She was just beginning to panic when her eyes caught sight of a familiar fabric seated comfortably on the dresser; her clothes. Heaving a breath of relief, she slipped into the red dress he must have gotten out of her suitcase and hurriedly styled her hair into a French braid.

Pulling the door to the room wide open, she stepped out —she'd find Ethan and hope he hadn't had breakfast yet so they could have breakfast together. That is if she didn't already miss breakfast. How long had she been asleep?

She continued her descent down the stairs and easily found Ethan's study. Knowing full well that he spent most of his mornings in his study, she was surprised to find that Jacob was absent from his position by the entrance —perhaps Jacob had to run an errand for Ethan? She shrugged. She'd go into the study without her presence being announced and maybe surprise him, even if her unannounced presence would be anything but a surprise considering the fact that they were married.

She reached the heavy wooden door and pushed it open slightly, Ethan's voice filtering to where she stood. She paused in her tracks for a brief moment, her hand keeping the door from opening completely. Who was he talking to? Gretchen didn't want to be rude by barging into his study especially if he was accommodating a visitor.

Turning to walk back out of the door, she heard Ethan half growl name.

Standing still for several seconds, she listened to the conversation until she was certain that it wasn't just a name, but that it was an address; the address Ellie was being kept.

Without stopping to think for a second, she pulled the door to the study shut as slowly as she could and began walking hurriedly to the front door. Her heart thumped loudly in her chest, fear and anxiety making it almost impossible to force one numb leg after the other forward.

She felt an odd feeling of betrayal as she reached the front door, her eyes scanning the environment for signs of a servant —Ethan found Ellie?! When? Why hadn't he bothered to tell her about it? Why hadn't he brought Ellie home yet?

Sighting a maid as she made to walk by, she hurriedly ran down the front stairs, stopping her.

“Get the carriage ready.” she muttered to the blonde head who gave a hurried nod before scurrying away to do her bidding.

Five minutes later, she was in a carriage headed for town.

**

IT WOULDN'T DO TO MENTION Ethan's unannounced presence in the hotel to Elaine —Juliet knew that much. Perhaps a part of her had even been expecting Ethan's arrival? She had known it was only a matter of time before he showed up and tried to take the baby away from her, but what she hadn't been expecting was the surge of jealousy that washed over her at Elaine's angry announcement; Ethan was married.