Picture of Wendy up there...

I was just about to leave the drawing room when Wendy appeared at the door way, blocking my path. I took a step back.

"Such a good liar you have become". She tsked, stepping into the drawing room and closing the door behind her.

"I did not lie!". I hissed at her, remembering when I saw her in hushed conversation with Sir Philip at the market.

"Evangeline. You lied to Master Franklin about not belonging to another man, yet you know you belong to the Duke of Castor".

"I belong to no one!". I snapped.

"That is what you say. I wonder what will happen should the duke come to know of your presence here in Milford". She taunted, walking casually past me to settle in the chair Master Franklin had vacated.

I whimpered. If Lord Lancelot came here, I would be doomed for sure. "Please, you do not understand, I had to say that only because I did not wish to return to Castor. Please". I begged her. My fear of returning to Castor made me shudder just by the mere thought of it.

Wendy laughed evilly.

"Now you admit to it?". She clapped her hands once. "I already know you belong to the duke. Sir Philip told me all about it. I also know Sir Philip fancies you and would do anything to have you for himself".

I cringed, the thought of Sir Philip touching me made my stomach turn. "Please Wendy. You can not tell Master Franklin this. No one must come to know of this, else he would send me away. Please. I do not wish to return to Castor". My eyes burned with unshed tears.

"Very well". She huffed. Her agreement shocked me. "I shan't tell Master Franklin about your decite on one condition".

I shut my eyes, waiting for her to say what she wanted. Praying that it was not something beyond my means.

"Master Franklin has a diamond crusted necklace in his bedchamber. It is a family heirloom. It is worth six estates and a lifetime of no worry for money. I want it". She smirked.

"You want me to steal from Master Franklin?!". I gasped.

"No". Her smirk widened, shaking her forefinger at me as she stood. "I want you to distract him while I steal it".

"Distract him?. How?". I asked, confused.

"You are a female Evangeline, use your charms". She answered like the answer was obvious.

"I can not possibly seduce the Earl!. Wh-at wh-at if it goes further than that?. What if he reje-cts me?".

"He shall not be able to reject you Evangeline. He is a man. No man can say no to a woman with a body such as yours. Bed him if you must, but this has to be done tonight". She insisted.

"Tonight?. I can not do this Wendy please. I can not sleep with a man I do not love".

"Fine then. I will be sure to tell Master Franklin you are the mistress of his uncle and the duke sent you here to spy on him".

"That is absurd!".

"Yes it is but the Master will definitely believe me because he hates his uncle so much!". She tittered.

"Uncle?". I was more confused now.

"Yes. Master Franklin is the nephew to the Duke of Castor. But he hates him because the duke killed his father". She narrated.

"Oh my god!". I gasped, feeling faint.

"Yes, so imagine what will happen to you, should the earl discover that you are the lover of the man who killed his father".

"I am not his lover!". I insisted.

"You have warmed his bed have you not?". She raised a fine brown at me.

"He..he forced me". I let the tears fall down my cheeks.

"I do not care for that". She chided. "I am sick of working as a servant and I want to live the good life. No one cares what is true or false if you are a nobody. That necklace is ticket to my freedom and happiness. Do as you are told or face the consequences Evangeline".

"Please Wendy please".

She rolled her eyes at me. "Once the day is done, Mrs Clarkson shall return to her home on the other side of the estate, I shall send for you to the laundry room, there, you shall find the attire I wish for you to wear. It's your size and I know it would bring out your curves in order to do what must be done".

"But how will you enter his chamber undetected?". I sniffed back my tears.

"Master Franklin spends the better part of his night in his office. He will not return to his chamber until dawn. That will give me enough time to get what is needed and leave Milford forever".

"You are leaving?".

"Yes. I can not possibly stay here after stealing the necklace. I shall leave for London and never return".

I was crying hard. I left Castor so that I would not be abused but my situation was getting worse here in Milford. In Castor, I was falsely accused of being a thief. Now in Milford, I had to help Wendy steal inorder to protect my secret.

"Please, is there no other way?". I tried to plead with her.

"Well there is the option of you stealing it for me. But I do not trust you well enough".

I gulped, wiping the tears from my face. "Can you give me some time please. I beg of you".

"No. The necklace will be stolen tonight and you shall distract the Earl Evangeline, else you shall face my wrath!". She hissed, storming out of the room.

I broke down into tears, falling to my knees. Why did I have to suffer this way just so my brother can be with the woman he loves?.

******

"What is the matter Franklin, you seem irritated". Sevêren quired the moment we entered my office.

I moved to pour myself a glass of whiskey before settling down in my chair. I took my time to gabble down the warm liquid before placing the glass down to look at him. I was more than irritated. For some reason yet unknown to me, I felt a surge of anger at the thought of anyone else having Evangeline.

"Do you like her?". I gritted through my teeth not at all caring that I might sound absurd.

"Who?". He furrowed his brows at me, looking me dead in the eye.

Sevêren and I have been friends since childhood. His father was my father's butler but Sevêren and I wear best of friends. When mother take her life after father's death, Sevêren and Clara were the only family I had left. They had helped me through my grief and had remain loyal till this day. Clara, was actually my father's mistress but she got married a year after his death.

"Evangeline". I said in a calmer tone, looking away from him as the alcohol seemed to take its effect.

"She is beautiful. I would not lie". He chuckled, taking a seat infront of me.

"I asked if you fancied her". I grunted. Hearing him talk about her like that irked me.

"Franklin. What are you driving at?. You know how much I love Ella. I can never betray her. Even if I did fancy Evangeline, it would forever remain in my imagination".

"I thought so". I sighed, looking a little more relaxed.

"Why would you think I fancied Evangeline. And why does it bother you so?".

"I saw how you looked at her earlier in the drawing room and I felt a surge of anger rush through me. I do not understand why I feel this way towards a maid".

He chuckled. "Do not let Valencia hear you speak in this manner about Evangeline. The poor girl seems to have been through a lot, I do not wish that your nagging betrothed would add to it. I only wished Evangeline would face her fears and tell us everything".

"So you also believe there is more to the story?". I leaned back in my chair.

"Yes. I could see it in her eyes. She was afraid to speak the truth". Sevêren nodded.

"I shall need you to find out everything you know about her. Her family, how she got here, and her connection with Castor. Send someone to Castor to find out if possible. I want to know what she is hiding". I commanded him, opening my drawer and picking up a small sack of gold coins. I handed it to him. "Bribe if you must". I said and waved him off.

"Yes your grace". He took the sack and stood. "I shall do so right away". He bowed and started to leave.

"Wait. Has my butler returned?".

"No. I am told he has taken ill but his wife recommended someone. I have sent for him". He told me.

"Very well. You may go".

*****

I heard her soft sobs as I passed by the drawing room, bringing me to halt. I turned and pushed the door open, entering to find her on her knees, crying. I bent down beside her and rubbed her back gently.

"Evangeline?. Why are you crying?". I felt my heart break for her.

She stiffened, looking up at me with her sad looking green eyes. She looked so innocent, so pure, so vulnerable. Earlier on, I had lied to Franklin about my desire for her. It had only been a few hours since we arrived in Milford and I had seen yet she had stirred my desire for her in ways no woman has ever done. I was not happy to hear that Franklin had taken a liken to her too. This was going to make things almost impossible for me. Then there was Ella. My beloved. The thought of betraying her made my heart ache my mind was screaming for me to consider her feelings but my body was igniting with fire for my new found goddess.

"Help me". She sobbed, burying her head in my chest as she started to cry again.

I wrapped my arms around her, holding her tight against my chest as I run my hands through her sweet smelling long brown her. She snuggled closer, her body rubbing against mine and causing my body to heat up immediately. I was beginning to sweat for no reason as my body began to stir with undeniable pleasure for her.

"Evangeline." I pried her away from me to calm myself while I looked at her face. "Tell me what is wrong and I promise to help you". I assured her.

"No". She shook her head, sniffing back her tears while standing to her feet. "No one can help me. You can not help me".

I stood, capturing her face in both of my palms as I forced her to look at me. "Trust me Eva. I will do everything in my power to help you. Trust me".

She bite on her bottom lip, a flash of vulnerability crossed her eyes and I found myself drawn to her. I stared at her now released lips, wondering how it would taste if I sucked on it. The warmth of her tongue against mine, her beautiful body pressing again mine. Before I could stop myself, I wrapped my arms around her waist and pulled her to me, crashing my lips against her soft ones.

********

I was excited when Mrs Clarkson had announced Evangeline's return. I rushed to find her in the laundry room but she was not there. I only found Wendy seated there, lost in thought.

"I heard Evangeline has returned. Where is she?". My eyes darted around the room for her.

"You shall find her in the drawing room perhaps". She answered nonchalantly.

Rushing out of the laundry room, I hurried to the first floor where the drawing room was, to meet my friend. I was overjoyed to have her back at the estate. I could not wait for her to tell me what had happened to influence her return.

Upon reaching the entrance to the drawing room, I stopped, the joy of seeing my friend again leaving my being as I found her entangled in a passionate kiss with the love of my life. I took a step back, my breath nearly leaving me as my sight forged over with tears.

Sevêren was caught up in a passionate kiss with Evangeline, his hands raking over her body as he explored her. My friend and my beloved. My heart began to ache as if someone was twisting it. My lungs suddenly forgot to function and I began to gasp for air.

The two quickly broke apart at the sound of me gasping for air as I fell to my knees.

"Ella!". Sevêren's voice screamed out my name as he rushed to my side, scooping me up in his arms just before I fainted.

"Fetch me some water!. Quickly!". Sir Sevêren bellowed at me.

I rushed back into the drawing room and picked up a pail of water that had been place there to water the plants in the room. Rushing to her side, I knelt by Ella and sprinkled the water on her face.

"Ella!". He shook her, his voice laced with concern. "Ella please wake up".

"Ella". I said her name, fanning her face with my hand. I then sprinkled more water on her face"

"What is the commotion?. What is going on here?".

At the sound of Master Franklin's voice, I stood to my feet and stepped away from Ella. He appeared a second later in a pair of brown shorts and a white T-shirt. He looked as though he had rushed out of the bath tub to get here.

"What happened to her?". He asked Sir Sevêren.

I looked Ella as she began to stir, opening her eyes slowly and then closing it, before opening it again. I let out my breath as a sigh of relief just as Mrs Clarkson and two footmen came running to the drawing room.

"Ella, you are alright". Sir Sevêren beamed, pulling her into his embrace and kissing her forehead.

I was surprised by this gesture of love he displayed publicly for her. Right infront of the Earl and Mrs Clarkson. My eyes widened at the realisation. They were together and when she had seen him kissing me, the shock of it caused her to faint.

"How could you do this to me Sevêren". Ella began to sob.

"I am sorry my love. I did not mean for it to happen. Forgive me please". He begged.

"Ella-".

"Do not speak my name!". She hissed at me.

"Oh dear lord, child, do not raise your voice in the presence of the earl.

Ella turned to find d Mrs Clarkson and the earl standing behind her. She pushed Sevêren away from her as she stood to her feet.

"Forgive me your grace, I did not notice your presence".

That is alright. Are you unwell?". Master Franklin's show of concern towards a servant surprised me.

"I am not I'll your grace. Just slightly light headed. She forced a smile at him.

Get some rest. I am sure Sevêren will take good care of you". Master Franklin patted Sir Sevêren at the back before walking away with Mrs Clarkson in tow.

"I thought you were my friend!". Ella hissed at me.

"Ella what are you saying?. I have not wrong you in anyway, he came onto me".

"Kissing the man I love is not enough for you, now you accused him of forcing you?".

"I did not kiss him. He did. And I had no knowledge of your courtship".

"Ella, please calm down. I initiated the kiss. I am sorry". Sir Sevêren confessed.

"I do not wish to speak to you ever again". She hissed at me, grabbing hold of Sir Sevêren's arm and dragging him away.

I sighed. It was one trouble after the other. Picking up the pail of water, I returned it to it's place and made my way to the kitchen. I suddenly felt out of place the moment I entered. Ella was seated amongst a few maids, having their dinner. They all turned to glare at me the moment I made entrance.

"She is such a slut". One whispered as I passed by her to settle in my seat next to Sara.

"What happened?". Sara whispered to me.

"I do not even know where to begin". I told her as I blinked back tears.

"To think Lady Valencia was right about her after all. How could she". Another maid added.

"I know you are not that kind of a girl Evangeline. But proving your innocence is going to be hard task". Sara said in a quiet tone to me as she ate her meal.

"I do not have to prove my innocence. Sir Sevêren admitted to initiating the kiss.

Sara smirked. "Tell me, was it any good?".

"Sara". I gasped. "How can you even ask me that in this situation".

"Why not. Everyone knows the master's assistant is a catch. Ella landed him but that does not mean he can not set his eyes on another. Clearly he fancies you".

"I do not find him appealing". I confessed.

Her eyes widened in shock. "You must have a lover to think that Sir Sevêren is unappealing". She chuckled.

I giggled, reaching for a piece of meat. Someone smacked my hand, causing me to drop the meat on the table. I looked up to find Ella glaring at me.

"You think you have won". She sneered.

"Won what?". I frowned.

"Ella leave her alone please. This is no fault of hers".

"It is. She is a slut. Just because she could not land the master, she set her eyes on my Sevêren".

"Please Ella, I did no such thing. I tried to stop him but he-".

"Liar. My Sevêren has never once betrayed me until you!".

"I am sorry Ella if I hurt you in anyway. It was not my intention". I pleaded. "All my life I have never wanted anything which does not belong to me. The kiss only lasted a minute it was not something I wanted".

Hot tears streamed down my face as I rushed out of the kitchen and headed to the servants quarters.