Still, it was the fear of an uncertain future that held her bound to her position for several more minutes, her own heart warring with her mind. Eventually, her mind prevailed, common sense silencing her emotions temporarily as she stepped forward; a step that would take her away from the life she once knew and into an uncertain future.

A future in London.

II

London

It wasn't until the sun began to lighten up the sky with its rays piercing through the curtains that covered the window, that Ethan began to feel the weight of staying up all night, sink into his rigid body.

He glanced at his fingers that were now becoming stiff from holding a pen all night, and flexed it as a soft yawn escaped his lips.

Deciding that he was too tired to go up the stairs to his now empty bed that no longer possessed the sleeping beauty with long, straight mass of dark brown hair, or the warmth that her body provided, he brought his head to a rest on the massive mahogany table before him and pulled his eyelids close; he would sleep for about an hour, giving in to the darkness and illusion of peace that his slumber would create. Then, he'd be jolted awake by an invisible alarm clock set to go off in what was left of his broken heart.

Ethan would never concede to being heartbroken out loud but deep down, he knew he was. Being shamed by the woman he loved was one thing, but being pitied by his servants was another. Ethan Williams was a rich, powerful, twenty eight year old man with lands and vessels spread across England. He would have a lot of things, but he was never going to have pity.

Somewhere in the midst of his disheveled mind, he must have drifted to sleep because he was suddenly jolted awake by the banging and shaking of the massive wooden door that managed to keep him locked up in his study, away from the prying eyes of his servants and the desperate hands of the town's spinsters –he frowned as the image of the pesky mothers and their highly annoying daughters flashed before his eyes. They had all began vying for his attention since the news of his wife’s disappearance spread around town like wild fire.

The continuous banging on the door was powerful enough to jolt him back to the present. With a sigh, he pushed his aching body to its feet and slowly began walking toward the door, deciding to scold whoever it was that was bold enough to disturb him. He imagined that his constant sour mood since his wife, Juliet’s disappearance had made it quite clear to his servants that he wished to be alone.