Three years ago...

"Would you like to dance?" Lady in Blue uttered all of a sudden, surprising Ralph.

"You should remember that you did refuse my attempts earlier," Ralph said, already stepping in front of her.

Lady in Blue lifted her shoulder in a shrug. "I changed my mind."

"A waltz then?" Ralph said, lifting a brow as he offered his hand.

She gracefully took it with a mocking curtsy. They chuckled as his right hand took hers and his left arm wrapped her waist. She carefully placed her other hand over his shoulder.

Ralph led the dance, quite surprised that she easily followed his steps.

A silence reigned before them as they gazed at each other's eyes.

"I beg you tell me where you are from," Ralph whispered above her.

"Blucksley."

"Where you met my sisters."

"Yes."

He frowned. "Where in Blucksley."

"Somewhere in Blucksley."

Ralph shook his head mildly. "You are never going to tell, are you?"

"No."

*****

Everyone was quiet long after Jeremy Briars left with Lord Belverst, warning Alex once more before leaving to go home to Meriwether. For the life of her, she could not even manage to comfort the man with more words. All she could do was bid him farewell with a wish to see him again.

McKenzie Haverston paced around the room while Ralph fixed himself a drink from the liquor cabinet. Alex was still dumbfounded.

She had heard stories, whispers... but she had never truly taken them seriously. A way aboveground? There was a way aboveground? Was her father also aware of it? Did anyone in Meriwether?

It was Ralph who broke the silence and asked the question playing inside Alex's mind. "Could it be done?"

She turned to McKenzie Haverston. The tight look on McKenzie's face was enough to tell her that the man knew more than anyone in the room did.

"All I can say is that it has been done quite often than what you may believe," McKenzie admitted, "the rebels among them."

"Then we can find a way in."

"We are not in any position to do such things," McKenzie said with a shake of his head. "There are rules to follow and as Guards, we shall have to obtain the proper license through one of the known passages."

"Known?"

"There are quite a few." McKenzie turned to Alex. "Should you repeat any of this to anyone..."

"Oi, ye don't give me threats, Guard."

"She will not utter a word," Ralph reassured. He gulped down his brandy and set the glass on a nearby table. He faced McKenzie. "How do we acquire this license?"

"The League, of course. Who do you think safeguards these passages? The Leaders can be barely trusted."

A knock came on the door and the butler rushed in, looking quite distressed. He was followed by another man dressed in black and a bowler hat that covered most of his face.

"Master Mac, he insisted—"

"I believe Mr. Haverston shall have me," said the man, his eyes travelling around the room before they settled on Alex for quite some time.

Alex stiffened in her chair but said nothing.

Tearing his eyes off her, the man turned to Ralph. "Would you please ask the butler to leave, Everard? We have more to discuss."

Although looking confused, McKenzie nodded to the butler to leave. The man did as asked.

"What are you doing here, Durley?" Ralph snapped as the man removed his bowler hat, revealing a strikingly handsome face. Alex swallowed, seeing the man in full light. She was starting to believe that this man was not just anyone.

"Lord Durley," McKenzie said, a frown on his face. "How may we be of service?"

"No need for formalities, Mr. Haverston," Durley said, his brown eyes scanning McKenzie. "I came here upon the knowledge that Everard here has been stupid enough to enter Willowfair. I told you to investigate the Southeast!"

"I was following a lead."

"I do not care. You very well know that Osegod is now aware of your presence here. He is merely waiting and watching."

"We have learned where they might be," Ralph said, changing the subject.

That took Durley's attention. "And I believe I came to Willowfair to distract Osegod and you are ruining my plans by staying here. I do not need to know every detail of your plans, Everard. All I have to know is that you find Sophia."

"That is currently proving to be quite a problem, Durley," Ralph said. "Unless you tell us how the slaves are being taken into the Dark Forest."

Durley's face tightened. "The Dark Forest? Are you insane? Osegod never mentioned anything that may indicate any activity inside that bloody place."

"Perhaps you have not been doing your job quite well that he has not trusted you enough. The forest is in the Southeastern part of the Town, if you must also know. It was you who led me there."

"Are you saying she is in the Dark Forest?"

"Probably with the rebels who overtook the place, the same men overseeing the slaves."

Durley let out a frustrated sigh as he brushed his fingers through his brown hair. "I merely facilitate the trade but I am never involved in handling the subjects. And I do not have any idea of any rebel activities." His gaze bore into Ralph. "Are you certain you have the correct information?"

"I am starting to highly doubt your influence on Osegod, Durley. And our information is highly reliable."

"My influence on Osegod is unquestionable, Everard. The only hindrance to finding Sophia is the fact that I cannot reveal the nature of our relationship to the bastard. If I do, the consequences will be clear. Now, what do you plan to do?"

"If I may interrupt, Lord Durley," McKenzie said, curiosity in his form. "Why are you here?"

"As a member of this club, I can be here. And have you not been listening? I am here because I am secretly working with Everard."

"While you openly say that you are also working closely with Osegod and the bloody slave trade?" McKenzie threw Ralph a look. "You never said anything about this."

"Unless you are your brother, Mr. Haverston, I find no use explaining."

Surprise registered on McKenzie's eyes. "You are working with Calan?"

Durley sent McKenzie a wry look. "Your brother is part of the League. I am not directly in contact with the man, but you do get my point, yes?" Not sparing McKenzie another second to utter a reply, Durley turned to Ralph. "Osegod is getting impatient, Everard. Your brother is taking longer to reply."

"What do you mean?"

"Benedict."

"Benedict has long given Osegod an answer. We do not wish to take part in a business venture—"

"Oh, there is no partnership this time, believe me," Durley said. "He is demanding for half of the mines."

"Bloody tarnation—"

"And he is currently also infuriated that you are keeping Aurora."

Ralph's jaw tightened. "Aurora is dead."

Durley did not seem surprised. He stole Alex a glance before he shrugged.. "Then we cannot allow the bastard to know. The only pawn you have against his reputation is gone." He tilted his head to the right. "But the child is alive still, yes?"

"Unless he already disposed of her," Ralph growled. "Do not find it amusing, Durley, for we have reason to believe the child is with Sophia."

Durley's face darkened.

Although Alex was not certain what the man's relationship with Sophia was, she knew the man would go lengths to have this woman alive.

"I have sent my brother a note. He is on his way here from Easton as we speak. Perhaps we can find a way into the facility in the Dark Forest with the help of the League. The sooner we learn that the hostages are being held there, the sooner we can get Osegod."

Durley donned his bowler hat again. "I do not like that you are here, Everard. Osegod is getting clumsy. He is being constantly bombarded by nasty articles, making him uneasy and unfocused. I am merely waiting for the perfect time to overthrow the bastard. Being famous amongst the lords in Willowfair is helpful, but only to a point. Despite that, let me repeat what I said: I do not like that you are here. The longer you stay, the more uncertain Osegod's next actions will be." His eyes went to Alex but he made no comment. It was as if she was not there at all.

"We will leave Willowfair the soonest we can. For the meantime, do try your best with the bastard."

Durley sighed. "Then perhaps I ought to make the announcement of my wedding very soon."

"Wedding?"

A cold smile curled Durley's lips. "With his daughter, of course. I have been charming the chit while I am here." He turned to the door, glancing at Alex again before leaving.

"I do not trust him," said McKenzie after a long silence.

"So do I," uttered Ralph. "He is a sketchy character."

"Then why the bloody hell are we working with the man?"

Ralph smiled at McKenzie. "The woman my family is desperate to rescue is his sister."

*****

"You have been awfully quiet," Ralph noted, stopping at the doorway.

They have been offered the private chambers in the Mary House as McKenzie believed that Lord Theobald's estate may no longer be safe for them. Some Guards were situated all over the club, dressed like any members, to safeguard the place.

Alex turned to face Ralph and frowned. "I've nothin' te say."

"You enjoyed supper with Lady Mary though."

"And Lord Adrien," she added. "That man's amazin', guv. I might consider savin' 'im should I encounter 'im on the road in the future."

Ralph scoffed. "You are avoiding the subject."

"What subject?"

"The one in which I asked why you have been awfully quiet."

"Ye dinna ask. Ye made a statement." She turned her back on him to open her bag. "I'm changin' into me breeches, guv. Ye lock the door when ye leave, will ye?"

"You realize I shall be sleeping with the footmen because I offered this chamber to you, yes?"

"Aye. But I can go and sleep with the maids if ye want it," she retorted.

She heard his heavy sigh behind him. "I will be downstairs playing cards. I might find something useful while doing so. You stay here and have your respite. I shall see you in the morning."

"'Cors."

The gentle closing of the door indicated she was finally alone. Alex turned to make certain Ralph was gone before she nervously walked to the large bed.

She lifted her hands before her and realized they were still shaking. She rubbed her face and let out a shaky breath.

*****

Contrary to what he told Alex, Ralph spent the evening with McKenzie inside a private gaming room to discuss their plans once Calan, the eldest of the Haverstons, arrived in Willowfair.

"Calan has once found a way for me to go aboveground," McKenzie said in a low voice. "But I cannot assure that it can be done again."

Ralph was surprised McKenzie had actually been aboveground. He was curious, yes, but it was not the proper time to ask about the world above them. But one curiosity got in the way. "Would it be so much if I ask why you went up there?"

McKenzie's reply was a mere shrug. "To fetch someone."

Ralph sighed and leaned against his chair.

"You are working with a bandit," McKenzie said, his voice filled with amusement. "Despite all that has happened, I have to admit I do find it quite amusing."

"It is a tiring battle, believe me. You will not wish for it."

His fellow Guard scoffed. "How are the twins?"

"Faring well. Emma is currently residing with Ysabella and Wakefield as Mother is with Nick."

Seeing the question in McKenzie's eyes, Ralph added, "Fiona is due to spend the holidays with you. She is doing very well."

A smile twitched McKenzie's lips as he nodded in understanding. "My wife is ecstatic, of course." He sent Ralph a reassuring look. "Whatever happens, Ralph, know that the Haverstons are always ready to lend a hand."

Ralph nodded. Belinda, McKenzie's wife, had a niece that she had been trying hard to rescue from her deceased sister's family, the Trilbys. In a turn of fate, the child ended up in Margaret and Cole's care until this day.

Although Fiona's true identity was not publicly known for many reasons, the Everard had always regarded the child as their own after Fiona decided to stay with them, making the Haverstons an extended one. Many were aware that the twins helped in the union of McKenzie and Belinda in the past, but not so many were privy to the deeper connection between the two families.

McKenzie stood to his feet. "I plan to stay a few more hours in the gaming hall. Would you like to join?"

Ralph shook his head. "No. I shall retire shortly."

McKenzie gave him another one of his amused smile. "One would say you are rather slow, Beechworth. Instead of being in that private chamber, you are to sleep with the footmen. I pity you, really."

"I would not deny I am dying to be in that private chamber, Haverston," Ralph wryly retorted, "and I do agree that I am rather slow. But one should be when faced with a bandit, would you not agree?"

The man simply laughed as he left.

Ralph lingered in the quiet room for a while, wondering about something else entirely. Alex seemed to have changed since they left Wickhurst. Yes, she was the same fiery woman, but there was something that was bothering her.

Something happened, he was certain of that.

His silent ministration was broken by McKenzie's return. "I know you said you do not plan to join me in the gaming hall, Ralph, but I believe you must."

Ralph frowned. "Why?"

Grinning, McKenzie said, "Your bandit is robbing everyone's townsend as we speak."

*****

Ralph was greeted by a wild eruption of laughter. The gaming hall was packed with club members, but most of them were huddled together in one corner of the room.

"Do not make a scene. My sister-in-law would not appreciate it," McKenzie warned before Ralph strode toward the group where he found Alex sitting around the table with cards in hand. And she was wearing nothing but a shirt and her breeches.

It would have been less of a bother, but she was wearing her beautiful hair down, a matter Ralph found entirely provocative.

"Excuse me, gentlemen," Ralph coldly said, breaking the crowd. "I believe this lady has to retire for the night."

Alex snapped her head at him, her cheeks flushed. Ralph's eyes veered to the empty glass before her.

"Back to your seats, everyone," he heard McKenzie order.

Slowly, the other lords hesitantly went back to their tables, grumbling under their breath.

"Time to retire, Alex," Ralph said in a low voice, standing beside her.

She did not turn her head as she returned her attention back on the cards in her hand. "Ye have nae claim over me, guv," she hissed back.

"You are foxed. This is not the proper place to be drunk. Allow me to escort you back to your chambers." Ralph was trying his best, but his patience was running short as the lords around the table started to throw him a look of impatience for the intrusion.

"Go find one of yer lovers, guv, if yer bored."

"The lady is not leaving, my lord," one of the men coldly said, eyes on his cards.

Ralph's head snapped to the man. "I believe I was not talking to you."

"I believe we are playing with the lady."

Ralph straightened to full height and turned to the man. "She is retiring."

The lord frowned and slapped his cards face-down on the table. "She is staying and you are harassing her."

"Oi—" Alex started, but Ralph had already lunged for the man's collar, pulling him to his feet.

"The only one I plan to harass is you,"

The man gulped. "Forgive me, my lord, I did not know she was your wench."

With that last word, the ruckus ensued.

The man was sent to the floor and as Ralph began to straddle and beat the soul out of him, he was pulled back by another man who gave him a hard blow across the face.

McKenzie started to pull the man on the floor away before Ralph could return for another attack, but stopped when Alex jumped on the other man who punched Ralph.

Realizing they would soon be outnumbered, Ralph grabbed Alex's hand and pulled her behind him, shouting, "Apologies, gentlemen!"

Everyone, including McKenzie who was stopping another attacker, stopped to stare at Ralph.

"My wife and I had a horrible fight this morning. She came here to taunt me and I am here to return her to our estate. We do not mean to cause trouble." But he turned to glare at the man who was still on the floor. "She is no wench."

"Trouble is over, gentlemen!" McKenzie said, letting go of the other lord. "I speak for this man and his... wife."

"And we shall return the money," Ralph added, adding over his shoulder, "Go on, darling, return their money."

"I won them, darling" Alex said, assuming proper speech. "There is no way I am returning them—"

"Return them at once, sweetheart," Ralph grated out.

Alex threw the townsends on the table.

Ralph grabbed her by the hand and pulled her across the room.

"Who the bloody hell is that, Mac?" someone asked.

"A very jealous sort of man," Ralph heard McKenzie reply. "It would help if this incident do not reach Lady Mary's ears."

*****

The silence in the private chamber was almost palpable as the maidservant left after mending Ralph's face.

Any hint of spirit in her system was drained away after the brief war in the gaming hall and Alex timidly waited for Ralph's outburst. She had to admit she was at fault. She ought not to have gone downstairs. It was not her place.

But she merely wanted a drink to help her sleep for she had been tossing in the large bed and sleep was nowhere near in sight. She got lost in the gaming hall and the gentlemen there were merely happy to offer her a drink and a chance to steal from them in the most legal way possible—gambling.

Erasing the scenes from earlier out of her mind, Alex moistened her lips. Ralph was now pacing before her, his cheek which received the man's blow earlier starting to swell.

When he stopped moving and faced her, Alex prepared herself.

"Why did you get drunk?" His question surprised her for she did not expect a question. She was prepared for an earful. As a matter-of-fact, she was willing to accept any statement from him telling her how stupid she was. "Well?"

"I can't sleep, 'twas all," she murmured.

"I cannot quite hear you, Alex."

"I can't sleep," she repeated, more clearly this time.

"Why?" His voice was not angry. Rather, it was hoarse and very much curious. "What is on your mind, Alex. Tell me because it has been killing me to know that you are keeping something. Something happened that you are not telling me."

She bit her lips. She could not tell him. He would not like it.

He let out a sigh of frustration. And before she knew it, he was kneeling in front of her, his emerald green eyes trapping her gaze. "You ought to know you can trust me."

"Aye. I do," she whispered.

Instead of insisting that she told him what was bothering her, instead of demanding for it, Ralph reached up, cupping her face with one hand. A surge of heat shot through her like it did countless times whenever his skin was in contact with hers. "Were you hurt?"

She shook her head.

When he made a move to retreat, Alex grabbed his hand. She did not want him to go and leave her alone in this private chamber.

"Ralph," she began, gripping his hand tightly. "Promise me we can find 'em. We can save 'em."

His beautiful face softened. He nodded and cupped her face once more with his free hand. "Yes," he whispered.

Alex nodded, forcing herself to believe that the woman and the child were safe and that they could find them.

Everyone must be safe in the end.

When Ralph hesitantly started to pull away once again, Alex pulled at his hand to stop him. He frowned at her. "Don't," she murmured, leaning her forehead against his. He smelled wonderful, she thought.

His free hand came to rest on her waist as if on instinct, or perhaps to maintain a sense of balance. Nuzzling to the side of his face, Alex inhaled deeply, her hand traveling to the back of his neck.

His grip tightened on her waist. "What are you doing, Alex?" he asked, voice throaty but controlled.

She could not answer him with words. No, she could not bring herself to speak tonight, not when all she wanted was to feel.

She trailed light feathery kisses along his jaw until she reached the corner of his lips. Alex opened her eyes and met his curious ones. But there was something there as well.

Fire.

Burning fire.

"Alex," he whispered, tone filled with warning.

It was also a question.

And she answered it by a soft kiss.

For Ralph, it was enough. He tore his lips from hers and rushed to the door.

Alex's heart hammered loud against her chest as she watched him turn the lock. When he turned around to face her, his chest was heaving.

His hands were on his hips, his face contorted with almost pain. He was a man fighting a losing battle for control.

When she opened her mouth, Ralph lifted on finger. "Just one moment," he said, breathing hard. "One moment."

"We don't have a moment," she croaked.

Silence followed her desperate statement. His hands dropped to the side as his burning eyes hungrily looked at her.

"Hellfire and damnation," he growled, striding to the bed, eyes filled with intent.

Alex eagerly welcomed the attack, meeting his hungry mouth when he reached her, cupping both sides of her face. She ran her fingers restlessly through his hair as they tumbled backward on the bed.

His hands roughly pulled her shirt from her breeches and wormed their way underneath to her breasts, cupping and kneading them with his warmth.

Her eyes closed, her other senses igniting as he moved above her, as she listened to the sounds they were making.

She would not be alone tonight, she thought.