“You need a doctor.” She declared, more to herself than to him.

“Oh no, Lady Williams,” he let out a nervous laugh that transition quickly to horrid coughs. She watched with a frown on her face as the butler struggled to bring his coughing under control. “I'm fine.” He finally managed.

“Jacob.” She touched his shoulder.

“Please, Lady Williams, I must beg of you to refrain from insisting on a physician. The moment Lord Williams suspects that I might be sick or too old to work for him, he shall have me fired and I cannot afford to be jobless.” The butler pleaded.

She opened her mouth to speak but was interrupted by the sound of approaching footsteps. Turning, she found Ethan making his way toward them, his brows raised.

“Is there a problem?” Ethan's gaze was focused on something on the floor. She looked down to find broken pieces of what appeared to be a tea pot and a tea cup.

Turning to Jacob who was now on his feet with his head bowed, she frowned —he was indeed sick, but she understood clearly his concerns.

“I ran into Jacob,” she said, walking over to Ethan and looping her hand in his. “I was on my way to your study.” She lied. “My plan had been to convince you to get your nose out of those files long enough to actually fall asleep...” She smiled and began ushering Ethan away from the butler who was in dire need of a doctor.

**

ELAINE WINSTON HEAVED a breath as the carriage came to a halt before the castle. She didn't think she'd have to come back here within such a short period of time, but Juliet had forced her hand —not only did Juliet run off, but she took the baby along. The moment Juliet decided to return to the Williams' manor, Elaine knew her entire plan had come crashing down like a pile of cards, and Elaine couldn't let that happen.

Knowing full well that she was not going to receive a warm welcome, she didn't believe she had a choice.

Climbing down the carriage, she momentarily paused in her tracks and scanned the manor in hopes of finding Juliet —they were running out of time. Ethan most likely was going to regain custody of the baby, and Elaine couldn't let that happen.

She was greeted at the foot of the front stairs by Ethan's footman who eyed her suspiciously. Elaine opened her mouth to tell him her mission to the manor, when her eyes caught sight of Juliet making her way down the front stairs with a frown on her face. Her black skirt danced about her, and her brown hair bounced with every step she took until she was finally standing before Elaine.

“You are excused.” Juliet said to the footman even if her angry eyes never left Elaine.

Elaine waited until the footman was a far off. “Juliet,” she smiled.