Lord Pembridge's carriage arrived last of the bunch. He shook Mr Brown's hand and assisted Mai into the vehicle. They waved goodbye as the horses pulled them away.

"I own the deer park, Lady Astley. I gifted him the venison," Lord Pembridge said. "We have had a good year, and if we do not keep the numbers under control then it causes other problems. Gifts of venison to various people in the area go a long way."

"Not many have an income where they can consider such actions."

"Did not your own husband give liberally to the poor?"

"Within his means, yes. But I do not think the Astley estate has quite the income that the Harker estate does."

"No, perhaps not," Lord Pembridge agreed. "And no doubt a landowner that has no deer park could not as easily gift venison. But I respect Mr Brown."

"And you knew he would use it for something like this?"

"I suspected it would be the case, when he does not have a family of his own to feed… He has a kind soul, he would share his last morsel of food…"

"I hope that kindness never causes him trouble," Mai said. "There are those that would take advantage of him."

"And those people know not to mess with him. I have made sure of that."

Mai regarded Lord Pembridge for a few minutes, then glanced out of the window at the night sky.

"There are many stars visible tonight, despite the bright moon."

"Yes, it will be cold without the cloud cover," Lord Pembridge agreed. "So I would advise no night time wanderings."

Mai rolled her eyes.

"I no longer need to wander to find danger it seems. When it has found its way to me."

"That will not happen again," Lord Pembridge insisted. "He has promised."

"Forgive me if I do not quite believe I am safe in Harker Hall."

"And yet you stay? You spoke of leaving for London?"

"I am staying for now, but yes, I am considering taking up residence in London. I will no longer be a burden to you. I believe my income will suffice for a small household and I already have a friend in London in your mother."

"I do not… You do not have to leave," Lord Pembridge said quickly.

"Yes, I do, Lord Pembridge. There is no life for me at Harker Hall. You know that as well as I do. I shall only loathe to take Miss Mori away. Though perhaps by the time I leave, I will not have to make that choice."

"What do you mean?"

"Nothing of consequence to you," Mai said. "Her life is her own."

"She is living in my house."

"And she is a gentleman's daughter, she is deserving of respect and privacy."

"Fine."

Conversation died as they pulled into the driveway for Harker Hall. Despite the late hour, however, the driveway had some of the stableboys waiting near the entrance.

"What is going on?" The coachman yelled loud enough that Mai could hear him clearly.

"There's something in the house! It attacked people!"

"Don't be ridiculous!"

"It did! There was blood everywhere! We don't know what it was, but the maids were running about screaming!"

Lord Pembridge stuck his head out the window.

"We should get to the house as fast as possible," he ordered.

"Right you are, my Lord."

The horses picked up the pace and within minutes, they were climbing from the carriage to find a waiting crowd of people outside the house. They had gathered in the courtyard, many of the women clutching scarves around themselves.

"What is going on?" Lord Pembridge demanded.

Madoka came forward.

"There is some sort of wild beast in the house, Lord Pembridge. I did not see it with my own eyes, but the maids described it as pale with large teeth. There was blood in the entrance hall and a few of the servants were hurt trying to get out."

"Is everyone accounted for?" Mai asked.

"Almost. Mr Takigawa was just doing a headcount before you arrived. Miss Matsuzaki is missing, Mr Lin went in there after her. Otherwise everyone is out here. Except those who live in their own houses."

"I will find them," Lord Pembridge insisted.

"Miss Mori, perhaps you could take everyone here to the nearest cottage. I do not know which that one is, but—"

"My Lady, perhaps my cottage would be best, it's a little further away, but there would be room enough for everyone," Takigawa suggested. "I will escort everyone with Miss Mori's help."

"An excellent suggestion," Mai agreed. She looked for a moment to Lord Pembridge, who was staring avidly at the house. Deciding he was useless at this moment in time, Mai climbed up the steps of the carriage. "Everyone! Everyone, please listen!"

"There was a beast!" A maid cried at her.

"I know," she replied calmly. "I know there is something in there. Likely a wild animal. The Lord will take care of the matter with Mr Lin. But for now, the house is not safe. Mr Takigawa here has offered his home as refuge to you all for the night. I want everyone to follow him to his cottage and stay there for the night. It will not be comfortable, but you will be safe."

A general mumbling followed her speech. Takigawa held up a torch and beckoned people to follow. Mai watched as they began to follow him before turning to Madoka.

"Go with them, they need guidance in this time."

"Are you not coming with us?"

"Yes, she is," Lord Pembridge said to Madoka, then turned to Mai. "Go with them. You'll be safe there."

"You do not have the will to deal with this in the way that is necessary. I am coming with you and you cannot stop me."

He growled at her, but Mai ignored him.

"Go, Miss Mori. I will find you when it is safe."

"Lady Astley—"

"Go, before you lose them in the darkness. Here, take my coat." Mai pulled off her coat and handed it over. "Everything will be fine, I promise."

"Find Mr Lin for me, won't you? I can't…"

"Mr Lin will be fine," Mai insisted. "As will Miss Matsuzaki. I will not allow either of them to come to harm."

Madoka, reassured, ran off after the departing servants.

"You can still go with them, you know," Lord Pembridge said.

"So can you."

"That is not happening."

"Then shall we?"

Before he could answer, Mai marched towards the doors to Harker Hall and entered.

Author's Note: Bit of a short one but if you all send me nice reviews, I'll try and post tomorrow too :)