As the last guest left, Melissa grabbed Collin’s hand and dragged him upstairs, away from the staff cleaning up after dinner.

“Tell me! Tell me what you found out!” she asked breathlessly, her voice filled with excitement.

“I took the utmost care to appear nonchalant and questioned him about the woods near the theater, mentioning whispers of inexplicable events occurring within. He pressed me for details, and I, on the spur of the moment, declared that I had been told the woods were cursed. He scoffed at this, dismissing it as mere rumor-mongering originating with one Eleonore Wilde,” he said, dramatically accentuating the last part.

“Do you know who she is?” Melissa asked, intrigued.

“Assuredly. As children, we were instructed to keep our distance from her due to her… unfortunate mental state.” Collin hesitated, his lips tightening slightly.

“Okay, I mean, she might know something, but why do you think she knows anything about the maze specifically?”

“I shall repeat the Duke’s very words,” Collin said, his hands resting lightly on Melissa’s shoulders. “He expressly warned against paying any attention to Eleonore Wilde, whom he considers mentally unstable, and who, it seems, has made repeated attempts to set these woods on fire, believing them to be a gateway to hell.” His expression was intensely serious.

“Gateway? Is that really what he said?” she asked, her eyes full of hope.

“But mark this! He also told me that Eleonore Wilde declared she knew demons who came from there, and—would you believe it?—they looked just like us!” He smiled broadly.

Melissa’s mouth dropped open. “No way! So it’s not just me; there have been others.”

“I believe that to be the case. And what is most remarkable, she is still living, and I know where to find her.” He said, barely able to contain his enthusiasm.

“Can we go there tomorrow?” she asked excitedly.

“We must. Her advanced age necessitates haste; she is, after all, our only means of obtaining this vital information.” He smiled with anticipation.

“Thank you, Collin!” She hugged him tightly and added, “You have to tell me about her. Who is she really?”

“She’s a rich old woman who’s supposedly lost her wits. Though perhaps she’s just… ahead of her time. But I know someone who knows all the latest on-dits—the town’s foremost purveyor of gossip.” He sighed.

“Who would that be?” Melissa asked, raising an eyebrow.

Collin took a deep breath, his expression becoming strained. “My mother,” he said, as if the words were difficult to utter.

“Oh, but that’s good, right? A person with information who would want to help us,” Melissa asked hesitantly.

“Assist us? I regret to say that my mother is not inclined toward such benevolence. Her nature is decidedly self-serving. With such a mother, one needs no enemies, I assure you.” He pressed his hand to his forehead, as if battling a headache.

“So she will tell us nothing?” Melissa asked with disappointment evident in her voice.

“She will speak in riddles and withhold the crucial details. We’ll need to make it worth her while to speak plainly. Let us consider it a transaction rather than a friendly conversation,” Collin explained with a weary sigh.

“Give her what?” Melissa inquired, her eyes widening.

“To one who possesses all material comforts, the sole offering of genuine worth is… information.” He raised his index finger in a dramatic gesture.

“We cannot reveal to her who I really am, can we?” Melissa asked, raising her hands.

“If you wish to place yourself at the mercy of a malevolent woman, then by all means. This secret must remain concealed at all costs; believe me, she will use it against you, and with devastating effect,” Collin said firmly.

“What should we tell her then?” she asked, shrugging.

“Something that would not place you in any compromising position. Indeed, I believe it would be prudent to avoid discussing you altogether.”

“And what would that be?” Melissa asked, genuine interest in her voice.

“You may leave this entirely in my hands, Missy. I assure you, I know precisely how to proceed,” Collin said with a confident and reassuring smile.

“So, we’ll visit your mother tomorrow, and then, once we know more, we’ll go see Eleonore Wilde?” Melissa asked, squinting slightly.

“Regrettably, I believe we have exhausted all other avenues,” Collin said, placing his hands on the arm of the sofa.

“But if you know how to talk to her, then it should be fine. How scary can your mother be?” Melissa asked innocently.

Collin’s hands clenched on the couch, as if trying to restrain himself. “You have not the slightest notion,” he stated, lowering his head.

The next morning, Melissa repeatedly questioned Collin about his mother, hoping to gain some insight into how to behave when they arrived at her doorstep. Melissa considered herself quite charming when she put her mind to it, even with difficult people. She had proven to Collin during the dinner with the wealthy elite that she could captivate and entertain anyone for as long as necessary. Therefore, she firmly believed she could handle Collin’s mother.

However, no matter how much she pressed him for information, all she could elicit was her name, Theresa, and the advice to speak as little as possible. Melissa eventually stopped her attempts to extract more information, recognizing his reluctance. Instead, she decided to ask about the unsettling man with whom she’d had the daring conversation the previous evening.

“Collin, that creepy vampire, Mr. Montgomery—or whatever his name was—what’s his deal?” Melissa asked.

“I must know why you ask. Did he… attempt to engage you in conversation?” Collin asked, his voice tinged with concern.

“Well… I mean…” she stalled, deciding whether to confess her bold behavior from the other evening. “No, we didn’t really talk much. He just wasn’t very pleasant, that’s all. And, of course, I’ve never met a… well, a vampire before, so, yes, he was… something else,” she offered, choosing not to reveal the full extent of their interaction.

Collin narrowed his eyes at Melissa, a worried expression appeared on his face. “Are you quite certain he said nothing that could be used against you? He is a man of considerable influence, and it is crucial that we avoid giving him any leverage.”

“No, no, I’m sure. You know, just forget it. I don’t even know why I asked,” she replied.

“I must beg your pardon for pressing you on this matter. I was merely concerned that you might have sensed something amiss in his voice or bearing that could prove problematic,” he said apologetically.

“I’m thankful that you’re looking out for me, so all is well; there’s no need to apologize,” she replied with a smile.

Collin nodded, relieved to hear that he hadn’t offended Melissa. When it was time to depart, Collin looked at Melissa, as if on the verge of saying something, before shaking his head and stepping into the carriage. As Melissa took his arm, she asked, “What? Tell me.”

“I must explain this from my mother’s perspective, which, I assure you, differs greatly from my own. I find you… remarkably beautiful. My own vocabulary, being that of a simple man, is inadequate to express the full extent of my admiration. However, I am concerned that my mother may focus on certain… distinctive qualities of your appearance. Simply stating your American nationality, I believe, will not suffice. We might also explain that you adhere to a less common faith, whose practices influence certain aspects of your presentation.” Collin chose his words carefully, sensitive to Melissa’s feelings.

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“You have to stop apologizing. I know I look out of place. I actually have the perfect thing we can say I believe in—it even explains these long fake nails, and these eyelash extensions. There’s this old Lithuanian faith we learned about in school called Romuva. I highly doubt there are any practitioners left, so I can say whatever I want, and if she tries to look it up, she’ll only find some historian’s vague account. It’ll probably just say they worshipped trees and nature, so I can add to it as much as I like,” she said with a wink.

He nodded and smiled. The rest of the journey passed in silence. Melissa considered various questions she could ask Eleonore Wilde. The fact that she was considered crazy meant Melissa wouldn’t need to be as guarded about her true identity, perhaps even allowing for a more open conversation, similar to those she shared with Collin. Her thoughts were interrupted when Collin announced their imminent arrival. Looking around, Melissa realized that Theresa was no mere upper-middle-class woman; it was a grand estate, complete with elaborate gardens and towering trees. The house itself was a beautifully maintained mansion, boasting tall windows and two large angel statues flanking the steps leading to a massive oak door.

“Okay, I knew she was well-off, but this is excessive. Collin, this isn’t a house; it’s an entire estate. How wealthy is your mother?” Melissa asked.

“Appearances, I assure you, are often deceiving. Her financial situation is not as… prosperous as this display would have you believe. You must trust my word and not be intimidated by any of this,” Collin warned, helping Melissa down from the carriage.

Melissa glanced at Collin for any last-minute guidance as they ascended the steps, but he appeared focused and determined, not returning her gaze. When Collin knocked, an elderly, tall man answered and gestured towards a massive living room. Marble floors stretched as far as the eye could see and distasteful gold embellishments on every surface, even the ceiling. They didn’t wait long before a woman in her mid-forties entered. She wore a vibrant purple coat and a comically large hat with an excessive number of feathers. As she approached, a look of surprise transformed into fascination as her gaze settled on Collin. She extended her arms and cupped his face, as if he were the most precious thing she had ever beheld.

“Collin, my dear,” she uttered with a delicate, theatrical sigh. “How delightful. Though I confess, I had begun to fear you had quite forgotten your mother.” She dabbed at her eyes with a lace handkerchief, though there wasn’t a trace of a tear. She pressed a kiss to Collin’s cheek with almost painful intensity, then turned to Melissa, her smile widening to an almost grotesque extent. “And you must be…?”

Collin took a step back, placing his hand protectively on Melissa’s waist and forcing a smile. “Mother, allow me to introduce Miss Missy Bennet, a dear friend from a faraway land who is currently my guest.”

The woman in the purple velvet coat scrutinized Melissa from head to toe, as if appraising her value at auction. “Miss Bennet!” she exclaimed, clapping her hands together with forced enthusiasm. “How intriguing. Collin has always been rather… discreet about his social life. It’s quite a surprise—a pleasant surprise, of course—to finally meet one of his… friends.” She paused, letting the word “friends” hang in the air with a hint of skepticism. “Now, do tell,” she continued, leaning forward, “Where are you from, my dear? I am familiar with several Bennet families. Perhaps you can enlighten me as to your particular branch…” She was interrupted by Collin.

“Mother, our time is somewhat limited. Miss Bennet and I have pressing matters to attend to, and we were hoping you could provide some information regarding a residence I am considering purchasing,” Collin said firmly.

“A residence to acquire?” she repeated, her eyebrows arching in exaggerated surprise. “Which residence, precisely? And for what purpose?” She gestured towards the large black couch. “Come, sit down, sit down! We must discuss this at once!” She smiled, then called out, “Martha! Tea!” There was no “please” or any hint of politeness in her tone. She then turned back to Melissa and Collin, a wide but clearly insincere smile plastered on her face.

“My current lodgings are quite inadequate for my needs. My means, however, are limited, and I have been searching for a suitable property. I believe I have found one that meets my requirements,” Collin explained, placing his hand reassuringly on Melissa’s lap.

Melissa, though surprised by Collin’s gesture, maintained her composure, mirroring his smile. Theresa, however, immediately noticed where Collin’s hand rested and swiftly redirected her attention to Melissa.

“Collin,” she stated, moving closer to him in a subtle assertion of dominance, “you’ve neglected to inform me of our guest’s origins. I am most intrigued.”

“Mother, Miss Bennet hails from America, though her family’s roots lie in Europe. They belong to a somewhat unique religious community, Romuva. Consequently, Miss Bennet’s upbringing has been quite different from our own. I therefore ask that you receive her with an open mind and make every effort to ensure she feels comfortable in our presence, as she is someone for whom I hold a deep regard.”

“Open-minded?” she echoed, tilting her head and offering a smile. “My dear, I pride myself on my open-mindedness. It’s quite essential in polite society, wouldn’t you agree?” She then turned to Melissa, her smile dimming slightly. “Missy,” she said, the name sounding almost condescending. “Such a close companion of Collin’s, and yet, he has neglected to mention her to me. How very… curious.” She shook her head with a sigh, her gaze fixed on Melissa.

“There are certain matters a son does not typically discuss with his mother until they have reached a… more definitive stage,” Collin replied.

“What do you mean by that, Collin?” she began, her voice trembling slightly, as if on the verge of tears. “I simply never see you anymore,” she continued, her tone laced with self-pity, “and then, out of the blue, you present me with… a female guest,” she emphasized the word with a hint of disdain, “who is apparently so dear to you,” she added with a touch of sarcasm, “that you felt you couldn’t even mention her existence to your own mother.” She paused, taking a deep breath before delivering the final blow. “And now you wish to purchase a new residence? I am… terribly perplexed.”

“You are most observant, Mother. I shall, in due course, explain the true reason for my unannounced arrival. For the moment, however, my primary concern is to inquire about a specific property in Kent—the one currently inhabited by a lady named Eleonore Wilde,” Collin explained

“You wish to purchase a mansion from Eleonore Wilde?” she exclaimed, her voice filled with disbelief and a hint of disgust. “No, no, no, Collin. Absolutely not. No son of mine will reside in some decrepit, haunted pile in Kent.” She practically spat out the word “haunted.” “I forbid it. Imagine the scandal! What would people say?” She then erupted into a theatrical, almost hysterical laugh.

“Haunted? I assure you, that information was not conveyed to us. Those deceitful estate lawyers! What can you tell us of the owner? We were given to understand that she is of advanced years and in declining health, such that the estate may soon be vacant,” Collin lied, attempting to extract the information he needed from his mother.

“An estate lawyer? Which incompetent fool dared to suggest such a thing?” Theresa’s voice echoed through the room. “I shall have his license revoked! This instant!” Her face flushed with anger. Then, lowering her voice to a dramatic whisper, she said, “Let me tell you the truth about Eleonore Wilde. That… creature is a dark secret the Duke of Ensworth desperately tries to conceal. She was once married to his elder brother—a most scandalous union. And through a most… unfortunate turn of events, she inherited the entire family fortune. But instead of showing the slightest gratitude—imagine, a mere orphan suddenly elevated to such heights—she attempted to burn down the family theatre! A truly horrifying incident! The family, of course, had no choice but to… commit her to an asylum.” She paused. “Now, darling, let us put this unpleasantness behind us. Tell me about the other properties you were considering. There must be something suitable that won’t utterly compromise our social standing… or bring a curse upon our family,” she finished with a theatrical wave of her hand and a forced laugh.

“It is far too late to postpone our meeting with Miss Wilde, though I am grateful for your warning, Mother. Only if the terms are remarkably favorable will I entertain her offer. We must take our leave at once, lest we be unpardonably late and offend Miss Wilde.” He gave Theresa a slight, knowing smirk.

She offered Collin an insincere smile, stepping directly in front of them, blocking their exit. “Oh, Collin, darling,” she said with false concern, “you mustn’t rush off so quickly! You haven’t told me the real reason you’re here. You promised you’d tell your poor mother everything. You simply cannot leave me in such a state of worry!” Her tone was calculated to evoke guilt and manipulate him.

“Very well, Mother. I wished you to hear this from my own lips, and not from another. Miss Bennet is more than a valued friend; she has, indeed, won my heart, and I have had the honor of receiving her consent to become my wife,” Collin declared, turning to Melissa and drawing her close before gently kissing her lips.

Melissa was stunned, her body stiffening in surprise. When Collin’s soft lips met hers, however, a flutter of butterflies erupted in her stomach. Her knees weakened slightly, a reaction Collin clearly felt. He pulled back slightly, still holding her, and gave her a playful wink. Theresa gasped, dropping a teacup, which shattered on the floor.

“It is a pleasure to find you well, Mother. I express my gratitude for your hospitality, and I anticipate seeing you at the wedding,” Collin said, smoothly guiding Melissa around his speechless mother

Once they were seated in the carriage, an awkward blush flushed both of them. Melissa avoided Collin’s gaze as she asked, “Why did you say we’re engaged? Not that I really care,” she cleared her throat, adding, “I mean, I just want to know your reasoning. You didn’t just say it to annoy your mother, did you?” she managed, trying to sound calm and conceal her flushed cheeks.

Collin kept looking at Melissa more than the road, and he couldn't stop smiling. He stopped in a quiet spot by the woods and finally said, “There are certain matters to which my mother attaches great importance, one of which is her public image. As you witnessed today, she believes her family’s associations reflect directly upon her own standing. Therefore, were she to learn of you becoming part of the Harrington family, she would be obliged to withhold any negative commentary and conceal her doubts. I must apologize for not disclosing this strategy beforehand, but I feared you might not understand its necessity and consequently disapprove.” He lowered his head slightly, conveying his sincere regret.

“That’s clever. I just wish you’d told me. We could have put on a proper show of our undying love,” Melissa laughed, “The kiss was a nice touch. I think we fooled her well.”

“The kiss… it was a moment of… unforeseen impulse. But my feelings are as true as the stars above,” he said, lifting his gaze, his eyes filled with sincerity. “I can no longer deny the truth of my heart, for you have, without a doubt, stolen it entirely.”

“Oh, wow, that’s a lot, Collin,” Melissa said, placing her hands on her flushed cheeks. “I’ll be leaving soon. Let’s not over complicate things and focus solely on getting me back.”

Collin nodded and resumed driving the carriage.