Robert tapped his feet anxiously on the floor as he imagined what would happen to Ella if he didn't arrive there. He found himself unusually thinking about her every minute. When most of the time his thoughts were clouded by the moon lamp, all he could envision now was her brown eyes and hair.

Gerrard must've been stupid to want to go on with a bet even Robert didn't agree upon. He knew Gerrard was just doing this because he felt Robert's gentlemanhood would haunt him for the rest of his life if there was a chance to save Ella and he didn't take it.

A knock on his office door snapped him out of his woolgathering. Howard walked in, those dark rings still under his eyes. He had been unable to rest since the day they captured Cowper. He was the one who did most of the torturing.

"Mr Lithstone, I'll need you to go home and sleep for most of the day," Robert said, feeling worried for his friend.

Howard's face contorted into a frown. "Whatever do you mean my lord?"

Robert proceeded to tell Howard everything he needed to know about Gerrard's threat to dishonour Ella and how they were both going to save her. He knew Howard wasn't Ella's best friend, but he hoped he would be eager to join him to help her.

"That girl is always a pain in my arse," he chuckled, rubbing down on his tired eyes. "But she needs our help, so I'll get some rest for the ball tonight."

"Thank you, Mr Lithstone," Robert said, satisfaction on his face. He was glad that after all, Ella still had a soft spot in Howard's heart and he hoped it would stay that way.

Moments later. There was another knock on the door and Robert knew she was the visitor he was expecting.

"Come in," he said, circling his desk and sitting on his chair.

Helen walked into the room, her black hair covered with a white cloth that wrapped around her neck. Her green eyes gleamed as she saw Robert and he gave her a smile in return. They had grown close over the few weeks as she wrote to him on the situation of the Finley estate. Lately, she claimed Gerrard had been getting much work time outside his home. Which was perfect for what Robert was trying to achieve.

Robert stood. "Miss Helen, you look stunning as usual."

"Oh please, you flatter me, your Lordship," she joked, grinning.

He motioned at the seat before him. "Please, have a seat."

She sat down and glanced around his office. It was mundane as usual with blueprints of inventions pasted on the walls and a bookshelf by the corner.

"Your office looks," she pursed her lips, "Lovely."

"I know the decorations are mundane, Miss Helen," Robert replied, reclining his seat, and crossing a leg over the other. "Now, to the reason I invited you."

"I was wondering when you'll tell me. And by the way, I have a thirty-minute shift break. It would soon be over."

Robert proceeded to tell her about Emily's parents and how he needed to get information about their whereabouts. And he let her know it could be found in the tenant documents. Which was in Gerrard's office.

"That is risky," Helen said after a long pause, her green eyes holding fear, her hand rubbing her golden locket anxiously. "If I got caught, I would lose my job. And it's not like I have a father to provide for me, never knew mine anyway. I only have my mother. We barely have enough to survive on our own."

"Which is why you won't be alone," Robert said. He also sympathised with her. He knew it must've been a hard life she hard considering she never knew her father.

"What do you mean?"

"A good friend of mine would serve as a distraction for Gerrard while you search for this file in his office."

Helen still looked reluctant, her green eyes holding doubt. Robert could understand why she felt that way. Gerrard was a cunning devil and crossing him could be deadly. But Gerrard had crossed the line when he used Cowper to steal from Robert.

"I assure you your protection," Robert tried his best to sound convincing. "And if this were not to work, I would always have a place in my estate for you to work in."

That seemed to have brightened her mood. "Really?"

"I swear on my honour as a gentleman."

Helen stood up, locking both hands before her. "I have to leave now, your Lordship."

"I'll let you know when to commence the operation."

She did a curt nod and left the office. If this didn't work, they were giving Gerrard a headstart over them. He already had the letter. Who knew if he had already deciphered what it meant and was already on his way to finding Emily's parents? Robert wouldn't let Gerrard have this win.

**

Ella stared at herself in the mirror. She was dressed in a fine pink velvet gown, diamonds peppered over the cloth. Her hands were covered in long pink gloves and her brown hair fixed into barley curls which were anchored unto a tiara. Her mother mustve spent a lot on this. She wasn't happy that she was going to this ball tonight.

She should be thinking of ways to help Robert find Emily's parents to prove she was a valuable member of their group. She hadn't done anything generally to earn it. She had just sat on the sidelines and let the men do the job. At this rate, Robert was going to see her as a step back and would begin to change his opinion of her.

"Ella dear," her mother walked excitedly, already dressed in an exquisite red gown. "You look ravishing. Sir Gerrard would have his jaws on the floor when he sees you."

That was if Ella didn't punch it off his face first. He was an arrogant son of a bachelor and Ella would prefer to spend her night with Lord Robert who was slightly better. Let her not forget the fact that he was a rake. Though Ella had seen what he looked like when he slept around. He was weighed by guilt and maybe, just maybe, that made him human.

A human whose kiss kept replaying in her head. It was getting more distracting whenever she thought of him. Blast him for doing that! She would never let that man take away her dreams from her. And falling for him was the easiest way for that to happen.

"Mother, must we go?" Ella asked, turning to her mother.

Mrs Featherington cupped her

daughter's cheeks, staring deep into her soft brown eyes. "Ella dear, this is your chance to impress Sir Gerrard. He has already sent you flowers, visited us on countless occasions though you were always having your art classes with Juliet."

Mentioning her friend's name reminded Ella of what she was passing through. She promised herself that she would make sure she got Mr Rikkard to listen to her and marry her friend. It was the least she could do for her considering how helpful Juliet had been at helping her achieve her dreams.

"Let's go dear," her mother tugged onto her hand, snapping her out of her reverie. "The ball starts soon and you wouldn't want to be late."

By the time they got down the stairs leading to the lobby, they saw Mr Featherington standing by the brown door, the blonde lights of the gas lamps in the lobby bouncing off his gleaming shaved head. He was dressed in his night robe and wasn't going for the ball. There was an unusual look of concern on his face.

"You don't look happy considering the occasion," Mrs Featherington said, glancing at her husband.

He gave Ella a long look before he said. "Be careful, Ella. Enjoy your evening."

With that, he left them, climbing up the stairs. This wasn't the first time her father looked unhappy about Gerrard's interest in her. Which posed the question which was now at the back of her mind; Was Gerrard a bad man? Maybe her father couldn't speak on it since he worked for him. But either way, she had to be careful tonight.

"Don't disturb yourself, dear," Ella's mother roped her arm around hers. "Your father is just grumpy. Don't let him ruin your night."

She gulped as Mr Finn opened their front door and she saw their carriage parked right in front of the building.

Here we go.

**

The walls of the office were covered with hard mahogany wood, leaving the room warm, a representation of the brown marbles that floored the room. Gerrard was sporting a black tailcoat, his black hair styled to a side, stray strands falling over his face.

Hands behind him, his green eyes observed the fleet of carriages trooping into his estate. The warm yellow lights of the street lamps that lined his cobbled roads poured onto his visitors their smiles evident.

"Is everything ready?" He asked, the dark silhouette at the corner of the room standing at attention. "Yes sir."

"Good."

Robert must've thought Gerrard wanted to dishonour Ella. He would be stupid to do such a thing considering her father worked for him and was a valuable asset on his course to destroy Robert's life. His plan was indeed far from that. You see, he had noticed some unusual movements from Miss Featherington.

His spies observed that she always left her house dressed as a girl and exited her friend's house in what they assumed to be Ella dressed as a man. And this "man", supposedly worked for Robert as his new archiver.

Robert was a rake and wouldn't care about some random girl's honour. Except if that girl was working for him. If Robert came, it would confirm the fact that Ella was indeed the man. This was pure genius, and Gerrard was proud of himself. Imagine the damage he could do if Ella was truly dressing as a man and worked for Robert.

It would be the perfect trump card.