The morning sun streamed through the large windows of the sitting room, casting a golden glow over the rich tapestries and polished furniture. Despite the serene setting, Amelia's mind was anything but peaceful. She sat on the plush sofa, her hands clasped tightly in her lap as she replayed the events of the previous night in her mind.
Ethan's kidnapping had shaken them to the core, but the relief of having him back safely had been immense. Yet, the question of who was behind the kidnapping still gnawed at her. Alister had promised they would find out soon, and she trusted him implicitly. But the waiting was unbearable.
Alister entered the room, his expression serious but determined. He held a folded piece of parchment in his hand, and Amelia's heart skipped a beat. "Amelia, we have news," he said, his voice steady. "My informant has identified the culprit."
Amelia's eyes widened with anticipation and dread. "Who is it, Alister? Who would do something so monstrous?"
Alister sat beside her, taking her hands in his. "It's Lady Constance. She orchestrated the whole thing."
Amelia's breath caught in her throat. "Lady Constance? But why? What could she possibly gain from this?"
Alister's jaw tightened. "Power, influence, perhaps even a twisted sense of revenge. She knows how much Ethan means to us and wanted to exploit that."
Amelia's thoughts raced, her mind struggling to comprehend the depth of Lady Constance's malice. "What are we going to do, Alister?"
"We need to confront her," Alister said firmly. "But we must do it carefully. We need proof, and we need allies."
Amelia nodded, her resolve hardening. "We can't let her get away with this. But we must be smart about it. We need to gather evidence and ensure we have the support of others."
Just then, Ethan entered the room, his young face still pale from the ordeal. He looked up at his parents with wide, trusting eyes. "Mom, Dad, is everything okay?"
Amelia pulled him into a tight embrace. "Yes, darling. Everything is going to be fine. We're just talking about how to keep you safe."
Ethan looked up at Alister. "Dad, was it really Lady Constance who took me?"
Alister nodded, his expression grim. "Yes, Ethan. But I promise you, she won't hurt you or anyone else ever again."
Ethan's eyes filled with determination. "I want to help. I don't want her to hurt anyone else either."
Amelia's heart swelled with pride at her son's bravery. "You can help by being brave and staying safe, Ethan. Let us handle Lady Constance."
Ethan nodded, his trust in his parents unwavering. "Okay, Mom. Okay, Dad."
After ensuring Ethan was settled with his tutor, Amelia and Alister retreated to their study to devise their plan. The room was filled with the scent of old books and parchment, a familiar and comforting presence.
"We need to talk to Isabella," Amelia said, her mind already working through the details. "She has influence and resources. If we can convince her of Lady Constance's guilt, she'll help us."
Alister agreed. "I'll also speak with my informant again. We need concrete evidence that links Lady Constance to the kidnapping. Something undeniable."
As they worked, a knock on the door interrupted their discussion. Isabella entered, her expression a mix of concern and determination. "I heard about Ethan. How is he?"
"He's safe now," Amelia said, relief evident in her voice. "But we found out who was behind it."
Isabella's eyes narrowed. "Who?"
"Lady Constance," Alister replied. "We need your help to bring her to justice."
Isabella's expression darkened. "Constance. I should have known. She's been too ambitious lately."
Amelia leaned forward, her voice earnest. "We need evidence, Isabella. And we need allies. Can we count on you?"
Isabella nodded. "Of course. We can't let her get away with this. I'll start gathering support. We need to be united when we confront her."
"Thank you," Amelia said, gratitude filling her heart. "We couldn't do this without you."
Isabella gave a small smile. "We stand together, Amelia. Always."
With Isabella's support secured, Alister met with his informant later that evening in a shadowy corner of the estate's gardens. The air was cool, and the scent of blooming flowers mingled with the earthy smell of the soil.
The informant, a man named Marcus, handed Alister a sealed envelope. "This contains letters and financial records linking Lady Constance to the men who kidnapped Ethan," Marcus said, his voice low. "It's all the proof you need."
Alister took the envelope, his expression resolute. "Thank you, Marcus. You've done us a great service."
Marcus nodded. "Be careful, Alister. Lady Constance is dangerous."
Alister returned to the study, where Amelia and Isabella were waiting. He placed the envelope on the desk, his eyes meeting Amelia's. "We have the evidence."
Amelia's hands trembled slightly as she opened the envelope and began to read. The letters detailed payments and instructions from Lady Constance to the kidnappers, leaving no doubt of her involvement.
"This is it," Amelia said, her voice steady. "This is what we need to bring her down."
Isabella looked over the documents, her expression one of grim satisfaction. "We'll present this to the council. With this evidence and the support we've garnered, Lady Constance won't stand a chance."
The next morning, a council meeting was convened. The room was filled with the murmurs of noblemen and women, all curious about the urgent matter at hand. Alister and Amelia stood before the council, their expressions resolute.
"Thank you all for coming," Alister began, his voice commanding attention. "We have gathered you here to address a grave matter. Last night, our son, Ethan, was kidnapped."
Gasps of shock and murmurs of concern filled the room. Alister continued, "Through our investigation, we have discovered that Lady Constance is behind this heinous act."
Lady Constance, seated among the council members, paled visibly. "This is preposterous! I demand proof of these outrageous accusations!"
Amelia stepped forward, holding up the letters and records. "We have the evidence right here. Letters and financial records that link you directly to the kidnappers."
The council members examined the documents, their expressions turning from skepticism to outrage. One of the senior members, Lord Harrington, spoke up. "This is damning evidence. Lady Constance, you have much to answer for."
Lady Constance's eyes blazed with fury. "This is a setup! They are trying to ruin me!"
Isabella stood, her voice ringing with authority. "The evidence speaks for itself, Constance. Your ambitions have led you to commit a terrible crime. You will be held accountable."
Amelia watched as the council voted unanimously to arrest Lady Constance. As the guards led her away, Constance glared at Amelia, her eyes filled with hatred.
"This isn't over, Amelia," she hissed. "You will pay for this."
Amelia met her gaze with unwavering resolve. "No, Constance. It is over. And you will face justice for what you've done."
As the council dispersed, Alister took Amelia's hand. "We did it."
Amelia nodded, relief washing over her. "Yes, we did. And now, Ethan is safe."
They returned home to find Ethan waiting for them, his eyes wide with anticipation. "Mom, Dad, what happened?"
Amelia knelt beside him, wrapping him in a hug. "Lady Constance has been arrested, Ethan. She won't hurt you or anyone else ever again."
Ethan smiled, his eyes shining with relief, while his body trembled in slight fear.