Ellie's cries drifted to her from the crib. At first, she assumed the baby was having a nightmare and would soon fall back asleep, but when it became persistent, she pushed her tired body off of the bed and made her way to Ellie's crib. Reaching up, she wiped her own tears, deciding she needed to be strong for Ellie.

“There, there,” She said, leaning down to take Ellie in her arms. She kissed her wet cheek, holding her close against her chest. But Ellie wasn't letting up. If anything, her cries seemed to do nothing but intensify.

Turning from the crib, she placed Ellie beside her on the bed that Ethan had put in the nursery, hoping she could get a few more hours of sleep. Ellie managed to fall asleep once more, but the moment the sun began peeking through the clouds, she woke up crying, and this time, a lot louder than before.

Left with no choice, she made her way into the kitchen that morning and found a jar of orange juice. Ellie was quick to reject the drink by shaking her head violently, and increasing the intensity of her cries.

Three hours later, Gretchen was standing beside the baby's crib with tears running down her own cheek, a severe headache, and fear for Ellie clouding her mind. While she didn't want to see Ethan, Gretchen knew she didn't have a choice so she went in search of him, but he was nowhere in sight, and considering the fact that Ellie was crying herself into a fever, Gretchen sent for a doctor.

After what seemed like an eternity, the loud pounding of an approaching carriage reached Gretchen. Turning from the crib where she had been trying and failing to ease Ellie's cries, she hurried over to the veranda just in time to see what looked like a doctor climbing out of the carriage.

Heaving a breath of relief and fighting the urge not to run down the stairs in desperation and excitement, she waited for a few minutes until there was a knock on the door.

“Come in!”She glanced expectantly at the door and watched as an unfamiliar middle aged man made his way into the room with a young maid in tow. “Thank you, Gina.” She offered the maid a small smile before turning her attention back to the stranger.

“I heard we have a problem.” He began, strolling toward the crib. Lifting a wailing Ellie out of her crib, he held her to himself and turned to Gretchen. “I'm Edward and I'm the physician who sees to the care of the household of Lord Williams.” He said, rocking Ellie in his arms.

“And I’m Gretchen, Ellie's nanny.”

“Well, let's see then,” Placing Ellie back in her crib, he examined her. Ellie, who was most likely uncomfortable with it, fought Edward's prying hands in frustration.

“You're a feisty one, aren't you?” Edward laughed, turning to Gretchen, “she's teething, which explains the fever and her incessant crying. There's a tiny treasure in her lower gum fighting to burst forth. She shall be fine.”