A/n: A new chapter, that may have taken its place as my favorite. Enjoy!

Chapter 35

Third Person POV

Estelle shouted out for the driver to stop, but the carriage pulled out of the drive and was gone. Who had taken Flora? It couldn't have been Saville because he was dead. She looked up to the front door, seeing it open wide. Lifting her skirts, she ran up the steps and entered the foyer. A gasp of shock escaped her lips when she saw Dr. Bonhomme passed out on the ground. Upon looking further, she finally noticed Louis bloodied and lifeless body. Tears filled her eyes and she let out a choked sob. Dropping to her knees, she placed a hand on Louis' ankle, and cried.

The despaired cook wished she hadn't been working in the garden when this happened. She had been tending to the vegetables she had planted when she heard the gun shot. Her feet carried her fast, but apparently not fast enough to save either of her loved ones. Brice had gone into town and was not here upon their arrival. She was thankful for his absence, but wished someone could have gotten to them quicker.

Hurried footsteps came from the hall leading to the back of the house. Estelle looked up, praying it was not an intruder that was left behind. She sighed in relief at the sight of Maribelle. The aged maid gasped at the sight before the young cook, raising a hand to hold back a sob. "I couldn't help them, Maribelle..." Estelle gazed out the open door to where she had locked eyes with Flora. "Someone took Flora. The same person who did this to Louis. The same person who knocked the doctor out cold."

"How could this happen?" Maribelle sniffled, wiping a tear from her cheek. She approached the young cook, placing a comforting hand on the girl's shoulder. Louis had been everyone's favorite person in the house. Not only had he been kind to every person under their roof, he had taken care of those he worked with. One winter, years ago, Maribelle had caught a serious case of pneumonia. Louis cared for her and took care of all her duties while she rested. He taught young Brice the ropes of being a stable boy, having been a stable boy in his younger years. Estelle had deeply sliced one of her fingers when cutting vegetables for a stew. Louis was the one to stitch it up and keep infection away from the wound.

A groan emanated from Jacque and both women looked over. He pushed himself up and took in the sight before him. His head pounded terribly from being hit with the butt of... "Flora!" he exclaimed, ignoring the bolt of pain that coursed through his temples. Estelle and Maribelle moved to help the doctor to his feet, steadying him when he became dizzy. He looked down at the butler that had answered the door, feeling terrible he hadn't been able to help him. Or Flora... Pulling away from Maribelle and the other young lady, he leaned against the door way. "That woman will pay for what she has done. I have to go save Flora."

"Dr. Bonhomme, you are injured." Maribelle pointed out. He lifted a hand to his temple, feeling the sticky blood from where the blunt force had cracked his skin. "You are not fit to go seek this woman out. You're injured and if she could take down two grown men by herself, it would not be wise to go alone. Who was this woman? Did you know her?"

"She was my sister's etiquette instructor. I had no idea she was Flora's mother." Running a hand through his tousled hair, he sighed. Frustration and anger boiled within him, but the guilt he felt overshadowed it all. The guilt for allowing this to happen, for not expecting anything bad to come of introducing them.

"Her mother?" Estelle questioned, having never heard Flora speak about her family. In fact, she believed that Flora was an orphan, as she was.

"Does it matter who took her? The longer we wait, the further away she'll get." Jacques pushed away from the door way and walked outside. Estelle and Maribelle watched the doctor as he walked away. Both knew that he could not rescue Flora on his own. Maribelle wished he would have stayed away like she warned upon their first meeting. This could have been completely avoided if he had only listened. Estelle wished she could comfort the seemingly hopeless doctor. He loved Flora, that much was obvious, but he had failed to save her. The guilt he most definitely felt she could understand, for she had failed to save Flora as well.

Looking down at her feet, Estelle noticed a crumpled piece of paper. She stooped down and picked up the discarded paper, straightening it out the best she could. It was a note addressed to Jacques in Flora's handwriting.

Jacques,

You have been so kind to me in the short period we have known each other. Both you and your sister. Your kindness turned to love and you couldn't wait any longer to tell me of the change. I accepted this love without even thinking of my own feelings. For the longest time, I have kept my emotions at bay from everyone but myself. And I am afraid that I've realized I'm incapable of loving you because I already love someone.

There is so much I wish I could tell you right now, but time is of the essence. His name is Erik and he saved my life a little over a year ago. I loved him then as much as I had ever loved in my life. He disappeared and I thought him dead, only to have him reappear a year later. I turned him away blindly, blind to my feelings and blind to his past. I must seek him out before it is too late to get him back.

I hope you understand, Jacques. You are the most understanding person I have ever met. Please don't be mad with me. I did not mean to toy with your emotions. That was not my intention. I hope this will not affect my friendship with your sister and you.

Until we see one another again,

Flora

Estelle read the note and looked out the door, seeing her brother returning from town. Flora still loved Erik and was going to go find him. This note was meant for Jacques so she could go quickly. "We must go get Master Erik, Maribelle. Come quickly." Lifting her skirts, she started for the door and realized Maribelle wasn't following. Turning back around, she looked at her and found her kneeling next to Louis. "Maribelle?"

"I must stay here, Estelle. Someone has to stay and clean this all up. To take care of Louis." Estelle was surprised at the broken tone in the aged maid's voice. She noticed how she looked lovingly at the deceased butler and realized something. Maribelle had always looked at Louis that way. Always. There was no doubt in the cook's mind that this woman loved the butler. She had always loved him and never spoke a word of it to anyone. If there was anyone fit to care for Louis, it was someone who loved him like nobody else did.

"We will return as soon as possible, Maribelle." Estelle assured, sending a comforting smile at Maribelle. "Take care." With that said, she ran out of the house and to where Jacques was climbing into the carriage. "Brice, we must go see Master Erik."

"But Dr. Bonhomme said..."

"I do not care what he said." Estelle interrupted. "We are going to find Erik. For Flora." Brice nodded without arguing and Estelle climbed into the carriage. Sitting across from Jacques, she handed the note to him as the carriage pulled away from the house.

"What is this?" he asked, looking her in the eyes.

"It is for you." His blue eyes were swirling with guilt and anger, but they were still beautiful. Estelle hadn't the faintest idea why she felt like she could get lost in the crystal blue orbs. He blinked and looked back down at the letter, breaking the spell over her. She felt her face flush and she looked out the window. "It is from Flora." Estelle added, wishing she had stayed home instead of Maribelle.

Upon hearing these words, Jacques eagerly read the letter. His eyes took in her handwriting, hoping to find something useful or even words of her love for... Her love for someone else. Finishing the letter, he folded it back up and tucked it into the breast pocket of his coat. The doctor was torn. For the first time in what seemed like forever, he wished to be selfish. He wished to love Flora with all his heart, regardless of how she felt. On the other hand, he wanted for her to be happy. She may have seemed happy when she spent time with his sister, but he knew that she wasn't happiest she could be. This man, this Erik, would make her beyond happy. And that is what Jacques truly wanted for Flora. For her to be the happiest she could be.

A/n: Estelle and Jacques to the rescue! Well, to find Erik so he can go rescue our dear Flora.

For anyone who may not know, Jacques' last name, Bonhomme, means good man and means it for a good reason. Like giving up his happiness for Flora to be happy. Do you guys think he is right in doing that? Let me know in the reviews! Until next time my lovelies!