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I have brought her into this, even if neither of us could have predicted such an attack.

They entered the grand foyer together, where the familiar surroundings of his family home should have offered some comfort, and were immediately greeted by Hubert. His uncle crossed the marble floor with an expression of genuine concern, his usual composure replaced by something that appeared remarkably close to distress.

"James, Olivia," Hubert said, reaching for Olivia's hand and squeezing it warmly. "I am so terribly sorry. I cannot imagine what you must have endured on the journey."

Hubert appeared precisely as he always had, concerned, affectionate and ready to help.

"I will find whoever has done this," Hubert continued, his voice firming. "And when I do, I shall see that they are punished for what they have done to you and to that poor child."

James nodded slowly, appreciating the sentiment even as a small part of him remained guarded. "Thank you, Uncle. At present, however, Olivia and I are exhausted. We have travelled without proper rest, and I believe we both require some time to recover."

"Of course," Hubert replied immediately, gesturing toward the staircase. "I have your rooms prepared. You need not concern yourselves with anything this evening."

Servants appeared to take their travelling things, and James followed Olivia upstairs. He noticed how quiet she had become, which worried him more than if she had been weeping. Olivia had always filled silence with questions, observations and sharp remarks, yet now she seemed to be carrying the weight of the entire world upon her shoulders.

When they reached the landing, the servants moved ahead, leaving them alone for a moment in the corridor.

"What do we do now?" Olivia asked, turning toward him.

James could see the uncertainty in her eyes, and for once he had no clever answer to offer her.

"Unpack," he said gently, attempting to give her something practical to hold on to. "Refresh yourself and change out of your travelling clothes. I shall see you at breakfast. Just rest for now. We are both weary."

She stared at him for a moment, then stepped closer and touched his arm. "We will get through this," she said quietly.

James looked down at her hand, then back into her eyes. "We?" he repeated, almost without meaning to.

Olivia smiled faintly. "Yes. We are a family." Before he could answer, she turned and disappeared into her bedchamber.

James remained in the corridor for several seconds after her door closed.

A family.

The words followed him into his own room, where he changed quickly and barely noticed what he was doing. Family had always been a word associated with disappointment, expectations and pain. His father had used it as a weapon, reminding him constantly that the wrong son had survived. Yet Olivia had said it without hesitation, as though the matter were settled. She had included him, herself and Felix within the same circle without questioning whether he deserved the place.

James did not know what to do with that thought, so he left his room and returned downstairs.

He entered the study to find Hubert waiting beside the desk. Several papers had been spread across the polished surface, and Hubert quickly gathered them and pushed them onto a ledger before turning toward him.

"Sit down," Hubert said, reaching for the decanter. "You need a drink."

He poured James a generous brandy and handed it over. James accepted it, sinking into the nearest chair as the familiar scent of spirits rose from the glass.

"What do you mean to do about this?" Hubert asked, settling opposite him.

James stared into the amber liquid. "I do not know," he admitted at last.

Saying it aloud felt strangely humiliating. He had faced hostile tenants, difficult estate negotiations, threats against his title and even the painful revelations surrounding his own birth, yet this was different. There was no opponent standing before him whom he could confront.

"It is all so sudden," he continued, rubbing a hand across his jaw. "Only days ago, I believed the greatest danger was keeping Felix's existence concealed until we could present him properly. Now the entire plan has been exposed, and I do not even know who is responsible."

Hubert leaned forward. "Then think carefully. And if you come up with a plan, tell me. I shall see how I can be of help."

James nodded and lifted his glass. "Thank you. I appreciate that. You have always been at my side, Uncle. Better than my own father."

He took a drink, allowing the warmth of the brandy to settle through him while his thoughts returned to the accusation.

"None of it makes sense, Uncle. How could a wet nurse who cannot read or write orchestrate something this complicated? There has to be another explanation," James said.