Merida suddenly dropped the cup she was drinking out of. Phaybl looked over at her in surprise.

"Merida?"

Merida started shaking as she started to stand, Catherine standing up with her.

"Merida?"

"Mr. Higgs..."

"We're still trying to find him."

"No... no... I... This terrible feeling... Something happened... It's like when he thought that I abandoned him, only the feeling is ten times worse! I cannae explain this feeling..."

Just then the doors opened as Radek walked in.

"We have news." He said when he saw Merida shaking. "What's wrong?"

"What news do ye have?"

"Pixis said that Higgs is most definitely in that Hinkley woman's house. There's no doubts."

"But how can he be so sure? That's the first place we suspected."

"Pixis is a vampire but his is a little different. He can turn into a bat and use the attributes of the animal. He said that he heard Higgs in the house."

Catherine and Phaybl smiled in relief but Merida noticed that Radek wasn't smiling.

"Radek."

"He said something happened there but he doesn't know what. When he last checked, he thought he heard Higgs sobbing and came back to tell us."

"An he's been there the whole time then why hasnae he checked back with us sooner?" Merida growled.

"Pixis was trying to find a way in without being detected and so he kept flying around to figure out a way. His abilities can only travel so far from one end of the house to another. We he ended up back on the side where Higgs was is when he heard it. He came back to report and then went back immediately to try harder to get inside."

"Then if we're so certain he's in there, let's go over there and get him out." Merida said, heading towards the door.

"Not so fast." Radek said, grabbing her shoulder. "You're too obvious. We need Elizabeth to be out of the house and Cucklehorn said she hasn't left the house in weeks."

"But she has to leave the house at some point, right?" Edgar asked. "I mean, doesn't she have to go to the market or be out in society or something?"

"Not necessarily. If what ye say is true and she hasnae left in a while, then whatever she's doing in there is entertaining her quite weel. An she doesnae leave herself then that means that she has someone do it for her."

"She couldn't be so sly as to do things to Higgs while her whole staff is around." Phaybl said. "Someone would have heard Higgs or suspected something strange."

"Not unless she dismissed the staff for something reason."

"Who would do a thing like that?"

"Someone with something to hide, of course."

"But if there's no staff and she hasn't left in weeks then that means that someone has to have gone and gotten stuff for her, and the only person she would have do that would be Gretchen." Edgar said.

"Would Gretchen actually stay there and allow whatever is happening to Higgs just happen without protest?" Jamison asked. "I highly doubt that Elizabeth could threaten her into complete and utter silence."

"Maybe no normally but if she was brainwashed..." Edgar said.

"Are you even trying to help?" Radek said, looking at the young man.

"Of course I am." He said with an angry look. "Just because it sounds impossible doesn't mean it's implausible. Right before Higgs went missing, Merida and I went over to Lady Hinkley's home and when Gretchen answered the door she acted like she had no idea who I was when we had just worked together extensively the night before. She also mentioned having a headache and I know she didn't drink any alcohol that night."

"How can ya make that assumption of brainwashin'?" Catherine asked.

Edgar shrugged. "I'm not saying it is; I just know it was really odd how much she completely forgot about me in a day's time. You don't completely forget someone in a day."

"Wait, Edgar may have a point, but maybe it's not necessarily brainwashing but what about hypnotism?"

"Belle-" Jamison said with a look to his sister.

"No, no, hear me out. France has a carnival every year in Paris after the Festival of Fools. They have plenty of gypsies there that do fortune telling and dancing and a few other things. The most popular attraction is the hypnotist. Isn't there a traveling circus that comes around and through London?"

"Castel..." Merida and Jamison sneered.

"Oh, then you know what I'm talking about then."

"Do you not remember him? The thorn in the Northumberly side? The guy who kept coming to the house to try and get Father to join the circus?"

"Oh! That guy? My god, he's still around?"

"It's his son now." Radek said, crossing his arms. "So are you saying we're going to have to visit him?"

"Unless you know someone who would have a hypnotist around."

"Excuse me? I think there's a better explanation." A voice said.

Everyone looked around in confusion.

"Hello?"

"It's me, Harold. I'm invisible right now, sorry."

"Oh, right."

"I was working with Pixis to try and find a way into the house. Interestingly, there were no doors or windows unlocked in any part of the house. Not even the cellar doors would open. My point though is that I could hear voices through the windows and so I would sit under them to listen. There was a lot of talk of herbs and potions and the like, so there is also a high possibility that she made her friend drink something to cause the memory issue."

"But that would only work on someone like us. It's not really a true science." Radek said.

"Not all potions need to be magic to work. Herbs have many properties that are just as effective."

"Aye, the lad's right. Sometimes what the earth gives ye is well enough." Merida said.

"If that's the case then we would need to address Gretchen first. We'd need a schedule of when she left the house and when she came back." Phaybl said.

"If Elizabeth suspects that we know about her, then I don't think she would have that girl on a schedule." Catherine said, crossing her arms. "She seems like a cunnin' little bint and if she really believes that she's so smart to give our family the slip, then she would use her sparin'ly to keep her from gettin' caught."

"Catherine actually has a point." Jami said, sighing. "Then how do we find out if Gretchen has been brainwashed or mentally manipulated or what? If she doesn't have a schedule to look at, then how could we confirm that she's doing something to Gretchen or when the next time she'll be out will be?"

"I ken I might know who could help us with that."

****************************

"You again?"

"I came with company. Can you tell your lord that we're here?" Edgar said.

The butler sighed. "Fine..."

He closed the door and left for a few moments. He came back shortly and motioned for them to follow him in. Edgar, Radek, Jamison, and Phabyl all walked to the back of the home and out the door to the garden. Edgar was the first in line when he gasped, stopping in front of everyone. Radek almost ran into him and was about to say something when he realized why he had stopped.

"Oh my, I wasn't aware that you were having guests."

"Frankly, neither did I... Lord Northumberly..."

"Lord Clarvins." He said with a small bow. "Forgive us, we were also no aware you would be having company. It's a strange part of the day."

"Lady Elizabeth stops by often just for a chat. We were childhood friends before we were engaged, but since the annulment, we've gone back to being just friends. What exactly brings you and your... company by?"

Radek was about to say something when Edgar jumped in front of them, waving his hands.

"SURPRISE!"

"Sur...prise?"

"Yes! We wanted you to be the first to know of Mr. Higgs engagement!"

"Engagement?"

"To Lady Elizabeth."

Elizabeth blinked but smiled a little. "Isn't that such strange news? I had heard that Mr. Higgs has been missing for some time. Am I not wrong?"

"No, you're not completely wrong. You see, we received word from a him that he was doing well and he had gone off to try and find a way to propose to you." Edgar gasped overdramatically. "Did I... Did I ruin the surprise? I'm so sorry! He said that he was going to be sending a letter to you."

"I bet he used that slow post off of Fardel Street." Jamison chimed in, not sure what was happening, but figuring Edgar needed time and support. "I told him the fastest one was the one off of Mapleton." He turned to Elizabeth. "I am deeply sorry that we ruined it for you."

"No trouble at all. I'll make sure to act surprised when I see him next. Did he happen to tell you when he'd be back?" she asked, sipping tea innocently.

"I believe he said he was tied up at the moment but he'd try to return within the week." Jamison said.

"If he was trying to propose to me, what in the world was he doing in Sheffield?"

"How do you know he was in Sheffield?" Patrick asked.

"It's the only post close enough for a rush delivery and he said Mapleton."

"Well, at first it was because while he was um... changed... he ended up going there, but I guess since we already told you about the engagement, we should tell you everything else."

"Actually, let's leave a bit of mystery, shall we? There's only so much I can fake in one go."

Edgar smiled as Elizabeth watched him, obviously not falling for the ridiculous set up.

"Right, of course."

"But why did you come here in person to tell me about that?" Patrick said, pointing out the blatantly obvious. "I think if he hadn't even told Elizabeth about this then why would you come here to announce it in person? And why such a large group?"

"Oh, he's my-" Jamison started.

"Accountant!" Radek said, walking over boisterously and holding out his hand. "John Seely, nice to meet ya! And this lovely thing here is my wife, Evette. Please don't mind her; I rescued her from the slums and she barely knows any English. That King Louis, eh? Screwing up his country so bad that he makes beauties like her have to live in the slops." he said, elbowing Patrick obnoxiously.

"Ah, um... yes... So nice to meet you."

Radek walked back over to Phaybl, holding out his arm. She put hers in it with a very confused expression.

"I've been teaching Evette how to greet everyone in English. Introduce yourself, my love."

"Que fais-tu? she hissed to him under her breath.

"Tenir qn en haleine."

"Cela n'aide pas."

"Le gamin a manifestement in plan. Evette, I know you're shy but I promise no one is going to make fun of you." Radek turned back to them. "She's shy and is afraid you'll make fun of her accent."

"Of course not." Elizabeth said with a smirk. "Come, Evette, we would love to hear what you have learned."

Phabyl pulled out her own acting chops, turning to everyone with a very convincing shy look.

"'elloo... My nem eez Evette and... um... it eez vehry nice to met yoo." She said, concentrating on the phonetics of how her husband sounded when he spoke English.

"Well, aren't you darling?" Elizabeth said. "Weren't you at the Graves' wedding?"

"I've been the Northumberly accountant for years and I'm Jami's best friend." He said, grabbing Jamison to him. "How could I not miss this daughter's big day?"

"I could have sworn she was with another gentlemen."

"Her brother. It was kind of a two for one deal getting her out of France. Had to bring her brother or she wouldn't come with me. Guy's a sweetheart though, smart as a whip."

"I see... How interesting."

"To answer your question, Lord Clarvins, we came by because we were picking Mr. Seely up from the inn and while we were out, we stopped by the post office. They then gave us the letter regarding what Higgs was doing and when I was telling John about Elizabeth and how they met, I mentioned you. We happened to be coming by your house when I told him that this was your manor. John insisted he come and meet the man who tried to swindle me out of house and home."

"Swindle?" Patrick said, very confused.

"Regarding the money about me." Edgar said.

"Oh. That."

"Nice try, kid." Radek said. "I didn't think I'd ever see the day when someone would try to scam my friend out of his money, but that set up really takes the cake. If it were any other person I'd say you did a great job but..."

"But I really didn't-"

"Now that we have made our presence known and the wonderful news is (unfortunately) revealed, we must be on our way." Edgar said, clapping his hands. "But we will talk soon, Lord Clarvins."

Edgar turned to leave. "I'm genuinely surprised that Ms. Dunbrough isn't with you." He looked back over his shoulder. "Doesn't she usually engage herself in these strange little instances?"

"Elizabeth has a point." Patrick said.

"Well, isn't Gretchen usually with you?" Edgar said.

"Gretchen is tending to some personal business at the moment. She doesn't need to be everywhere all the time. She's being a good maidservant and following orders, which is why the absence of our dear Scotswoman is so intriguing."

"She's still getting over the shock of the engagement." Jamison said. "Everyone could see how in love she was with Higgs and after being missing for so long, to hear that he instead changed his mind and is proposing to you instead... It was just too much. She said she needed time to fully get over him so that when you two are married, she can effectively work for you."

"Oh dear, I didn't mean to cause everyone so much trouble."

"Well, how could she compete with someone like you?" Edgar said, turning fully to her. "You're just better than her and after all this time -even after everything that happened- somehow she lost at her own game. Merida just never expected it."

"That's so odd because I was just telling Patrick about the horrid letter that Higgs had written me regarding his dismissal of his feelings."

"It turns out that Higgs found out that you were actually right about Merida. He found all her books regarding her Scottish mysticism and crafty potions and such. He was so upset with the revelation that he just couldn't stay in the house anymore. He just started running and just let himself go wherever is four legs would take him."

"Ogres don't have four legs. You must be getting your months mixed up."

"Ah, you're right. I'm still thinking about October. It feels like he's been gone for so long... Either way, he said that once he got to Sheffield he started to realized how much and how long Merida had been toying with his heart and that you were the only one he could trust. You had tried to warn him about her, protect him, and he just threw you away like that? As the ogre he's not very smart so it took him a while to figure out how to get things done."

"I see. Well, I look forward to getting that letter of engagement then. If he worked that hard on it, I will try my hardest to make sure I am thoroughly surprised when he comes by."

"Well, this has been an interesting visit and we are so sorry to have stopped by unannounced, Lord Clarvins, but I believe we need to get going. We need to let everyone know about the great news."

"Right, I'll keep my mouth shut until there is a formal engagement." Patrick said, still very confused about what was happening.

Everyone left to get back to the carriage.

*******************

When they got a good way aways, Radek grabbed Edgar's shoulder and whirled him around.

"What the hell was that? I never had to think up lies so fast in my life!"

"I'm so sorry. As soon as I saw Lady Elizabeth there, I just panicked. It was really obvious that we were not all there for a casual house call and why would we ever come to Lord Clarvins for a social call?"

"Well with that shitty production we made it even more obvious that we were suspicious." Phabyl said, crossing her arms.

"Not necessarily. I got the answer I was looking for and we didn't have to interview Lord Clarvins for it. Got it straight from the snake's teeth."

"We actually got something valid in that fiasco?" Jamison said.

"One thing I picked up from Merida is that in order to hit someone where it really hurts, you have to know enough about them. Sometimes it takes a while, but sometimes it only takes a second. Elizabeth prides herself on being able to act like an innocent woman to everyone else while being a vile demon underneath that skin. She thinks she's so cunning... That being said, she made two mistakes in that conversation. One was that when I mentioned telling her more details she said, 'there's only so much I can fake at one time'; what an interesting choice of words to use at a time like this."

"Indeed."

"Were you trying to make her obvious to the fact that we suspect her?" Radek asked.

"Yes, because her pride was getting on my nerves. She looked so smug sitting there knowing exactly where Mr. Higgs was while we talked about him as if we had spoken to him. She tried to trip us up a couple of times but I tripped her up instead. By the way, nice acting, Mr. Radek."

"I felt like I couldn't think fast enough to make any sense. My wit is usually quick but that was exhausting. I give you kudos kid, for making up all that other stuff on the fly."

"As soon as I saw her I knew I needed a plan. Now she knows we know but she thinks she's clever enough to have the upperhand."

"I see. What a strange turn of events." Phabyl said, leaning back.

"We still didn't get any information on Gretchen though."

"Actually, we did." Everyone looked at Jami. "Did no one hear what she said? That comment about Merida seemed pretty damning to me. 'She's tending to a personal matter; she's doing as she's told'. Gretchen wasn't the best but she's not morally deformed. Even Higgs said she tried to warn him about Elizabeth. If she was helping, why would she even say anything? She's not as cunning as Elizabeth."

"So then maybe she is being manipulated somehow... but how?"

"That's something we'll have to figure out later. I think landing one victory is enough for one day, don't you think?"

It was a long shot, but evidence seemed to be piling up against Elizabeth that made it clear they were focusing in the right direction if nothing else.

+++++++++++++++++++

TRANSLATION:

"Que fais-tu? = what are you doing

"Tenir qn en haleine." = play along

"Cela n'aide pas." = this isn't helping

"Le gamin a manifestement in plan." = the kid obviously has a plan