It was midday when the carriage finally pulled in. Maura had been on edge all morning waiting for the arrival of her family. She was told that she would be announced when the King's carriage was insight. She could barely wait to see her beloved father and new step mother finally home. Maura was standing by the guards, maids, servants, and William. William had been a good distraction while she waited for their return. She would read more books to him and would interact with Bass more as he took a liking to him. Finally everything was going to go back in place. It will even be better than before. I know it!

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"Angel how are you" Patrick spoke loudly as he ran to his daughter. Maura met him halfway and embraced her father tightly. It had been a very long time since Patrick had left Maura for a week or more particularly after Hope died. Though he enjoyed his trip with his new wife and much needed vacation he missed his daughter dearly. A smile was adorning both faces as the hug broke and they looked at one another. Maura could see from the corner of her eye Constance embracing her brother tightly as it had been to long for her to be away from him as well.

Constance turned to Maura and approached her with a smile. "Hello Maura dear" she responded wrapping her arms around the girl and kissed her cheeks as a sign of greeting. This was a touching moment for these two. This was comforting to Maura that she had not felt for a while when in contact with Constance. They both pulled away and looked at each other and Constance's face was beaming.

" How are you?" she asked curiously.

"I am well thank you. How was Romania?" Maura asked.

"It was wonderful. So let's go inside and talk about his over dinner." Constance responded leading them in their home.

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"Well it was absolute lovely. Though I'd say my favorite part would have to be Transylvania. So old and was completely mysterious." Constance concluded about their experience.

Paddy was smiling at his wife then looked to Maura. "Well angel what did you occupy yourself with while we were gone?"

"Oh nothing out of the ordinary father. Reading, writing, and taking care of Bass. Oh I got to spend some time and talk with William too." Maura answered excitedly.

Paddy smiled at this glad that his daughter was becoming closer to their new family. Constance on the other hand had a look that was unfamiliar. It was definitely some confusion and even a little bit of anger?

"Oh really? What about?" Constance asked interestedly toward Maura.

Maura had her own look of confusion toward Constance's tone but answered nonetheless. "Oh I just talked about my books and Bass. He wrote about some of his adventures and expedition that was simply fascinating."

"Oh really? Is that true brother?" Constance asked looking at her brother carefully. William was looking at the floor trying to avoid her gaze. He looked up slightly and nodded his head. Maura looked back and forth between the two trying to figure out what was going on but before anything else happened the servant announced that dinner was served. The rest of dinner consisted of light conversation about the honeymoon by Patrick but other than that it was relatively quiet. Maura wished to know more about the obvious tension in the room between brother and sister but neither talked, or in William's case try to communicate. Dinner ended quietly and everyone went to their respected rooms to sleep for the night.

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A few weeks later:

Maura was currently in her room reading a letter from Garrett while sitting with Bass. She was shocked by its contents but put the parchment down and started to pet her tortoise. Bass had grown twice as much as when she first got him. He had become accustomed to the schedule Maura had created for him. She would first feed him some of his leafy greens in the morning and then would leave to go eat breakfast. Then she would take him outside to the castle grounds and he would get some exercise while Maura was sticking her head in one of her books. Then she would bring him back to her room at night and read to him a bedtime story and give him a strawberry if he had been good that day which was very often. This became the only interaction for Maura for a while. Her friendship with William was put on hold when he had some new possible expedition in the works but he needed to meet the interested party and left the castle a few days after the King and Queens return. Ever since her father and Constance came home they had spent little time with her. Papa had been busy with associates who would show up or would be busy with Constance. He tried to be engaging during breakfast and dinner but it wasn't the same. Constance was busy too dealing with business in town she told us. She seemed to be very busy in the room that was originally hers before the wedding. It was where Constance would paint her masterpieces like before or so Maura assumed. She was unsure because she was not ever invited in and it created curiosity within the young girl. One day Constance and Patrick were in a meeting and Maura found herself wondering the halls of the castle. Maura was walking in one specific corridor and saw Constance's old room and its door was slightly ajar. Maura was considering what to do next but she knew it was wrong to enter in someone's room without permission. Eventually curiosity won out and Maura began to tread through the door. Like before Maura saw some of Constance's work hung all over the room along with paint and paint brushes scattered everywhere. Nothing seemed to be out of the ordinary and Maura felt guilty for her intrusion. She was about to leave until a book in the corner caught her eye. Maura was conflicted between leaving the room or to investigate. The young girl was drawn to the object and began to approach it. Probably one of her textbooks from home Maura assumed. The book was thicker than she originally thought. The book was a dark forest green and the edges were slightly tethered giving away its old age. On the cover was a symbol of three ovals combined into what looked like a triangle. Maura was curious and had never seen this symbol before wondering what it meant. Let's take a look inside. BOOM! This caused Maura to take her hands off the book and spin around looking for the source of the noise. Standing in the doorway was a very angry looking Constance. Her eyes were wide and full of rage while her chest was heaving rapidly. Maura had never seen such anger in anyone, particular this calm woman she had gotten to know. It was frightening to witness.

"What do you think you are doing?!" the older woman screeched at Maura as she approached her.

Maura stood there frozen unable to move. Maura tried to respond back but her mouth just continued to open and close. Finally she found her voice, "Nothing….I…I was just looking for you…" Maura squeaked.

Constance moved right up to her and looked straight in her eyes. She was about to say something back but something caught her eye. Maura followed her line of vision and saw her looking at the mysterious book and she seemed to be more enraged. The older woman closed her eyes and took a deep breath trying to calm herself down. She opened her eyes and stared at Maura then spoke.

"Please leave" she spoke calmly but her voice was shaken.

Maura was shocked by the events of the past 5 minutes but thought it wise to listen to the woman so she quietly murmured an apology and left the room. When she finally left the room she began to walk the hall and then began to run to her room as she contemplated what she had stumbled upon. I'm in so much trouble.

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Maura was sitting in her room petting Bass slowly. It had been a few days since the incident with Constance and it still had upset her. Maura felt horribly guilty for her snooping in her step-mother's room. Patrick had given her a talk about how disappointed he was about her actions and that he did not teach his daughter to behave in that way. It was one of the only few times her father yelled at her and it made her feel even more ashamed by what she had done. The reason why Constance was so upset was because the book she was looking at was one of the last items that Constance's mother gave her before her death and it made her very emotional having Maura snooping in her room. Constance apologized for her behavior as well but Maura felt she didn't deserve an apology. She knew it was wrong to go searching through other's things but she did it anyway. Patrick did not even bother punishing her because Maura went straight to her room and thought about what she had done. Maura did not leave her room other than to eat. Maura felt embarrassed to be around Constance and her father so she just kept to herself.

Before she knew it, it was dinner time and she had to leave the confines of her room. She made her way downstairs to the hall. When she entered the room she quietly walked to her seat without looking up at the others in the room. She still felt embarrassed to face both of them. Dinner was placed out and they all began to eat. For the past couple days, conversation only stayed between Constance and Paddy, while Maura remained quiet. There was the occasional 'how was your day?' to Maura but other than that Maura was silent during dinner. Like usual it was quiet for a while until she could hear her father clearing his throat trying to get her attention. Maura looked up at her father for the first time in the past couple days while he began to speak.

"Angel, I realize that it has been an awkward couple of days but I think it's time we move on from this. Constance and I know you were curious and never meant to hurt her. And I believe there is no more need of punishment." he continued and Maura looked at Constance and she was nodding at what Paddy was saying.

"I received a letter from Mrs. Fairfield inviting you to go to France with them" he spoke calmly. "Constance and I think it would be good for you to go with them."

Maura was shocked by this. Yes Maura remembered receiving her invitation from Garrett but was not planning to go as it was only a ploy for Mrs. Fairfield to get Garrett and her together. Now her father wanted her to go. Why did they have to send him an invitation too? Maura was inwardly whining.

"Papa it's just that I wasn't really planning on going…" Maura began but was cut off quickly.

"Your father and I think it would be a good idea. You're always locked up in this castle dear. I might be good to get out and explore the world. Like you wanted." Constance finally spoke with a slight smile on her face.

Well when she said it like that how could I refuse? It was true Maura wanted to explore more of what she read in her books. Maybe this was the opportunity that would be perfect for her.

"Actually that sounds wonderful. But what about Bass?" Maura asked worried about her friend.

Constance's smile widened. "Splendid! Take the creature with you. He could probably due with some change in scenery as well. You'll have so much fun dear." The woman spoke softly as she reached out and covered Maura's hand with her own.

Maura smiled back at both adults in the room. I believe it will be fun.

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Ok finally! I do not know why but I had such a hard time with this chapter. I had to make a transition that was difficult for me. Not my favorite chapter but just something I need to get to the next part which is more important. I know this is shorter but I'm going to start the next chapter soon and I'm really excited. For those who are desperately waiting for a certain brunette's entrance (me too!) it will come soon I promise but again I ask for more patience. I love how everyone is begging for some Jane as much as I am but it is part of the story trust me! Ok thanks for reading and please give feedback thanks!

~C.L 3