The rider came up to the stablehand waiting for him by the side of the road and was led back to Richard and Juliana.

"Mr. Chase has taken the road that will lead him back home."

Richard helped Juliana up into the saddle and then mounted his horse. "Do you believe you were seen?" he asked of the rider.

"No, sir. If he had, he did not acknowledge my presence."

"Very, good. You are both to return home to the Manor and we should be home before nightfall."

"Yes, sir, "the rider helped the stablehand onto his horse and took the path back home.

Richard rode up next to Juliana. "I do not know what awaits us, Love." He handed her one of his pistols, primed and loaded. "If there is a need, do you know what to do?"

"Aim for the legs?" Juliana said recalling Cyril's advice.

"Good girl, and run. I wish I could leave you behind to be certain you would not be in danger but with all that has happened and all I thought to prevent, I truly believe the safest place for you is by my side but I must ask that you stay with me at all times and not to react to what may occur. Let me take the lead."

"I will follow you, Richard, to the ends of the earth if need be," Juliana reassured him, just grateful not to be left behind, left worrying, left wondering.

They rode together at a comfortable pace. Juliana recognized her surroundings. "Why are we headed to my family's ruin?"

"I told McAllister to meet us there. I do not know if he will comply. My wish is to pass on the information about Mr. Chase and to see if he has learned anything that may be of consequence. After all, we still are uncertain if the events are related." As they approached the ruin they heard another horse whinny. Richard cocked his pistol.

"I was wondering if you were going to show," McAllister said leading his horse by the reins.

"I told you, I would. I have learned some interesting news. I wanted to be certain I could pass on to you," Richard said putting his pistol away.

"What is she doing here?" McAllister asked noticing Juliana for the first time, his anger obvious in his tone.

"Here, is the safest place she can be," Richard said, bristled once again, by McAllister's brash manners.

"You cannot possibly be that naïve?" McAllister told him. "Are you really willing to risk so much?"

"I am not to be trifled with, sir," Juliana spoke up, tired of being talked about, "and quite capable of handling myself in desperate situations. You are currently standing in what remains of my home. I am a survivor and Clara is, as close to me, as a sister and I would never place her in jeopardy. Can you say the same?"

Her words stung him. "I have been protecting her for years now. It was not until she was under your husband's care that she had turned up missing. I am not at fault here."

"Perhaps, if you showed more consideration when you had her in your care, none of us would be here now," Juliana said angered by his attempt to lay the blame at Richard's feet. She knew Clara's heart. Clara had been wounded by this man and yes, he was here and yes, he was worried, but if he had shown that side to Clara before now she would not have come. She would not be missing, of that Juliana was certain.

Juliana struck the first real blow. Benjamin felt angry enough to cause physical harm only there was no one to direct it at.

"Enough of the blame game!" Richard said. "Now is the time for action. I have learned that Mr. Chase came to the wedding in the attempts to retrieve the letters my Stepmother had supposedly left behind. She distributed them, however, to the most popular periodicals London has to offer. Her will stipulates that those who are at fault would be named, should any of us come to harm.

Richard had seen the look on McAllister's face. He knew Juliana struck a chord with him and had she been a man, Benjamin would have knocked her flat but it amazed Richard how quickly McAllister could switch from anger to complacent. He appeared calm and absorbed what Richard told him.

"He tried to retrieve the letters himself?" he asked.

"No, he blackmailed one of my servants into helping?" Richard told him.

This shocked Juliana. She knew the staff to be highly loyal to the family, those who did not show the same level of dedication were quickly weeded out by Albert. Who would have betrayed them and why?

"Name?" McAllister asked.

"Lily. She is a chambermaid," Richard told him.

"Lily," Juliana whispered to herself shocked and amazed.

"You know this girl," McAllister asked addressing Juliana.

"Very little. She was hired by Lady Bentley to replace me when I went to Annabelle's."

"Interesting? Who recommended her?" McAllister asked.

Richard was impressed. It was a question he did not think to ask. "She most likely came from the Chase household. Her mother works for them and has taken ill. Mr. Chase used the care he provides to coerce her into helping him. Hinting that the care would stop if she chose not to help."

"Poor Lily," Juliana said.

"She is under our care now," Richard reassured her.

"Where is the girl now?" McAllister asked.

"I sent her with some fake letters to give to Mr. Chase and then told her to take a couple of servants and to retrieve her mother and family and return to my manor. Why do you ask?"

Mounting his horse he said, "Do you know where she lives?"

Richard shook his head in denial.

"You did say, she is returning back to her house?"

"Yes," Richard told him, wondering why Benjamin refused to answer his question.

Seeing the question in Richard's eyes Benjamin said, "We need her. She is our key to knowing our way around Mr. Chase's estate. If Clara is there she could find out easier as it is not exactly like we can stride right up to the front door and announce our presence."

Richard had to concede to this point, even though he truly wished not to involve anyone else and remembering how frightened the young girl was, he did not want to be seen as putting her in the same position that Mr. Chase had done.

"Mr. Chase has already left for home. Lily would be following shortly after. If we get to his estate we are likely to run into her. Or perhaps be able to ask about her whereabouts in the village just outside. I could easily do so under the guise that the New Lady Bentley is in need of her maid and that we plan on taking her with us."

McAllister looked impressed.

"Then I suggest we ride on, quickly. I cannot imagine Mr. Chase will be duped by those fake letters for long and if he has chosen to take Clara as some sort of collateral, time is not on our side."

Richard swore under his breath. He had not considered that possibility when he chose to use the idea of the letters. He wanted Mr. Chase to leave the party and he wanted to see, to where he would disappear but he had not thought further on it than that.

They came to the village a mile or so from Mr. Chase's estate. If Lily lived here it should be easy enough to find out where. If she lived on estate grounds, things would be more complicated.

They stopped at the first house in the village. The occupants were so elated to receive a visit from Lord and Lady Bentley that they quickly divulged all the information they needed to know. McAllister hung back with the horses, hoping to appear as another of the Bentley's servants.

"Thank you, Lord Bentley. The repairs you have made in the village have greatly helped those of us who remained," the farmer told him.

"I am pleased to hear it. My only regret is that things have been left for so long without care. I hope to change a great number of things to get the village back to where it was before my father's death."

The farmer and his wife smiled. This was very good news indeed. "The girl you asked about, lives no more than a mile from here. It is a very small cottage, thatched roof, a bit run down looking but sturdy enough for that lot. Thankfully the widow has a few older sons that are capable of making repairs and have been keeping it from becoming a leaky shack."

"Go with him Jonathon," his wife admonished, "they are probably most eager to get on the road again and it is easy to get turned about in the village."

"Do you wish me to show you the way?" the farmer asked.

"If you would be so kind it would help us greatly," Richard said.

The farmer grabbed his hat and promised to meet them around the front of the house as soon as he had his horse saddled.

Juliana and Richard left and met up with McAllister. He seemed much pleased with the news. The farmer met up with them and took them directly to Lily's home.

Richard had given the farmer a few coins for his troubles and thanked him again before the farmer left for home. Juliana and Richard made their way to Lily's house. A very strapping young man answered the door.

"Lord and Lady Bentley, we are looking for Lily. Is she home?"

"Lily?" the young man said, "She works for you at your Manor. Why would she be here?"

"I had sent her home to collect you all. I would like you to live closer to my estate now that Lily is to be my wife's chambermaid."

"I do not think that wise," said an older son, who came to the door. Our Mother is very ill and should not be moved."

Now both young men blocked the entrance to the cottage, filling up the doorway. Richard had not expected such opposition to his presence.

"Who is at the door?" A weak voice asked from inside.

The first son had left the doorway to speak with, Richard could only guess, Lily's mother. He soon returned and hit his older brother on the shoulder. "Let them in."

Juliana entered first. The cottage was so small to house such a large family. She found Lily's mother propped up in a bed in the corner of the room.

"You are looking for my Lily? She should be at your Manor. She has not caused you any trouble I hope?"

"No trouble at all, " Juliana said smiling and taking a seat next to her bed. "I just came to ask if she would accompany me, as my husband and I are going traveling and I am quite lost without her."

The woman closed her eyes, grateful to be put at ease.

At that moment Lily enter the door. "Momma you will never believe what happened today?" And she stood shocked at seeing Lord and Lady Bentley sitting in her house.

"Is everything..."

"All is well, Lily, " Juliana reassured her, "I was just telling your mother how lost I am without you. I am in need of your assistance. I fear I can not get on at all without your services."

"It is the reason, my husband has asked if we might move you and your family to our estate, as well," Juliana said addressing Lily's mother. "We would love Lily to be closer. There is much work to be done in the village and we were told your sons do fine repairs. We could use such skills, but if you are not well enough to be moved, we can make other arrangements."

"I am most grateful for your offer, but I believe it best I stay here."

"But Momma," Lily ran over to her kneeling by her side. "Lady Bentley has promoted me to her personal chambermaid. The raise in salary will be enough to take care of us. If Jonah and Christopher find steady work there is no need for you to stay here. You can finally be free of..."

"Enough, Lily!" her mother shouted, her eyes wide in warning, silencing the girl immediately.

She looked at Juliana. "Lady Bentley, please understand, I do appreciate such a generous offer but I cannot allow it at this time. You may, however, have Lily to take with you, of course, on your travels."

"I would feel horrible depriving you of her," Juliana said, wondering what would cause such an outburst.

"I have my sons and my youngest daughter. We will manage just fine."

"Thank you," Juliana said, "I hope you are well soon."

The woman just nodded and closed her eyes again, obviously spent. Lily followed Juliana sadly from the house, with Lord Bentley trailing closely behind.