I Promise You It's Not Hysteria Ch. 03

A few days later, Ivy and Priscilla were helping Lenore bring her things into the house. Aside from a few boxes and cases she had not left Ivy's Father with much. But it was still a clean break and a chance for her to make a fresh start. It was all inside after a few trips to and from the carriage. After it was left in the spare bedroom, now Lenore's new room, Priscilla started to make tea. She was having a hard time hiding her glee as she brought the tray into the sitting room.

"You look like you have something to say, Priscilla." Ivy raised an eyebrow as she poured herself a cup.

"I wish I could just see the look on your father's face when he comes back from his weekend away. to find Lenore and all her things gone." Priscilla grinned.

"Along with the china and most of his good liquor. He'll find his girdle missing as well, I didn't keep it, I tossed it in the Thames." Lenore sniggered.

Ivy giggled. "I wondered why some of those boxes were so heavy."

Priscilla chortled. "I hope you plan on sharing some of that liquor, I'll take rent in the form of an occasional tot of something."

Lenore smiled. "Deal, absolutely. We can have some now but tomorrow I need to start job hunting."

She got up to retrieve a bottle from her room and quickly returned, placing it on the table. She poured a measure into each cup then the three of them chinked them together before taking a sip. The trio steadily increased the rum to tea ratio with each sip. To the point it was barely tea anymore, a merry mood taking over. Ivy watched Priscilla becoming drunk which was a rare event.

"Priscilla, can I ask you a probing question?" Asked Lenore, her words on the verge of being unsteady.

"... Sure" Priscilla slurred.

"I know I ended up with Albert Starling because I was an idiot. But on the few occasions I met Camilla she was definitely not an idiot. How did she get stuck with him?" Lenore queried.

Ivy perked up at this question, finding herself curious about what Priscilla's answer would be. Priscilla wore an irritated face, not directed at Lenore but the memories her question aroused.

"Our bloody Mother!" She stumbled out the words. "She was so determined about marrying Camilla into a high society family. Plotting with Albert's mother, she didn't care about whether Albert was worthy of Camilla. Dad was already so infirm that Mother could ignore his input, most days he'd be so confused he'd have no idea what was happening. Mother threatened to disown Camilla leaving her penniless and on the street. If she didn't do it, she would banish her from the house so she wouldn't be able to see Dad in his final days. Leaving her with no choice... Albert was never the one she wanted to marry." Priscilla lamented. "Unbeknownst to all of us, Dad wrote his will to leave Camilla and I most of his wealth and shares, when he died, we were rich... So much money in the gunpowder business. Mother was left with very little by comparison, enough to live comfortably. Just wish he had mentioned it before he got so sick."

"I'm sorry, pardon." Ivy interrupted. "This was not the version I was told."

Priscilla laughed. "Of course, Camilla never told you the true story. She couldn't say 'See that man there, I thought he was a prick from the beginning, but I was forced to marry him because your grandmother's a bitch. I can't stand him, think he's a selfish moron and couldn't trust him to organise a piss up in a brewery. Yet we're stuck with him'. Pfft, that would have been comforting to a child. But you can handle the truth now, 'cause you also think he's an arse." She wore a dopey grin.

"So, there was never any affection between them?" Ivy asked, her eyebrows raising high.

"In short... no." Priscilla just sadly laughed. "Albert married Camilla because his mother forced him to, upon threat of being cut off. Would have ruined him, the useless sod could never keep a penny to himself, kept wasting everything he had on frivolous spending and failed businesses. A vain hope on his mother's part that being married to a girl from a respectable family would get him to behave, stop womanising, visiting brothels and settle down. Obviously, it didn't work. Even with his mother's financial support he constantly begged Camilla for money... He hated her for the fact she didn't need him at all. They never had a good relationship."

Through her tipsy brain Ivy pondered this. "So, it didn't go wrong, it was just doomed in the first place?" Priscilla emphatically nodded. "That's... strangely comforting, but still upsetting on mother's behalf."

"Poor Camilla." Mused Lenore. "I wonder if she found him as awful in bed as I did?" She slurred ever so slightly.

Whilst Ivy looked at her in horror Priscilla howled in laughter.

Lenore continued her musings. "I mean... I've no one else to compare it to... but if it's good... I'm pretty sure you're not supposed to be able to casually read a book during it."

Despite her revulsion, Ivy found herself nodding her head in agreement with Lenore. Only for Priscilla to cease her laughing and shoot Ivy a suspicious look. Ivy shot up from her seat, desperate to evade Priscilla's gaze.

"I'll go and get some more rum!" Ivy announced as she marched out of the room.

Once out of sight and earshot, she couldn't help giggling. Almost letting herself be caught by Priscilla with regards to some of her more intimate activities. But there was this feeling of immense weight lifted off her in a way she couldn't quite put words to yet. It was... freeing. She retrieved another bottle of rum from a box in Lenore's room, thinking that she, Priscilla and Lenore should do this every so often. Especially with some of the truths that rolled out of Priscilla. She returned to the sitting room to find Lenore and Priscilla giggling together.

Ivy placed the bottle on the table before sitting down. "Alright, what did I miss that has you two chuckling?"

Priscilla collected herself long enough to answer. "We were just speculating on when you and Anders might go down the aisle. Then on your wedding night find out if something is as large as the rest of him?" She and Lenore started giggling again.

Ivy let a bemused scoff, trying not to make it obvious that she definitely already knew the answer to that question. "Priscilla! Really? Show the doctor some respect, he's got a hell of a right hook... as me and Lenore found out recently." Trying to divert the subject.

Lenore guffawed practically clutching her sides. "Oh, God! The codswallop Albert came out with after." She dropped her pitch in a very good imitation. "'He took me by surprise, it barely hurt. If we were in a proper fist fight, I could've taken him. Size doesn't matter, it's how you use it'."

Priscilla snickered. "But along with a respectable right hook, the good doctor also looks very good in a bathing suit and tight trousers."

Lenore raised an eyebrow with a cheeky grin.

Whilst Ivy groaned. "Priscilla! Stop retroactively leering at my beau!"

Priscilla teased her. "You can't stop me, the image is forever burnt into my mind. Besides, I am definitely not the only woman in London who thinks he's a bit of alright. You'd best be on the lookout if you don't want other women like a younger Lenore trying to climb him like a tree."

Lenore looked slightly stung. "Hurtful... but fair. She's right though... about younger me... and other women." She was still slurring slightly. "While Anders is undeniably a good man, be wary of persistent slatterns. The kind of woman who doesn't care if a man is with another."

Priscilla was drunkenly nodding in agreement.

Ivy smirked and raised an eyebrow. "Pray tell, how do I deal with these 'persistent slatterns'?"

Lenore continued. "If you're with a man who loves you and you love him. Make it obvious there are no gaps where she can sneak through, if all else fails and she won't give up..."

Priscilla interrupted, slurring heavily. "Hit her with a bat!"

Lenore sighed and smiled as she rolled her eyes. "She's probably deluded herself into thinking that she's wanted, she needs to be shown conclusively she isn't."

Ivy eyed her curiously. "Where did this knowledge come from?"

She sighed again. "Because those would be the exact kind of women on the arms of your father's friends. They were a wealth of unsavoury anecdotes about their successful and failed conquests."

"Maybe it's naive of me but... I have faith in Anders, he wouldn't be swayed." Lenore wore an expression implying she found it endearing. "I mean... he already spends so much of his day to day underneath women's skirts that I can't imagine it holds much of an appeal unless there were greater feelings involved."

Lenore did a double take, almost trying to confirm with herself that she heard that correctly. "Excuse me, I beg your pardon. I must have misheard you, for a moment it sounded like you said, 'he already spends so much of his day to day underneath women's skirts'." Wearing an apologetic smile.

"No, that's definitely what I said. He treats a lot of patients with hysteria." Ivy explained.

Lenore still seemed confused, but her attention was drawn to Priscilla much like Ivy's was. Priscilla was forming the obscenest hand gestures Ivy had ever seen her make.

"Doctors treat hysteria like this." She explained with an inebriated garble.

Initially Lenore looked surprised. Then she barreled with laughter. "That's considered a medical treatment is it? Oh, my. I'm going to have trouble looking Anders in the eye next time I see him. But I now understand your reasoning."

She turned back to Priscilla. "You're comely and clearly not made of stone, Priscilla, why did you never get married?" Lenore asked with curiosity.

Priscilla giggled. "Because I didn't have to. I am independently wealthy. Thanks to Dad, my mother lost any authority to force me to marry when she lost control of the purse strings. I have enjoyed being just me. No man has ever inspired me to want to change that."

"But you didn't want to have children?" Lenore queried.

"Why would I when I have my niece? My sweet brilliant girl." She grinned at Ivy.

Ivy smiled back as Priscilla closed her eyes and seemed to pass out, exhibiting the beginnings of light snoring.

"Lenore, would you mind helping me carry her to her room? She can't be left to sleep here."

"Certainly, though I can't believe she's out for the count already. She's fun when she's had a few." Lenore replied. Ivy giggled.

Between the two of them they carried Priscilla upstairs to her room placing her on her bed in a comfortable position so she could sleep it off. Ivy cleared up downstairs and retreated to bed herself. In good spirits from the rum along with Lenore and Priscilla's company.

She sank beneath the covers, closing her eyes and going to sleep.

A dream came to her, she was walking through a chapel, a wedding taking place. As she studied the people there, they were all familiar faces. Her parents' friends sat in the pews all looking forward to the couple all looking unenthused, bored. As she moved further down the aisle, she recognised Priscilla as a bridesmaid looking at the union sadly. Both of her grandmothers watching the couple with imperious glee. Wearing faces embodying 'I know better', even as the bride and groom looked utterly devoid of joy stood at the altar together.

She got closer to the couple, seeing her mother and father looking young. It felt strange seeing her mother like this, the same chestnut hair they shared, her undeniably similar face. It was like her mother broke off from the scene and turned to look directly at Ivy. Giving her a warm loving smile, her face lighting up and her eyes filled with joy.

The scene melted away, to something very nostalgic. A younger Ivy and her mother sitting in their old game room, cards in hand playing together. Ivy remembered this, it was shortly after her father had moved out.

"This hand is terrible, there's no way I can win with this. Can we redraw?" Young Ivy asked.

Her mother wore a curious expression. "Sorry, but no. Unfortunately, we have to work with the hands we are given."

"But we can literally just shuffle the cards and deal out new ones." Young Ivy complained.

Her mother looked at her pointedly. "Can you? Every time? There's going to be a point when you are playing and that's not going to be an option. You're going to have to look at the hand you have and work out the best play."

"That doesn't sound fun... What's the point in playing if you aren't going to have a good time?" Young Ivy questioned.

Her mother tilted her head at her. "Because, while it may seem like a bad hand to begin with..." She delivered a tender smile to her daughter. "... you can still find joy in playing the game, even if it's not the hand you would have picked for yourself."

Young Ivy raised an eyebrow at her mother, feeling the conversation had extended beyond cards. "Then what?"

Her mother beamed at her. "When you get that perfect hand at the next draw... play it like your life depends on it to get the victory that you want." Reaching out her hand to clasp Ivy's, giving it a gentle squeeze.

The scene lightly drifted away. Ivy woke to the morning light poking through the curtains. The afterimage of her Mother's loving smile still clinging to her eyelids. A sense of peace and purpose filling her that morning. She roused and greeted the day, making her way downstairs to the kitchen to boil water for coffee. Priscilla would no doubt need some desperately.

As if somehow summoned by the scent of the brew, Priscilla stumbled down the stairs rubbing her head in her hands. Still wearing the clothes from last night that Ivy and Lenore had put her to bed in. She ambled into the kitchen, seating herself in a chair and letting out a groan.

"I am too old to be drinking like that, never again!" She grumbled.

Ivy chuckled. "What are you talking about? You're only thirty six, besides you were great fun. I didn't know you were capable of such obscenity." Throwing a grin her way.

Priscilla let out another groan. "Trust me the difference after you turn thirty is like night and day. I'm going to be down for most of the weekend, you'll see when Lenore gets up."

A couple minutes later Lenore came in wearing her nightwear looking surprisingly fresh. "Morning, everyone. I slept so well." She wore a gentle smile.

"How is this possible? You drank far more than I did and you're tiny." Priscilla whinged, accepting a cup of coffee from Ivy. "Thank you, dear."

"I've devoted a lot of time to building up my tolerance." She chuckled. "A lot of days with Albert required multiple drinks at the end." She said darkly. "But that's over now, I need to find a job." She looked almost happy at the prospect.

Ivy pondered for a moment. "The librarian at King's is looking for another assistant, I don't mind dropping in your application for you... if you like the sound of that."

"I can write you a recommendation when my head stops pounding." Priscilla offered.

Lenore beamed. "Thank you both, I would really appreciate that."

Then the postman knocked on the door. Ivy took his haul from him and went through the pile, flicking through until some recognisable handwriting made her smile. Anders. She dumped the pile on the side and immediately opened his letter. Asking her to meet him at the northern end of Hyde park that Tuesday afternoon. She set about writing to confirm she would meet him. Even if she posted it this morning he would not receive it until late Monday. Because there was no postal service on Sundays. She quickly posted it and returned back to her day.

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Anders received her response as she predicted, late on Monday. He breathed a sigh of relief as he read, she would meet him the next day. His mind reeled over what he would say to Ivy, hoping she wouldn't be upset and wouldn't judge him too harshly. He finished his nightcap then went to bed.

A dream came to him. He was on a bed, but not alone. A woman was underneath him, her features obscured, writhing and moaning from his touch. He felt nothing but disinterest in this woman, even as she opened herself up to him, begging and pleading with him to take her.

As he opted to pull away the woman viciously grabbed him, holding his face between her hands like a vice. Her features shifted into Amelie's. The same dark wavy hair and almost feline features, her deep brown eyes almost boring into him. Her mouth twisting into a conniving smile.

"Come on, take me. Like always, hard and rough like an animal." She purred in her Parisian accent. The invitation sounded almost threatening.

Anders wrenched himself from her iron-like grip. Darkness spread from her along with an aura of shame and self-directed disgust steadily enveloping him. He tried to struggle against it, to break away. He ripped through and began sprinting full pelt away from her. For a while it seemed like he had gotten away from her... only for tendrils to wrap around his limbs and start to aggressively pull him back.

He cried out in the dark as he was slowly dragged back.

Only for light to appear, Ivy walked towards him with a smile. Her presence repelling the tendrils, she approached and held him. Taking his hand in hers and encouraging him to walk with her, the shame and disgust melting away with each step. He reached an arm out holding her close, desperate not to let her go as she led him to a broad hopeful horizon.

His eyes snapped open that morning, quickly getting up. He would see Ivy later and tell her the truth, all of it, good and bad. Before Amelie had the chance to spread her poisoned version of it. Work went by in a blur, keeping his mind occupied until he finished. Making his way to the agreed location in Hyde Park. Once he arrived, they found each other within a few minutes of the appointed time. His heart skipped a beat when he saw her, giving her a peck on the cheek as he reached her. Ivy threw a beaming smile his way as she took his arm as they began walking.

"Hello Doctor, what a lovely idea for us to take a walk. Though you tend to enjoy most activities where your wrists and fingers get a break." She tittered.

He sniggered. "Yes, the primary reason I would never take up tennis."

"The awful wardrobe, a close second reason." She jibed.

He playfully shook his head. "I like many, cannot pull off stripes. But there was a specific reason I asked you to join me today."

She raised an eyebrow. "Oh, pray, do tell."

"You remember when we first started courting, you asked me if I had any prior experience and I mentioned that there was a previous relationship?" He said tentatively.

She gave him a curious look, wondering where this was going. "Yes, you referred to it as 'a passing dalliance' if I am recalling it correctly?"

"Yes..." His jaw clenched slightly. "... but I didn't share all the details with you as it didn't seem necessary at the time. It's not a period of my life I look back on with pride." Ivy's eyebrow raised even higher. "The woman in question recently sent me a letter, suggesting that we rekindle our prior entanglement... in full knowledge that you and I are now in a relationship. I tore up her letter upon reading it, I have no plans on resuming any contact with her."

Ivy let out a breath she had not realised she was holding. "Is this why you are telling me now?"

He nodded. "... I have to assume that she won't take me ignoring or rejecting her well... Based on her behaviour in the past." He sighed.

Ivy cast her mind back. "But you said you were just one of many to her?"

He grimaced. "While I was one of many... I was the only one who broke it off when I found out."

Ivy squeezed his hand. "I wish to understand but I need the whole story."

Anders nodded and they paused on a bench. "Back when I was still an intern, I met a woman who I assumed was an orderly at St. Bart's hospital, Amelie Baudelaire. Although she initially introduced herself with a different surname. About a decade older than me, but she was stunning and French. We developed a flirtation, and it soon crossed that line. I was led to believe by her that it was a harmless affair between two unattached adults, maybe not socially acceptable in most circles. But it wasn't hurting anyone if we kept it between ourselves, with no risk due to the sheepskin she got for me... was what I thought at the time."

Ivy raised her eyebrows high and gave him a gentle wry smile. "She wasn't as unattached as she claimed, was she?"

Anders shook his head, rubbing the bridge of his nose slightly pushing up his glasses. "Married, to the head of the hospital. She used to 'volunteer' to help out as an orderly, in reality it was to spend time amongst the interns. Trying to find her latest source of amusement. I found out from some of the older residents that that was her pattern, it was an open secret. She would have her fun until she got bored. When I found this out, I naturally wanted to end things with her. But she didn't like that, she threatened that she would tell a horrible story to her husband and ruin my life if I didn't keep seeing her. Get me fired and blacklisted."

Ivy's eyes went wide. "She blackmailed you?"

Anders sighed. "... Yes. Like a coward, I went along with her demands. My initial attraction fully twisted into resentment. The way I would couple with her also became... twisted, angry. I hated and felt ashamed of myself. Yet she showed no signs of growing bored with me... loving having me squirm on her hook. So, when my self-loathing and disgust reached its zenith... I made an appointment with the head of the hospital... and told him the whole truth instead of whatever half-truth or lie she would tell him. I figured the whole thing would be over regardless of how it ended. He believed me, thankfully. But made it clear he would fire me over the slightest misstep. I spent the rest of my time in that hospital walking on eggshells. In a way it made me a better doctor, I triple checked every decision I made."

Ivy processed his tale. "What became of Amelie?"

"Doctor Beaudelaire, her husband, sent her to live back in France. For whatever reason she is back and believes I would still want something to do with her." He huffed, then intensely studied Ivy for her verdict. "Do you still want to be with me? Or are you having second thoughts?"

Ivy gave him an endearing smile. "I see you have a greater capacity to be foolish than I initially realised. But I see it was a formative experience, it explains a lot about you. Why you were so keen for our relationship to be public and honest... which is why I must now ask... is there anything else that you have not told me that you should?"

Anders shook his head. "No, you've now heard my greatest secret and shame. I have nothing left to hide." A hopeful smile on his face.

She briefly thought of the ring, then decided that was different. He would ask when he was ready. Ivy held his face between her hands then pressed her lips into his, briefly parting to feather their tongues together before parting, giving him one final peck.

She smirked at him. "Don't hide things from me Anders, in the future I will be upset. In the meantime, I will be wary of stunning and potentially vindictive Frenchwomen."

He chuckled, audibly sighing in relief. "They're more common than you might think. But thank you for being understanding and not casting me aside. You are far more beautiful than she ever was, inside and out."

Ivy grinned. "It was a mistake you made before you met me, which you have made very clear you have no intention of repeating. I know you care for me, and I trust you."

Anders looked straight into her eyes. "I don't just care for you, I love you."

Filled with bliss, she beamed, her smile lighting up.. "I love you too."

Her saying the words without the slightest hesitation made Anders' heart soar.

"If I may be so bold, what are your intentions towards me, Miss Starling?" He asked playfully.

She gave him an odd look. "What do you mean? Are you implying I'm planning to take advantage of you, Doctor Karlsson?"

He gave her a warm smile but had a more serious look in his eyes. "Where do you see us a year from now? Are we still sneaking back to my house or are we walking there proudly?"

The question took Ivy by surprise initially, but then her thoughts returned to the ring in his possession. "... I would like to walk with you with pride. Cease hiding how close we truly are."

Anders chuckled. "Good answer, though I am tempted to invite you back to mine, how about we have dinner next week?"

Ivy tittered before giving him a suspicious look. "At a restaurant or are you planning to subject me to your cooking?"

He snickered. "Don't worry it'll be a restaurant. At some point I will learn to cook something other than egg on toast."

"Excellent, are you going to take me back to yours afterwards?" She gave him a lascivious grin, tracing her fingers across his neck.

He feigned indignance. "So, you are planning to take advantage of me, tut tut tut, I should have known."

She gave him a flirtatious shove. "Don't pretend you don't love it."

Anders laughed. "Guilty as charged. But I'm happy to let it happen..." he moved to whisper in her ear. "... especially if I end the evening with my face buried between your legs." He pulled back to see a blush spread across Ivy's cheeks.

She giggled. "I think that can be arranged."

He stroked his thumb across her lips. "It makes me beyond overjoyed that I can still make you blush, Miss Starling."

"You inspire a lot of feelings in me, I only regret you asked to meet in public today... A great distance from your bedroom." She grinned.

"I do too now. But I thought the conversation I wished to have with you was best held on neutral ground. You're just going to have to keep it in your petticoats today, Ivy." He grinned.

She pouted at him. "You're such a tease. Are we going to just sit on this bench for the rest of this afternoon, or shall we find a tea shop?"

He chuckled. "Don't disparage benches, we had our first kiss on one. But yes, let's go get some tea."

They stood up together walking off, with Ivy taking his arm. "Of course, in a way we started as a couple on 'that' bench." She rested her head against his shoulder as they stepped along.

Anders tittered. "It truly started for me the night of the Atheneum event, I was utterly enchanted, you crept into my thoughts and refused to leave."

Ivy grinned like a Cheshire cat. "For me it was my third trip to your office, that 'loud patient'... completely realigned how I saw you and my crush then formed."

He burst out laughing. "I've always suspected it might have been then." He gave her a puckish suspicious look. "How soon after did you nurture fantasies about me?" The bright red blush that spread across her face gave him his answer. He resumed his laugh. "Oh, Miss Starling, you naughty woman."

She let out a half-hearted huff. But he reached over to plant an affectionate peck on her cheek. "It's not like your feelings towards me were wholly pure."

He smirked. "True, but I fell for you, then I desired your body. For you it was clearly the other way around" He teased her.

She responded with a quiet affront. "I wouldn't have even allowed myself to see you like that if you hadn't made such a wonderful impression. You were worlds apart from all the men I met prior." A warm smile spread across Anders lips. "But that first time I saw you in your wet bathing costume, did things to me I still can't fully articulate."

Anders couldn't hold in his laugh if he tried. "Well, I'm utterly flattered." He quietly savoured her words, cherishing them.

The pair of them continued to perambulate around the park enjoying each other's company for the afternoon.

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The next day Ivy was at King's. She was sitting in the library taking notes from books between lectures, it was all quiet for the most part. She also had a secondary purpose for hanging out there, Lenore was having her interview today. Ivy was keeping an eye out, hoping to gauge from a distance how it was going. From what she could tell, Lenore was doing well.

Then her attention was drawn to the front of the room. One of the Professor's from the physics department stormed in. He marched to a table where Professor Williams was hunched over a sizable tome. He slammed down a pile of pound notes in front of Williams then stamped back out, slamming the library door behind him. Williams picked up the pile flicking through it, counting the notes... When his eyes met Ivy's. He folded up the notes into his jacket pocket and walked over to her.

She cocked an eyebrow as he approached. "The imagination reels as to what that was about? But then Professor McArthur is known for his short fuse." Giving him a wry smile.

Williams snickered. "I guess I'd best enlighten you before you assume it was something far more interesting than it actually is."

Ivy chuckled. "So, what was it about really?" She gestured for him to join her, he sat in the chair across the table from her.

With a smirk he began to explain. "The other night the faculty from the science departments had a dinner. Towards the end, a poker game started up. McArthur was far too confident in his cards, to the point he bet more money than he had on him. He lost to me spectacularly and wasn't happy about paying up."

Ivy grinned. "That would definitely annoy him. I've had a few games like that, but they are usually just as stung by losing to a woman as the money."

He raised his eyebrows, looking at her curiously. "You play poker?"

"Yes, my mother taught me to play." Ivy relayed. Williams looked at her for a moment then let out a warm laugh. Ivy was slightly bewildered. "Sorry, I don't understand why that's funny."

"It's funny because well... who do you think taught her to play?" Williams flashed a bemused look her way.

"Are you claiming you taught my mother to play poker?" Ivy sent him a spurious look with a hint of a smile.

"How did you think she learnt? Especially with your grandma's prohibition of any 'unladylike activities'...." He was practically giggling as he summoned the memory. "She was so pissed when she found out, she had a really constipated looking face when she was angry. While your grandpa just found the whole thing hilarious." He stopped giggling when he saw Ivy's ponderous face. "Apologies, were you fond of your grandma?"

"Not really, I only met her a few times as a child. Each occasion there was always a lot of tension between her and mother... It's just, I only recently learned via a drunken confession from Priscilla why that was." Ivy chewed on her words.

Williams' eyes widened. "Oh, what did Pigtails have to say about it?"

Ivy gave him an odd yet tickled look. "Pigtails?"

He smiled. "It was the pet name Camilla had for her. Priscilla always had her hair in pigtails." He shrugged, then gestured for Ivy to elaborate on her earlier statement.

"That Grandmother forced mother to marry my father. It was never her choice." Ivy sighed.

Williams nodded sadly, his jaw clenching slightly. "Yup, that's a good summation. I can imagine he might not have been the best parent either, if he's still acting like an asshole."

Ivy nodded. "Along with being an awful husband. But by a strange twist of fate, I met my beau because of him." She chuckled.

He looked intrigued. "How so?"

"Father attempted to have me diagnosed as hysterical, because he was trying to steal Mother's money she left me. Anders was the doctor he took me to. Anders saw through it for what it was and lied to father about his diagnosis, then helped me get in touch with a lawyer to deal with father. We've been a couple ever since." She told him with a smile.

He wore a wry grin. "Absolutely none of that surprises me about your father. But you sure Doctor Anders isn't making a long play for the money instead?" Wearing a slightly concerned expression.

Ivy chuckled. "He's the one who made me aware of prenuptial agreements... pretty sure he's not. I think you'd like him, last time he saw my father he punched him in the face."

Williams laughed. "That would have been something to see. I assume your father did something to earn that treatment, not that Anders just likes throwing fists."

Ivy sighed. "In short, he only invited me and Anders to lunch to try and get money from us. So... I finally disowned him, he got angry, threw a pot of tea at me and wished I was as dead as my mother. That the world would be better off without the both of us." For a second she swore saw Williams' eyes go dark. "Then Anders punched him in the face, then I offered Priscilla's spare room to his mistress, so she left him. Now she's living with us."

He nodded. "He definitely earned that punch... but you're living with your father's former mistress?" Giving her a strange look.

"She wasn't with him because she wanted to be, it was only due to a lack of other options. Also, it was after Mother and he separated, she was younger than I am when she made the mistake that ruined her life. She's getting a job, determined to take charge of her future." Ivy explained.

He shrugged. "So long it's a choice you feel good about."

"In fact... keep this to yourself but. She's being interviewed right now for the librarian's assistant position over there. Think it's going well." She gestured her head in that direction.

Williams took a sneaky look. "Hmm, she's really pretty." He pondered for a moment. "Don't worry I won't spread that around, if she wants a fresh start, I'm not going to be the one to sabotage that for her. If she gets the job, she's going to be popular around here though." He jostled his eyebrows.

Ivy snickered. "Obviously. But she's dealt with my father for ten years, she can handle a bunch of students."

He smirked. "Of course, that's a given. Are you and Priscilla going to the Atheneum Gala the weekend after next?"

"Probably, she loves attending those." She replied.

At that point the Librarian and Lenore stood up and shook hands, then parted ways. She had a smile on her face, spotting Ivy and walking over to her, almost bouncing with each step.

"I got the position!" She beamed at Ivy. "I start next week."

Ivy shared her enthusiasm. "That's excellent news. Lenore this is Professor Williams. Professor Williams, Lenore Atlee."

"Charmed to meet you, Miss Atlee." Williams greeted her.

"Ooh, an American. How interesting. I do like the accent." She gazed at Williams with intrigue, almost flirtatiously.

Williams chuckled, raising an eyebrow, then turned his attention back to Ivy. "Well, I've been given an invite to that event. I hope I'll see you there, it'd be nice to see Priscilla again too. You should bring Miss Atlee as well. I'll leave you two ladies to it, see you both around."

He got up, sparing one fleeting glance at Lenore before walking back to where he was originally seated and studying his book.

"He's handsome." Lenore said quietly yet gleefully, sitting down where Williams had been prior. "I bet it makes it hard to focus on his lectures." She giggled.

Ivy gave her a thoughtful wry smile. "He just doesn't inspire those kinds of feelings in me, couldn't tell you why." She shrugged. "Besides, I send Anders a letter when I want to see someone handsome. But I am wondering if you have a preference for older men?"

Lenore grinned. "I guess I do. But he is a very nice specimen."

Ivy raised an eyebrow. "Just remember, he is one of the faculty... and my professor, along with my research supervisor." She gently warned.

Lenore gave her a reassuring smile, then whispered. "I just got one man out from underneath my skirts, I'm not about to lift them for another just yet."

Ivy tittered. "Good to know."

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Meanwhile Anders was in his office, his next appointment was a new patient. A name he didn't recognise on that day's list. As he was preparing to start a new patient record, he heard Meredith from outside telling them to come in. When the door opened and they stepped inside, the blood drained from his face and he went cold, his muscles immediately growing tight. Amelie had walked into his office locking the door behind her. Directing a flirtatious smirk his way.

"Hello, handsome." She purred.

As soon as she spoke Anders felt his balls retreating back into his body. Once he had found her enticing, her raven hair, beautiful face and sensuous full figure. Now she filled him with revulsion, from the person she was and what he turned into while he was with her.

"No!" He wheezed out. "Nope! Get out! Leave!"

Amelie pulled a sad, disappointed pout. "Awwww, don't be like that Anders. I know things were a little tense between us before I left. But now I am back, we can pick up where we left off."

Anders let out a horrified scoff. "I saw your letter and did not give you a response. That should have indicated my level of interest. Not inspired you to book an appointment with me under a fake name. I am not going to be unfaithful to Ivy, I'm not even slightly tempted. So, get out of my office!" He moved to the door.

As he started to unlock the door, Amelie drew closer to him. Running her hands over his chest.

"Are you sure? Because I doubt you can be the feral creature you truly are with her? I remember how you used to pin me down and take me like a beast." She purred. Looking at him with desire.

Anders huffed, grasping her hands and removing them from his chest. She summoned forth those feelings of self-loathing in him again. "I also remember how upset your husband was at your behaviour. I have not forgiven you for your lies and coercion either."

"You don't have to worry about my husband anymore, he's dead. There's nothing that can keep us apart anymore." She relayed this information staring at him intensely. Glazing over the other parts of his statement.

Anders was stunned. "Doctor Baudelaire is dead?!... Why haven't I heard about that?..." A sense of confusion coming over him. "While I'm sorry for your loss, I don't want anything to do with you." He opened the door and gestured for her to walk through it. "Please leave."

"I'm not going to give up, I will win you back." She said in a sultry tone.

"Just get out!" Anders barked.

She blew him a kiss as she left. Anders let out a weary sigh when she was gone, then walked over to his receptionist. Meredith was giving him a curious look, clearly burning with interest from the interaction she had just watched.

"Meredith, if that woman ever comes into this office again, deny her access and escort her out. She booked an appointment under a false name, and I will not treat her as a patient." Anders explained curtly.

Meredith nodded. Clearly still intrigued about the whole situation but asked no further questions. Anders retreated into his office, closing the door behind him. He sat back at his desk, resting his face in his hands, trying to compose himself. Part of him was relieved it hadn't been worse, but being around her had still been disquieting. He grimaced at the possibility of what she might do next. He assumed since she showed up at his office first perhaps she didn't have his home address yet. She might still discover it somehow, the prospect filled him with dread. But the important thing was Ivy had already been warned.

Thinking about Ivy filled him with tranquillity. He closed his eyes, dwelling on the idea of her. Her smile, how it reached her hazel eyes. Her wit, how she pouted when he teased her, and she didn't have a retort. Then he took a deep breath. He just needed to get through the rest of the day. Then he could put some serious thought into what he could do about Amelie.

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Ivy returned back home that day with Lenore. The pair were still in good spirits after Lenore's success, Priscilla was sitting reading in the living room as they entered.

"Was it good news?" Priscilla asked, looking over the top of her book.

"Yes, I got it. Your recommendation really did the trick. Thank you." Lenore beamed.

"Happy to have scribbled it out, I know the librarian through his wife. So, you can also rest assured he's unlikely to try and have a sneaky grope in the storerooms, with so few degrees of separation." Priscilla smirked.

"Even better." Lenore chuckled.

"By the way Ivy, you had a visitor earlier while you were out, she wasn't a face I knew. Some Frenchwoman." Priscilla said, looking at Ivy curiously.

Ivy's eyebrows shot up. "A Frenchwoman? Did she leave a name?"

Priscilla raised her own eyebrows. "Amelie Beaudelaire. She claimed that she had some disturbing information about Anders that you needed to know. Wanted me to tell her where she could find you... I didn't tell her of course. Something about her seemed... off to me. Not that I would be giving out your location to strangers anyway." Priscilla said with an understated concern.

Ivy mulled this over. That woman had found where she lived and visited, wanting to speak with her. "What about her was 'off' to you exactly?" She enquired.

Priscilla took a moment to choose her words. "Just how enthusiastic she was to tell you 'disturbing' information about Anders. Like she was happy to give you whatever this bad news was."

Ivy sighed. No doubt this woman wanted to deliver her own version of her sordid affair with Anders, in the hope it would create a wedge between them. At least that was what she hoped that she had not possibly had more sinister intentions in mind.

Priscilla was looking at her as well as Lenore, both wanting some kind of elucidation on the subject.

Ivy scrunched up her face, not wanting to fully air Anders dirty laundry. "A woman Anders was involved with, long before I came in the picture... got back in touch with him recently, wanting to get re-involved. Fully aware that he and I are courting. He warned me she probably wouldn't be happy with his rejection. From his version of events she didn't seem like a very good person, as she was married to his boss... and concealed that fact."

While Lenore looked slightly surprised, Priscilla had a question. "Was this back at St. Bart's?" She asked with her eyebrows still raised. Ivy nodded. "Hmmm, so she's his wife... there's a few rumours about her. Most of them paint her as quite pitiable." Priscilla mused.

"What do the rumours say?" Ivy asked with interest.

Priscilla elaborated. "After her son died from sickness, she went a bit off the reservation, poor woman. Was very promiscuous, having affairs left and right. But most assumed she was just being French. But eventually her husband got tired of the embarrassment she caused him and sent her back to France, while he and their daughter stayed in London. I guess she's back now... and Anders was one of the notches on her bedpost." She pondered.

Priscilla disappeared into another room then returned carrying a small pistol to the mutual alarm of Lenore and Ivy. She then offered it, handle first to Ivy. Who initially recoiled.

"You have a gun, Priscilla?!" Ivy exclaimed.

Priscilla looked bemused. "I have several, until you moved in I was a woman living alone. They are hidden around the house... just in case. Now take this Derringer and keep it on you, easily accessible, for when you go out. This woman may only want to talk... but just in case she doesn't... for my piece of mind, please take it."

Ivy begrudgingly took it from Priscilla. "Grandmother would be turning in her grave."

Priscilla tittered. "That thought brings me joy whenever I'm doing cleaning and maintenance."

"I don't even know how to use one of these, I can't shoot." Ivy bemoaned.

"With a Derringer you just point and shoot. It's only really meant for close range. Like if a potentially mentally disturbed woman is about to attack you." Priscilla explained.

"How did you get into all this?" Lenore asked with amazement.

"Dad, but mainly Williams used to instruct myself and Camilla whenever mother was away." Priscilla answered, a smile creeping onto her lips.

Ivy raised her eyebrows as she pocketed the gun. "Williams taught you both to shoot, but only taught Mum poker?"

Ivy swore she saw a twitch on Priscilla's face. "It just interested your mother more than it did me. I didn't see the fun in poker back then." Wearing a neutral smile.

Lenore interrupted. "Sorry, is this the same Williams I met today?" An odd expression on her face.

"Yes." Answered Ivy. "His relationship to the family probably helped get my research position." She shrugged. "But I see no problem with taking advantage of the connection."

Lenore held her odd expression for a moment before it formed into a smile. "Of course, I can't judge especially with how Priscilla's recommendation got me the job today."

"Exactly, besides he also thinks my father is an arsehole so he's good company." Ivy mused. Then refocused the subject. "I assume both of you will keep schtum on the situation with Amelie, Anders really didn't want it to be commonly known, he's not proud of it. If she hadn't come to the house, I wouldn't have even considered breaking his confidence."

Lenore and Priscilla both nodded, then Priscilla spoke comfortingly. "Let's see if we can find a quiet, peaceful resolution to this. It's going to be very awkward if she breaks in and I have to shoot her. But I hope it won't come to that."

Ivy directed a curious look at her. Not fully sure if she was joking or not. But the knowledge that Priscilla was prepared for a home invasion was bizarrely soothing. "Me too." Wearing a smile.

She retreated upstairs to her room. Her thoughts drifted to Anders, wondering about the anxiety the whole situation must have been causing him. She couldn't fully comprehend it entirely as Anders was her only lover and the only one she ever wanted. But she tried to imagine finding out that someone you were close to had presented themself falsely. Then they refused to accept rejection, trying to force submission even years later, still refusing to be denied. The thought made her nauseous, her heart going out to Anders. Wishing she were close by to offer him comfort.

She contemplated sending a letter to him about Amelie. But then reconsidered, it would further his worry, anxiety and potential embarrassment of which he could not do anything about. Instead, she penned him a letter omitting Amelie's visit to the house. Hoping he would find it pleasing and diverting. She finished it with a euphemistic mention of how much she was looking forward to their dinner the next week. Knowing he would find that enjoyably distracting, sealing the envelope with a smile.

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That following Monday Anders got her letter, it had the effect Ivy had desired. Putting a smile on his face. Going on his way to the storeroom at the practice he ran into his Father.

"Good morning my boy." Greeting Anders a warm smile.

"Morning father." Anders greeted him back.

He gave Anders a small smirk. "I've got a couple of patients to give you, it seems they asked for the wrong Doctor Karlsson when they booked their appointments."

Anders sighed. "Hysteria?"

"Yes, it seems I wasn't to their taste." He chuckled.

Anders pulled an exasperated expression, then a curious thought occurred to him. "Have you heard that Doctor Beaudelaire died?"

His father gave him an amused expression. "He looked surprisingly healthy for a corpse when I had drinks with him the other night. Who gave you that faulty bit of info?"

Anders rolled his eyes, rubbing the bridge of his nose pushing up his glasses. "Someone who is far more confused than I initially assumed. Thank you, I need to go write a letter."

He returned to his desk, commencing to pen a letter to Doctor Beaudelaire at St Bart's. This was going to be an awkward exchange.

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It was the evening of Ivy and Anders dinner, he had considered bringing the ring that night. But the shadow of Amelie, caused him to leave it in his sock drawer where he had it stowed away. It still didn't feel like the right time, but he was more confident of her answer now. That he would hear the words that would make him happier than anything else. He was heading to the restaurant, running behind schedule. His office hours had extended far beyond what he expected. He walked in to see Ivy sitting there waiting for him, her smile lighting up when she saw him, he felt happy to be in her presence. He leaned down to give her a peck on the cheek before sitting across from her.

"Apologies for being late, I had a few patients who caused me to run overtime today. You look lovely." He greeted her with a loving smile.

She kept her smile. "So do you. It's quite alright, I kept you waiting on my birthday. Makes us even. So how are you?" She asked, looking at him keenly, with gentle concern.

Tension drifted onto his face. "I have been okay... but the situation with Amelie has been causing me stress. The day after I saw you, she showed up to an appointment with me booked under a false name. That was... unpleasant. I don't think she is well. She told me her husband is dead... but he definitely isn't, still in charge at St Bart's."

"Does he know what she's doing?" Ivy asked with interest.

"I've sent him a letter giving him an overview. He sent me one back this morning, he didn't know she'd returned to London. She didn't come to their home, she has not contacted him in any way." He relayed.

"I can understand her not talking to her husband, if she's saying he's dead. But she hasn't even tried to get in touch with her daughter?" Ivy was puzzled.

"Nope, no letters or trying to approach her while out with her governess... how did you know she had a daughter?" Anders gave her a strange look.

"She... uh... showed up at the house." Anders eyebrows shot up. "While I was out, Priscilla dealt with her. She was understandably concerned about the strange woman who showed up at her doorstep wanting to know my location to tell me something sordid about you. She filled me in on a couple of the rumours about her... also gave me a gun, apparently, she has several." Ivy explained awkwardly.

"She showed up at your house and now you have a gun? From Priscilla's collection?" His eyebrows still raised. He sighed. "Did anything else happen for me to lose sleep over?" His face formed into a weary expression.

"No, I think we've covered it all." She tried to give him a comforting smile. "Besides, I'll do my best to make sure you sleep well tonight." She said in a sultry manner, giving him a flirty wink.

Anders cocked his head slightly at her, wearing a speculative yet amused expression. "I assumed you would be more upset about this whole thing, it's not exactly within the norm."

"I might've been if not for Priscilla. She's been a trove of new information recently." Ivy mused.

"How so?" he asked, still wearing the same expression.

Ivy started to explain. "She got drunk and revealed that mother only married father because grandmother forced her too... it suddenly granted a lot of new context to my memories. I've been seeing a lot of things in a new light... including Priscilla, she's very prepared to shoot a home invader apparently."

He chuckled. "I find myself seeing Priscilla in a new light as well."

Ivy smiled at him. "But finding out that everyone around seemed to think their marriage was doomed from the beginning, even Professor Williams... it's been strangely liberating."

"Sorry, but why? You even talked to Williams about this?" Anders' eyes studied her.

Ivy continued. "I was led to believe they felt affection for each other at one point. To learn they never chose each other..." Anders let her words hang in the air for a moment, comprehending the underlying meaning. "... has caused me to shift my perspective on marriage. Like you said soon after we met, some people should never get married to each other. But like with your parents, when they choose it, there are couples who are actually happy."

He kept smiling at her while raising an eyebrow. "I'm glad you've come to that way of thinking, but I'm a little stung that you talked about this with Williams before me."

She wore a conciliatory smile. "It just came up while we were talking. It wasn't intentional, besides he knew mother and had some input. Since he arrived, I'm learning lots of things that no one thought to share before. It's just still bothering me that he was never mentioned. It seems like he was a major presence in the family, he taught mother and Priscilla to shoot... mother how to play poker." Ivy let out a gentle sigh.

"As you said there's a lot of things that no one thought to tell you. Perhaps I should meet him? Get the measure of the man myself." Anders suggested in a light tone.

Ivy thought about it. "He said he was going to the Atheneum Gala this weekend, so are Priscilla, Lenore and I. You could always come, get yourself a ticket?" She suggested.

He smirked. "I was going anyway, but getting to see you and meet this mysterious Williams is a bonus." Briefly flicking up his eyebrows.

"Are you competing in anything this time?" She asked with interest.

"No, they're going with different events this year. No rugby or swimming." He relayed with a smile.

Ivy chuckled. "I imagine there will be many disappointed that those events aren't happening this year." Flashing a cheeky smile.

"You don't seem that upset about it." He pulled a wry grin.

Ivy tittered. "I have my reasons. But it's great that I will see you there, are your parents coming as well?"

"I believe so, I imagine my mother and Priscilla will pair up once they see each other."

"They always do. They still constantly exchange letters. They're friends through and through." She smiled.

"Since you're bringing Lenore, I assume living together is going reasonably well?" He enquired.

"So far, yes. She's gotten herself a job at King's library and she's thus far been a pleasure to live with. As she stole most of father's fine liquor when she left him." She grinned.

He chortled. "I hope that means you aren't just sitting around drinking together?"

"No, but she's the reason Priscilla made her drunken confession. I would quite like it to happen again... maybe see what else she feels like being forthcoming about." She raised an eyebrow.

Anders chuckled. "I have heard many drunken stories from my father after a few too many drinks. 'In vino veritas' is sound wisdom."

"Now I find myself curious about what confessions your father could possibly have had?" Tilting her head with a smile.

He smiled puckishly. "Nothing outrageous, just the odd anecdote about what he and his friends got up to in his student days back in Stockholm. Normally littered with Swedish obscenities."

She snickered. "I do love it when he swears. I normally hear some each time I beat him at chess. Makes me smile. Even if I have no idea what he's saying, I definitely understand the sentiment behind them."

Anders raised his eyebrows, highly amused. "Oh? Which ones has he said in front of you?"

Ivy thought about it for a moment. "It's hard to remember words in a language I don't speak." She started to mentally count on her fingers. "Knulla... sticka... röv... jävel... fitta... skit, that one I can guess though."

Anders let out a warm laugh. "Aside from the last one which is obvious, I am hesitant to translate any of those in a public place. They are quite foul."

He joined him in a laugh. "Your mother gives him an equally foul look every time she hears them. I am never offended though, he's never directed it at me, just annoyed at losing."

"It is one of the few things she gets upset at him for... but never truly angry. Have you ever considered just letting him win one of these days?" Anders smirked at her.

Ivy feigned affront. "Heavens no." Returning to her normal tone. "He would probably be more upset if I threw a game. It would taint his victory. He needs to earn it organically for it to mean something, he would find it disrespectful."

He chortled. "Well so long as you two are having fun. Shall we order? I am famished."

She agreed. "Yes, let's get some food."

They enjoyed dinner together, paid the bill and left. Making their way back to Anders' home. Stepping inside as a pair, Anders made his way to the kitchen as he shed his coat. Grabbing a couple of glasses from the cupboard and pouring in some wine for them. Ivy joined him, readily accepting the glass and taking a sip, enjoying the taste.

Anders idly looked around as he re-stoppered the wine bottle. He could have sworn that he had cleaned up the teapot before he left this morning, and closed the bread bin, but he must have forgotten. Returning his focus back to Ivy, gently smiling at him as she took another sip.

He moved towards Ivy, squeezing her from behind. Inhaling her scent and taking comfort in her touch. Rubbing the side of his face against hers.

He sighed. "I know I talked about how I was hoping tonight would end last week, but... can we just... sleep? I know you had other things in mind... but this whole thing with Amelie..." his words trailed off.

Ivy turned her face to his, giving his cheek a gentle peck. "I'm not going to pretend I'm not disappointed. But I understand, you don't need to elaborate further." She said comfortingly, running her hand through his hair.

Anders hugged her tightly, nuzzling into her. "Thank you."

"I came here tonight for you, not that." She gave him another peck. "Come on, let's go to sleep, it's late."

Anders was soothed by her words. He nodded, pulling away and heading upstairs. Ivy followed after him. Reaching his bedroom and undressing, getting ready for bed. He helped Ivy out of her corset, then the pair of them slipped under his covers. She snuggled up to him, resting her head on his shoulder, her hand on his chest as she closed her eyes. Anders kissed her forehead head as he settled down. Happy to have her close to him like this, holding her as he allowed himself to slumber.

He slept peacefully that night, woken by the light of the sunrise peeking through the curtains. He roused, Ivy still sleeping soundly next to him. He carefully got up, trying not to disturb her. Putting on a robe, making his way to the bathroom, doing what he needed to and returning. As he gazed at Ivy's sleeping form, he thought of the ring. He went to his sock drawer, opening it, wanting to look at it.

As he searched, the box wasn't where he left it.

Anders rummaged, his searching turning frantic. It was gone.

He remembered the dirty tea pot and the open bread bin. His housekeeper had not been scheduled to come yesterday. Yet someone had been in his house, had some tea, bread and stolen his engagement ring. He looked around the room, if it had been a burglar surely they would have taken the other valuables he had. But he didn't see anything else missing. Then a horrifying possibility popped into his head.

Amelie. She had broken into his house, searched through his things and taken the ring, then casually had a cup of tea and some bread. His blood went cold, and he was filled with nausea, taking shaky breaths.

He unintentionally woke Ivy. She stirred, sitting up and giving him a curious look.

"What are you doing?" She asked blearily.

Anders composed himself. "Just getting some socks. Sorry if I woke you." He lied with a smile. He didn't know what to tell her, he could neither mention the ring nor voice his suspicion out loud. It would make it real.

She stretched out her arms. "Was there a particular pair you were looking for?"

"Yes, found them." He pulled out a random pair and closed the drawer. "I'll get some tea brewing." Shoving them on his feet and stiffly heading downstairs.

He started a fire, placing the kettle on the stove. Then he rubbed his face in exasperation. What could he do about this? Going to the police was not an option, he would be laughed out of the station. A woman breaking into his house to have some tea and a snack, possibly stealing a ring? He needed to think of something else. The first thing he was going to do was send another letter to Doctor Beaudelaire when he got to the office. In case she maybe, went home with his ring.

He let out an audible groan, why couldn't Amelie have just left him alone?

For the remainder of the morning he put on a facade for Ivy until she left, trying to pretend nothing was wrong.

To be continued