Three years ago...

As they were traveling across the clearing that followed their journey through the Stone Forest, Alex noticed both Ned and Barto were looking at her strangely.

"What now?" she wryly asked.

Barto and Ned paused to look at her. Alex stopped walking as well with a frown on her face.

"Is somethin' wrong?"

"Nae," Ned said, shaking his head. "Nothin'," he uttered, pushing Barto ahead. Alex huffed and walked ahead of the two, digging the ground with her feet as she trudged on, knowing full well Barto and Ned were still uttely curious about what happened to her during Ysabella's wedding which she would rather forget.

They resumed their walk across the clearing and passed through the stone hallway until they reached Meriwether.

Alex whirled around, infuriated for she knew that her two cousins were still staring at her. "WHAT!" she hissed.

Ned and Barto were surprised. "What?" Ned asked.

"Yer starin' at me like hungry gossipmongers!"

"Nae," Barto denied.

"Merely curious, Lex," Ned said, taking a step back. "Yer actin' all strange, is all."

"I'm not actin' all strange, ye are!"

But before Ned and Barto could once more deny, her father's voice boomed from their stone cottage.

"Oi! Ye children! Come 'ere and tell me 'bout the weddin'!"

Alex pointed her finger at her cousins, a look of warning in her eyes. "Ye don't tell 'im anythin' strange or I'll have yer arses."

Ned and Barto nodded before they walked away, shaking their heads.

*****

"I heard them arguing earlier," Levi whispered around the table. When Benedict shot him a disapproving look, Levi raised his hands, saying, "I was not eavesdropping, I swear. I was simply passing by the playroom."

Maxwell rolled his eyes. "About what?"

"What?" Levi asked.

Maxwell sighed and elaborated his question. "What were they arguing about?"

"The wedding, what else?" Levi retorted, scoffing. "Our dear brother wants to return to Wickhurst at once and get married."

"He cannot do so at the moment," Benedict calmly commented. "For one, Mother would have a fit. She would want to grandly prepare for the wedding. Second, Nicholas must realize the scandal it shall bring. Sophia's reputation amongst the people in Wickhurst did not improve, especially when they all believe the story of her running away on her wedding day."

"If Sophia cannot stop him, we must take action," said Levi. "I am telling you, he is as insane as before Sophia was rescued."

"Just strap him to a tree," Maxwell wryly suggested.

"Quiet, all of you," Agatha hissed at everyone around the table.

The brothers obliged, listening to the quiet footsteps coming toward the dining room.

Ralph shared a look with his brothers as they waited for Nicholas and Sophia to arrive. He raised his eyes just in time to see his brother walk through the doorway.

It was not common to see Nicholas Everard in such disarray, nor was it ever known that he could fix his eyes on merely one woman for hours.

He was always a dandy, most often considered the best in men's fashion. Whatever cravat he wore, whatever the color or make, it would be most assuredly the next sensational cravat in town. But tonight, as he guided his now-found bride into the dining room of the Devonshire estate, he was a walking haphazard. Yet he was oddly handsome despite the chaotic hair and the horrid beard for the beauty was reflected in his eyes, the joy in the small smile that peeked through his whiskers.

Ralph had witnessed Nicholas be with every type of women. He had seen him with secret lovers, with the women in Rock'oles. They were always the ones who clung to one of the most-prized lover and rakehell in town. Yet now, it was Nicholas Everard who could not seem to let go of a woman's hand.

"She is not going away, brother," Ralph pointed out, causing Sophia to shyly bend her head.

Nicholas glared at him from across the table.

"She needs to eat," Ralph elaborated, not wishing for Nicholas to start on him. "You have kept her inside that bloody room for most of the day, surely bawling like a babe."

Before a ruckus could start, Agatha interrupted by saying, "I am sorry about Marcus, Sophia."

A faint smile curved Sophia's lips. "He shall be back," was all she said. "He always does."

Nicholas sighed, his hand finding Sophia's on top of the table. "If Durley's planning revenge, I am not one to stop him now." He turned to Sophia who was already shaking her head. He added, "In fact, I would be with him if I do not fear leaving you behind."

"All ye men are ruthless no matter the social class," Alex muttered under her breath. "Lord, gentleman and bandit alike, yer all the same."

"Yet not all of us are like you, Miss Griggs," said Levi who was sitting beside Maxwell. He raised his glass high. "We ought to give you our utmost thank you for if not for you, we would not be celebrating this moment."

Nicholas and Sophia turned to face each other, happiness curved on their lips.

Maxwell raised his glass as well to add, "Our utter gratefulness, Miss Griggs."

"We owe you," Benedict followed.

"Thanks to you I do no longer fear looking after a crazed man," Ralph said with a snort as Nicholas glared at him.

Alex's face had turned scarlet as she waved her hands about. "Oi, ye dinna have te be so bleedin' formal."

Agatha laughed as Sophia turned, eyes searching until her eyes landed on Alex. "Thank you, Alex. Such words are lacking for what you did for us all, most especially for Gwyneth."

Nicholas cleared his throat and stood up. He picked up his glass and focused his eyes on Alex. "I was hoping to deliver my gratitude in a more presentable manner, Miss Griggs, but considering you do hate formalities, please do accept my humblest thank you. You brought back the my life's sustenance, my soul's—"

The collective groan from around the table gave Nicholas pause. Ralph covered his face with his hands, muttering, "Oh God, please tell me when he is done."

"I believe I was not one to interfere when you bastards professed your affections to your wives," Nicholas growled at Benedict, Levi and Maxwell.

"I did mine in private," Benedict pointedly said.

Levi scoffed, shaking his head. "I did mine inside a carriage after we escaped through her window while on our way to Tiny Town. Not one brother had to suffer through it, Nick."

Ralph turned to Maxwell who was looking directly at Nicholas to say, "You did not even recognize mine as a woman to begin with." Everyone around the table roared in laughter.

"Nick," Sophia said, reaching for Nicholas' arm. "I believe everyone would rather eat. And that includes Alex."

"Aye," said Alex, nodding her head. "I appreciate yer gratitude, guv," she said to Nicholas with a smile, "but I'd rather fill me stomach than me ears right now."

Nicholas sighed and dropped back in his chair, glaring at Ralph was still struggling with laughter. "Laugh all you want, brother."

Ralph stifled his laughter. "Believe me, Nick, I am trying my hardest not to."

Nicholas reached for his fork. "Be certain to make your confession in private as well," Nicholas snapped, tone filled with meaning, "for as much as I would love to see it, I would rather you be beaten in private."

Ralph glowered at his brother but said nothing further.

The subject quickly changed to Sophia and Nicholas' plans for Gwyneth, one everyone agreed must be taken with utmost caution. As Agatha made suggestions, Ralph stole Alex a glance while she listened intently on the family's plans for the child. It was as if she was there to represent Aurora.

Looking at her, Ralph took a long, slow breath.

Would she be as interested if he told her of his plans for her?

*****

Alex was surprised when Ralph entered her chamber two nights later wearing riding clothes just as she was done packing.

"I had an inkling you would be leaving soon," he said, walking toward her with a knowing look on his face.

Yes, she was leaving, but she was not planning on going back to Meriwether. Not yet. "And where d'ye think yer goin'?"

"Beechworth," he said with a shrug. "Sophia and Nick have to stay longer here, but I have business to deal with at my own estate."

Alex shrugged, feigning nonchalance. "Ah."

Placing his hands on his hips, he glowered at her. "You are coming with me."

Alex raised her brow. "Te Beechworth? Whatever fer?"

"We ought to talk." Thinking she would disagree, he raised one finger and added, "If you disagree, I will have to arrest you."

She scoffed. "Bleedin' hell ye will!"

"In fact, I am going to arrest your entire village!"

"Yer insane! Ye'll be dead 'fore ye reach the clearin'!"

Ralph smiled. "Which is why you are coming with me to Beechworth. You do not want me dead, yes?" Alex fell silent. She was desperate to go back to Meriwether, but might be bringing more trouble upon her return, which was why she had always intended to go back to Beechworth as was ordered by Durley himself. "Afraid?" Ralph taunted.

She ignored his last question. "Whatever d'ye wanna talk 'bout?"

Taking her question as a sign of resignation, Ralph grabbed her bag and smiled. "Important matters, bandit." He turned and started for the door. "Come, we ought to bid my family proper goodbye. And we must go in haste."

"Why?"

"Mother is due to arrive anytime soon."

Alex felt a small amount of panic. Yes, she ought to have expected Lady Alice to follow her sons! "Should we ride on horseback then?"

*****

Ralph expected their ride to be filled with numerous arguments or attempts of escape—even strangulation and murder—but was surprised when Alex had been naught but behaved.

Was she anticipating the talk? Had she any idea what he wanted to discuss? If yes, would she be willing to consider and face the drastic change in her life?

He had thought of many ways to tell her. Believing it would not be entirely easy Ralph considered strapping her into a chair that was attached to the ground. A passing thought of throwing her inside a closet and bolt the doors came to mind as well. He would talk about his plans while she was locked inside.

Ralph also thought that perhaps a gentle, formal talk would suffice. Mayhap Alex was a woman after all and would swoon at the sight of a man on his knee. The idea, of course, quickly shattered as he was reminded that Alexandria Griggs was not like all other women.

She was feisty, brave, alluring and dangerous. There was no way in hell a typical wooing would work.

He looked out the window, remembering the completely different view he witnessed aboveground. Alex was sleeping in her seat across from him. He decided not to stop at an inn for a short rest, stripping any risk of her escaping in the middle of the night.

They would arrive in Beechworth on the morrow and Ralph hoped that by then he would be prepared for he could not seem to imagine letting her escape again.

*****

Whatever Ralph planned upon their arrival did not immediately come to pass as two visitors arrived before they did.

In fact, the two men had already been in Beechworth for three days.

"What do you mean you were shot?" Ralph demanded, glaring at Samuel's direction.

"That is not what—" Samuel started, but Wynne interjected, saying, "He was deliberately shot. He would tell you otherwise—that it was a stray bullet—but that is not how it happened."

Samuel glared at Wynne for the betrayal. Wynne merely sighed, his oversized coat almost sagging to the ground.

Ralph had a look of disbelief on his face. "The two of you went hunting."

"Yes," Wynne replied. "And not two hours later, he was shot."

Alex stared at Samuel's bandaged upper right arm.

"Do not tell Maxine," he said to Ralph. "She will tell our mother and the poor woman will have a faint."

"Of course she will! And she will blame all your bloody articles!" Ralph exploded. He turned to face Wynne. "Are you quite sure you did not accidentally shoot him?

Wynne gave Ralph a wry look. "I was not carrying a weapon." He pointed his finger at Samuel. "Merely there because he dragged me."

Ralph shook his head. "How long do you intend to stay at Beechworth?"

"Until I am ready to hold my horse's reins, of course," his friend said, jumping to his feet while his uninjured hand held bandaged arm. "As to this man," he said, motioning his head at Wynne, "he is leaving now that you are here."

"Gladly," Wynne muttered under his breath. "I have pending articles to finish. And I am yet to pay Doctor Johannes for his services."

"I will escort you," Samuel said and as he passed Alex, he gave her a small bow. "Enjoy Beechworth, Miss Griggs."

"Go, Samuel, and lock yourself in one of the bedchambers," Ralph snapped over his shoulder. "And I would appreciate if you only leave the door once—when you are ready to leave Beechworth!"

They heard Samuel's laughter through the corridor.

"Bloody tarnation," Ralph said, rushing to the liquor cabinet. "I need a drink."

"I'd like one as well, guv," said Alex. "And I need a bed after. I'm bleedin' tired."

He paused, looking down at her. "But there is supper. And there is that talk I was talking about."

She could not meet his gaze. "Perhaps later."

Ralph did not comment, simply poured Alex a glass of brandy. He handed it to her and went to a nearby winged chair. She sat across from him and sipped from the glass.

They both allowed the silence in the parlor to linger, both of them deep in thought.

Alex was certain Ralph had many important matters to attend to. There was still the matter with his fellow corrupt Guards, his family and Osegod. And there was the matter of someone threatening his friend's life.

As for her, there was but merely one more thing to be done before she could go home. The frustrating part was that she did not know what it was.

"Samuel ought to stop his war against the Leaders," Ralph said moments later, breaking the silence.

"It's his choice," she said, standing up to refill her glass. "Whatever he's doin', he believes it's helpin' our horrid society."

Ralph followed her with his gaze. "You are drinking too fast."

"The brandy's not strong 'nough," she murmured. She did not return to her chair, rather she leaned against the windowpane. Looking out, she realized it was facing the other wing where the jewels were being made. "I wonder how many jewels ye make 'very year," she thought aloud.

"Enough to make you bandits pant in exhaustion," he said, his voice playful.

Alex scoffed. She turned, leaning back against the window. Fixing her eyes on him, she smiled but said nothing.

"What is it?" he asked wryly. "You are looking at me as though I am one of those jewels."

Alex chuckled. "Yer not as glittering as 'em, guv. Nae need te fancy yerself too much."

"Then pray tell, bandit, what is with that look?"

Alex shrugged. "I'm thinkin' of a bed now that I've had me brandy."

That was all he needed to hear.

She smiled when Ralph straightened in his seat, suddenly alert. He gulped down his drink and jumped to his feet.

"Then allow me to take you to one," he said, storming toward her, eyes filled with intense desire.

Alex placed her drink on the windowsill and met Ralph halfway, heart racing, heat simmering within her.

There would be no discussion of any kind tonight, she thought as Ralph guided her out of the parlor.

*****

Alex slowly opened her eyes. She blinked a few times to adjust to the darkness and little by little Ralph's sleeping form appeared before her.

She carefully raised her hand to poke him.

When he did not flinch, she sat in bed, covering her nakedness with the bedcover.

Turning her head, she looked down to watch Ralph sleeping.

He was being too naïve, she thought. She was almost certain what he was planning to do, what he wanted to discuss. She had heard enough stories of the Everards doing foolish things for love.

But was he truly in love? It could merely be a passing fancy and perhaps he was being impetuous.

She bit her lips to stop the tears.

Mayhap he was in love with her after all.

She ought to be happy—overjoyed—knowing Ralph Everard was willing to discuss a future with her.

But she must be the one to remain on the grounded on reality.

She took a long breath and stole Ralph another glance.

He was very deep in slumber that she wondered for a moment if he was dreaming.

Shaking her head, dismissing the fantasies that went along every time she was with Ralph, Alex decided it was time to leave.

She slipped out of bed and grabbed her clothes.

Once fully dressed, Alex went back to sit beside Ralph in silence, relishing this moment of peace for this would be the last she would allow herself to be with Ralph Everard.

She wanted to reach out and touch his face, to listen to his quiet breathing, but she was afraid it would wake him. And he would not make her leave. And she might allow him to delay her.

With a quiet sigh, Alex stood and picked up her bag.

She walked out of the bedchamber, the small, distinct sound of the door shutting close was one she knew she would find hard to forget.

She stood in front of the wooden door for some time, simply staring at it.

"You took your precious time," Durley's low voice said behind her.

Alex turned to give him a wry look. "And ye've been waitin' the entire time?"

"I do not have the patience for such task. My men simply gave me the signal the moment you returned. The only thing I did was utilize the secret passage into this estate," he retorted, motioning his head down the corridor. He looked into her eyes. "It is time."

Without another word, Durley quietly walked away.

Alex glanced at the door one last time before she followed Durley down the dark corridor.