Days came and nights passed. Months left, and years went by, but Captain Asher stilled felt like it was yesterday she had left him. He gazed at the locket in his hand, smiling at the beautiful woman in the portrait. Emily had brown hair and eyes like him. But hers always radiated tenderness and joy. While his was left hard and serious because of the years he spent in the army.

The other locket he had, he gave to Emily. He had no idea where that one was. Probably lost. She was the cure to his wounds, the joy to his life and more importantly, she was his favourite person in the world. But he wasn't there for her. If he was back in London, he was sure she wouldn't have died. He was the generator of his agony.

Sighing softly, he took a sip of whiskey from his bourbon as he reclined in his chair, watching the vast expanse of his estate. Sunlight spilt along the plains, sneaking past the occasional forests that spawned far away. This beauty, he would've had it all with her. If only he was here when she needed him the most. if only. He held back the tears that drenched his hard brown eyes, threatening to turn them soft.

"I'm sorry, Emily," He kissed her portrait and then the tears came pouring, stinging his cheeks. He needed to let them pour. The emotions had him overpowered and the only way to breathe well was to let them flow. This was how most of his days were. Crying; knowing what life would've been like if she was here.

She would be playing with the lads in the green plains; by now they would've been older.

So they'll probably prefer to not do that. He laughed to himself. He would've taken his son hunting and would walk his daughter during her debut into society. This was why he was fighting so hard to find them. Emily would want him to. It was the only way he could redeem himself.

He had always thought about how the children would react.

Would they be happy? Would they be angry that he left them all alone? He highly doubted they would even want to be with him. But he did deserve a chance to know his children. Emily may be gone but he still had her with him, living in the blood of his children. Whoever had them now may not want him in their lives.

Nevertheless, even though it meant him visiting them, he would be more than glad to. And if he was greedy enough, he could have a legal battle for the lads. They were his real children after all.

Reuniting with them is the only way he believed he would finally be happy. It was the only way he would stop drowning in an endless pool of sorrow. With each day he felt the level of the pool rising. It won't be long before it swallowed him. He settled the bourbon next to him, feeling the heat of the sun bake his large bare chest.

Robert had been helpful so far and he knew he had chosen the right person. Though he didn't believe Robert would agree to do so. Considering the Duke's arrogant persona, he had expected his son to be the same. Whatever made Robert want to make the moon lamp must've been deeply rooted in him. He must've believed so deeply in that cause.

And Ella, she had been so precious. She was the reason they went this far. If not for her sacrifice, they would've never gotten that file. In a lot of ways, she reminded him of Emily. Ella wanted to be an inventor so badly she was willing to wear men's cloth to do so. Captain Asher chuckled. Emily did something as ridiculous as this once. She badly wanted to be an art student that she had dressed up as a man to attend a class.

Women weren't allowed to paint, but be painted. It was one of those silly laws of the country that annoyed him to bits. That was the reason he wasn't shocked when he heard that Ella did so. It just brought back a sweet sense of nostalgia. He found Ella brave.

His thoughts were cut short when he heard the grasses rustling as someone approached. Picking up his gun by his side, he aimed at the soldier and shot, the bullet missing him by the skin of his teeth. According to training, he wasn't meant to move but stand at attention. Which the soldier did, though his eyes were shaking with fear.

"Have you forgotten your lessons?" Captain Asher asked, tucking his pistol behind him. " Never walk up to your superior from behind. You're lucky I tried so hard to miss."

"I'm sorry captain," The soldier apologised.

Captain Asher waved him off and struck a cowboy pose. "So what's the reason for your visit?"

"The preparations for Crawley are finished."

"Lovely." Captain Asher nodded his head impressively. "Get me a pen and a sheet of paper. I have a letter to send to Robert Stark."

"As you wish captain." The soldier saluted and left.

There was this saying that the second time is the charm. Ella hoped that would be the case here. Though she was confident because Robert was here, she couldn't help but have her doubts. She had never met Rikkard before but his workers were true arseholes to her.

"Do you still remember the plan?" Robert asked as they all stood before the entrance of the publishing house.

"Yes, pretend to be your annoying arrogant wife and you will be my arrogant rich husband." How hard could that be? Ella had seen enough irritating rich mamas to know how to act like one. It wasn't hard in the slightest. And the part where she got to play his wife seemed quite exciting. Maybe it was because she may want to be his-Goodness, what sort of thoughts did she have? She had to be focused; making the moonlamp was the goal.

"I'm sure that would be easy," Juliet teased, pinching her friend by the forearm.

Ella rolled her eyes. Juliet didn't have to be ridiculous. It was going to be easy because she could act, not because Robert was playing husband. They walked into the lobby, Ella carrying herself in excessive graciousness, you would think she was grace itself. She fanned herself and soon her hand began to hurt her. God knows she should've gone to those damn etiquette classes. Robert on the other hand raised his Roman nose to the sky, just like those irksome aristocrats did.

With his wide shoulders and impressive height, anyone would think he was one of those arrogant rich wankers who were disdainful to everyone they met. Seated behind the desk in the lobby was the monocle man she had met a few weeks ago.

The bloody wanker that had thrown her out of this establishment. That was no way to treat a lady dressed as a man. Now she was going to show him who the real boss was. He noticed them and stood up, his hands settling the newspaper he was reading.

"How can I help you?" He asked.

Ella raised the back of her hand to her forehead and leaned back dramatically, "Oh Dearest, he asked how he may help us. Oh, the insult. The travesty!"

Ella could hear Juliet snicker behind

her. It appeared she was putting on quite the show. Robert caught her from behind and she felt his strong forearms press against the body of her corset. He glared at the man in monocles and hissed.

"How dare you ask such a nonsensical question?" he looked at the man disdainfully. "Your boss published a paper that my wife found degrading to women. I would like to see him this instance."

The employee's eyes were a mixture of fear and confusion. "I apologise for that, Sir. But Mr Rikkard is not getting any visitors today."

"What's your name mister?" Robert asked in the most aristocratic tone Ella had ever heard.

"Shelby, Willliam Shelby."

"Well, Mr Shelby, I happen to be the owner of every building in this block, including your boss'. How would you feel about losing your job because you refused to let the boss of your boss, speak to him."

Ella's eyes widened as she looked at Robert. Was he lying? Knowing him, it could be true considering he was one of the richest men in London. She looked behind her and Juliet gave her a thumbs up and a wink. No wonder Robert was confident that he could speak to Mr Rikkard.

Mr Shelby's eyes narrowed as he crossed his arms, walking out of his desk space. "No way, I'm falling for your lies. This establishment is owned by Lord Robert Stark and he would never stoop as low to come here, talk more of bringing," he looked at Ella with disgust, "a low life who couldn't possibly play the role of a rich woman."

Did he just call me a low life? God knows he was dead.

"What did you call her?" Robert asked, letting Ella go.

"A low life," Mr Shelby said with a shrug. "Can't you see how poor her dress looks?"

"Hey, my dress is perfectly fine!" Ella yelled.

"Perfectly fine for whores and the poor!" Mr Shelby called out and Ella gasped.

Robert's eyes were blood red and before William could speak again, a fist was mounted to his mouth. He staggered, his hands trying to hold his desk for support. Robert gripped him by his shirt and smacked him against the wall, Ella watching the entire scene with shock.

Juliet walked up to her and whispered into her ears, "Would a man who doesn't love you do this?"

Love her? She wasn't sure Robert loved her. Sure he was kind to her and was sweet. But assuming he loved her was a long stride.

"Call her a whore one more time and I'll make sure you vanish without a trace. I am rich and I have power, you do not want to mess with me," he bared his teeth at Mr Shelby who was cowering in fear below the marquess's tall, intimidating form.

"Now that's what I call a man," Juliet praised, patting Ella by the shoulder.

Ella didn't understand why Robert had to do that, she could've stood up for herself. But the fact he did it without thinking twice made her ovaries scream. A black door by the left side of the lobby opened and a short man with a bow tie and glasses too big for his round face walked out.

Robert saw him and released Mr Shelby who drew in a deep breath. " Mr Pennyworth."

"M-My Lord," his eyes went ablaze with surprise and he tried to adjust his bow tie. "I didn't know you would be here." He frowned at Mr Shelby. "What are doing Mr Shelby? Don't you know who he is?"

Mr Shelby realising he was about to lose his job, said, "I'm sorry, your Lordship. I didn't-"

"Save your apologies," Ella interrupted him, her hand raised to silence his nonsensical voice. "We don't need it."

Ella watched the man go silent in a heartbeat and Juliet couldn't hold her giggle anymore. She had to say, power was tantalizing and when she looked at Robert, that was what he radiated. She had become so close to him to forget the kind of man he was; Rich, the heir to a dukedom and more importantly, one of London's most influential people. It was a pity that a man this great was still trying to fight for the love of his father. The Duke was a true piss of shit if you asked her.

"Are you here for the rent?" Mr Pennyworth asked, hitting the bridge of his glasses. "I know you never come to take it yourself."

"No, I'm not," Robert replied. "I'm here to see Mr Rikkard."

"Okay," Pennyworth looked at Ella and Juliet. "Are they with you?"

"Yes, they are."

"Well, this way," Pennyworth said, gesturing for them to follow him.

Ella walked up to Mr Shelby and fanned herself looking at him with much disdain as she could gather. "Goodness, you disgust me." She then turned to Juliet. " Did I do good?"

"I couldn't even tell the difference between you and those arrogant mamas of the ton," Juliet said with a grin and the two girls giggled as they followed Robert who was trailing behind Pennyworth.

Ella hooked her arm around her friend's own. "Don't worry Jules, everything would be fine. Have faith."

"I do," Juliet chuckled. "Now I Know your lover is Rikkard's boss."

Ella shook her head, rolling her eyes. "Silly girl."