"A negotiation," he wryly uttered, looking her up and down.

She stuck up her chin in response to his gaze. "I had to do what I did because I am in search of someone. I do not wish to cause the Everards harm." When Maxwell remained quiet, she added, "I am inclined to believe that you suspect me of spying for whatever reason you may have. That is not the case."

"I do not hear a negotiation. You are wasting my time," he said, taking a step back.

She held out her hand to stop the door from closing. "I shall leave the moment I find what I am looking for. Merely give me a month or so." He watched while her hand disappeared inside the breast pocket of her coat. His brow rose when it reappeared and she held out a ruby necklace. "This is my most valuable possession at the moment and I give it to you in return for your silence."

His lips twitched in an incredulous smile. "Do you realize, woman, that you are facing an Everard? We mine jewels. Why do you believe that I would take that piece of garbage?"

He saw the hurt in her eyes before it quickly vanished. She smiled. "I know the Everards cannot mine rubies, my lord."

"And I say I do not need—"

She surprised him yet again by grabbing his hand and forced the ruby necklace into his palm. "There. It is yours for now. You will have to return it when I leave." She stepped back and turned away. "For your silence, my lord."

Maxwell did not realize that he was gaping after the valet.

Did she call that a negotiation?

It was a bloody attack!

*****

Maxine's heart was pounding hard against her chest when she reached the cabin she had to share with the carriage driver. The man was already snoring, deep asleep.

She had done it.

She faced Maxwell Everard and delivered what she had been practicing for hours earlier.

It was true that he did not need the ruby. But it was the only valuable possession she had that she could not part with for long. Her father had given it to her for her sixteenth birthday and she would get it back. But for now, Maxwell Everard would have to think that she was not who he suspected to be. He might now believe she was a thief who stole a ruby. Bloody hell, he might even be inclined to think she was gentry.

Her move was not to pay him for her silence, her move was meant to startle him and make him think of her true motives further. It would give her time. She was innocent of anything other than hiding who she truly was. He would not find anything suspicious about her.

For the meanwhile she was satisfied that the man was left even more baffled.

For certain he would confront her once again and by then she shall be prepared.

*****

Maxine was cursing inside her head.

She was not complaining, really, but why did Nicholas have to bring so many bags? Her arms wanted to give up on her, having gone two trips down the stairs carrying two bags at once. If Albin did not provide a list of the things that Nicholas preferred to be brought along with him during travels such as this, she would have packed merely two bags for him. Surely he would not need this many! His brother surely did not!

And speaking of the brother, did she have to carry his things as well?

She merely had one bag! One bag! And these two brothers brought along as much as her wardrobe in Theobald!

A voice inside her head let out a loud, sarcastic laugh. Of course! Who else would carry them? The driver did not even bother to offer help. The brothers, of course, went straight down to breakfast. She was on her own, carrying a burden of trousers, coats, shirts and everything else packed in large bags.

On her last trip down, she was carrying Maxwell's bags, ones he left inside his room for her to bring back down to the carriage.

Nicholas was talking to a man while Maxwell was standing in one corner, ready to depart.

Maxine caught his eyes and she almost fell over when her right foot tripped on the edge of the bag she was carrying.

A strong hand managed to grasp her arm to pull her straight back. She jumped away when she realized it was Maxwell, causing her to stumble back and lose her balance once again. He caught her once more.

"You are too bloody inept for a valet," he snapped at her under his breath and without another word snatched the bags from her hands and walked out the door.

Recovering from her shock, she ran after him. "I can do it, milord!" she called out with annoyance but he was not listening as he threw one bag to the driver who piled it on top of the carriage. He threw the next one and opened the carriage door.

She tightly shut her lips to silence the frustrated growl stuck in her throat. Turning sharply around, she walked up to the driver.

"Where do you think you are going?" Maxwell snapped behind her.

"I am riding with the driver," she said over her shoulder.

"No, you are not," he uttered.

She skidded to a stop. What was he doing now? He helped her with the luggage and now he did not want her to ride with the driver? Why? Because he had confirmed she was a woman? "Whyever not, milord?" she asked, trying her best not to sound too proud. After what she did last night, Maxwell Everard might just decide to tell his brother the truth and leave her here at Marsden.

And she could not have that. If they ever did that, it would almost be like leaving her outside the Theobald doorsteps. Her father's estate was merely half a day away!

He was frowning at her. "You cannot ride with the driver just yet, valet," he repeated, "because you have to fetch my brother first," he finished, climbing inside the carriage. He slammed the door shut. "And make it fast. We do not have all day," his voice added from inside.

Maxine gritted her teeth and returned into the tavern.

Nicholas was laughing with the man he was talking with and he turned with an inquiring look as she approached. "Are we ready to leave, Max?"

"Yes, milord."

"Good then!" He turned to the tavern owner and said goodbye.

The old man nodded and turned to Maxine. His gaze settled on her and he frowned. "Have I seen you before, lad?"

Maxine's heart hammered against her chest. No, she had not seen this man before. She did not stay long in Marsden after her horse was stolen. There could be no way this man would identify her—unless he was familiar of her father, of course. She had his eyes after all.

"Oh, he used to work for the Theobalds," Nicholas answered for her.

"Mayhap you have seen me around the village while I was running errands," she offered.

The man's frown deepened, unsure whether to take her answer or not, but he must have thought it was useless to wonder too much so he shrugged.

"Good day, milord!" he said to Nicholas.

Nicholas nodded and walked out of the tavern with Maxine. This was what she had been afraid of, she thought. When she learned that they were to stay in Marsden, she had started to panic.

That man was merely a reminder that she must make haste.

*****

Devonshire was amongst the largest estates all over the Town and it was inherited by none other than the eldest of the Everards, Benedict.

He had been spending most of his time here since he married his wife to keep her away from unnecessary gossips. She was Ysabella and Emma's governess. Benedict found himself in love with her and caused quite a scandal by marrying the governess after breaking his engagement with one of the richest families in Wickhurst. After their marriage, Benedict and his wife struggled to have a child, losing their first one and finally rewarded by their first born, Ayah, merely months ago.

Maxwell and Nicholas immediately went to see their niece.

"She does look like an Everard," Nicholas muttered as he frowned down at the dark-haired babe in his arms.

"She is an Everard," Benedict said in his deadpan voice.

"Is there a chance for her eyes to change color?" Maxwell wondered.

Agatha laughed. "I believe that is hardly possible, Max."

He shrugged and lightly teased the child's nose before stepping away.

"Would have loved for her to have her mother's eyes," Benedict said, "but she is an Everard in every way."

Agatha's golden brown eyes glimmered with amusement. She walked over to Nicholas, her hands outstretched. "I shall leave you three alone for now," she said. Nicholas handed Ayah back to Agatha.

"You have a very beautiful child, Agatha," Nicholas said.

Their sister-in-law laughed, her auburn hair moving along as she lightly shook her head. "You would have one if you find a wife soon."

Maxwell scoffed and walked over to the liquor cabinet to prepare a drink.

They all waited until Agatha and Ayah were out of the library.

"Have you decided?" Nicholas asked the question. Maxwell turned to Benedict who settled behind his table.

Their brother was different from them all in many ways. He had been through tragic events in his life. His face was filled with scars caused by their now brother-in-law Cole Devitt. But it was a story long forgotten and buried. None of them would dare speak of it now that Benedict seem to not be bothered by Devitt or the sins they both did to each other in the past.

Maxwell had once thought that it was Agatha who saved their brother from making the worst mistake of his life. Marrying a woman he did not love for business was almost suicide.

And that was what he feared the most. Benedict had a penchant to put business first before his own welfare and Maxwell only hoped that this new life with his wife and daughter would change that predisposition.

"I do not like this, Ben," Maxwell honestly said, walking over to the chaise. "Osegod is not one we must associate ourselves with."

"You believe the rumors about the man," Nicholas nearly snapped. He turned to Benedict. "I say we hear what he has to say first before we make a decision. If he is a man who cannot accept rejection, then we continue with our lives and hope he is a good sport. If he is a man who turns out to be a very good business partner, then we win."

Maxwell shook his head. "We had always been doing well, Nicholas. We do not need more."

"But he can help us with new projects. He has the power and the authority. We can open more mines and—"

"I have to agree with Max," Benedict interjected in a serious tone.

Nicholas sighed. "Of course, you will. I have guessed as much."

"But I fear that a rejection from the Everards would urge Osegod to do more drastic things."

Nicholas gaped. "Do not tell me that you believe he had something to do with the accident in the mine as well!"

Benedict shrugged. "It is possible."

Nicholas turned to Maxwell with an incredulous look on his face. "What could have made you think he did it? What would he get from it?"

Maxwell was quiet for a while. He knew what Osegod could be capable of. He had overheard Margaret talk with a fellow Leaguer and it was the first time he had ever heard his sister sound scared. They had been talking about Osegod and how to bring him down, but that was a matter he could not easily disclose to his brothers. Not without Margaret's permission, of course.

"I suggest we talk with Levi and Margaret," he said.

"We barely know what Osegod specifically wants. He merely mentioned his desire for a business partnership. We must hear him out first," Nicholas said.

"I agree," Benedict said, making Maxwell snap his head in surprise.

"Ben, you cannot be thinking of inviting the man—"

"I have already requested details of his plan. I will study them once they arrive," Benedict said. "I do not wish to meet the entire family without a good report. They will have questions and I will have to answer all of them." He stared at Maxwell. "For now, you can be assured that I do not plan to engage in any sort of business with Osegod until we have discussed everything with everyone."

He would have liked it best if Benedict had already expressed his refusal, but Benedict shall always be Benedict.

"How are the mines?" Benedict asked.

"We have secured every corner possible," Nicholas said. "The workers are taking extra care with the explosives."

"Did you transfer the storage facility?"

"At the southern part," Maxwell replied. "Ben, that accident was not supposed to have happened."

His brother nodded. "I know. But we cannot point a finger solely on Osegod simply because we believe it is him behind it. It could have been an unlucky accident and it could also be as what we both believe. For now, we shall have to be careful. Make certain that all workers are being checked. Have all of them renew their passes."

Nicholas and Maxwell nodded.

"Does mother know?"

"Of the accident, yes," Nicholas said.

"Osegod, no," Maxwell added.

Benedict stood up and sighed. "Then it shall remain that way until I have the details of Osegod's proposal." He walked to the center of the room. "He might try to approach you in the Macy ball."

Nicholas groaned. "Not possible. I shall be surrounded by young maidens."

Benedict rolled his eyes.

"He might try," Maxwell said, standing up, "but it shall prove to be quite a challenge. There will be a ton of people there. Not good for business deals."

"But even so, do be wary."

"Of course," Maxwell said with a nod. "Has Agatha arranged for an early dinner?"

"Why?"

He walked to the door. "I am famished."

*****

Later that evening, Maxwell and his brothers spent the night drinking in the drawing room, talking about their mother and siblings. They also discussed the small hunting game they planned to have within Devonshire before departing for Willowfair. They might not find anything bigger than a squirrel, but it had been a long time since Benedict had joined them for such game.

None of them discussed Osegod. Benedict had decided to wait and so they shall.

"I will to retire early," he said, standing up to leave.

Nicholas merely nodded and Benedict simply waved his hand. Both men were engrossed in a game of chess.

He walked out of the drawing room and found the valet standing outside, jumping to alertness when she saw him.

"What are you doing here?" he asked with a frown. Had she been listening to their discussion?

"Waiting for my master, milord," was her short reply. Her pale grey eyes would not meet his.

Stubborn.

He meant to walk away, but he could not help himself. This might not be the perfect time and place to discuss about her ruby necklace or where she acquired it, nor was it the time to interrogate. Bloody hell, he was not even quite sure yet how to interrogate her. But he could not simply walk away without saying a word.

So he simply walked up to her and said, "You do not have to do everything for my brother, valet."

"But it is my task," she snapped back, adding too late, "milord."

"Of course, you must understand why I said that."

He did not expect her to decode his statement for it was rare for anyone to do so, but she surprised him yet again when she stuck up her chin and looked him straight in the eyes. "You wish that I do not spend more time with your brother or your family so I cannot do what you believe I am doing which is spying, a matter I find atrocious if not unbelievable, of course."

He cocked his brows high. "You are quick-witted. Even more reason to suspect you."

She smiled. "If that is what you truly wish to do, milord, I cannot stop you. But you must remember that I have paid for your silence and I hope that you keep what you know to yourself."

"You realize that I can throw your bloody necklace at your face, walk back in that room and tell my family everything, do you not?" he challenged, gauging every reaction on her face.

He found none that would have caused him alarm.

"I am here for personal reasons, milord. I repeat that I do not wish to cause any of you any harm." Her eyes did not leave his as she finished, "My mission is entirely for myself and has nothing to do with the Everards."

He did not move, nor did he speak. He was hoping that she would give something he could easily decipher to be bad. He could not do anything if she had done nothing wrong. Yet.

"You ought to leave me alone and do my job in silence, milord."

"Do not tell me what to do, valet," he snapped, finally walking away from her. "I shall keep your necklace," he said over his shoulder. "But know that I am watching."

As he walked to the staircase, he thought he heard her say, "Why am I not surprised?"

She must be wondering why he accepted her so-called payment, or why he had not done anything drastic yet.

As a matter of fact, he was not planning to for it was better to have her close.

One could not shoot a prey if one does not have it in sight after all.