James didn't speak to me that evening, only glared at me. It may have been an attempt to intimidate me and make me realize he was still angry with me. Despite the tension, it was a relief not to have to argue with him again.

Again, I spent the evening in my room. Feeling alone, I began letters to the young ladies who'd always spoken kindly to me at school. We may not have been close, but any connection to someone outside my family was better than none.

It felt strange to pen the letters instead of typing them. By the time I set the pen down, I'd completed two letters, one to the Honorable Miss Rouillard and the other to Miss Elizabeth Stratten. Whether they responded or not, it had felt good to write of trivial matters and hope that whatever happened, someone would remember me if something terrible happened.

My sleep was unsettled that night, and I rose tired in the morning. Breakfast was just as quiet, though Mother tried valiantly to keep up a conversation. I, myself, spoke little, since I had to chose each word with care. Who knew what would be used against me?

James left for his office as I prepared for my own day. This time, Mother didn't try to stop me when I left. Because I was expecting it, I immediately saw my shadow was in place as I walked down the street.

Once again, I would not be able to visit Baker Street. If Mr. Holmes discovered some information and sent me a message, would it get past Mother and James? I spent the rest of my journey to the solicitor's office trying to think of any way to get in contact with Mr. Holmes.

While I was in the middle of my work, a thought hit me: What if Mother and James were conspiring to keep Hosmer from me? What if he had tried to send me a message, but James had decided Hosmer wasn't worthy of me.

Part of me wanted to dismiss the thought. After all, James had laughed about my going to the gasfitters ball and even told me Hosmer would return after I'd been left at the church. Mother had approved of Hosmer as well. Surely if they had a reason to be so set against him, they would have told me.

Instead, they claimed Hosmer didn't exist and that I made him up. The abrupt change in attitude was confusing and if I were honest, frightening. There was a conspiracy weaving its way around me, and I felt incapable of understanding it.

My head ached by the time I completed my typing. Instead of walking, I decided to take a hansom cab around London and go nowhere near Baker Street. Perhaps the reports from my shadow would annoy James and he would find it a waste of time.

I was a patient woman, and I was reasonably certain I could outwait my stepfather to get what I wanted.

What I didn't take into account was that James would get tired of waiting and take action himself.

Three days after the confrontation with James, I returned home from a rather long day of typing. Quick footsteps were my only warning before James appeared in the hallway. "And just where have you been?" he demanded as he strode up to me. "Your mother expected you home hours ago!"

"I don't know why," I said, taking a step back to get away from him. "I said at breakfast I would take a walk after I completed my work. I saw some lovely things in the shop windows. I'm tempted to purchase some of them tomorrow."

James' hand shot out and he caught my wrist. "We have company," he said, his voice firm. "You have kept them waiting."

He tried to pull me with him, but I dug in my heels. "Please let go of me," I said, forcing myself to be as calm as possible. "I am not a child who needs to be lead about."

After a moment, he let go, but annoyance was on his face. James gestured to the parlor, indicating I should go in front of him. Head held high, I walked into the room where my mother stood with two strange men.

A chill went down my spine. "Good evening, gentlemen," I said, nodding my head. I had a good idea of what this visit was for. "Forgive me for keeping you waiting. I was unaware we were expecting guests. Do you work with James?"

"No, we are not colleagues of your father," the taller of the two said. Behind a pair of spectacles, his brown eyes were sharp and intelligent. "I am Dr. Brown and this is Dr. Spencer. You must be Miss Mary Sutherland."

Mother's hands were clenched tightly together, and her face was pale when I glanced over. "Oh, then you must be acquaintances of our dear family doctor, Dr. Thomas," I said with a smile. "I just stopped to see him a few days ago."

Out of the corner of my eye, I saw James give a start as though he were surprised. "Did you now," Dr. Spencer said, his tone gentle. "And why was that? Have you been feeling unwell?"

"Oh, I've been perfectly well. However, Mother expressed concern I had overexerted myself, so I thought it best to see Dr. Thomas about the matter." I gestured to the chairs. "Shall we sit down? Or will we stand about until the meal is served? Have you been offered some refreshment? A drink, perhaps?"

My voice sounded strained even to me. "Are you upset about something, Miss Sutherland?" Dr. Brown asked, his eyes narrowing.

"A bit," I said readily. "After all, if I had known company was going to be here, I would have made sure to cut short my walk. Do you enjoy walks, Dr. Brown? I find them so refreshing. In any case, I'm very much afraid you think me rude for having kept you waiting."

"You say you visited Dr. Thomas," Dr. Spencer said, stepping forward. "What did he have to say about your health?"

"That I am as sound of mind and body as anyone. I'm sure he will be glad to tell you the details himself, if you wish," I said succinctly. "But surely you didn't come tonight to talk about me."

"Mary, you're becoming agitated," Mother said, her voice barely above a whisper. "Give the gentlemen a chance to talk."

Dr. Brown held up his hand. "No, no," he said. "Let the girl talk. I'm sure what she has to say will give us a clear look into her mind."

I couldn't help a glance at James as I sat down in a chair by the fireplace. Beyond his start of surprise at hearing of my visit to the doctor, he managed to maintain an expression of concern. It would seem he was certain of this meeting's outcome.

"You were saying, Miss Sutherland?" Dr. Brown said as he sat across from me.

"Hmm? Oh, I thought I had answered Dr. Spencer's question adequately already," I said, folding my hands in my lap. "What more would you like me to say?"

It may have been my imagination but I thought I saw the doctor clench his jaw. "Wilful, is she not?" James said, shaking his head. "You can see the difficulty I face."

"Did I not answer clearly? Perhaps we should summon Dr. Thomas and he can explain it in terms you could understand," I suggested, widening my eyes. "I'm sure he would come as soon as a message was taken to him. He's taken such good care of me over the years."

"Miss Sutherland—may I call you Mary?—your father tells us you have been suffering from delusions," Dr. Brown said, ignoring me. "You believe yourself to be engaged to a man who doesn't exist?"

Now I had to tread carefully. A glance was all it took to tell me that Mother would not be speaking on my behalf. While I was as devoted to my Hosmer as ever, until I could prove his existence, I would have to protect myself. I could only pray I had the wits to do so. "Why that is ridiculous!" I exclaimed. "What a story! How can I be engaged to a man if he doesn't exist?"

Dr. Brown leaned forward. "Then you deny the charge?"

"Honestly, Mary, " James said, straightening up. "Have you not just spent nearly a week sighing over your Hosmer Angel? Did you not go to St. Savior's Church with the intention of marrying this man?"

He said the name as though it were something dirty. I tamped down the urge to take offense. "Have I?" I asked cautiously. He made it sound as though I were irrational and delusional. Why hadn't I thought to go to my solicitor and discover a way to protect my inheritance?

"Are you not clear on your own memories?" Dr. Spencer asked, his tone still kind. "You do not remember what your father has said?"

It seemed no matter what I said, it would be twisted against me. "Mr. Windibank is my stepfather, not the gentleman who raised me," I said, unable to allow the point to go uncorrected any longer. "You have noted our differing family names, have you not?"

"Mary, that is not important at the moment," the kind doctor said, shaking his head.

"Now you see what my wife and I face!" James said, gesturing at me. "I have been as a father to her and she denies it!"

"Mr. Windibank, please," I said in a reproving tone. I shook my head at him. "Such dramatic tones! What will our guests think of your hysteric words?"

"We're here to look after you, Miss Sutherland, not Mr. Windibank," Dr. Spencer said, reclaiming my attention. "He is the one who asked us here, out of concern for your state of mind. He says you have turned to charlatans despite his plea for you not to do so."

"Is that what he has said?" I wanted to glare at my stepfather, but I managed to keep my face passive. "Gentleman, will this be much longer? I am hungry, and would very much like my evening meal."

The two doctors exchanged glances. "Your lack of concern is odd," Dr. Brown said. "When you come with us, we will see you fed and then you will get the rest you need."

And with me sequestered away, James Windibank and Mother would live off my money. Somehow, I would have to show that I had more worth with them. "Excellent," I said, standing up. "I've been wanting more time to write to my friends. The Honorable Miss Rouillard has been expecting me to answer her letter."

I'd gone to school with Miss Rouillard, the daughter of a wealthy country baron. We hadn't been close, but the name had come to me in a flash. It was a connection anyone trying to climb their way up in society would wish to keep.

"Another delusion?" James asked, scoffing. "Mary, really!"

Mother, though, gasped. "Mary, you never said you had been writing to Miss Rouillard!"

"Does this person exist?" Dr. Brown asked, raising an eyebrow.

"Mary went to school with her." Mother stood up and hurried to her husband's side. "James, a moment of your time, please."

They stepped out of the room, leaving me alone with the doctors. "Tell me," I said as I looked from one man to the other. "How much was my stepfather intending on paying you to take me away?"

"My dear Mary, you should not be so paranoid," Dr. Brown said, his tone condescending. "What are payments and money when your health is concerned? You ought to leave such concerns to your father."

"Stepfather," I corrected again. "And, as he no doubts planned on using my inheritance to pay for my keep, I do think it something I should know about."

Again, the doctors glanced at each other. Anything they would have said was lost as James entered. "I think we've made out paint," he said without preamble. "I'm certain Mary's behavior will improve now."

"If you're sure, Mr. Windibank" Dr. Brown said, his brow furrowing in a frown. "I'm afraid your daughter shows clear signs of paranoia and delusions."

"I understand completely," James said, nodding earnestly. "And if she worsens, you can be sure we will turn her over to your care. For now, her mother and I agree it may be better for her to remain here where we can care for her."

Any triumph I felt vanished at the glare he directed at me. He intended to hold this over my head to make sure I behaved as he wished me to behave. The only thing I could be relieved about was that I was not about to be dragged from my home to be confined in an asylum.

The two doctors rose and shook hands with James. I didn't bid either of them farewell, but no one seemed to mind. Mother came into the room as James escorted the doctors out of the house.

"Oh, Mary," she said, her tone disappointed. She sighed as she sat down. "You do make things difficult, don't you?"

Why was she trying to make this my fault? "At what point did you decide Hosmer Angel was not good enough for me?" I asked as I clenched my hands together. "Before he left or after?"

Mother's eyes shifted to the left. "Honestly, Mary, must you continue with that story?"

I leaned forward. "Why do you keep lying? I remember clearly you approved of Hosmer when he visited. You assured me it was quite right for me to promise Hosmer I would always be true to him. You said I should never mind about what James would think of my engagement. You rode with me to the church! Why do you now say you know nothing of him?"

"Well, of course, I must placate you," Mother said uncertainly. "What else was I to do? Am I to know what to do with a girl who tells tall tales? I wanted to wait until I had your father's advice."

"My father is dead," I said sharper than I had intended. I took a deep breath and let it out slowly, trying not to notice Mother's hurt expression. "It doesn't bother you at all that your husband wished to send me away with those two doctors just now?"

"James wants what is best for you, just as I do." Mother reached out to put her hand on my shoulder. "Mary, can you honestly say that the last few weeks haven't been terrible for you? You're so sheltered, you don't know that the world can take advantage of a girl like you."

Being repeatedly called a girl grated on my nerves, but what she said didn't ring true. "How can the world have taken advantage of me if I made Hosmer Angel up?" I asked. "You can't have it both ways, Mother."

A flush spread across her cheeks. "Mary, kindly stop twisting my words."

I was getting nowhere with them. "I think I will have a tray in my room tonight," I said as I stood up. For a moment, I looked down at her and shook my head. There seemed nothing left to say, since she would not admit to her lies. With a sigh, I started for the doorway.

"Going somewhere, Mary?" James asked as stepped into view. "Supper will be ready momentarily."

Not, I suspected, if the servants had been listening at the doors as I know the maids were wont to do. "I am in no mood for company," I said honestly. "I will have a tray in my room."

"Are you so eager to be confined to your room then?" he asked. "Your mother and I will be happy to oblige you."

Warily, I eyed him, not sure what to say. Did he think locking me in my room would benefit him in some way? "I'm sure you would prefer to discuss the day with mother without me," I finally said.

"We eat together as a family," James said, his tone firm. "As long as you live under my roof, you will continue to eat with your mother and I." His lips curved in a smile. "After all, I want to hear about these friends you seem to have."

"What possible interest could you have in my school friends?"

"What father isn't interested in his daughter's friends?"

A chill went down my spine. When I'd first met him, before the marriage, I had thought it odd how close he was to my age. After he married Mother and they both asked me to call him 'Father', I'd thought it strange but did as they asked. His insistence on calling me daughter was just unsettling.

"What father calls strange doctors to take a family member to an asylum?"

"Mary!" Mother exclaimed.

Before I had met Hosmer, I doubt I would have taken such a strong stand. At that time, Mother and James were all I had. Now, though, I had to keep myself safe so that I could reunite with my betrothed. And James was a definite threat to my safety and freedom.

"Any father would do as I have done out of concern for their daughter's mental health," James said, still blocking my way. He even reached out his hand to place it on my shoulder. "You have not been acting yourself these past few weeks."

"I rather feel I've been more myself lately than I have been since my father died," I said boldly.

James' eyes narrowed. "I understand you are upset, but you need to reconsider what you say to me, Mary," he said. "I am the head of this house and I will not allow you to disrespect me or go against what I say."

I bit my tongue to keep silent. Arguing would only make things worse, especially since my every word was twisted against me. I wasn't going to back down, though. James raised an eyebrow, clearly expecting me to apologize.

"Well, then," I said. "May I go up and dress for dinner? Mother doesn't like me to come to dinner with ink splotches on my hands."

There weren't actually any ink spots on my hands, since I hadn't needed to make any notes while I worked. But it was the only excuse I could think of to get to my room. A moment to breathe and calm down was all I wanted after the tense half an hour.

For a moment, I thought James would refuse and insist on having everything his way. Then, he gave a nod and stepped to the side. "I mean what I said, Mary," he said in a low voice. "Do not try to thwart me or there will be consequences."

Going past him, I said nothing. With any luck, Hosmer would return and take me away from this miserable household.