Three years ago...

"'Tis a grand weddin'," Ned commented beside Alex. Barto nodded beside him.

Both of her cousins looked utterly young and handsome in their expensive suits. Their hair was far from their usual messy mane, tied neatly behind their nape. But they looked very uncomfortable.

Alex, on the other hand, could not feel the same. She regretted wearing her breeches underneath the blue gown, but it was a price to pay for the odd wonder and satisfaction she felt now.

Alex felt like a princess as she stood in the entrance of one of the largest churches in Wickhurst and she did not know when she would ever be given this chance to experience something as grand again.

Her eyes looked ahead, down the aisle where a group of men were standing. She recognized William, the Lord of Wakefield, the groom. He looked utterly distraught as he listened to five men surrounding him, all of whom with dark hair.

She smiled as she recognized one of them. Levi Everard. He had been with the twins when they came to Meriwether.

But it was not Levi who happened to turn his head and glance at her.

Alex was not certain why as she was not quite sure who it was, but her heart leaped when she discovered that one of the Everard brothers was gazing at her.

She looked behind her. There was no one else there. He was looking at HER.

"Oi," she said to her cousins, tearing her attention away from the handsome Everard. "Watch yer speech from this moment on, aye? We dinna want anyone recognizin' us. We've robbed quite a lot of 'em gentries in the past."

Knowing that one particular Everard still had his eyes on her, she turned and ushered her cousins to the side.

*****

It did not take Ralph Everard long to reply. In fact, he did so very willingly and with relief in his tone he said, "Of course not, Peters. Be my guest."

Alex gasped and gaped as the only Guard amongst the Everards stepped aside to give way to one of his fellow Guards on the ground.

She took a step back but the footman had suddenly grew strong and blocked her path.

Alex could picture the sneer on the servant's face. Ralph, on the other hand, seemed rather indifferent and looked almost impatient. He would rather have this over with as fast as possible!

"But—" she started, but the Guard had already reached her and grabbed her arm. "Oi! Careful, ye bleedin' little toe-rag!"

Everyone was taken by surprise when she suddenly twisted her arm and sent the Guard flat on his back on the ground. And before anyone could jump on her, she jumped on Ralph Everard.

Although he towered her for almost a foot, she managed to wrap an arm around his neck and point a dagger at his side. She had not been fighting with her cousins all her life not to master the move. She had done it countless times, once even with her father. The latter did not end well for her, but it had given her a tremendous lesson.

"Good Lord!" the footman shouted in horror as Alex pulled Ralph away from the group, determined to escape.

Her eyes flickered to the side to see the butler and three other footmen running toward them from the entrance of the estate.

"Put down the weapon, bandit!" Peter shouted, jumping from his horse. The other Guard let go of Siege and Alex let out a loud whistle and her mare lifted her front legs and galloped away.

The three Guards, astounded, chuckled as they watched Siege run away to escape Whiston.

"Even your horse cannot follow orders," said Peters, slowly inching forward.

Alex simply smiled. "Nae," she said, tightening her grip around Ralph's neck when he tried to move, "she simply knows where te go, see?"

As the three Guards stood in confusion, she hastily came to her toes to press closer to Ralph Everard to whisper, "I told ye I'm friends with yer sister. Ye tell yer Guard friends te move their arse out of here now."

He scoffed and made a horrified attempt to face her but she pressed the dagger a little closer against his side to keep him still. "We do not have bandit friends," he gritted out.

The Guards took another step forward and Alex dragged Ralph two more steps back.

"Surrender, bandit. Let us make this easy," Peters said.

Alex cursed under her breath. "I shouldna have helped that woman," she muttered. She tightened her arm around Ralph's neck. She knew that if she could not find a way out soon, she would grow tired for the man was quite tall. "And we should've stolen from all Everards when we had the chance!" she added with derision.

*****

Ralph frowned at the bandit's words.

"What woman?" he asked, curious.

Peters and his men took another step forward and Ralph groaned as the bandit pulled him two more steps back. It would not be long before they would reach the main entrance to the estate.

He darted his eyes to the butler and the footmen. His gaze told the servants not to run back to the estate. The last thing they needed was for Nicholas to find out about this dratted, useless incident.

The woman was outnumbered, her horse had abandoned her and she had naught but one dagger as a weapon, one that could be very fatal if used correctly, but could be avoided if Ralph found the perfect time to disarm her.

And he realized he could distract her by talking to her. "What woman?" he asked again. His eyes held Peters, telling the Guard to stay still and wait for his signal.

"The one I found dyin' in the bloody forest," the bandit hissed behind him. "She escaped from somewhere, see? And she spoke yer brother's name. She needed help, guv. That's why I'm here."

Ralph stiffened as the woman's words finally dawned on him.

"Which forest?"

"First, tell yer friends to go," she whispered behind him, pressing closer to his back.

Bloody hell, this woman was strong!

Ralph tried to shake his head but her arm merely tightened around him. "When did you find this woman?"

"Five days ago," she replied. "Now, make 'em go away, guv."

Ralph's jaw tightened. This woman could be lying. But then, she could also be telling the truth. And if she let Peters and his men take her, he might very well be letting go of the only chance he had of finding clues to where Sophia might be.

He met Peters' eyes. "Leave us," he said.

Peters shook his head. "No, we are not leaving without this bandit, Everard. We have not been tracking her for days to simply let her go. You know how rare a catch they are."

Ralph felt the bandit's arm tighten around his neck. Her dagger pressed closer.

"Take me inside," he whispered to her.

"What?" she asked.

"Take me inside!" he hissed.

"Very well, then!" the bandit said aloud, dragging Ralph farther away from the Guards and the servants. When they all made an attempt to follow, she shouted, "Don't follow or ye will have one Guard dead!"

"But we will have a live bandit," Peters said, his tone menacing.

Ralph glared at his comrade. This was not the best day to proclaim a willing sacrifice of one of their own!

"Who said there's only one, guv?" the bandit asked aloud with a mocking laugh.

That stopped the Guards and caused the servants to look around in alert as if expecting a herd of bandits to rush forward.

"Me horse must've already reached me friends waitin' nearby, see," the woman said as she dragged Ralph closer to the estate.

"Bloody hell," said one of the Guards who ran to his horse and climbed on it. He took it around and soon enough he was running toward the entrance to see for himself.

But Peters and the other one remained, watching as Ralph and the bandit climbed the stairs to the grand entrance. The butler and the footmen watched in horror, helpless.

"Call for more Guards!" Peters ordered the other Guard as he watched on.

"We'll be waitin'!" the bandit shouted before they reached the last step and entered the doorway. "Now, close the doors, guv," she ordered Ralph.

Ralph reached out for the doors while his neck was still being held prisoner by the woman's arm.

"Lockit," she ordered with triumph in her voice.

Never had he ever thought this would happen to him. He hated bandits for they had been his first assignments. He chased them for years before he was selected to be a part of the slave trade investigation. In fact, he hated them so much he was recently considering taking more bandit cases, but that was before Sophia disappeared. That was before Osegod made another attack against their family.

"Now you have merely minutes before the Guards are back," he gritted through his teeth. "Be wise taking your time, bandit, before they come for you."

"Do ye think me daft, Guard?" she asked, copying his mocking tone. "The other Guards are in Wickhurst. 'Tis two hours away from Whiston by horse, aye?"

Ralph bared his teeth and forced himself to calm down. "Very well, then tell me what you came here for."

"Nae," she said behind him, still with her arm around his neck and the dagger against his side. "I wanna talk to yer brother, Nicholas Everard."

"He is not here," he lied.

She considered his answer.

"I will take you to him," he lied again.

The arm around his neck tightened. "Then ye have te make the Guards outside leave, guv."

"That is not—"

"Ye make 'em or I'm not talkin'. Ye know the woman, I assume, aye?" she pressed. "Ye wanna know where I found her."

Yes. Yes, of course he wanted to know. He wanted to know what the woman looked like. He wanted to know where the woman escaped from. Where was she now? Was she alive?

"That's answer 'nough," the bandit said, finally letting Ralph go.

His first instinct was to whirl around and jump on her, tie her down and force her to speak.

He did whirl around and he did face her. But he found that he was incapable of jumping on her like he would any other male bandits.

This was a bloody bandit woman, for God's sake!

And hellfire and damnation, she was perfect.

Her thick, curly black hair was braided behind her head with a lot of strays standing and making a crown around her face. But it did not hide the beauty of the woman who wore it for if Ralph was to decide, it merely made her more radiant.

The smudge of dirt on one cheekbone was not even enough to cover what was underneath. Everything was centered on her dark grey eyes hooded by thick lashes and brows. Her lips, although formed with determination, were full and red.

He dared not look further down for he knew he would merely be disappointed or left wondering. She was wearing the most bedraggled form of clothing he had ever seen.

But her face alone spoke for itself, igniting questions that had nothing to do with Sophia or Osegod.

With one shake of his head, he focused on the matter at hand.

She was a bandit. She had not denied it. He ought to take her down and take her before the Men of Courts. Surely she had a record somewhere. Surely she had victims who would come forward and testify against her.

But he needed her for he needed to find Sophia.

She did not care what drove the bandit to come here. Perhaps it was to take payment for the information, which was highly likely considering the bandits lived only for whatever they could take and steal.

But Ralph knew that he would be willing to pay any price for it.

"Well?" the woman asked, a hint of a smile curving her lips. She gave him a taunting look.

Ralph mentally shook his head. If she was dressed in white and her face clean and hair made up, he would have believed he was facing an angel.

But hearing her speak and seeing the wicked glint in her eyes, he was reminded of his own sisters, Ysabella and Emma. For a moment he thought it would not be impossible after all if his sisters were indeed friends with a bandit.

But they ought to know better!

"Well? I dinna have the entire day, guv," the bandit said, twirling and flipping the dagger in her hand.

This was no angel, Ralph thought, this was a bloody dangerous evil goddess dressed in filthy breeches and oversized dress shirt, not to mention a very horrid coat.

Ralph placed his hands on his hips and considered the situation. He knew Peters well enough. The man would not leave until he was certain the bandit was in his possession or had indeed escaped.

Nicholas was locked in his study on the second landing and it was possible that his brother had not yet heard the commotion outside. Ralph would not dare risk it. If he was to hear this woman out, he must get rid of the Guards as fast as possible and take her to Beechworth where he could easily interrogate and negotiate with her should she ever make demands.

He motioned with his head and said, "Go. Escape somewhere in the household and return after the Guards disappear."

She stilled and frowned at him. "What?"

"I'll make them believe you have escaped," he said wryly.

She gave him a dubious look. Bloody hell, she was beautiful.

"They would'na easily believe that, guv," she said, shaking her head.

Ralph let out a sigh of frustration. "Bloody hell, woman, do as I say. I'll handle the Guards, you come back here and I will personally take you to my brother."

"Nae." She shook her head. "I have a better idea."

Ralph cocked a brow. "What—"

But before he could utter another word, her fist landed against his face. Hard. And Ralph stumbled and fell on the floor. He did not lose consciousness, but he did feel his spirit leave his body for a while.

His mind was screaming damnation but the ringing in his ears was not helping him scramble back to his feet and attack back. Instead, it rendered him incapable of anything for a while, giving the bandit enough time to drag him to the nearest room which was the parlor.

He allowed her for he was at a loss, utterly in disbelief, his mind muddled and his ears ringing. No, they were banging. He groaned in frustration. How the bloody hell did she manage to knock him to this state!

He blinked a few times and realized he was sitting back on the floor in the middle of the parlor. He could see the woman running toward the curtains and before he knew it she was back.

"Ye tell 'em I did this, aye?" she said to him.

"Cors you did, you witch," Ralph murmured and he thought he heard her laugh. It sounded like he was indeed in heaven with an angel laughing beside him.

He shook his head to erase the dizziness but the room seemed to still be moving so he closed his eyes again.

He felt the bandit pat his head. "Good Guard," she said, chuckling as she left.

With a grunt, Ralph made an attempt to move but found that he could not do so. Blinking away any remnant of disorientation caused by that powerful blow, he opened his eyes and looked down.

"Blazes!" he hissed.

She had tied him down!