Once in his study, Kelvin sat at a small desk by the wall, going through some documents. After several hours, he leaned back in his chair and slowly picked up his phone to call his adopted father.

The call was answered on the third ring.

"Hello," came a voice from the other end of the line.

Before replying, Kelvin switched on a small device on his desk designed to block outside signals from intercepting the conversation.

"Hello. How are you?"

"I'm fine," the voice replied. "How about you? You've gone quiet for some time now. It had me worried."

Kelvin smiled faintly.

"I'm doing alright."

"How are things over there?" Mr MarQueen asked.

"Things are going well. I'm the overseer of the mines now and have been rewarded with a cottage of my own. It looks like their leader is trusting me now."

"Good," said Mr MarQueen. "Let him. The closer you get to him, the easier it will be to destroy him."

A pause followed.

"But you need to be careful. Your promotion will draw unwanted attention, and that is not something we need."

Kelvin sighed.

"It already has. I have Mr Andrew's dog breathing down my neck. He has made it obvious he doesn't like me. He's even made a few threats. But I'm being careful around him."

"Good."

Kelvin leaned back in his chair.

"With my position at the mines, I've gained a few trusted men. I have one looking into him. You don't need to worry. He's on my radar."

A brief pause.

"And so is Mr Andrew."

"Be careful," Mr MarQueen warned. "Let me know if you need help. I may not be there with you, but I still have powerful men willing to assist if things become difficult."

"I understand, sir."

Kelvin glanced toward the window.

"Let's hope it won't come to that."

"Let's hope," Mr MarQueen replied.

A brief silence followed.

Then:

"Now tell me more about this Anderson family and what you've learned about them so far."

***

Several weeks passed after Kelvin moved into his new cottage.

During that time, things at the mines had improved.

Not dramatically.

But enough.

There were fewer incidents among the workers. For the first time in a long while, wages were being paid on time. And although the workers were still pushed hard, they were at least given enough time to rest and recover.

Word of Kelvin's work spread throughout the estate.

The same workers who had once avoided him now greeted him openly.

Even in the dining hall, those who had once refused to sit near him had gradually learned to tolerate his presence.

The sun hung high overhead when Kelvin found himself at the paddocks.

Whenever he had free time, he often returned to the horses.

It reminded him of simpler things.

Today, he was working with a young stallion that had proven particularly stubborn.

The animal bucked violently.

Twisted.

Fought every command.

But Kelvin remained calm.

Patient.

Persistent.

Unaware that he had an audience.

Barbara, Mrs Kate's daughter, stood quietly behind the fence watching him.

She watched as the horse attempted several times to throw him from its back.

Each attempt failed.

Each challenge was met with patience and skill.

Eventually, the horse surrendered.

Its resistance faded.

Only then did Kelvin guide it to a stop.

The sound of applause reached him.

He turned.

Barbara stood by the fence, smiling.

Kelvin guided the horse closer and gave a small bow from the saddle.

"Thank you, Miss Barbara."

He smiled.

"I'm glad my dangerous situation was entertaining for you."

Barbara laughed.

"Dangerous?"

She looked him over.

"You don't seem to be in danger to me."

Her gaze moved to the horse.

"You really are an excellent rider. How long have you been doing this?"

Kelvin leaned forward slightly in the saddle.

"Long enough, Miss Barbara."

Barbara folded her arms across the fence.

"That sounds like a fancy way of saying you don't want to answer the question."

Kelvin smiled.

"Perhaps."

Barbara narrowed her eyes.

"You know, most people on this estate become nervous when I ask questions."

"Most people on this estate aren't asking me questions while standing safely behind a fence."

That earned another laugh from her.

"And what exactly is that supposed to mean?"

Kelvin patted the horse's neck.

"It means you're brave enough to watch someone get thrown from a horse but smart enough not to stand too close when it happens."

Barbara shook her head.

"You make me sound calculating."

"You are."

"And you've determined this after speaking to me twice?"

Kelvin shrugged.

"So far, I've been right."

Barbara pretended to be offended.

"I should be insulted."

"You should."

"But I'm not."

"That's because you know I'm right."

Barbara rolled her eyes.

"Your confidence is annoying."

"That's not the first time I've heard that."

The horse shifted restlessly beneath him.

Barbara watched as Kelvin calmed it with nothing more than a touch and a few quiet words.

Almost immediately, the animal settled.

Her smile faded slightly.

"I envy that."

Kelvin looked at her.

"The horse?"

"The freedom."

A brief silence followed.

Barbara looked away first.

"It goes wherever it wants."

Kelvin glanced toward the mansion in the distance.

"Does it?"

She frowned.

"What do you mean?"

"It stays where it's kept."

He stroked the horse's mane.

"It follows whoever holds the reins."

Barbara considered that.

Then sighed.

"Trust you to ruin my metaphor."

Kelvin laughed.

A genuine laugh this time.

One that surprised even him.

Neither noticed the man standing beneath the shade of a nearby oak tree.

Mr. Andrew.

His gaze remained fixed on them.

Watching.

Studying.

Thinking.

The longer he observed Kelvin, the more questions formed in his mind.

Questions he still had no answers to.

Eventually, he stepped forward.

His polished shoes crunched softly against the gravel path.

Both Kelvin and Barbara turned.

"Mr Andrew," Barbara greeted.

Andrew offered a small nod.

"Miss Barbara."

His gaze briefly shifted to Kelvin before returning to her.

"I believe your mother asked you to review the guest arrangements for next week's gathering."

Barbara's expression immediately changed.

"Oh."

A pause.

"I completely forgot."

"So I gathered."

Andrew folded his hands behind his back.

"You should probably attend to that."

Barbara sighed dramatically.

"There goes my freedom."

Kelvin let out a small laugh.

Andrew remained completely unmoved.

Barbara looked toward Kelvin.

"It appears duty calls."

Kelvin inclined his head.

"It appears so. Try not to work too hard."

She laughed.

"Coming from the man who spends his free time wrestling horses?"

"Someone has to teach them manners."

Barbara shook her head.

"Goodbye, Kelvin."

"Goodbye, Miss Barbara."

She began walking away but stopped halfway down the path.

Turning back over her shoulder, she called out:

"And try not to get thrown off."

Kelvin smirked.

"No promises."

A smile touched her lips before she disappeared down the path.

Silence settled immediately.

The warmth she had brought with her vanished.

Leaving only Kelvin and Mr Andrew.

The old man watched Barbara until she was out of sight.

Then he turned fully toward Kelvin.

Neither spoke.

The horse shifted uneasily beneath him.

Kelvin noticed.

Animals were excellent judges of people.

And this horse clearly didn't trust the man standing before them.

Mr Andrew's eyes moved over him slowly.

Like a man inspecting a weapon, he hadn't yet decided whether to use or destroy.

Kelvin met his gaze without blinking.

Without looking away.

The silence stretched.

Long.

Uncomfortable.

Deliberate.

Finally, Andrew spoke.

"You seem to be making quite an impression around here."

Kelvin's grip tightened slightly on the reins.

"I wasn't aware I was trying to."

Mr Andrew smiled. But there was no warmth in it.

"That's usually when it happens."

Mr Andrew took another step forward.

"Randall speaks highly of you."

Kelvin said nothing.

"The workers respect you."

Still nothing.

Andrew's eyes narrowed.

"Even Miss Barbara appears to enjoy your company."

The horse shifted again.

Kelvin slowly stroked its neck.

"I wasn't aware conversation was a crime."

"No."

Mr Andrew smiled.

"But influence can be."

For the briefest moment, neither man looked away.

The challenge had finally been spoken aloud. Not directly.

But clearly enough.

The two men stared at each other.

Each waiting.

Each measuring.

Neither was willing to reveal more than necessary.

For the first time since arriving at the estate, Kelvin had the distinct feeling that Mr Andrew was no longer merely suspicious of him.

He was hunting.

And Kelvin wasn't entirely sure whether he had just become the prey...

Or whether Mr Andrew had.

Either way, he was in for the challenge.