Lucinda didn't care too much for Gretchen. Other than the fact that Gretchen had practically insulted her, she seemed to have moved past the incident. But Lucinda couldn't move past her deal with Lady Hall for Lady Hall held the keys to her freedom and she was in desperate need of those keys.

With the vial in her hands, she waited patiently for the laudanum she had slipped into the breakfast of the servants, to take effect. It would put the entire household to sleep, according to Lady Hall.

True to her words, five minutes after, unconscious bodies lined the grounds of the castle. With Ethan and Juliet most likely in the courthouse by now, the entire household was accounted for; Elizabeth was having her midday nap, the servants were in a drug induced sleep and Gretchen was in Ethan's bedchamber.

Lucinda hurriedly made her way to Ethan's bedchamber and placed a mop between the handles of the door to keep Gretchen locked in. She then hurried down the stairs and out the front door. She was just in time to see Lady Hall climbing down from the carriage.

“Lady Hall,” Lucinda smiled, thankful for the fact that the plan was falling into place perfectly.

Lady Hall's eyes moved from the castle to Lucinda. “I believe every obstacle has been removed?” She raised a brow.

Lucinda nodded. “Yes, my lady.”

“Good,” Lady Hall smiled, motioning for Lucinda to take her to Gretchen.

**

EXCITEMENT FLOODED Henrietta Hall's body even if she couldn't allow herself to be physically excited before the maid. Her plans were finally coming together! Many obstacles had been put before her; Ethan's marriage to Juliet, Ethan's love for Gretchen and finally, Juliet's refusal to go along with Henrietta's plans. Thankfully, the maid had been more than willing to not only be Henrietta's eyes and ears in the castle, but she had been the sole executor of Henrietta's plan.

Her wedding to Ethan was so near, she could almost taste it. It didn't matter how many obstacles she faced, they all came together so wonderfully.

Henrietta and the maid had reached the top of the building when a loud banging sound reached them. One look at the maid and Henrietta immediately knew that the maid must have locked Gretchen in the room. She gave the maid an approving smile.

“Get the baby.” She gave the command before making her way to the source of the noise.

The maid had used the mop to act as a make-shift lock that helped to keep Gretchen locked in the room. Henrietta smiled at the maid's cleverness before removing the mop and pushing the door open to reveal a disheveled Gretchen.

“Hello, Lady Williams,” Henrietta offered Gretchen a smile and took a step into the room.

Gretchen watched her, confusion dimming her eyes.

“Lady Hall? Oh thank goodness. For a second, I thought I had been locked in.” She said nervously, turning briefly to stare at the door. “Where's everybody?”