Last night, Robert was able to locate the man who was publishing the paper. All it took was asking the right people the right question and by six in the morning, the man was on the earliest ship to America. At least that was one problem being solved.

Robert's mind was plagued by what Mr Featherington had planned to do because he knew it would hurt Ella. But once he got that phone call from his sister, all he could think about were her jumbled words and sobs. Though one thing struck clearly; someone was in danger.

Running down the corridor of his townhouse, Grace's soft sobs echoed down the hallway. He entered his dining room with Howard and seated on one of the chairs was Grace, her blue eyes brimming with tears. When she saw him, she got up and rushed to him, embracing him in a tight hug.

"Shh," Robert rubbed his hand on her golden hair. "It's fine. Big brother is here now."

He led her to the seat she formerly left and slowly sat her down. Pulling a chair close to her, he settled on it and held her hands trying to comfort her. Howard leaned against the door frame, curiously watching the scene. Robert had never seen his sister this way before. Her nostrils were drooling and he brought out a handkerchief and handed it to her.

"What happened, Grace?" Robert asked. "You said something on the phone about someone being abducted right in front of you."

She blew her nose with the handkerchief. "Before I tell you, you have to promise me you won't tell mother or father, they'll skin me alive."

"You have my word."

She proceeded to tell him about how she had been seeing Arthur from her window and apologised for keeping it from Robert.

"I already know, Grace."

Her face was stricken with surprise. "Why didn't you tell me?"

"I understood that if you didn't want to tell me, I had no right to speak on it. I knew when you were ready to let me know, you would." Robert locked his brows together. "But I'm sure that's not the reason you're crying. So what happened? Did something bad happen to Arthur?"

Grace nodded. "I had gone to see him in the stable you see. He had been training day and night for the royal derby. While I approached the stables, I saw him being dragged unconsciously into a carriage by two big men. Before I could call for help, the carriage was already bolting out of the estate."

This reeked of Gerrard. There was no other person who had the balls to do such a thing. But what was he playing at? There was no purpose to abducting Arthur. Except it was all part of a bigger plan. If there's one thing he had learnt so far, it was that he couldn't underestimate Gerrard's genius.

"Please, you have to help me save him," Grace pleaded, looking up at her brother with her big adorable blue eyes. There was no way he could say not to her. Not that he even planned to. Arthur was Ella's brother and that was enough reason to save him.

Robert didn't know if he should break this news to Ella. Mr Fratherington was about to do something that would make Ella angry and adding this newly found burden onto her shoulders may not be a good idea.

"Do you love him, Grace?" Robert asked.

His sister nodded.

"Then be rest assured I'll do everything to make sure he'll get back safe," Robert guaranteed his sister, wiping her tears with another handkerchief he brought from his trousers pocket. "Now stop crying before you get a headache."

He kissed his sister's forehead and then fixed his eyes on Howard. "We have to find him soon."

"We don't have a clue of where he may be now," Howard explained, pacing to and fro in the room.

Mr Griffith walked quickly inside the dining room.

"Is there a problem Mr Griffith?" Robert asked.

"I'm afraid so."

What is it this time? Robert hoped it was not worse than Grace's news. Mr Griffith moved aside, revealing a lady with dark hair which was packed into a kerchief. She was dressed in white and had a blue apron draped over her dress. It looked like the dresses Gerrard's maids wore.

"She is Miss Helen's friend, Katherine," Mr Griffith introduced. The sadness in Katherine's green eyes made it clear to Robert that she didn't bring good news. And his sixth sense could already tell what it is.

"My Lord," Katherine said, curtseying.

"What is the matter, Katherine?" Robert asked, drumming his fingers nervously on the table.

"Helen told me a month ago that if she ever got in trouble, I should meet you." She took a step further and handed out a piece of paper to him. "I saw this message this morning when I got to her maid quarters in the Finley estate. Her room was scattered with clothes everywhere and some maids claimed they heard screams last night. She has been missing since then."

It appeared being hopeful wasn't helpful either.

Gerrard went for two of them. The only reason he didn't come for Ella was because he didn't know she was the Captain's child too. If only they fixed soldiers to guard the abductees, this wouldn't have happened. That newspaper was a great way to divert their attention. Gerrard was playing chess and Robert was losing.

He opened the piece of paper and it read; The old iron factory house. The day after tomorrow, ten in the morning. Bring no police or I'll kill them.

*******

Ella hadn't heard from Robert since yesterday. What could it have been that was so urgent he had to leave such an important meeting?

"I take it that your trip to your aunt's place was quite riveting, " Ella's mother said, twisting Ella's barely curls. They were before a mirror in her room and her mother was helping her try to look like a human being. Being locked for three days had done a lot of damage to her once beautiful brown hair.

"Mother!" She exclaimed blushing.

"So, Robert Stark, Aye?" Her mother smiled. "Who would've known?"

"I'm as surprised as you are."

"So when is he going to officially court you?" Mrs Featherington asked. That was a bit abrupt. With all that was happening now, courting didn't seem like the best idea.

"I don't know," Ella shrugged. "Soon, I suppose."

"Ella, I know he has touched you." Her mother's dark eyes softened with concern. "I am a mother, I can tell. He better marries you because you're not like those what-nots he uses and let's go."

Ella's jaw slacked. They were truly having this discussion right now, while Gerrard was out there destroying their family name. She could understand that her mother was only looking out for her. And marrying Robert came across as overwhelming. Regardless, the thought of it made butterflies swarm her stomach. Was he ever going to propose to her?

"Mother, he has changed, I promise you."

"Well, he better."

Fast footsteps echoed down the corridor outside and in seconds, the door bashed open, revealing a panting Jules. She was pregnant, she shouldn't be running like that!

"Jules!" Ella exclaimed. "What happened?"

"You need to see this," Juliet said handing over a newspaper to Ella. It was the Times.

The headline made Ella's heartache.

Mr Harry Featherington has confessed to several murders and has revealed Gerrard Finley as the master orchestrator.

Private secretary of Gerrard Finley, Harry Featherington has admitted to killing over ten men and claims to have been ordered by Gerrard Finley to do it. He has provided solid evidence to prove so and is now in the custody of the London police. Gerrard Finley has been declared a public threat and would be arrested on sight.

Ella's eyes were wet with tears.

"Father."

******