Chapter 7: Information.

Ciel's POV

Sebastian entered the study with an envelope placed perfectly in the center of a tray, "You have a letter, my lord."

I didn't bother looking up from my paperwork as I spoke, "Who is it from?"

He placed the letter on top of the large stack of documents in front of me, "The Rainsworth Orphanage."

I rose a brow as I opened the envelope and read the letter.

"It's been a while since we've last spoken. I recently found out some information related to Annalise. Drop by the orphanage whenever you have the time, and I'll tell you everything I know. -Samantha Dyer"

"Sebastian, prepare the carriage." I ordered, sitting the letter down as I stood up from the desk.

He placed his hand over his chest as he swept me a small bow, "As you wish."

"It's a pleasure to have you, my young lord." The blonde woman said as she adjusted her glasses, "I didn't expect you to come so soon."

I leaned back in the chair as I offered a sad smile, "I apologize, Miss Dyer, but when I heard that you had discovered some information relating to Annalise, I couldn't help but want to speak with you immediately."

She shook her head, "It's perfectly fine, there's no need for you to apologize."

"So, what exactly is it that you found out?" I asked, folding my arms over my chest.

She looked away as she scratched the back of her head nervously, "Well, you see, what I found out isn't exactly about Annalise..."

I narrowed my eyes at her, "Elaborate."

"It's about her mother." She explained, crossing her legs as she ran her fingers through her pale moonbeam hair. "Her name was Judith Claire Sullivan, born July 23, 1851. The only family she had was her parents and a younger sister. She apparently lived in Paris, but ran away from her home in 1869. She met a noblemen and fell in love with him in 1871, and a few years later, Annalise was born. She appeared to have kept her pregnancy a secret from the noble, and when the day came where her child was born, she went into hiding for a few weeks. After that, she placed her child at the doorstep of the orphanage and ran away, though the reason being why is still a mystery."

"How did you gain this knowledge?" I asked, leaning back in my chair.

"A close friend of mine knew her, apparently. He said she was very dear to him, and told me most of what he knew about her around the time of Annalise's birth." She answered, resting her arms on the oak desk in front of her.

"Who is this friend of yours, if you don't mind me asking?"

The corners of her lips curled up into a somewhat unsettling smile, "His name is Reece Valentine."

"Could you ask Mister Valentine a question for me the next time you see him?" I asked, intrigued by the woman's behavior. It was obvious she was hiding something, but what it could possibly be, I didn't know.

She nodded, "Of course, what is it that you would like for me to ask him?"

"I'll be holding a ball this weekend at my manor." I stated, "And I would greatly appreciate it if he could attend so that I could speak with him."

Her grin widened ever so slightly, "I'll make sure I ask him the moment I see him."

"Thank you very much for your help. I do believe I should be leaving now, though. I don't want to keep you." I said, standing from the chair.

She waved as I exited the room, "Goodbye, my lord."

Back at the manor, Sebastian placed a plate in front of me as I sat down at the table. "Did you know any of that about that woman?"

The butler gave a curt nod as he strolled the food cart away, "Of course, I knew all of it."

"Is there anything else I should know about her?" I asked.

He shrugged, "Nothing that would be of use to you."

"So, I presume the woman in those photos are her then, correct?"

"Correct, Young Master." He answered, brushing off his coat.

I rose a brow, "You lied to me, then."

"How so?" He asked.

I looked over at him and furrowed my brows, "I showed you a picture of that woman whenever I had unlocked the safe. I asked you if you knew who she was, and you said no. You lied."

A devious smirk spread across his pale face, "That's not true, my lord. You showed me a picture of a different woman, don't you remember? She was slightly younger than Miss Judith, although she did share a striking resemblance to her."

"It wasn't the same woman?" I questioned, clearly surprised by what he had just said.

He nodded, "Indeed it was not. I assume that woman could be the younger sister Miss Dyer mentioned earlier. Speaking of whom, don't you think she looks familiar?"

I took a sip of the tea, then sat the porcelain cup back down onto the table. "Are you talking about Samantha?"

"I am." He answered in his usual stoic voice.

I placed my elbow on the table as I rested my chin in the palm of my hand, "I suppose she did seem somewhat familiar... But that doesn't matter. I'm going to retire for the day." I uttered as I stood up from the table and made my way towards the staircase.

"Very well, my lord." Sebastian cooed, following behind me.