I finally cranked this one out a few nights ago--i got the idea while i was trying to sleep and couldn't stop writing until around 1 in the morning. Hope you enjoy--R&R please! I know it's kind of obvious what's gonna happen next, but it'll be good, I promise. Chapter 6 on its way!

Liliana flew down the hallway in a panic, and didn't stop until she reached the guest room, darted inside, and slammed the door. Still in shock, she grabbed her travel bags that sat in the dark closet and hastily threw them onto the bed. Then she proceeded to pull out as much of her clothing as possible and began stuffing them into her bags, not caring about the huge mess being created around her. All she wanted to do was leave the estate, and leave it immediately.

"I can't believe it—she tried to kiss me! She actually tried to kiss me! All this time I believed that she was just an extremely nice person by nature, but I should've known! Oh God, please forgive me!"

Once a majority of her things were packed away, she grabbed what she could carry, and rushed out of the room, where she took off into the night.

~*~

The next morning, Katherine pleaded with her cousin to take out the carriage and go search for her missing friend. The Earl was reluctant, especially because Lily could have been anywhere in London, if she wasn't lying dead in a ditch or an alley somewhere first. Katherine cried out and almost fainted when Cain mentioned as much, and he almost regretted letting those words escape his mouth as he ordered Riff to ready the carriage.

~*~

Three days later . . .

Lily quickly made her way across the cobblestone street and turned left once she reached the corner. With the little travel money she had left, she had managed to find a room in a somewhat respectable inn nearby, but she didn't plan on staying there for much longer. There was just one thing she had to take care of before she went home in shame.

She entered inside a rather drab looking two story building, and found a door bearing a sign similar to the logo found on the card she now held in her hand. A young boy from the inn had given it to her after she had thrown up for the second time that morning, and he told her that it was the address of a good doctor who specialized in "feminine problems". She wondered why such an intelligent looking child would carry such a thing, but she soon dismissed the thought and went out to go find the physician with the strange sounding name.

"Lord, lend me your strength," she whispered before gently knocking on the wooden door in front of her.

"You may enter," a male voice spoke from inside.

Lily opened the door and slowly stepped into a small, minimally furnished room. There was a hall to the left that led into further chambers, and at the large oak desk to the right sat who she assumed to be the doctor going through various stacks of paperwork. This man certainly didn't have the appearance of a doctor however. He had glasses and wore a white coat, but his long flowing ash blonde hair, soft features, and beautiful hands left her absolutely breathless. She dared to wonder if he was even human at all, until he looked up at her with piercing gray eyes. The girl was instantly mesmerized until he spoke.

"I had a feeling someone would require my services today. Please have a seat." He motioned to the large leather chair facing his desk, and she immediately obeyed.

"There's only one reason a fair, innocent young lady comes into this place. Are you certain you are with child, my dear?" The man with a silken voice clasped his hands together and leaned forward, gazing into her doe-like eyes deeply.

"Yes—I've had the morning sickness for the past three days."

"And may I assume that no one else knows you're here?"

"Yes, sir—I came alone."

"I need to know exactly how you came to be in your current condition. That will help me determine if I can be of assistance or not."

Lily looked down at the floor before she began her story. "I was visiting London with my friend Katherine when she decided to call upon her cousin, the Earl of Hargreaves."

"Wait" the doctor immediately interrupted her, and she noticed a sudden spark in his eye. "Did you say the Earl of Hargreaves?"

"Yes, yes I did," she answered, looking somewhat bewildered.

"You mean the young and notorious Earl of Poisons, Lord Cain, correct?"

Lily nodded her head in agreement. "I see his reputation precedes him."

"I don't believe that it's necessary for you to explain his part in all this, then. I think it's safe to say what happens next."

Lily's voice caught in her throat, and she had to swallow back the tears that began forming.

"Don't worry, my dear." His tone immediately became soft and reassuring. "You've come to the right place. I will do everything in my power to rectify the situation."

"Oh thank you, doctor! Thank you!" Her face was glowing. "Name your price and I will gladly pay it."

"Money is of no interest to me, sweet child. However, you will need to sign a contract and do everything that I tell you. Is that clear?"

"Yes, absolutely."

"Good—come back to see me at the end of the week, and we will start from there."

"I don't know how to express my gratitude to you, sir. This means the world to me," she said sincerely as she rose from her seat."

"I understand my child. Now promise that you shall keep this little agreement between us, alright? I don't think I need to articulate the consequences should any of your loved ones learn about my practice."

"You have my word, doctor. I won't tell a soul."

With that, Liliana gave a small curtsey and soon left the room. Jizabel stood up from his chair and turned towards the hallway where Cassian now emerged from the shadows.

"Send a message to Delilah. The Card Master will want to know of today's events immediately."

"Right away, sir."

Cassian instantly disappeared into the darkness behind him, and Jizabel looked back at the door that Liliana had come through and left. An amused smile then spread across his face.

"And thus you commit another sin that you must be punished for, my precious Earl."

He continued to smile and stare, reveling in the good fortune that had suddenly fallen into his lap.