Lily held the small note in both hands, staring at it in disbelief. Just when she thought Cain had forgotten all about her, Riff had shown up at her bedroom door with a written message from his master, wishing to apologize in person immediately. She was puzzled as to the lateness of the hour, but she quickly threw on a robe over her nightgown and left the guest room, lest the Early suddenly change his mind by morning. She briskly walked through the massive hallways until she came to a pair of double doors that she assumed led to the master bedroom. One of the doors was already slightly ajar, so the girl knocked softly and opened it. The light coming from within was dim, but Lily managed to see most of the conservative layout of the expansive room. There was a writing desk and an oak armoire against the right-hand side wall, and a Persian rug embroidered with gold thread led out to a balcony overlooking the entire forest of the estate. The French windows separating the balcony from the bedroom were almost closed all the way, keeping out the cold English air and the impenetrable darkness that held Lily's greatest fear.

Then she saw the four poster bed jutting out of the left-hand side wall, with a small nightstand holding various personal items. Lily stepped more into the room, noticing a strange, floral aroma in the air. Her body began to relax and even to tingle slightly, but her senses seemed mysteriously heightened, because when she laid eyes on her friend sitting on the bed, she was more surprised than she should have been.

"Katherine? What are you doing here?"

Lily peered closer, and saw that the other girl was wearing a blue nightgown, the blonde's favorite color, with the front laces slightly undone, revealing the very top of her bosom. The brunette's curls fell down loosely around her thin shoulders, and her legs were tucked up underneath her, exposing the pale white skin of her calves. Lily became confused.

"I was just having a little nighttime chat with my cousin. He stepped down the hall to check on Mary Weather, but he'll be back. Won't you come sit beside me?"

Katherine patted the spot beside her, and Lily quietly walked over to join her friend.

"Have you come to talk to Cain as well?"

Lily looked down in embarrassment, unsure of how much to tell her.

"Oh come now, Lilliana! You're my closest friend! You know that you can tell me anything, even if it has to do with my rather eccentric cousin. He's courting you, isn't he?" Katherine giggled.

"Not . . . exactly." Lily's face was now downcast, and Katherine immediately put an arm around her.

"Lily, what happened? Is everything all right?" The brunette's voice was dripping with concern and tenderness.

"I-I don't . . ."

"Oh there, there! My poor Lily!" Katherine brought Lily's head to her chest and stroked her hair like a mother would her child. "My cousin has treated you so horribly and you've felt so alone."

Lily sat back up to wipe away the tears from her eyes, and nodded in agreement. Katherine cupped her friend's face with both hands and gazed at her lovingly.

"Don't worry, my dear—I'm always here for you."

She proceeded to kiss the other girl on the forehead, lightly yet passionately. The look they shared afterwards was emotional, teary-eyed, and soul bearing. Then Katherine moved to bring her friend's lips to her own, but before they touched, Lily jolted backwards with wide eyes, both physically and mentally falling into a state of panic.

"Katherine, what are you doing?!" she exclaimed.

"Lily, I-I'm trying to be your friend."

"No . . . no—you want me to be . . . your lover."

The frightened girl stood up off the bed and quickly ran out of the room with her hand over her mouth in shock, and the door slammed behind her. Katherine stopped herself from taking pursuit, and instead fell back onto the bed, burying her head in the nearest pillow and letting the tears flow freely. Unbeknownst to her, Cain stood out on the balcony, hidden away in a little corner against the wall where he could hear everything going on inside. The Earl picked up a small vial by his feet and corked the top, trapping the gaseous aphrodisiac back inside. He then placed it inside his left coat pocket and leaned his head against the cold stone behind him. The stars above shone brightly and beautifully in the night sky, but he expected no pity or sympathy from their distant glow. This girl was causing more trouble than he wanted to deal with, but he had to.

The first task now would be to find her.