastard still looked as though he was scowling.

"I envy you and your siblings," she found herself saying. He opened one eye to stare at her from across the carriage. "You know both your parents."

He opened the other eye and now he was looking at her with half-closed eyes. "We are lucky, yes."

She scoffed. "Of course, you would crow about it."

A corner of his lips twitched. A smile.

Maxine covered the flush on her face by loudly clearing her throat and looking away.

"We could leave now. I no longer wish to continue with my plan. I will think of this thoroughly before I proceed."

"I will help you."

She stiffened at his words. Turning her head to face him, she frowned in disbelief.

He raised his brows at her. "I said I shall help you meet your mother soon."

Maxine blinked. "You will?"

Maxwell Everard shrugged. "Yes," he uttered with a sigh, straightening in his seat. "But not now." Something flashed in his eyes but it was gone before Maxine could read it. "Not now, but soon."



A/N

I regret that I can no longer update daily like the previous story. My health has been paying the price for all the sleepless nights I have to put up with to provide daily updates. I am currently on medication as I have a flu. I was advised to change my sleeping pattern as it is one of the causes of my stress, apart from my work of course. I will continue to write for this story and provide at least two chapters a week or a chapter every two or three days. But be assured that I will not let a week pass by without an update. Thank you.