"Open up, honey," Mrs Featherington said, holding up a spoonful of pudding for Ella to eat.

How wonderful. Her condition was better now, she was sure of it. She didn't just appreciate being fed like she was five years old who pooped on their trousers every night. An image of a younger Robert with messed-up trousers come to her head and she smiled at the hilarious possibility of it.

"Mother I am quite capable of feeding myself," Ella said, taking the spoon away from her mother. She lay in bed covered by a white duvet, her mother next to her.

"Let's not forget you suffered an injury to the head," Her mother replied.

"That doesn't mean I'm not capable of feeding myself. It's just a minor injury," Ella said, feeding herself. "Even the nurse said it."

"Oh damn whatever the nurse says."

Ella watched her mother's dark eyes go soft as she held her daughter's hands. She rubbed her thumb in circles on them and it sent a thread of needed comfort through Ella's body.

"I thought I was going to lose you, love," she said with half sobs as she kissed Ella's hands.

"Mother." Ella dropped her bowl of pudding on her bedside table and pulled her mother into a hug. "I'll always be with you. You won't lose me."

Mrs Featherington let out a sigh of relief as she rubbed her hand soothingly on her daughter's back.

"I know I won't darling."

Ella felt terrible for making her mother feel that way. If only she could go back in time, she would be careful of that slippery log. Taking a deep breath, she said to her mother what has been at the back of her mind lately.

"Mother, now that I'm better, I want to go visit, Juliet."

No, you want to see Robert.

She wasn't lying entirely. She needed to stop by Juliet's house to get her men's clothing. Besides, she had a bone to pick with Robert. That flabby nincompoop had come back a week ago and didn't deem it fit to come to check on her. Juliet had sent her a letter letting her know she saw him on her way back home. She didn't know why it bothered her that much though.

You lo-

There would be no such thoughts in her head. She was simply angry at him because she thought he'll be gentlemanly enough to do so. After all, he was the one that sent her to Gerrard.

Here you are playing the guilt card. I thought you were better than this.

Yes, she was. Which was why she would visit Robert today and toss him outside his window. She was sure he would think it a considerable payment for what he did to her.

"Darling, I can't let you go out." Her mother touched her already healed head wound.

"How long do you intend to keep me here because of a head wound?"

"As long as I'm sure you're fully fit to move around."

"Okay, mother," she replied, heaving a huge sigh.

Her mother kissed her head and walked to the door. "I'll be going to see my sister today. I'll be coming back tomorrow morning."

"What about Father?" Her father had been away from London since her coma. She had expected him to be here once he got the news that she was awake. But he wrote back, letting them know that he couldn't come back because of the work trip he had with Gerrard. Damn that goat! He was always a pain in the—

Not Ella's own though. Praise God she didn't finish that thought.

"Your father is still away and I haven't received any news about his return." Mrs Featherington opened the door, holding its golden knob. "And by the way Ella, if you leave the house, Mr Finn would let me know."

Ella smiled sweetly knowing Mr Finn would never rat her out even though he had a cutlass to his balls. Ah, the joyous thought of victory.

"Okay, mother."

Mrs Featherington narrowed her eyes as though she remembered something. "The day you were brought to the hospital, Lord Robert was waiting outside with Gerrard. He looked bothered. Too bothered. I was confused because you've only met him once." She scratched the back of her neck, thinking deeply on the matter, her gaze to the floor. "Why was he even there in the first place? Gerrard was the one who brought you in."

If by meeting Robert "once", she meant every weekday and even kissing him, then her mother was right. But the mere impression that he was bothered for her, trickled a few drops of water on the flame of anger she held against him.

"It's just as you said. It's confusing."

"Indeed," her mother said thoughtfully before she left the room.

Ella's visit to Juliet's home was brief. Her friend didn't like the idea of her going to work. She wanted her to rest just like her mother. But she assured her friend she was okay. If there was anyone who should be bothered for their friend, it should be Ella. Before she left the house, she reminded Juliet that she hadn't forgotten about Rikkard.

She would make sure the man took responsibility for his late-night abilities. The carriage had dropped Ella off at the office a few minutes ago and she was already scaling the staircase of the Stark office. As usual, by the time she was on Robert's floor, she was already exhausted.

Panting heavily, she knocked twice on her boss's door before she tore it open. Unmannered of her, she knew. Standing at his threshold dressed in a tailcoat, a fake beard and a top hat, she watched Howard and Robert look at her with a mask of astonishment on their faces.

"Mr Law," Robert let out, his eyes wide with surprise as he took her all in. She could feel her heart pace at his intense eye contact. Aiming not to look like a squashed tomato, she cleared her throat and spoke.

"Yes, it's me."

"Alive and breathing," Howard said and sighed. "Well how unfortunate for me then."

Robert and Ella looked at him and if looks could kill, they'll be saying Howard's funeral rites by now. Ella knew he cared, he was just being... Howard.

"Are you sure you should be here?" Robert asked from behind his desk, his blonde hair styled to perfection as usual.

"Of course. Did you expect me to be in the hospital forever?" Ella shrugged. "I suppose you did since you didn't come to visit when you came back."

Robert's tongue was caught by a cat. Yes, that's it. She enjoyed seeing him so helpless. That was what he deserved for not showing any concern.

He did send you flowers.

Indeed, but he could've come to visit her. She shouldn't let this man bother her, but she couldn't help it. His striking image kept tormenting her mind. And the harder she tried to shut him out the harder it became.

"I'll leave you two," Howard said moving away from the table. Once the door shut, Robert rubbed his stubbled chin, his hand on the head of his chair.

"I'm glad you're safe and fine," he said after a minute of silence between the both of them.

"I saw your flowers."

"Oh wow. Did you like them?"

"No, I hate flowers." I loved yours though. But she wouldn't want to swell his pride, would she?

"Oh," he drummed his fingers nervously on his chair, his cheeks coating red. "I'll keep that in mind then."

Was that a blush? Lord Robert Stark blushed! A miracle. No, she shouldn't be surprised he blushed. It wasn't a big deal. She shouldn't make him feel too special. She was still angry at him for not coming to see her.

"I never got the chance to thank you for what you did. And I'm sorry for putting you in such grave danger."

Ella narrowed her eyes and rubbed her beard. "I spent a day with Gerrard and smashed my head against a rock trying to save your mission. I think an apology wouldn't cut it."

"I know." Robert took a deep breath, his blue eyes heavy with strong indecipherable emotions. "Which is why I want to show you something. I'm sure you'll forgive me after you see it."

Poor man, Ella thought. He must've hated himself badly for sending her to Gerrard. She could see it in his eyes. She was right when she thought so earlier.

"What is it?" Ella asked, wondering what it could be that Robert would show her, which would be able to die out the anger she held out to him right now.

"It's a surprise," he said, smirking. "Tell me, would your parents let you stay out till eight pm?"

Ella smiled. "Well luckily for you, both of them are out of town."

"Wonderful."

"One more thing."

"What?" Robert asked, lifting his brow.

"You went to find Emily's parents without me. I was angry at first, but I realised I was still a part of it. I helped you get whatever you needed to find her parents." She grinned like a child. "Technically, I proved you wrong. I'm important to this team."

"Yes, you are," Robert said and Ella felt her heart tug. He had finally admitted it. She was important. A woman could do what a man could do. It was good to see a man come to terms with that. Unlike her father and other misogynistic London's ton.

"So, what happened at Chelmsford?"

"I'll tell you on our way to the surprise." He sat back in his seat, and reclined, a playful smile on his face. " For now, we're at work. So you work."

"I assume that's right, My Lord." She bit back a smile. "Will you be needing anything?"

"Yes, File 38 B."

As she was about to leave, he said. "And Ella, welcome back."

"Thank you, My Lord." Once she was outside, she punched the air in excitement. She had solidified her place. Soon she'll be making history.

"That's quite a story," Ella said, digesting every piece of information about what happened at Chelmsford. A feisty Mrs Garfield, a farm, broken vases, a sad Captain Asher and a Mr Garfield who paid a spy to watch an old woman. They had also captured Gerrard's mole in Captain Asher's army. Blimey, she missed out on all the fun.

"I agree," Robert said, looking outside the window of his carriage. It was late, the sky dark with stars hanging above. This was the first time she was this out late with a man. She guess she had already crossed the line when she started dressing as a man just to work in an office. Though she had better return soon or Mr Finn would panic himself to death.

"Where are we going to?" She asked, nudging Robert's shoulder. "Or do you want to elope with me again?"

"That wouldn't be such a bad idea," he joked, rubbing his jaw.

"I'm being serious," she feigned a grim face.

"Oh please, if you call that serious, I think you should chase a career in comedy."

She burst into a fit of laughter and soon Robert joined, both of them holding their sides as the laugh became painful. The carriage stopped and Ella looked out through Robert's window. It was a townhouse. When she came out, she recognised it instantly. This was the place the carriage was parked when she had gone shopping with her mother for a ball gown.

That tall blonde man she saw, it was Robert. She had seen him a long before that balcony. Was this fate? How could she be so silly? There was no way she and Robert could be together. He was a Rake and she was a woman who believed that men were a great distraction and she was right. Juliet was a living testament to that.

"Is this your house?" She asked, climbing the short flight of stairs as she followed his lead.

"Yes." He gestured at her as he looked at a man she assumed to be his butler. "Mr Griffith, this is Mr Law, an employee."

"Welcome sir," Griffiths greeted.

Ella gave him a curt nod like any responsible gentleman would. By the way, Robert claimed he had a surprise. This was his house. His house! What surprise did he have for her in his house? Hope it was not —.

Heavens no, Robert wouldn't dare do that. He was trying to apologise for Godsakes.

Ella get your head straight.

"Time for your surprise," Robert said, leading her into the lobby of his house.