"My aunt took us to Belcourt to save us," she answered. "We rode in one of my aunt's carriages and I begged the guards outside Belcourt to take us in." There was nothing in her husband's eyes as he waited for her next words. "Yes, Delaney is still in Belcourt."

Slowly, he nodded. "And what happened to the aunt?"

Aliya sighed. "She escaped Sutherland. That was the last I heard."

"And now you left Belcourt so you can save her again. You do not have to answer, of course."

She nodded. "I have to get her out of there, Ollie. But how I do that will not be shared with you for now. Our marriage is fresh. Belcourt will be watching our every move. You as much as do something suspicious, they will know. And we cannot have that."

"Yes, of course," he said, walking around the table to stand next to her. He pulled her from the chair to face him. "One secret at a time, Ali."

She kissed his lips and smiled. "Thank you." Stepping away, he went to the liquor cabinet and poured himself a drink.

"Are you still mad at me about the gowns?"

"No, but my Mother is cross with me about your allowance."

With a chuckle, Aliya returned to her seat. Stealing a glance, she watched him empty his glass. As he refilled it, she asked, "Was one not enough?" He turned to her with brows cocked high in question as though he did not understand her inquiry. "I am merely asking."

He looked at his half-filled glass. "One and a half is enough."

She smiled and opened her notebook.

Oliver sat near the fire and she allowed the silence to reign between them.

She knew he was a member of the Royal Circus. He did not have to admit it because he never denied it and that was answer enough. His family, most particularly Natalia, had hinted now and again of their family's attachment to the said club.

For now, she did not need the confirmation because Belcourt would certainly use it against her. They would not hesitate to do so.

"I also sought you out to announce something," Oliver said moments later.

"What announcement?"

"I am needed in Coulway. You may stay here with Mother and Ellise if you wish."

"No, I will come with you."

He clutched his chest. "Ah, you make my heart flutter, Ali!"

Aliya scoffed. "Do you not have something better to do? Are you not needed in Sinclair?"

He stood to his feet and approached her. "Now that you have mentioned it, I believe someone in desperate need is waiting for me."

She blinked. "You cannot be utterly serious. You are deliberately making someone who is suffering wait for you?"

"Well, I did not ask him to get himself shot in a bloody duel."

Her eyes rounded in horror. "Oliver!"

He laughed. "Fret not, darling. He will live. That bastard ruined a girl's reputation, thus the duel with the brother."

"You are so shamelessly immoral, Ollie."

He emptied his glass. "I am done with my last glass for the day."

She narrowed her eyes. "Are you certain it is the last one for the day?"

"Of course," he said, walking over to kiss her. "But you will keep wondering because you know I am shamelessly immoral."

She pushed him away. "Go and pluck out some bullets."

He stole another kiss and left.

*****

Much later that afternoon, Aliya went to visit Mason in Maple Row.

It was difficult to make the child understand that he may not be seeing his mother for quite some time.

"Why?" Mason asked.

"Because she needs to work so she can save more money to be with you," she replied, trying her best not to cry. A lie, she knew, but one she hoped Mason would later understand.

He asked more questions. How about Carrie? And what of Shay?

"We will meet them someday, Mason."

"Do you promise?"

It was hard to make such promises when she knew that her priority was not his mother. She needed to save Delaney first before she could find a way to get Fatima and the others. But she promised anyway because it was the only way she could ease his mind.

After sending Mason off to bed, Aliya gave Dorothy her pay and more money for the household, adding that she may not be visiting often than she wanted. It was for their safety.

Dorothy did not question her plans. Instead, the governess wrapped her in an embrace and they both silently cried. They cried for Fatima and Mason, and Carrie and Shay. Not so long ago, Fatima, Carrie, Shay, and Aliya were arguing whether or not they should hire Dorothy as Mason's governess when the woman applied for the position they posted on the Sutherland Post. Dorothy had then cleared her throat and told them that their argument reached the parlor where she had been waiting. She was hired that same afternoon and since then, they had been happy, the six of them, including Mason. The apartment in Maple Row was always filled with laughter. Aliya and the other women in her villa were free to come and go. That stopped when Shay had a row gone wrong with another service lady in Belcourt. It completely changed after Sasha discovered the Royal Circus and everyone was on guard. Now, they were down to three.

With her eyes puffy from the tears, Aliya made her way back to her new home in a hired hackney.

When she entered the house, she murmured her thanks to Jason.

"Where have you been disappearing to, Aliya?" Ellise's voice asked behind her. Startled, Aliya whirled around to find that the woman was closing the door. Jason was nowhere to be seen.

"Have you been waiting for me?" she asked.

"Yes," her sister-in-law replied, walking over to her, hazel eyes blank. "You have been selling your gowns to earn money, and you constantly go somewhere unknown and return late. One cannot help but wonder if you are doing something that may later be a problem."

"Oliver and I have discussed the same issues you have pointed out."

"And you believe he trusts you?"

Aliya could not reply. Did Oliver truly trust her?

"My brother and I may not always meet eye to eye, but we are both not stupid. And I know that you are not stupid, Aliya. You entered this family with very little knowledge of what we are into, and the same could be said to us. We barely know you. All we know is that you were once someone Oliver met on a cruise when you were younger. Your father murdered several men in a single night, leading to your mother's death and your escape to Belcourt."

Aliya sighed. "What do you want to say to me, Ellise?"

"I hope that you can trust my brother enough. I hope that you can trust us. We are more capable than you may think." The woman gazed at her as if she could read Aliya's secrets. "I truly do not want to lose you. No one else will have Oliver."

Again, out of nowhere, Ellise St. Vincent said something that rendered Aliya in a state of disbelief, frustration, and awe.

"I do trust your brother," she said, squaring her shoulders to control the urge to laugh. "And I do trust that he can wait until I think it is safe to share my secrets."

Ellise shook her head and sighed. "Secrets. I grew up hearing them and I can most certainly say how they end a certain situation. But I do not own your secrets so I cannot demand it from you." Ellise's bored, hazel eyes did not blink as she talked. And when they did, it was slow and almost sleepy. "Very well," Ellise said, "I will not be a burden to you and your secrets—on one condition."

"Of course."

"You will be a very lenient companion."

"What?"

"Oliver is going to take me with you to Coulway upon our mother's orders. He will force me to join the season with the two of you as my companions. He will be quite busy, so he will definitely give the responsibility to you. I want to have a lenient companion."

"How lenient?"

"You do not force me to dance."

"Of course."

"Or introduce me to any gentleman. Only I shall decide who I wish to be introduced to and that will not happen often."

"If that is what you wish."

"And you do not tail me around."

Aliya's eyes narrowed. "Now, we may have to discuss that one further. I cannot simply allow you to roam around any of the balls without company—"

"I just recently turned six and twenty, Aliya," interrupted her sister-in-law. "I know what it takes to be ruined. I will not be roaming around if that is what you fear. I typically stay in one corner. You can leave me and still find me there."

"Of course," she slowly retorted, the image of Ellise sitting still in one corner very vivid in her mind.

"We have a deal then."

"Yes."

Ellise nodded. "Good night."

*****

By the first week of May, Coulway was aware that the new Mr. and Mrs. St. Vincent were in town and ball invitations came pouring in.

Natalia St. Vincent ushered both Ellise and Aliya to her most trusted modiste and ordered gowns for the two ladies.

Aliya had been to five consecutive balls in their first week, rendering Ellise very much exhausted and immobile during the day.

Even Aliya, who was used to gracing multiple balls in a row, started to feel weary. For one, Simon St. Vincent would drag his daughter-in-law to every corner—including the gaming rooms—of the balls they attended together and introduce her to his friends. And Simon St. Vincent, unlike his son, had many friends!

And even after a ball, she could not simply go straight to bed and sleep. Oliver would be there, ready to pleasure her at night; or it was the other way around. Whichever or whoever initiated the act, it still left them both physically exhausted the following day.

One morning, Aliya moaned in protest as her husband snaked an arm around her waist, his hand moving lower to trace the curve of her waist and hip. "Ollie, I am very tired," she husked, snuggling closer to his chest.

"As am I, but you feel wonderful this morning."

A lazy grin stretched her lips. She rolled her head up and kissed his neck. Caressing his jaw she said, "Your beard is growing again."

"Too tedious to trim," he murmured against her forehead.

"I will not allow it to grow to a bush, but I like how it is now." She felt his lips curl into a smile against her skin.

"You do?"

She moved closer and lightly bit his neck. "I do. It serves many purposes."

His hand found hers and they rolled on the bed. He stretched her arm above her head, grinning down at her before he nuzzled her neck with his bearded chin and jaw. "You are giving me naughty thoughts, Ali."

Aliya spread her legs so he could snuggle closer, her heart starting to pick up speed against her chest as he slid lower. This would be one of their many short, but satisfying lovemaking, she thought as she closed her eyes.

His mouth cruised between her breasts and then even lower, making sure she felt his beard graze her skin.

"Now, I am quite ready for—"

The rest of Oliver's words were left unsaid as the door suddenly burst open and Aliya yelped in surprise. Her husband pulled the covers over them and shouted, "What the bloody hell do you want!" as his head popped out of the cover.

Aliya ducked her head under Oliver's chest in terror.

"Forgive me. I did not realize you are in the middle of something... intimate," Ellise's voice replied.

"Good God, Ellise! Get out!" Oliver roared.

"Since I am here and have already earned your anger, I might as well deliver the news that father wishes you to know."

"What is it?"

"You are expected to attend the Stapleton Ball."

"We are not attending any balls tonight."

"Father says you should attend the Stapleton Ball."

"Why?"

"Do you wish me to answer that now?"

A small pause. "No."

"Then I shall take my leave. Mother and Father are wondering when you are coming down for breakfast."

"We are having breakfast now!"

Aliya grabbed his hair and pulled. "Ollie!"

"That is very vulgar of you," Ellise said, voice calm and cold.

"And you are overstaying."

When Aliya heard the door close, she pushed Oliver to the side with a helpless laugh. "You are impossible! Why would you tell your sister you are having—"

"Fasting is not just about food, Ali. Anyone can fast. The two of us have been fasting on lovemaking for..." he counted in his head, "six hours? And I was breaking my fast when she burst in unannounced."

She slipped out of bed and hastily dressed. "I will not have Natalia and Simon wonder about our breakfast for too long."

He chuckled. His eyes glinting as he watched her dress, her husband said, "No matter, I am getting my breakfast as we speak. And it is a very beautiful breakfast."

*****

The Duke and Duchess of Calbridge were probably amongst the most powerful couples in all of Sutherland. Their yearly Stapleton Ball was the total opposite of the Humbrick Ball, for, in Stapleton, everyone had to be in their best behavior.

Aliya had to admit that she had only been to a Stapleton Ball once and never tried to go again. She did not like the experience for the ladies who were in attendance were mostly from the highest stations, and Belles did not truly belong in any station.

"This is the worst ball," Ellise St. Vincent said beside her as they climbed down the flight of stairs leading to the ballroom. "I despise this night."

Aliya would have said the same thing if not for Oliver's reassuring presence beside her. He guided them through the crowd, giving her the confidence to not mind the stares or the curious frowns.

As soon as they joined the crowd of guests, Aliya found that she was familiar with more people than she feared. She was stopped by a man or two whom she was familiar with from when she was a Belle, and she hesitantly accepted their congratulations and introduced them to Oliver who was well-mannered enough to greet the men in kind.

She spotted a Belle or two who deliberately ignored her as most Belles would whenever they were in a luxurious ball. Belles attending something as grand as the Stapleton Ball were on a mission.

"Do not stray," Oliver whispered near her ear. "Father is somewhere around so hide well if you do not want him dragging you around the gaming rooms. I will find you later for a dance."

She nodded, already anticipating the moment, but she knew he was here for something else. Ellise walked toward the direction of one corner and she immediately knew the woman was ready to retire to a place where she could pretend that she was alone.

From the corner of her eyes, Aliya noted the presence of some gentlemen of Belcourt. She saw Aaron Stanway, Earl of Emsworth, together with his friend Trent Durham, the Earl of Chalbarth. Both men had always been together since Aliya could remember, and both were flowers to Ruby and Jade respectively.

But tonight, they were not with their Belles. They were with their circle of acquaintances. From the far corner, Aliya also saw a familiar figure walking across the room: West Blackwood, Duke of Eaton.

And leader of the Royal Circus.

She nonchalantly turned and followed Eaton with her eyes as he passed behind Oliver as though her husband was amongst the many guests he found unimportant. He stopped by a group of men, some of whom Aliya was acquainted with.

"My brother says he is a bore," said Ellise, following her gaze.

"I would not say so, but he is definitely nothing like your brother," Aliya murmured.

And then her brows cocked high as Eaton walked past someone utterly familiar to him and Aliya.

She had her back turned to him as he passed, but surely one of them must have seen the other? She scoffed in disbelief as Sasha continued talking to a black-haired man who could have been Oliver's bloody twin. His chin was shadowed with bristles and his hair was tied behind him in a small bun. Not a famous fashion, but not unseen.

Her eyes left the man's and transferred to Sasha who was still facing away from them. Aliya searched the ballroom once more for Eaton and found him sipping wine, and for a passing second, she saw his eyes veered to Sasha's direction before he turned away from her as though it was the best way to ignore his former Belle. He faced his friends, the Earl of Keene and Marquess of Leighton, and resumed a conversation, seemingly unbothered.

She did not personally know West Blackwood's friends, but ever since the secret about the Royal Circus broke, Belcourt made certain that every Belle was familiar with every person in his life. All information was given by Sasha herself, from West Blackwood's valet down to his dog. Rider Fairborn and Tanner MacMier were included in that list.

"Is that the Belle that you often meet in Strait?" Ellise asked beside her. Aliya turned to find her sister-in-law looking at Sasha.

"Yes."

Her face unreadable, Ellise nodded. "I heard she is called the Fainting Belle. Perhaps because she frequently has fainting spells?"

Aliya was about to ask how Ellise found out, but the look on the woman's eyes gave her the answer. If Sasha told Belcourt everything she knew about West Blackwood, the man did the same with the Royal Circus and it seems that the information was also passed around to families of his members.

"I cannot say she is still the Fainting Belle," she murmured instead, taking a glass of wine from a server. "Will you be fine alone here?" she asked. Of course, Ellise would be fine. She had been to enough balls with the lady to know that Ellise had not been lying when she said she would be found wherever Aliya left her. "While you are doing nothing, will keep an eye on your brother?"

"Of course. If you must know, he is now holding his second glass."

Her jaw tightened as she stiffly turned and walked across the room to approach Sasha, pausing by her husband and two men he was chatting with to whisper, "How many have you had?"

"What?" he asked with an innocent smile.

Her eyes lowered to look at the glass in his hand. "Ah," he said in understanding. "This is one." Aliya met his eyes and he added, "And a half."

She lightly touched his arm and smiled at him and his companions. "Good night, gentlemen."

They gave her a slight bow as she left.

Sasha turned just in time to find her approach. "Good evening, Sasha," she greeted.

Sasha broke into a smile. "I see marriage is keeping you quite busy? Are you serving as a companion to your husband's sister?"

"I am afraid so," Aliya chuckled, her eyes going to the man standing beside Sasha.

"My apologies," Sasha said, reaching for the man's arm. "My lord, I would like you to meet a good friend of mine, Aliya Guideville who is now Aliya St. Vincent." Aliya went cold as she heard her surname from Sasha's lips. She never told anyone about her last name and the only way they could have found out was if they went through her records. "Aliya, this is is Ivan Miller, the Marquess of Rothsker."

Aliya had to force herself to lift her hand for the marquess. His dark blue eyes were pleasant as he took her hand and lightly kissed it. "Congratulations on your wedding, Lady Aliya."

Aliya did not reply as she continued to stare at Sasha, a chill running up her spine. Sasha smiled and hooked her arm around Aliya's gloved one. "I know I have said this many times since you returned to Strait as Mrs. Oliver St. Vincent, but I still find myself surprised, Aliya. You have always been the most... adored lady in Belcourt."

"Are you in disbelief still that I married Oliver?"

"Yes, of course, I honestly am."

"I heard St. Vincent is a terrific doctor," Rothsker said, searching the crowd for the man himself.

"He most definitely is," Aliya replied. "And he is a particularly good friend from my childhood."

"I would be delighted to call for him should I ever need one," said Rothsker. "A doctor, not a childhood friend, of course."

Aliya laughed. Sasha did the same before addressing Rothsker with a request. "Will you be so kind and get me another drink, Ivan?"

"Of course," the man said, turning to find a server.

"I warned you about your husband, Aliya," Sasha said the moment they were left alone.

"I remember you said the same thing when we met in Strait the other week. And while I appreciate your concern, Sasha, I also know the man I married. He is not part of the Circus. He knows many people, but not all of them is a member of the Circus, are they?"

Sasha smiled, her bluish-grey eyes assessing Aliya's face. "I only hope you are right. He could be using you."

"Then he shall not find me useful. My loyalty is with Belcourt."

"Because of your sister?"

The smile on her lips froze as a chill ran through her. "I never told you about my sister," she said, voice cold. "Nor have I told you I am a Guideville."

"I was from the Cour of Libraries, Aliya. Surely you must know that your records are available for everyone."

"Yes, of course," she said through clenched teeth. "I understand why you find the need to waste your time looking at my records."

Sasha watched her as she sipped her wine. "You still owe Belcourt a Vow, do you not, Aliya?"

She snapped her head toward Sasha. Just as she opened her mouth, a hand grabbed her arm and Ellise's voice said, "Aliya—" she turned to Sasha, saying, "Pardon," before continuing, "I need your company. And no, I do not need to be introduced to your friend."

Looking at Ellise, Aliya could not tell if the woman was lying or not. But she took the opportunity to get away and so she faced Sasha again and said, "I am afraid my sister-in-law requires my company, Sasha. I hope you have a grand evening. This is a grand party, after all. Too many dukes in attendance, would you not agree?"

She saw Sasha's jaw go tight and she smiled, turning around with Ellise in tow. "Where do you wish to go?" she asked her sister-in-law.

"Oh, nowhere. I saw you looking deathly pale and I realized you needed to escape. We can go to the garden if you need fresh air."

"Or we can join Ollie," she said, turning to the direction of her husband who was now in the company of Lord Winthrop.

"Aliya, dear!" Lady Winthrop's voice called from her left. She paused and found the woman rushing toward them, stopping their approach toward her husband and Oliver. "I need some fresh air. Perhaps we should go to the garden? Ellise?"

"Of course," Ellise dutifully said, turning around to lead the way to the garden.

Aliya looked over her shoulder at where Oliver and Lord Winthrop were.

Eaton was at the other side of the ballroom, surrounded by his friends.

Rothsker had returned to Sasha's at the opposite side of the Duke of Eaton and his friends.

What a scene, she thought with a scoff.

Belles were everywhere and she could swear a Soldier or two were also present amongst the crowd. And perhaps a dozen or more members of the Royal Circus.

All of them in one bloody ball.

Bombs could go off anytime and Aliya would not even be surprised.

*****

The ball would have ended like any other if not for one interesting turn of events.

After she shared a dance with her husband, and with Ellise insistent that her dance cards be remained empty, they were ready to leave.

As Oliver ushered them out of the ballroom and through the large hallway, Aliya and Ellise stopped when they heard two women whisper Oliver's name.

"The true meaning of the beauty and her beast, really," one of the women said, clucking her tongue.

Aliya and Ellise started to turn, but Oliver was fast to grab their arms. "Now, my beautiful ladies, it is time to go home. Please be reminded that this is the Stapleton Ball and our father is somewhere in the estate."

Aliya glared at her husband. Surely he heard that?

But certainly, he did not mind.

Oliver St. Vincent? There was no way in bloody tarnation that he would simply let that comment slide!

But he was letting it slide.

He did so by pulling her and Ellise away from the two women who were openly gawking at him.

As they passed more people, Aliya began to notice that everyone's eyes were not on them, but rather just on her husband.

Perhaps he was not foxed enough? She wondered as he ignored the open stares and whispers. She looked at Ellise who was, for the life of her, frowning.

Their carriage was already waiting outside and opened the doors for them.

Once inside, Ellise faced Aliya, the frown on her face turning into a dangerous scowl, and asked, "Did those two ladies call Oliver and you the beauty and the beast?"

Aliya felt a kind of rage burning inside her, itching at her limbs, radiating over her head. Her face hardened and she waited until Oliver had settled beside her before she reached for the door and jumped out of the carriage.

"Ali!" Oliver called out behind her with a warning.

"Let her be, Oliver!" she heard Ellise drone out.

"Aliya, come back here!" Her husband's voice was coming near. She hastened her steps, gathering her skirts in her hands to run up the stairs and back into the hallway.

"Ali!" Oliver hissed somewhere far from her.

She could not understand why of all people, the obnoxious and unmannered Oliver St. Vincent would just let two brats get away without a word from him!

Breathless, she finally found the two ladies. Invading their personal space, she smiled at them broadly. "Please, forgive me, ladies, but I could not help but hear what you said about my husband and me." The two women scowled, stepping away from her as if being near her was a scandal. Aliya stepped closer until the two ladies were nearly pressed against the wall. "Please, do not take offense when I tell you that I abhor such behavior for I am certain that you feel highly privileged enough to believe that you can intone anything and still be considered cultured and graceful." She gave them her most unnerving, cold smile. Their mouths opened but no words came out. She saw the anger in their eyes, but she could also almost smell the fear. "I am not trying to judge you as you are judging me and my husband—particularly my husband, but please let me remind you that he is the most gentle being you can ever encounter. He can fix your bones with his gentle hands. He may choose to ignore the snide remarks and the harmless gossips," she paused to look at each lady in the eye before she added in a grave tone, "but I do not." She could feel Oliver's presence nearby, glad that he was not making any more scene by coming closer. Locking eyes with the two ladies, she added, "Between my husband and I, I am the beast." Stepping even closer, eliciting a shaky whimper from the two women, she asked, "Do I make myself clear, ladies?" Aliya turned her head to stare at their scared faces one by one, her golden-brown globes glinting with tamed fury. "Do I?"

"Yes," one of the ladies replied.

She smiled and stepped away. "I am glad that your understanding is as wide as the skirts of your gowns."

She gracefully turned around, hearing one woman say, "How scandalous!". She chose to ignore it for Oliver was waiting for her by the grand entrance, looking equally scandalized.

He did not say a word until they reached the carriage. Ellise was still inside with a slight curve in one corner of her lips.

"What the bloody hell was that about, Ali?" Oliver demanded. "Are you insane? This is the Stapleton Ball!"

She rolled her eyes. She shared a look with Ellise as she addressed her husband's first question. "I hate it when the attention is not on me. You attract more people than I do, Ollie. I hate when that happens."

"Good Lord, I need a drink," Oliver groaned beside her, taking her hand. "But you make me proud, darling."

Aliya chuckled, tipping her head to kiss his bearded jaw.

Ellise turned away with a scoff.