Three years ago...

"And what of your mother?" asked Ralph.

He recognized the same look of longing in her eyes as she shrugged and said, "My mother has long passed away, my lord."

Ralph nodded and leaned on his hands to look up, staring at the empty darkness up above them. A passing wish of visible stars came to mind as he continued to gaze. He would love to have the stars as witness to this very interesting encounter with this woman.

"She died when I was very young. I barely have memories of her." Her words surprised him. She willingly gave him information he thought he would have to beg for. He turned his head to look at her and found that she was smiling at him. "You ought to feel lucky that you lived until you were old enough to remember enough of your father."

She was not merely beautiful and wise, she was also very observant, Ralph thought. "I am grateful for the time I had with my father," he said, "but one could always wish for more, yes?"

A flash of sadness crossed her eyes before she blinked and looked away. "Yes, perhaps you are correct."

*****

"Oi!" Ralph heard Alex shout before he let out a big sigh. Although he would want to know what was happening, he thought it would be best to wait for a little while longer. But he prepared his pistol if need be. He carefully looked out the window to see what was happening.

He was not surprised when he saw her face to face with two older bandits. But it was curious that she was not killing them yet. As a matter of fact, Alex was sharing a strong handshake with one of them.

"What are ye doin' 'ere, lass?" asked the bigger man.

"As ye can see, I'm workin'," she replied, gesturing over her shoulder at the carriage. Ralph immediately pulled away from the window to lean back against his seat.

"Workin' as what?" the other of the two men asked with suspicion. "And wearin' a bleedin' dress?"

"Deliverin' me father's goods?" Alex said with uncertainty. Ralph's mouth opened in disbelief.

"Goods?" asked the man.

"Aye," Alex uttered. "Ack, bleedin' hell. I'll tell ye the truth if ye promise te keep yer mouths shut, aye?"

Ralph tried to hear Alex's next words but she was talking in whisper.

"Ah!" the men said. "Prove it then, lass."

"W-what?" Ralph heard her ask in panic.

"Prove it. Let's meet the man."

"B-but we're in a hurry—"

"If yer marryin' the lad, we must see who, eh?"

Ralph shifted in his seat. What the bloody hell!

Yet before he could even wrap his mind around what was happening, Alex was pulling him out of the carriage.

Ralph stumbled out and was face to face with the two bandits, their faces expectant but doubtful, even suspicious.

"What—" he started to ask but Alex grabbed him by the back of his neck and pulled him down. The next thing he knew she was kissing him in front of the two bandits.

And then it was over.

And Ralph was dumbfounded.

And the two men were laughing.

"Ah, ye are yer father's daughter!" said one of them, slapping his companion jovially.

Alex was grinning at them. "Now, now, ye two keep this quiet, aye?" She moved closer to the two men in a conspiratorial fashion. "Me 'Pa dinna want me marryin' this man."

The two men snorted. "Ye have our words, lass. Bandit's honor, see?" Then they glared at Ralph. "Ye marryin' her fer life, ye understand? Ye can't go runnin' away when old Gustav goes after yer neck once he finds out."

All Ralph could do was nod.

"A bleedin' gentleman," said the other bandit, shaking his head.

"At least he's no Guard," said the other.

"He's a businessman," offered Alex. "And dinna worry, uncles, me 'Pa will love him. He has many rich friends, see?" She elbowed Ralph and said, "Sweetheart, meet me uncles Dan 'n Gun."

Uncles? He was facing her uncles? Dan and Gun?

They must have seen his reaction for the two men laughed. "Off ye go, lass," said one of them. "'Fore this lad go escapin'."

The two men stepped forward to pull Ralph along with them to the back of the carriage and away from Alex before he could even join her unto the carriage. "Now, ye listen real hard, young man," Dan or Gun harshly whispered. "Ye marry her but ye don't wanna keep her 'way from the life, ye understand? She's a bandit and will always be one."

"Her family's us," Dan or Gun added.

Ralph simply nodded.

"We dinna hear an answer," Dan or Gun said, squeezing his arm hard.

"Yes," Ralph managed to utter.

"Marry her fast and ye go take her back te our brother, ye understand, my boy?"

"Yes."

"Then yer gonna receive Gustav's punishment for elopin' with his little girl, ye understand?"

"Yes."

Dan or Gun clucked his tongue as he looked Ralph up and down. "I don't know. Maybe we should beat 'im te pieces first."

"We might end up killin' him. The lass won't like it," replied Dan or Gun. "And she said she's carryin' his babe. We dinna want our grandnephew growin' up without a 'pa."

Ralph blinked in disbelief. She told them she was with child?

"It's his face. I don't trust it."

"We dinna have any choice. If we let Gustav have 'im, the lass might not forgive us."

Dan or Gun considered his brother's words. Making his decision, he let go of Ralph but none-too-gently. "Remember our faces, lad," he said, pointing at his own face. "Ye dinna wanna see these lookin' furious."

Ralph nodded. "Yes."

"Now, off ye go and marry the lass."

*****

"Uncles?" Ralph wryly said the very moment they were back inside the carriage and the two elder bandits were gone. He loosened his cravat as though he had been having trouble breathing.

"Dan and Gun, aye," said Alex as she fished something from the pocket of her coat.

"Pregnant?"

"The only thin' that kept 'em from killin' ye."

As Ralph scoffed, she threw something at him. He caught it and frowned down at the diamond bracelet. "What the bloody hell is this?"

"Payment fer the kiss, guv," she said.

"And where did you get this?"

She shrugged. "A cockroach."

"This cockroach was wearing a bracelet?"

"Aye, and she's a very pretty one."

Ralph shook his head, knowing full well who the owner of the bracelet was.

"I shall never be used to the misfortunes I encounter while on a journey with you, bandit," he muttered, stretching his legs in front of him.

"Dinna have te, guv. There's nae need fer more journey after this, I hope. We'll both be on our sep'rate ways, eh?"

Ralph found himself thinking about her last statement. He was not quite sure he was hoping for the same thing.

*****

Lord Eustace Theobald was known to be quiet the adventurous man in his youth. He had graced the Town Herald's gossip section for years even after he married Samuel's mother and it had always involved Willowfair.

Everybody knew he was not fond of having been shackled into a marriage at such a young age and he made certain that everybody was aware of it—especially his wife.

But not everyone knew what really went on in the years he was in Willowfair until Samuel's sister came out of society after marrying into the Everards. The Theobalds boldly and proudly announced Maxine's bastardy and all of Lord Eustace's scandals in the past had once more been the topic of gossips for months since then. His estate in Willowfair had been photographed and printed on the Herald with questions as to whether the mystery woman who bore Lord Theobald's bastard daughter had ever lived there.

But not everyone was privy to the identity of the woman and the select few who did would dare not reveal such secret.

Despite the big scandals of the past, the said estate was maintained but Lord Eustace himself never returned since his wife dragged him back home many years ago and converted him to the man he was today as he had claimed in one of the many dinners with the Everards.

Be that as it may, the estate was deemed to be the perfect place for Ralph and Alex to stay in Willowfair as it was still constantly being watched by the numerous gossipmongers of Willowfair and was surrounded by many other bachelor estates who had their own fair share of constant scandals.

"It does scream mistress," Alex commented when they arrived. "Like yer apartment, guv."

Ralph ignored her comment and checked his watch. "You can rest in your chamber for a while but you have to be ready after nine."

Alex paused, reminded of the beautiful gown in one of the trunks provided for her by Emma. "Can't I plead te skip the ball?"

Ralph shook his head. "The last time I left you, you were attacked. You are safer with me than with anyone else."

"In a bleedin' ball?"

"The Sigourney Ball is one of the biggest in Willowfair and it is of perfect timing that we arrived for it. The Haverstons acquired an invite for me."

"But not fer me," she pointed out.

Ralph smiled at her. "You are an expert in breaking in."

"Nae," she retorted, "I'm an expert in attackin' and stealin' with grace. I ain't nae creeping thief in the night."

"Very much the same," Ralph said with a shrug. "Now, do be a good bandit and take a short respite. And then be kind to allow the maid to help you dress. Remember whose role you shall play this evening."

"Ye mean one of 'em mistresses o' yers?" she wryly asked. "Why can't we meet yer friends somewhere else instead, eh?"

"Because they believe the Sigourney Ball is the perfect cover." Ralph gently pushed her toward the east wing. "You will like them."

"Who?"

"The Haverstons."

*****

"Are ye not worried 'bout yer friend?"

Ralph was peering through the drawn curtain of the carriage as he murmured, "Which one? Samuel?"

"Aye."

He pulled back to stare at her. She was remarkably beautiful tonight. Perhaps the maid who did her hair and face had been utterly bored given that the estate had not had any guest for quite a while. Ralph thought Alex would need not more done on her face, but tonight he could not complain for she looked far more extravagant than anyone in the Sigourney Ball, that he was certain.

"Well? Are ye?"

"Of course," he said, snapping back to his senses. "He does say many things on his articles that evoke strong opinions. His words attract trouble."

"He plans te distract Osegod again."

Ralph sighed. "Yes. He disagrees though. He believes that his articles keep him safe."

"'Cos if he gets in trouble, people will speculate that one of his subjects were responsible."

Ralph nodded.

"It's better if we find Sophia and the child soon," she muttered, righting her dress. "Yer friend can then stop whatever he's writin'."

Ralph scoffed. "I do not believe there is anything stopping Samuel, bandit. He knows his words are powerful and they do work."

He was glad she did not comment further for he was fretful enough as it was.

The Sigourney Ball would have hundreds of guests in attendance. It could hide them from Osegod and his men, but then it could also be a way to mask any bad intentions. All Ralph had to focus on now was to maintain a good distance between Alex and him and any of such intent.

"Simply act like how you did at Ysabella's wedding," he whispered to her when they entered the grand ballroom.

"I know how to act like a proper lady, my lord," she retorted with a smile that almost made Ralph stop.

As they were surrounded by the chatters and glitters of the ball, Alex seemed to have transformed before his eyes. She acted nowhere near like the bandit that boxed the life out of him. With her hand hooked in the crook of his arm, she was once more the Lady in Blue.

"You said they shall be in attendance," she said aloud. A few guests glanced their way, some of them recognizing Ralph Everard from Wickhurst, Lord of Beechworth. Others, like Ralph before, were distracted by the woman wearing a glittering gold gown. "Ack, too many eyes on me, guv," she whispered beside him.

"Yes, they shall," he replied, addressing her question, and added, "And yes, too many eyes on you. So be a darling and act as though I am the only man in the room."

"Why?"

He made the mistake of glancing down to look at her beautiful grey eyes. For a moment he was mesmerized until she blinked with curiosity. "Because that is what mistresses do," he retorted with a wink.

Ralph took her hand and pulled her through the crowd, acknowledging greetings thrown at him by some acquaintance but without slowing down.

"Ah, there he is!" a woman's voice loudly called out.

Ralph halted in his steps to look around. "Ralph!" Lady Belinda Haverston said, waving her hand at him as she dragged along her husband.

Once they were in close proximity, Ralph said to Alex, "Alex, this is McKenzie Haverston and his wife, Lady Belinda."

The dark-haired man turned to Alex to offer a short bow while his wife, the red-haired beauty, curtsied. Alex did the same as Ralph said, "This is Miss Alex. She is Ysabella and Emma's friend."

Understanding was in the couple's eyes as they nodded.

"Miss Alex, would you care to join me in the library for some quiet time?" Belinda asked. "I hope you agree that you do not wish for your face to be printed on the Herald on the morrow? Ralph here is quite a good fish to catch for many mamas and you are the woman he escorted to Sigourney. You would be food for the gossipmongers, darling."

Alex looked at Ralph who said, "We shall join you shortly," he said, gesturing at McKenzie.

Without question, Alex turned to Belinda, saying, "It shall be my pleasure, my lady. I have heard so much about you from Ysabella and Emma."

"Truly?"

"Yes!"

The two women's voices trailed away as they sauntered through the crowed.

McKenzie turned to Ralph with a serious look on his face. "As my brother's father-in-law, Lord Belverst has granted us a few minutes to talk about one of his men."

He frowned. "He is not fond of talking about the men working at his cotton factory?"

McKenzie Haverston shook his head. The scar across his right brow was more visible now. "He abhors the fact that his men are constant subjects of any interrogations because of their past."

"I am not here to interrogate anyone."

McKenzie started to walk and he followed. "He is aware you and I are both Guards and he does not truly believe anything we say when we say them. But I would love to see you try to convince him otherwise." Gesturing at the direction his wife and Alex took, he added, "Go and join the ladies. I shall fetch the man for you."

*****

"My family and I have a strong relationship with the Everards, I am certain you are aware?" asked Belinda.

"All I know is that you were Ysabella and Emma's governess for a short time before your husband took you away from them."

Belinda's laughter rang around the empty library. "I have no doubt that is how they put it."

"Oh, they also managed to narrate how he proposed."

"While they bickered whether or not he ought to kneel on both knees."

As their laughter died down, Belinda turned to Alex, her face serious. "The Everards are keeping safe one of the most precious person in my life and I would do anything for them. Tell me, are they in such big trouble? We barely have enough information. What happened to Nicholas was horrible. He is my son's favorite amongst the Everard brothers and to hear that he is not doing well is terrible."

"They are doing their best," was all Alex could say.

Something in the woman's face told Alex that she would have wanted more information and that she was also curious as to where Alex came from and why she came to be here in Willowfair. But this woman also knew her place. She did not push further until the door to the library opened and Ralph walked in.

They were later joined by McKenzie Haverston and an old lord.

"What do you wish to know, Everard?" demanded the man grumpily. He did not even acknowledge Alex's presence, but she knew who he was—Lord Amery Belverst, the owner of the cotton factory in Willowfair, the very same man who might have hired the caveman they were looking for.

"I am not here because one of your men is a suspect on a crime, my lord," Ralph clarified. "I am here because one of them might be the answer to solving one."

"Whatever do you mean?"

"I am looking for a Jeremy Briars. He was once a bandit who was cleared of his crimes. The last record we have of him is his employment in your factory."

Lord Belverst's face made a sudden change from anger to relief. But curiosity slowly crept in. "What do you wish to learn from Briars? The man has never left Willowfair since he came here many years ago."

"He has knowledge that we would like him to partake to us."

"Be more specific, young man."

"We wish to know what he knows of the Dark Forest," Alex said from where she was standing. The three men turned to her, all in different states of shock for having been interrupted. McKenzie seemed amused, Ralph had a look on his face that said he knew this was coming and Lord Belverst had an almost-furious scowl. "My name is Alexandria Griggs, Lord Belverst, and I am a bandit." As she said the last word, she heard Belinda's gasp of surprise and disbelief laced with slight mirth. "Jeremy Briars is a dear friend of my father's. If you let him know of my presence here in Willowfair, I am certain he shall not hesitate for an arranged meeting. You must understand that this is an urgent matter."

Lord Belverst's mouth had hung open while she talked and she smiled with contentment while waiting for his response. "Y-you're a bandit?" he stammered.

"Ack! Everyone finds it diff'cult te believe me when I talk proper," she said, resuming her accent with impatience. "Aye, milord, I'm a bandit."

"Bloody hell, Everard," McKenzie Haverston said, fighting back a chuckle. "A bandit!"

Alex glared at him the same time Ralph did as well. "And that is a problem?" they both chorused.

"No! Not at all!" McKenzie Haverston and his wife chorused.

"All of this is bloody confusing," Lord Belverst said before he turned to McKenzie to say, "If not for my daughter and his husband—and if the two of you—" he gestured at McKenzie and Belinda, "—are not practically family, this is not taking place at all—"

"But it is," McKenzie said, his voice once more serious.

"Is that son-in-law of mine involved in this? Is my daughter?"

"No, not at all."

"Well? When can we meet this man?" Alex asked, brows arched. She placed her hands on her hips impatiently.

Lord Belverst sent Ralph a look and he shook his head. "A Guard and a bandit working together is very unheard of..."

"My lord," Ralph and Alex chorused yet again.

"Yes, yes," he said, "I shall try my best. Briars is not the easiest man."

"When—"

"You wait," Lord Belverst interjected. "I will send word when he is ready."

And just like that, Lord Belverst turned around and left the library, muttering something about his daughter and the family she was attached to.

Alex turned to Ralph. "Well, that's easy, ain't it?"

Whatever answer Ralph had in mind was drowned out by Belinda's laughter which echoed around the library. "I knew Ysabella and Emma would not settle for anyone less!" she said in between laughter as she stared at Alex with wonder.

"My wife is not easily pleased, Miss Alex. She does not laugh easily either," said McKenzie, his own lips curving into a smile.

"Good. Yer not scandalized to be acquainted with a bandit then?" asked Alex.

McKenzie, Belinda and Ralph all scoffed at the same time. Ralph reached out to wrap his hand around her arm, guiding her toward the door. "You ought to know more about the Haverstons, bandit," he whispered in her ear.

"Do you reckon she knows who robbed Calan and Cressida?" Alex heard Belinda ask her husband.

"We might not want to share this information with Cressida for now, darling."

"Oh, but she will love to be—"

"Not now, Kate," McKenzie gently interjected.

As Ralph guided Alex down the corridor to return to the ballroom, she could not help but wonder about this Cressida. Yet she had to remind herself that this was not her world and she may be better off robbing from these men and women than dream of being one of them.

*****

"Have you read the paper?" Ralph asked her the very next day.

Alex placed her cup of tea on the table and shrugged. "I know how to read, 'cors I read it."

Ralph frowned down at her. "What is the matter?" he inquired, settling on the chair opposite hers and crossing his leg over the other. "You have been different since after the ball."

"Merely tired," she said with a wave of her hand. "Ye and yer friends chatting endlessly the whole night isn't me kind of entertainment, guv. 'Twas a good thin' the rest of the Haverstons weren't there."

"And what is your kind of entertainment?"

"Stealin', o'cors," she snapped, rolling her eyes at him before distracting herself with another sip from the cup.

"By the by, since you read the paper, did you see what Samuel wrote?"

"Aye."

Ralph peered down at her, still frowning with curiosity. "And?"

Alex sighed and wryly replied, "Well, he was plannin' to distract Osegod and he succeeded this time fer certain, talkin' 'bout the decline o' trust from the people and the speculations o' illegal businesses—'n the corrupt Guards."

"Just so you know, not all Guards are corrupt."

"Well, yer friend says otherwise."

"He stated some of the Guards," he corrected.

"Fine. Some."

"McKenzie Haverston is amongst the finest Guards I know."

"I dinna say he isn't."

"Why are you so bloody touchy today?"

"Correction, since last night," she snapped.

"There! Too bloody touchy! What happened to you?"

"Nothin'."

"Something happened, Alex."

"I've been with ye the whole night, Guard. Ye know nothin' happened te me."

"Then what sick idea came to your mind?"

"What d'ye mean?"

"Something must have come to mind for you to act this way."

Alex replaced the cup none-too-gently on the table and jumped to her feet. "Just so ye know, guv, I'm a woman. I have the propensity te be touchy!"

"What the bloody hell came—"

"Leave me alone!" she shouted over her shoulder, leaving him alone in the breakfast room.

*****

Ralph found Alex in the small garden at the back of the estate.

After the ball and with no planned activities for today, save for waiting for word from Lord Belverst, she was back to her shirt and breeches.

And she appeared to be in deep thought as he walked in for she did not even notice his presence—or mayhap she did and simply chose to ignore him.

He leaned against the doorway of the garden entrance and crossed his arm over his chest.

"What is wrong, Alex?" he asked.

She came to her feet with a frustrated sigh. When she made an attempt to walk out of the garden, Ralph grabbed her hand and forced her to face him.

She craned her neck to the side, avoiding eye contact.

"What is the matter?"

"Nothin'."

"As you have said, you are a woman. When a woman says nothing, there is something."

She scoffed, rolling her eyes. "'Cors, I forgot yer an expert on women."

"What is the matter, Alex? And do not make me ask the same question again for the next time I do, I shall resort to other ways to extract a reply."

She irritably turned her head at him but he saw that her eyes were not angry. As a matter of fact, he saw a glimmer of sadness in their depths.

He raised his brows in silent question.

She blinked and turned her eyes somewhere other than his and said. "I just realized we've all been preoccupied tryin' te save Sophia and the child. Everyone's fretful over yer brother's well-bein'. Everyone's afraid we ain't gonna find her. Yer friend's writin' articles, endangerin' himself te help ye. Everyone ye know's doin' their best."

Ralph's brows furrowed into a frown of confusion. "And?"

A tear escaped her eye when she blinked. Alex swallowed and turned to meet his eyes, hers filled with unshed tears. "And too little—almost none—is mournin' her loss."

Ralph's frown deepened.

"Aurora! The woman I found in the Dark Forest!" she said with indignation. "See? She doesn't even cross yer mind!"

A gush of guilt rushed over Ralph. "Alex.."

"No one's mournin' her loss, guv, no one. Ysa and Emma, maybe—but truly, there's none."

His jaw tightened and he pulled her in his arms.

Alex began to lose control and her shoulders started to shake. Her sobs turned to almost wailing and Ralph patiently waited until her tears subsided.

"You have a big heart," he whispered against her hair.

She offered no reply, merely sniffled against his shirt.

"Which makes you even more captivating," he whispered, his voice deep and scratchy with contained unnamed emotion.

Shifting his hands, he cupped her face and tilted her face up so he could stare into her eyes. Then slowly, Ralph bent his head and paused when his lips were barely touching hers. His entire form wanted him to do it fast and strong, but he knew that he might not have another opportunity should he do so. And so he did it ever so slowly that every centimeter was like running for miles without breathing.

It was excruciating, yet rewarding when his lips finally touched hers and she opened up to him. The relief he felt when he did not feel a fist against anywhere his anatomy was overwhelming that he crushed her to him and deepened the kiss.

She tasted like the tea she had earlier. And she tasted the same from the last time they kissed in the cornfield. For a brief second Ralph thought how different this kiss was from when he first kissed her with the cold and fresh wind coming from the hole above them and with the stars in the sky glittering in the open sky. Yet it was not where the kiss was happening that seemed magical for he had now confirmed that he still felt the same as the first time. It was the same feeling of wanting to be with this woman—the sense of adventure and the rush he felt by taking the risk of kissing her.

But Ralph had learned his lesson from that first time. He knew he could not let this go on for too long. With a groan, he pulled away, but merely far enough to whisper against her lips, "You have a wonderful heart."

She managed a tiny scoff, her lips quivering as she spoke, "But still very much a bandit."

She raised her hand between them, palm up.

Ralph looked down and sighed, pulling all the way to lean back against the doorway. Alex was smiling, palm still up, as he fished inside his pocket. He deposited a small, round topaz stone in her hand. When she frowned at it and her eyes searched his with a questioning look, Ralph shrugged and snickered. "What can I do? I am a Guard. I am always prepared for everything, payment for stealing a kiss from a bandit included."

Alex scoffed, her eyes locked with his as she pocketed her payment. "Now," she said, brushing her hands together. "Yer change, guv."

Ralph stiffened, anticipating a blow like last time.

Alex stepped closer. Ralph gulped, realizing he was almost happy to accept another blow. This woman was turning him into a masochist, he thought.

But she surprised him when she reached out and pulled him down by his neck. Before he knew it, Ralph was receiving a kiss as change.