Chris got up and dashed out of the morning room. The front door was wide open. Chris ran out of the house. He looked up and down Eaton Square street, but saw nothing. When he looked down, something caught his eye. He bent down. Chris let out a whimper, it was Adam's sapphire and diamond engagement ring. He picked up the ring and slipped it onto his left little finger.

Vince, Eric and Stephanie went to Chris when they heard him whimper. "Son?" Vince asked as he turned Chris to face him.

"He… he… the… ring… gone…" Chris simply could not speak. It felt like his soul had been ripped out and his heart was rent in two.

"What do we do?" Vince looked at Eric.

Eric sprung into action. "Take him to the morning room…" He spoke to Vince. Eric called up the stairs. "Roman, Seth. Come, now. Stephanie, run get Dean. Hurry now." Eric then opened the door that led down to the servant's hall.

Soon, Roman, Seth, Stephanie, Dean, Jason and Mark were in the morning room. Chris sat on the couch and looked totally defeated. Shane had been sent up to his room.

"...So Adam must have heard what Shane said. He ran out the front door. Adam also took off his ring. Roman, you take the others out and search for him. This is unacceptable, and Shane has a lot to explain. Stephanie, stay with your brother. I will be right back. Judy needs to be up here. Go, find Adam. Now!" Eric barked his orders like a British General.

Roman quickly organized the search groups. "Seth and I will go down. Mark, Dean go up. Jason, any ideas?" Maybe Adam's brother would know if there were a place Adam might run to.

"I will search the mews. He could have run around the back. Maybe to my room. If he's not there, Maxwell and I will look. Milord, I am sorry to say this, but Shane better hope nothing happens to my brother." Jason dashed out the front door like a fox chased by hounds.

Mark shook his head. "He won't harm Shane. Come along, Milord." Mark grabbed his hat and handed Dean his. He had to find Adam.

As Roman and Seth donned their hats, Eric came upstairs with Judy. Roman quickly explained what was happening. "If he's not in the mews he and Freidman will search the back. We're off now." Roman and Seth hurried out of the house.

Eric led Judy to the morning room. She sat on the sofa next to Chris. Chris immediately fell into Judy's arms.

"Vince, the girls will bring tea. I am going to talk to Shane. Something isn't right. He has never behaved like this. Chris, they will find him. Judy, make your self at home, you are family." Eric still held a tone of command. He left the morning room and went up to Shane's room.

Eric found Shane as the teen sat on his bed, his head in his hands. Eric sat on the bed with his youngest stepson.

"What was that about Shane? Was Chris right? Have you changed?" Eric asked in a soft, calm tone of voice.

Shane looked at Eric. "Nothing is wrong. Alright, maybe I said the wrong thing, but Chris, marrying a servant? What else could I think? It happens all the time. Do you want our name shamed in society? What was Chris thinking?"

Eric was flabbergasted. "Shane, what is going on? It is like you are a totally different person. You've become like the Old Dames. You've become a… a… snob. Shane? Please son, has something happened? You know you can tell me anything, or if not, I could send your father up to talk to you. Son, your brother loves Adam and Adam loves him. If this causes them to call off the wedding… I don't know if we can pick up the pieces. So?" He looked Shane in the eye.

Shane laid back on his pillows. "I don't know. I just… don't understand. I have you and father telling me to be progressive, that titles and having money doesn't make us better than anyone else. Then, the some of the Professors teach that while there is nothing wrong with the lower classes, they will never be the leaders of the world. Chris has so much. I just can't help but wonder why a servant? Adam doesn't have money or a title that can help Chris. So what good would it be to marry him? When you married father, you had a title and money, you've been able to help father. I'm so… confused." Shane was perplexed. Home taught him one thing, while his Professors taught him the exact opposite. Who was right?

Eric frowned. "I think a change needs to be made. Eaton may no longer be the right place for you. Headmaster Barrett assured us that he was progressive. Those things your Professors are teaching are not the things we want you to learn. Shane, listen to me, and listen hard. Look at me." Eric paused and waited for Shane to look him in the eye.

Shane looked at his step-father. Confusion was written all over his young face. Eric knew he had a lot of hard talking to do.

Downstairs, Cody had silently served the tea Beth, Becky and Paige had prepared. Stephanie took charge of the tea pot.

Vince sat in the leather chair across from Chris and Judy. Chris still clung to Adam's mother. He hadn't spoken a single word.

"Son, they will find Adam. Eric will set Shane to rights. Chris, you know Shane. I can't help but feel something has happened and he used that for an excuse to do and say what he said. No matter what, it does not change our feelings about you and Adam getting married. Adam has been happy and has adjusted well. I am looking forward to his help with my work at Parliament. He is going to get things done much faster. Judy, you raised a very smart young man. He is a real credit to you. Do not fret, we will find him and get everything worked out." Vince spoke with confidence, but was he right?

Chris sighed. "I know Adam. If Shane doesn't change the way he feels, Adam will refuse to marry me. I don't understand it, father. We all told Adam over and over that Shane would totally support our marriage. He's going to think we lied to him, that I lied to him. I… would… never… oh Adam… my Kitten… where are you?" Chris finally let his tears flow.

Judy clung to her future son-in-law. "Jason will find him. Not the first time Addy has runaway. My baby is so… sensitive and takes everything to heart. You and Adam understood when Jason asked you the very same question. Didn't you say he was being a protective brother? Well, perhaps Master Shane was protecting you. Remember, your brother is only fifteen, he isn't mature enough yet… you understand?" Judy held Chris close.

Stephanie had listened to Judy's wisdom. "Now I understand why Adam is so sweet. Chris, Missus Calaway is right. We have to make Shane understand. While his heart might have been in the right place, protecting you, but he could have been more… tactful. Seems to me, he might have also gotten some bad ideas from the little snobs at Eaton. Shane has always been better than his display this evening." She was also confused. Shane had always been one to speak up when he saw something unjust. He'd been that way from a young age.

Chris pulled away from Judy a bit. "Right now, I don't give a flying fig about Shane. All I care about is Adam. Why am I sitting here like a blue devil when Adam has done a bunk. I need to be out there, looking for him." Chris started to get up.

Judy held Chris down by the shoulder. "No, Chris. Jason will find him, then hopefully talk some sense into him. I know my son, if you found him, he would shut you out. While I raised them, they still inherited things… not from me. Of course, not all bad. Adam certainly didn't get his artistic talent from my side of the family tree. Give him time, Chris. If my son doesn't have that ring back on his finger by morning, I will never cook another meal."

Vince let out his distinct, deep chuckle. "I hope, my dear lady, you don't really mean that, about cooking that is. Son, listen to her, she knows your Adam better than anyone…" He was halted when Eric came into the room, distress etched on his face.

"My dear, we have a very serious problem. No… England has a problem. Shane will not be returning to Eaton. You will be speaking to Arthur Balfour, about his education reforms. Headmaster Barrett will be sorry he ever heard the name of McMahon. Christopher, you can not blame Shane. He has been indoctrinated by some very unprogressive, almost fascist Professors. No wonder the poor boy is confused. Chris, give Shane some time, he will realize how wrong he was. You didn't hear what I just heard. Vincent, Headmaster Barrett seems to have very close ties… to… well… the wrong people in Germany." Eric spoke in a very worried tone. Eaton needed to be reevaluated, immediately.

Vince let out a grunt. "I am a rather fair friend to our new Prime Minster, Arthur Balfour. I will speak to him first thing tomorrow morning. Should I go up and talk to Shane?" He looked at Eric. He could see the worry on his handsome husband's face.

"No, he is sleeping. He also needs to think. Now, I think we need some fresh tea." Eric went to ring the bell.

Adam ran into the mews and somehow managed to climb the ladder to his brothers room and flopped onto the bed. He felt like his soul had been ripped out and his heart rent in two as he sobbed.

Jason knew where his brother had gone. He smiled when Maxwell came out of Starlight's stall. The almost silver gray mare belonged to Duke Shawn Hart.

"Adam just went up to your room. I think he was crying. I was coming to get you." Maxwell explained as he put the curry comb he carried back in his tack box.

Jason nodded. "Yes, something happened. I will talk to you later. Please do something for me. Find Mark, they went up Eaton Square. But give me half an hour first. Tell them I found Adam, but not where he is. I need to talk to him alone. Please, love?"

Maxwell smiled. "You don't have to ask, love. Go talk to Addy. I hope everything will be alright." He leaned in and gave Jason a kiss.

Jason hurried up to his room, his brother needed him. He found his little brother, face down on his bed, and cried his heart out. Jason sat on the bed.

"I'm here, little brother." Jason gently rubbed Adam's back. He knew he would have to wait for the tears, but he didn't mind. Adam had done it for him, more than once.

"I… knew… it… was just… a… dream… I was… too… happy." Adam's broken, muffled voice could barely be heard.

Jason sighed, "I don't believe in bosh like that. You didn't runaway when I asked you the same question. You defended not only your self, but Chris too. Shane asked and you just ran like a batter. You crushed Chris when you took your ring off." He wasn't sure what to say. He also wasn't sure about Shane. Maybe the young Master only meant to protect Chris like he did Adam.

Adam rolled over onto his back. He swiped his eyes and his nose with the sleeve of his shirt. He'd tossed his suit coat onto the floor before he'd fallen onto the bed.

"I… might believe that… about protecting… Chris… but Shane… was so rude… to me during dinner. He wasn't the Master Shane I knew. Oh Jason, how can I marry Chris when Shane hates me. Chris… lied to me. He said Shane would accept me without question. So did Roman, Seth, Dean, and Stephanie. I mean their Lordships and her Ladyship. I will have to get used to that again… for a while…" Adam sniffed and hiccuped his words, he sniffed again.

Jason laid down beside his brother. "What do you mean by, for a while?"

Adam sighed. "I can't stay here… be around him. Maybe Mister Schulz will give a job. I could make deliveries." He let go of a new waterfall of tears from his hazel eyes.

Jason moved to pulls his brother into a his arms. "Adam… you and Chris will work this out. Yes, I had doubts at first, but I've seen how much the two of your love each other. Have you honestly stopped loving Chris?"

Adam curled up against his brother. "No, but… it will never work, no matter how much I love him. It's going to happen again. Oh Jay, why does love have to be so difficult? I love him too much to put him through it." He let more tears fall.

Jason knew his brother wasn't ready to listen. So he held Adam close and let him cry. It was all he could do, but he did it with love.

Back in the main house, Stephanie had gone up to her room. Chris knew she cared, but now he needed Judy more. She also decided to have her own talk with Shane. He needed a mother's touch, even if she was his sister.

Everyone looked when Roman, Seth and Dean came into the morning room. Mark was on their heels. Chris' shoulders slumped, Adam wasn't with them. Mark came and stood behind the leather couch to put his hands on his wife's shoulders.

"He is in Jason's room. Maxwell told us. I had guessed that is where he would go." Mark informed the anxious group.

Chris stood. "I must go to him."

This time, Mark stopped him. "I can't and won't tell you not to, but, give him time. In my years of knowing him, Adam won't listen till he gets it out. Let Jason try to calm him down." Mark gave Chris a fatherly look, brow arched.

Judy nodded. "He is right, dear. But as Mark said, it is up to you." She thought maybe it was time for Adam to grow up a bit.

Chris wasn't sure what to do. Before he could decide what to do, Shane came into the morning room. "Chris, could we speak in private? Oh, Missus Calaway, thank you for the special supper. I am sorry I spoiled it." Shane sounded more like his usual, humble self.

Judy smiled at the young man. "I am glad you enjoyed it, Master Shane. I will have leftover pheasant for your luncheon tomorrow."

Shane grinned. "Thank you, ma'am. Chris? Please? My room?" He looked at his brother with hope.

Chris looked at his little brother. "Alright, I will be there in a minute. I want to make sure Adam's mother is alright." He spoke in an annoyed tone of voice.

"I'm sorry. I was a right ragger. I… let things get in my head." Shane was contrite as he spoke.

Judy got up and went to Shane. "You are a fine young man. It takes a man to admit he made a mistake. Let me say something, as Adam's mother. He loves your brother, very much. Your brother loves Adam, very much. You need to fix things. Now, we will leave. Your Graces, thank you. Chris, my dear boy, do not allow my son to be stupid." She gave Chris a wink.

Judy and Mark were bid goodnight. They would wait in the servant's hall. She wanted to be there in case Adam came to talk.

Roman and Seth went up to check on the twins, then would retire for the night.

Vince and Eric also bid a goodnight. Vince told Shane he would speak to him tomorrow. Erich gave Chris encouragement. "Fight for him, son. Don't let him get away."

Shane sighed. "I guess we can talk in here then. Dean? Could you give us privacy?"

Dean sat in one of the leather chairs. "Chris, will you be alright if I go?" He wanted to make sure Chris wasn't going to harm Shane.

Chris smiled at Dean. "Yes, it will be alright. I won't hurt him. I am very glad about you and Kenny." He gave his step-brother a nod.

Dean stood. "It was your advice that gave me the courage. Your love for Adam set the example. Talk to each other. Love you both, goodnight." He left Chris and Shane alone.

Shane sat down next to Chris. Before anything could be said, the door opened. Jason stuck his head into the room.

"I have something that belongs to you." Jason opened the door. Adam stood behind his brother.

Chris got up and went to his fiance. "Love? Are you alright?" He took Adam's hands in his.

Jason gave his brother a nudge. "Adam, you agreed to talk. Now go talk. I love you brother."

Adam looked at Jason. "Love you."

Jason looked at Chris. "Talk." He left his brother and Chris to talk. He went down to the servant's hall. Jason desperately needed a cup of tea.

Chris pulled Adam in for a kiss. "I love you. Please put this back on. Please?" He pulled the sapphire and diamond ring off his little finger and held it up for Adam to see.

Adam sighed. "I… I… don't know. Maybe Shane was right…" He wasn't sure about anything any more.

Chris frowned. "Look, come talk. Shane is here. Will you listen to what he has to say? Please? I'm not just going to give up on us. I love you too damn much. Please love, oh please." He was about ready to get on his knees and beg.

Shane came to the door. "Please, Adam. I am sorry. I never should have said what I did. I am so sorry for the way I acted at dinner too. Please, let me explain. I've been so wrong." Again his voice was full of contrition. His face matched his tone.

Adam could see the teen was contrite, but would it be enough? "I will hear you out, Master Shane." Adam spoke simply. He let Chris lead him by the hand to the leather sofa. Shane sat on the low table in front of the sofa.

"Look, I am so sorry, Adam. I was… confused. See, at school, they've taught us that we should stay with our own class. That people like father and poppa are wrong. That progressive thought is wrong. It went against everything father and poppa said, but they were my Professors. I began to think they might be right. It bothered me, but… as I said, it confused me. Then, when I came home, I saw you at the table, talking like a member of the family. All I thought of was what my Professors said. I thought, ah! Servant using my brother for money and a title. I should not have judged you like that. I should have known you would never do that. You've always been so kind and good to me. I remember two years ago, when I caught a cold at Christmas, you stayed with me and took care of me. You made me feel so much better. You even read to me. Poppa set me to rights and made me realize how wrong my Professors were. I don't think they will be sending me back. To say poppa was angry is an understatement…" Shane paused. He leaned in even closer to his brother and Adam.

"I can't apologize enough. When I saw how sad Chris was, I realized the damage I caused. Poppa told me how much you love each other. If… I… Adam, don't take my stupidity out on Chris. It wasn't he who hurt you, it was me. I am truly sorry. Please, Adam, don't break my brother's heart, because of me. You and Chris have my total support. I hope you accept my sincere apology." Shane ended with a sigh, his shoulders slumped.

Chris spoke. "I hope father gets rid of those Professors. Alright, Shane. I can understand how those… idiots confused you. Father really needs to put a stop to it. It is too much like the rumblings coming from Europe. However, I don't care about that. What I want to know is, how you really feel about Adam and I getting married?" He was still not happy. Shane had been raised better than to listen to things like the Professors taught him.

Shane sighed. "I know I was wrong, Chris. I was being a bully and I am truly sorry for that. Adam, I can't mean it any stronger. I am so sorry for what I said and how I treated you. I am happy for you and Chris. I will support your marriage. I am also very pleased about your mother and Calaway. Please, again Adam, don't let my stupidity keep you from marrying Chris. I would love to have you as a brother-in-law. Please, forgive me. I will do anything I can to make it up to you." Shane tried to look Adam in the eye, but the blond had his head down.

"I believe you, Shane. I thank you for your apology. My mother always told me, it takes a real man to admit when he is wrong…" Adam stood. "Just remember one thing, never let anyone else think for you. Don't follow, be a leader, especially when you will eventually have a title. With that comes the heavy burden of responsibility. One I don't want to have." Adam quickly left the morning room, before Chris could do or say anything to stop him.

Chris got up. "Go to bed, Shane." He hurried out of the morning room. Chris had the horrible fear he'd just lost Adam, for good.

Adam looked up to where is room was upstairs. He went downstairs to the servant's hall. He found it dark and deserted. Everyone had gone to bed.

Adam knew Jason would let him sleep in his room, but, he didn't want to hear the lecture that would come with it. Instead, Adam curled up in his mother's comfortable chair. He let the silent tears fall. He knew it would never really work out with Chris. He had to let him go. Adam knew he'd have to leave or maybe live in Jason's room.

Chris went upstairs to Adam's room. He had to keep Adam from leaving him. He was discouraged, Adam wasn't to be found. He even looked out on the balcony, and the water closet.

Chris knew Adam wouldn't go up to his old room, where Cody now lived. Chris knew exactly where Adam had gone, to Jason's room. The fastest way to the mews was through the servant's hall. Chris headed downstairs. He ran into Shane, who was going up to his room. Shane looked like a lost pup.

"I… thought you were going to talk to Adam." Shane asked his older brother. Here was a sadness to his voice.

Chris scoffed. "He's not in his room. I hope I know where he went. Shane, it took us, all of us, even father and poppa to convince Adam everything would be alright. He was so worried about you. Oh.. I've told you this. Shane, it took you ten minutes to destroy what took me days to build. I know you're sorry… but, sorry is just a word. If I've lost him…" Chris continued down the stairs.

Shane saw the heartbreak on Chris' face. He knew he had to do something to bring Chris and Adam happiness, but what? Shane went to his room. He had a lot of thinking to do.

Chris got down to the kitchen, he smiled softly. Adam was curled up in a large, comfortable chair. It was the chair Adam's mother sat in to knit. Chris sat on the little footstool Mark used. He could tell Adam cried by the way his shoulders shook.

Chris reached over and gently laid a hand on Adam's back. "Love? Please, my darling, put the ring back on. You know you want to marry me. You know I want to marry you. Shane is truly sorry, but I wouldn't care if he if did object. I love you more than anyone. Love, at least look at me." Chris spoke softly in Adam's ear. He didn't want to disturb Mark and Judy.

Adam shook his head. "I can't, Chris. It won't work. No matter how much we pretend it will. I know Shane didn't mean it. I honestly hope your father… well, the Professors shouldn't teach like that. He is young and easily confused. But, aside from that… it will never work. I don't want you to have to defend our marriage to the Old Dames. It was a nice dream, your Lordship, but that is all it ever was. It will take me a while, but I will pay you back for the new clothes." Adam sniffed and kept his head down. His blond hair hid his face like a gold silk curtain.

Chris sighed at the use of his title, but let it go. "No darling, please don't say that, please. Don't shatter my heart, please. What… what about Melanie? Remember, we were going to adopt her for Christmas? Finally give her a home. I thought that's what you wanted. I thought you wanted to have children with me. Adam… don't you love me anymore? Can you just blow out our love like a candle? Adam, please, oh please look at me." Chris spoke in earnest. He wanted to reach over and make Adam look at him, but Chris didn't want to force him.

Adam felt his heart rip. He hadn't thought of sweet little Melanie. It didn't matter, it still wouldn't work. It made him even sadder.

"Don't make it harder, your Lordship. Please, leave me alone. I was a fool to think to believe it could have worked. I do love you, I will probably always love you. We just can't be married. It will cause too many problems for your family. Your parents have been so good to me, I wouldn't want anything to come back on them. Do you think I am happy? I looked forward to working for his Grace and Lord Roman. I thought maybe that would be something useful I could do. It's just better though if we stay away from each other. I will go live over the mews. I'll talk to Mister Schulz, maybe he will give me a job. I can do deliveries or help customers. That way Cody can stay. Just… go… please just go... Chris… no, no more. Go please, Your Lordship." Adam barely spoke, his voice rough with emotion.

Chris sniffed deeply, he wasn't sure when the tears began to fall. "Adam love, I am not going anywhere. Remember what I said to father and poppa? I said sometimes I wonder if love is worth fighting for. Then I look at you and I am ready for war. I've just declared war and I refuse to lose. If you're worried about the Old Dames, we will stay away from them. We could go live in the cottage at Pru's. You could still work for father and Roman. You would also be there to help Tommy. We can come visit and go on picnics. We could be happy there, Adam. Surrounded by children. We could raise our own too. Can you honestly say you don't want to marry me? Be honest. Don't tell me what your head says, tell me what your heart says." Chris still spoke in earnest. He so wished Adam would look at him.

Adam slumped deeper into the chair. He had to fight the urge to look at Chris. "Of course I still want to be with you, but we both know it won't work. There are too many people like Shane's Professors. What would they say to his Grace at Parliament? We were too… we didn't really think about it." He rambled. Adam just could no longer think straight. His mind was mush.

Chris didn't care any more, he leaned over and pulled Adam into his arms. "I don't care, darling. I don't care what anyone says. Father and poppa don't care. My brothers and sister don't care. Your mother, brother and Mark don't care. Cody and the girls don't care. Why are you the only one that cares?"

Adam tried to pull out of Chris' arms, but he didn't try that hard. He always felt so safe and secure in the love filled arms.

"Because I love you and your family. I don't want to bring shame on them. You don't see it because you don't want to. Your Lordship, please. Trust me, one day you will thank me." Adam spoke through more tears. He again tried to push Chris away.

Chris pulled Adam in closer. "How many times do I have to tell you. You are the only one that cares. Adam Joseph Copeland, look at me. I am ordering you, as a Lord of this house. Look at me!" Chris spoke firmly. He was going to make Adam look and listen, no matter what.

Adam sighed. The servant in him automatically responded. He pulled back and managed to look Chris in the eyes. Adam held in a gasp. All he saw was sadness, the blue eyes held no spark, all they held were tears of despair.

Chris saw the heartache mixed with confusion in Adam's hazel eyes. There was no spark, only tears. "Love, please. You were so happy. We were going to adopt Melanie. You were so excited to help father and Roman. You could finally be friends with Seth, be uncle to Beatrice and Reginald. I thought you would be one to take care of me and I would take care of you. You can look me in eye and tell me you no longer want that? You can honestly, with no doubts, look me in the eye and say you don't love me. Tell me you don't want to be poppa to Melanie? You don't want to help father and Roman? You don't want any of it? Well?" He was a bit terse. What Chris really wanted to do was shake the sense back into Adam.

Adam looked into Chris' eyes. He let out a deep sigh. "No… I can't. You know I can't. Let me ask you something. We are at a grand ball. One of the Old Dame's says, see that couple. That's Duke McMahon's son. I heard he got the footman into trouble and had to marry him. What a shame. How can the McMahon family hold their heads up? The shame of it. What will you do then? What will your father say? How long before those kinds of comments start to matter? How long before your father begins to resent me? What happens then?" Adam looked at Chris. Reality had just slapped hard.

Chris rolled his eyes. "Adam love, you don't know my father as well as you think you do. In the first place, no one really listens to the Old Dames, because people know they gossip to stay relevant. In the second place, people have too much respect for father. You are more stubborn than a British Army mule. Will you put the ring back on and forget all this silliness. I love you, that is all that matters." He held up the sapphire and diamond ring. It glittered in the glow of the lamp on the small table.

Adam sighed again. "I… I… need to think about it, Chris. I have to be absolutely sure it is the right thing. You have to promise, that whatever I decide, you will accept it. I will stay in my room, but you stay out. I must be able to think. Please?" He looked hard at Chris. Adam had been lost, then found. Now would he stay or would he go?