Sleep eluded Adeline after Mr. Grae left her home, and rightly so. She did not even attempt it, knowing intrinsically that it simply would not happen even if she were to try.

Overwhelmed and profoundly disturbed, Adeline could do nothing but fiddle around the house, preforming menial and time consuming tasks to fight shy of her own immeasurable inner turmoil. Before the investigation into Thomas' murder, she believed wholeheartedly that she was prepared for whatever she may uncover, but as each layer of her husband began to peel away, exposing his true character, Adeline felt the very foundation of her lovely little life beginning to quake and crumble around her.

With whom was she to place her trust? Clearly it was not and never had been safe with Thomas.

Eli, had indeed, been a beloved friend and confidante for many years, however with evidence mounting and Mr. Grant's worrisome behaviour as of late, Adeline's intuition cautioned her against relying upon the man any further than she already had.

If Mr. Grae's findings were what they appeared to be, that Eli was in league with Thomas pilfering money from clientele at the bank, Adeline supposed Eli's behaviour and insistence upon firing Mr. Grae made more sense than him simply 'looking after her best interest,' even more so if he was involved in her husband's death.

How vile a thought. Was anyone at all what they appeared to be?

Come the early hours of morning, after a sleepless and frenzied night, Adeline was overcome with dread at the thought of Eli paying his regular morning visit, so much so, in fact, that she simply left the house at sunrise to avoid him entirely.

Adeline had her coachman take the scenic route to Edgeworth House, where she hoped Eli wouldn't think to look and prayed her dearest friend, Claudia might offer some small reprieve from her troubles.

Adeline was recieved by one of the many maids and was immediately swept up into what felt like a swarm of busy servants.

Adeline moved swiftly through, watching them as they performed a great many humble tasks with steady focus. It was quite familiar to Adeline, having grown up in a manor house to which there was often a ball or soirée hosted by her gaudy aunt, Olivia. After Louisa died, Olivia insisted she move in on the grounds that, 'Someone must give the girl a proper upbringing!'

Adeline was thankful to have moved into a house too modest for balls and soirees.

Just the same, Adeline could see that Claudia was readying her home for what was sure to be an extravagant affair. She padded lightly through the cloakroom, followed by the tea room, listening for the unmistakable ring of her friend's impish voice until it led her to the drawing room, where the reception was to be held.

Claudia caught sight of Adeline quickly, 'Addy!' She exclaimed as she glided over, flute of champagne in hand, 'I wasn't expecting to see you, darling!'

Adeline smiled as the pair shared a warm embrace, 'I feel as though I've come at a bad time?'

'Nonsense, Addy. You're always welcome, day or night,' Claudia beamed, making it clear to Adeline that her friend had popped the celebratory champagne a touch early.

'Quite an event forming, I see,' mentioned Adeline as she looked around the busy room with bright eyes.

Claudia sipped from her flute, 'Oh, it really isn't as ambitious as it seems. I do apologize for not speaking of it, Addy, but you know the ridiculous custom as well as I'

'There's nothing to apologize for, Claudy. I am keenly aware that a widow in mourning mustn't be seen at a ball,' Adeline simpered, 'and I'm not terribly disheartened about it either'

Claudia smiled warmly as she hooked her arm around Adeline's, intent on continuing her morning work with her friend by her side.

'This room must be brilliantly lighted, Mr. Finn, lest we instill anything but gaiety and mirth!' Claudia chirped to her butler, champagne glass in the air as she and Adeline left the drawing room.

'So, Addy, to what to I owe the pleasure of your company?' questioned Claudia as the pair meandered toward the card-room.

'I'm afraid I found myself climbing up the walls in desperate need of something new to look at,' Adeline replied genially.

Claudia tittered, 'Well there's much to see at Edgeworth today'

'Yes, I seem to have chosen just the right day for a proper distraction,' Adeline agreed.

'Ms. Green,' Claudia called to her housekeeper, 'Have you staffed the cloakrooms?'

'Yes, Ma'am,' the housekeeper confirmed without slowing her busy steps, arms stacked high with freshly laundered fabrics.

Claudia glanced at Adeline, 'A distraction? What is it you're keeping from me, Addy?'

Taking a moment to think on her answer, Adeline was just about to speak when Claudia called to another servant, 'Tea boy, move the cream settee to the tea room'

'I'm sorry, Addy, please do continue,' Claudia insisted.

Adeline was careful with her wording, 'Well, I. . I've been feeling slightly. . smothered, by Eli lately'

'What do you mean 'smothered?' Claudia questioned curiously.

Adeline pursed her lips, 'Well, he seems rather interested, perhaps too interested in my personal affairs as of late.'

To this, Claudia chortled, 'Of course you would find his interest stifling. Thomas let you run free to do whatever pleased you. You do not know what it is to be cared for.'

Adeline was instantly taken aback by her friend's words.

'Thomas cared for me,' Adeline replied sharply, her brows knit together.

Claudia was quick to counter, 'Oh, Addy, you know what I meant to say.'

'That Thomas did not care enough about me to show interest in my affairs,' Adeline said as she slowly loosened her grip on Claudia's arm.

'No, I only meant. . Thomas loved you- differently, Addy. Unlike other men. Eli, is very much like other men in the way he displays his fondness. You're without a guardian, and Eli only wishes to protect you.'

Adeline took a breath to ease her tension. She did not want to fight with her friend, 'Of course. Forgive me, Claudy. I'm afraid I've been sensitive over Thomas as of late.'

'You've never had a good cry about it, Addy,' Claudia said tenderly.

As Adeline offered Claudia a gentle simper, the card-room was suddenly filled with life as little Emily and Daniel rushed in, giggling mischievously at one another over some secret game only they knew how to play.

'Aunt Addy!' Shouted Daniel as he and his little sister scampered over to shower Adeline with affection.

She crouched down to their level, 'Hello, my darlings,' she smiled and kissed their chubby cheeks.

'Will you be at the ball tonight, aunt Addy?' Emily asked sweetly, over-pronouncing her consonants.

'I'm afraid not, my dear'

Daniel poked Emily in the arm, 'We won't be at the ball either, Emily. We'll be asleep in the nursery'

Emily crossed her arms dramatically and her bottom lip pouted outward, 'Not fair'

Adeline coiled one of Emily's chestnut ringlets around her finger, 'Plenty of time for parties when you're older,' she smiled.

Daniel replied excitedly, 'I can't wait to be older'

Adeline feigned shock, 'Nonsense! You must enjoy this time, for once it is gone, you can never have it back'

☆

Adeline visited with Claudia and the children for the better part of the day, but was ready to leave discretely before guests started arriving for the ball. She couldn't very well be seen, for surely all would surmise the new widow was not quite as grief-stricken as she ought to be.

The sun had nearly set as Adeline's coachman set off toward home. She felt tired and pleasantly numbed after the hectic day spent at Edgeworth, and even began to drift off on the bumpy ride through the city.

That was, at least, until the carriage suddenly came to a grinding halt, jolting Adeline into an agitated arousal.

She heard her coachman cursing from outside the body of her carriage, 'Bloody hell!'

Adeline pressed her forehead against the window, trying as she might to see what had happened.

Just then, she spotted the culprit as he prowled with a heavy head across the remainder of the road, turning to look Adeline in the eyes as he moved.

'Bloody dogs!' George, the coachman shouted, 'Apologies, Mrs. Moore! Blasted thing came out of nowhere!'

'That's not a dog,' Adeline stated, too softly for George to hear as she and her black wolf gazed at one another, both entranced.

The coachman whistled and slapped the reins against his horses hind quarters, urging the beasts to push forward.

Adeline and her mysterious guardian remained locked onto one another like two beacons in the night until their line of sight was severed as the carriage inevitably moved on.

No matter the regularity of these brief encounters, they always reminded Adeline that something mysterious and preternatural spoke to her from the veil between worlds, yet she could not decipher the message.

Perhaps one day.

For the remainder of her ride home, Adeline reflected on her experiences with her black wolf, searching for clues, but coming up short just as always.

Her thoughts, however, were soon to be abandoned, as the carriage stopped on the street next to the entrance of the Moore household, where Adeline was alarmed to find Mr. Grant sitting in wait on her steps.

He looked angry. Adeline had never seen him so cross in appearance and it formed a rock in the pit of her stomach.

George hopped down from his seat, opened the carriage door for Adeline and offered a hand, helping his employer down the steps of the coach.

Eli stood as George asked Adeline, 'That'll be all for tonight, ma'am?'

'Uh- Yes, George. Goodnight,' stuttered Adeline as she struggled to interpret Eli's visage.

George tipped his hat curtly, 'Night, Mrs. Moore,' and climbed back up onto the carriage, setting off soon after.

The air between Eli and Adeline felt vacuous and stifling as he glared at her in silence, visibly grinding his teeth.

Adeline made the decision to feign ignorance, 'Good evening, Eli'

'Where have you been?' He spat indignantly.

Pacing past Mr. Grant, Adeline smiled, avoiding eye contact, 'I spent the day with Claudia and the children. Did you know she's having a ball tonight?'

Eli turned to follow Adeline up the steps and grasped her arm, forcing her to face him, 'Have you any idea as to what you've put me through today, Adeline?' He frowned, his nostrils flaring.

Looking to his hand as it clenched her arm, Adeline shook her head, 'Surely not, Eli. It is perfectly within my right to do as I please'

'It pleases you to make me sick with worry that you've been abducted by a criminal? That I am left wondering what dreadful things might have happened to you?' Mr. Grant seethed.

Adeline knit her brows together, 'Why on earth would I be abducted?'

Eli scoffed at her as if she were dimwitted, 'That con artist you call a detective!' He stopped to scan the neighborhood for witnesses, then lowered the volume of his voice and leaned in close, 'How was I to know that you were not carried off by that filthy creature? Can you not imagine my despair, Adeline?'

'I do apologize for causing you worry, Eli, however it is not my duty to keep you informed or to ask permission to go about my day as I see fit,' Adeline replied unshakably. She was not going to be manipulated.

Mr. Grant growled, 'I will not be made a fool, Adeline. You cannot ask for my help and then seek to defeat my ability to do as such'

'I have asked you for nothing, Mr. Grant. You have taken flagrant liberties in my personal affairs and my mistake was in allowing it to happen,' Adeline contended and stepped to her front door.

Eli followed, too close for comfort, 'I have done nothing but lend a helping hand at any cost. I have sacrificed my time and energy to support you, yet here you stand, selfishly complaining I've done too much'

'You have sought control, Mr. Grant, and it is neither your duty nor your right'

Eli stepped closer to Adeline, 'You are impulsive and reckless, Adeline, and what's worse is you are utterly unaware of it. If not me to protect you from yourself than who? Your husband is dead'

Adeline was taken aback by the cruelty of Eli's words and vicious tone.

The silence between them in that moment was sickly and repugnant.

'I am a woman, not a child, and I do not require protection,' Adeline began as she opened her front door, 'I should like to go to sleep now, Mr. Grant'

Eli thwarted Adeline's entrance into her home, grabbing the doorknob, where Adeline's hand still rested and proceeded to pull the door shut once more, 'What if I told you I plan to speak with a doctor about your worrisome behaviour?' Eli threatened.

Adeline was dangerously close to revealing the evidence Mr. Grae had discovered against him, despite understanding that doing so could put her in grave danger.

Adeline pulled Eli's hand off of her own and opened her door once more, 'I'd tell you to bugger off, Mr. Grant, sir,' she spat indignantly, at last gaining entry into her home where she promptly slammed the heavy door, locking Eli out and being done with the whole devilish mess.