To Harold's disappointment, the hunting game was crowded.

There were just too many spectators, most of them unmarried women and their chaperones, all hungrily scanning the grounds for their prey. The hunters all looked as equally disappointed and eager for the game to start, but that was not happening soon because Alice and Pepper were still arguing with the game master, insisting that they would not hold the committee responsible if they ended up with scratches or worse, dead.

Harold stayed far away, idly standing with Eva and Theobald with his own rifle in hand. Behind them, Brandon was pacing, muttering to himself.

Thoebald snickered when Alice placed her hands on her waist and stepped closer, her words unheard but obviously alarming as the game master took a step back, nodding vigorously.

"Truly, I do not see why they have to join! It is preposterous! What are they trying to prove?" a woman asked aloud. "And look at what they are wearing! One could picture their legs in those breeches! Goodness gracious!"

Harold looked over her shoulder but could not spot whoever spoke for most women spectators had the same condemning looks on their faces.

"Lady Alice and Lady Pepper are simply trying to prove they can handle something bigger than a needle!" Harold spoke loudly.

Someone scoffed and he felt Eva's hand on his arm, stopping him before he started another argument apart from the one Alice and Pepper were already in.

"She is something, is she not?" asked Theobald as Alice turned with a satisfied look on her face, walking back toward them, Pepper close behind.

"I might just shoot her first so she does not have to see through the end of the game," Harold growled under his breath.

Eustace laughed, grabbing his own rifle as the game master cleared his throat and announced that the game shall commence in a short while.

Alice and Pepper reached them. "Well, give me my rifle," she told Harold. "You did not throw it away, did you?"

Harold gave her a mocking smile. "I would love to do that, wouldn't I? But no, my lady, I would not want to die early," he replied, revealing the rifle behind him.

She grabbed it and cracked it open to see the bullet inside.

"Please do be careful, Alice," Eva said and Alice merely nodded.

Harold slightly flinched when she snapped her rifle close again as if she had been doing it her entire life.

Theobald saw it as well and looked incredibly awed. Alice turned and walked back to the game master with the other hunters. Pepper was having an argument with Brandon who was not giving him her rifle. Theobald scooted near Harold. "I would not be surprised if she comes out of the forest dragging a bloody bear and the game would be over."

A bear was the biggest animal they could hunt in this forest. Anyone who caught one would be the winner.

Harold made no comment and strode away to follow Alice. If she wanted a bear, he would find it for her if that would make her end the bloody game.

*****

"I think I should go deeper," Pepper whispered to Alice. The two of them were on the ground, looking through the lens of their rifle.

Alice looked over her shoulder. No one was about. Pepper was right. They needed to go deeper if they wanted something larger than a hare. She nodded and the two of them stood, crouched to the waist.

The path was getting uneven but the giant holes above them gave enough light to see. The ground was also soft. It had probably been raining.

Every now and then, sounds of gunshot echoed in the air, but both women were focused on the hunt to bother to flinch.

The walked further into the forest.

"I will go that way," Pepper said, motioning with her head.

Alice knew it was not good that they parted ways, but she was not one to stop the woman if she thought she could find a prey in that direction. Hunters mostly hunted with instinct so she nodded and murmured, "But be careful."

Pepper nodded and looked over her shoulder when they heard a rustle behind them. "What is that?"

Alice sighed. "It is just Lord Kenward. He thinks he has been following us invisibly."

Pepper snorted and walked away to the direction of the river. Alice turned to the right to go past the second the hole.

Most hunters would be hunting near the river for the animals always stayed near a body of water. But not all animals needed water all the time.

"What are you doing?" Harold's voice demanded behind her.

Without looking, Alice strode on, this time walking in full height. Her eyes were scanning the ground for signs of animal paws. "Whatever do you mean, Harold?"

"Why did you part ways with Pepper?" he demanded.

"She thinks she has a better chance for a prey in that direction. I disagree."

"We are walking past the second hole, Alice," he said.

"I am aware." She fell on one knee to study a larger paw print. It was promising. She looked at the surrounding. There was no human print nearby. She stood up and followed the print.

"This is bloody crazy."

"Why? Because we are on a hunting game instead of being out there like the rest, wearing our best gown to impress and flirt?"

"What? No, of course, not."

"Then tell me why this is crazy, my lord," she nonchalantly asked, turning to the right, following the print. When he did not reply, Alice stopped walking and turned to face him. She did not realize he had been standing too close. She did not step away. He would think she was uncomfortable. "Well?"

Harold blinked. His rifle was strapped behind him. He was obviously not interested in hunting today. "It is crazy because I am awed by you." Alice's brows rose in surprise. "And Pepper, of course," he added in haste. "It is crazy because I do not mirror everyone else's opinion."

Alice shrugged and turned to continue tracking her prey.

"I wanted to condemn everyone gossiping about you."

"But you would hate to do it because it would merely ruin my reputation and yours."

"Yes."

"They would believe you fancy me and when we do not end up married, they would believe we are only playing around."

"I would not precisely put it that way, but yes, that is how the stupid gossipmongers would think."

Alice sighed.

A drop of water fell on her arm. She looked up and frowned. "It is starting to rain."

"Then we better take shelter."

She shook her head. "Everyone else would be taking shelter. I would rather have my kill without competition."

It started to drizzle. Soon, it would pour. "Now, this is crazy," he said, grabbing her hand. He pulled her toward the direction of the nearest shelter.

"I would not stay inside a cabin, Harold."

"Everyone will be taking shelter when the rain pours, Alice, including the bloody animals."

It started to pour heavily. Even she noticed that this was no ordinary rain.

"Eva is—"

"She is not stupid. And Downworth is with her," Harold interjected, walking faster.

"Downworth?"

"Yes! Now walk faster!"

*****

Cabin shelters were scattered around the forest for this very purpose, and when they found one, it was not surprising that they found it empty. Everyone else must be crowded in the cabins near the river.

They rushed in and closed the door, muffling the strong sounds of rain outside.

He threw his rifle on the small cot nearby. Hers followed his.

Harold cursed under his breath as he looked down on himself. He was drenched

"Downworth? Are you certain?" Alice asked and he looked up. It was a mistake. She was as drenched as he, but there were parts of her that he did not have and it took little imagination to see through the fabric. "Do you mean Brandon?"

"Yes," he snapped. "I meant your Brandon." He turned around, finding a small fireplace.

"But he said he would not be joining the hunt."

"Well he did," he snapped again over his shoulder. "And he was with me earlier. He walked away to follow Lady Pepper. I am telling you, that suitor of yours is definitely out of the list."

He meant the list Martin made which he had been making shorter with delight at each passing day. Oh, he was truly a good friend, he thought to himself.

"Brandon is not a suitor. He is but a friend. He is wooing Pepper."

Harold paused from making a fire to utter, "Hmm," and shrugged. "Well, you cannot blame me for thinking otherwise because he had been tailing you around."

"And what of Lord Theobald?"

"He returned to the party, choosing to be where the fun is as he said." He looked over his shoulder again as the fire grew stronger. "Come near the fire. You are drenched."

Alice obliged, walking close to the fire. She sat on the floor and hugged her knees closer.

A quiet fell between them as they watched the fire in front of them. The crackling sound of firewood and the rain outside were the only sound.

Harold noticed that Alice was staring at the fire intently. "What is the matter?"

"Nothing," she murmured under her breath. "I am leaving."

Harold blinked. "You cannot. The rain is especially strong today."

"I do not mean this cabin. I meant Wickhurst."

He frowned at her. "You are cutting your season short?"

She nodded and turned her head to face him. She hugged her knees closer so the side of her head rested on them. "Yes."

Harold felt a sense of urgency. Something gnawed at him at the idea of Alice leaving Wickhurst.

No, he corrected himself in his mind. He dreaded the idea of her leaving Wickhurst with him in it.

"No." The sound of his voice was strong and certain. But what he felt was far from that.

Alice scoffed. "Who are you to order me not to?"

"You... you have not found a husband yet. And I am a concerned friend."

She scoffed again. Was she mocking him? Because he deserved it. Who was he fooling? Them? Friends?

She lifted her head from her knees and faced the fire again. Harold watched the shadows of the fire dance on her face. "I honestly do not think I would find a husband in this place. I always have. It was wrong of me to delude myself that I would." Her arms loosened around her legs and stretched. She was letting the heat dry the front of her shirt. "And you also agree that I cannot find a man here."

"I never said that."

"You are near to scratching off every name on Martin's list, Harold, of course you do."

"It does not mean there is none here for you," he said with frustration.

Alice turned her head and their eyes met. "Yes, I know."

A long silence reigned as they sat there staring at each other's eyes, drowned in their own thoughts, trying to read each other, perhaps even having the silent conversation they both refuse to initiate.

Alice blinked and scrambled to her feet, clearing her throat. She walked over to the window to watch the rain.

"Come back to the fire, Alice. It is cold."

"If you stay away from me, I would."

"You mean stay away from the fire? Are you daft?"

"Then I stay here."

"And why, all of a sudden, do you not want to be near me?"

The longer it was for her to answer, the more Harold realized that his question was utterly stupid.

"You know why," she said in a low voice.

Her back was stiff as she stood in front of the window.

Harold gritted his teeth. His jaw clenched.

Friends.

Bloody hell. Who had he been fooling?

*****

"Are you afraid I would get close like this?" his voice asked behind her. This time, it was coming from somewhere close. Closer, as a matter-of-fact.

"Harold, don't," she stiffly warned. She had no time to play games.

Alice felt cold, but as he leaned closer, breathing ragged and hot, she felt a warm shiver run up her spine.

A shiver ran up her spine as his warm hands held her arms.

"I am warning you, Harold, my rifle is still loaded."

He planted his forehead against the back of hers, ignoring her threat. "I am going insane, Alice," he whispered harshly.

Alice stepped away from his hold and whirled around to face him. "Yes, you are. What are you trying to do now?"

His wet blond hair was darker and he ran his fingers through it, showing his frustration. "I do not know. I am being a fool. And I am no fool."

"I understand you are being a fool, but I am yet to witness the time that you are not."

He moistened his lips and sighed. His emerald green eyes looked into hers. "If only having you is that easy."

"You already had me."

He shook his head. "I did not mean in that way, Alice."

She nodded. "You are indeed a fool."

His gaze went to her lips. "Yes."

"You are daft."

"I know."

He stepped closer. She stepped back because she needed the wall behind her.

He took another step forward and she allowed herself to be trapped. His breath warmed the side of her face, his sigh clear in her ear.

There it was again. The insatiable fire gnawing at her flesh.

His lips grazed the side of her face, warming her skin with his breath.

She leaned closer against the wall and he followed suit, pressing his entire form against her. Their wet clothing and warm skin offered sensations she could not grasp.

"Alice..." he whispered, his lips brushing against hers, a gentle prologue to an inevitable hungry onslaught. His hands went to her nape and he tilted her head up to meet his eyes. She stared back into the emerald depths of his gaze.

He leaned closer and planted his lips against hers. His tongue urged her mouth to open.

And when she did, she did not expect what happened next.

He was gentle.

No hungry, devouring kiss. He was simply kissing her as if afraid she would break.

His mouth trailed down her throat and Alice let out a shaky breath, her hands pulling at his drenched shirt, finding their way underneath. She let out a throaty sigh when skin finally touched skin.

He growled against her throat and lifted her up, pinning her against the wall, to devour one breast over her wet shirt. He teased her, suckling hard until she whimpered and writhed against him.

His expert hands managed to unbutton enough to free one breast which he immediately covered with his mouth, warming her skin, arousing the peak with his hot tongue.

"I am selfish. I cannot let you go," he growled in her ear, putting her down, briskly opening her breeches, covering her mouth with his when she opened her mouth to say something. Then he took her hand, guiding it to his groin where the evidence of his arousal was screaming for release.

Alice's breathing came out raggedy when he turned her around to face the wall, pinning her there. Her breeches slid down to the floor as he lifted her hips back against his.

For a moment, he froze behind her as if silently waiting for her to escape.

But Alice waited with a small whimper and it was answer enough.

His breathing was rough as he pushed against her. His hand pulled her head back as he ground behind her, claiming her mouth with the hunger she was familiar with. He was doing too many things with his hands and her mind could hardly contain them.

Alice's cry was muffled by his mouth as he pushed harder.

"Stop," she whimpered, but not wanting to stop. She wanted this forever, yet she said it again. "Stop, please."

He stiffened against her and Alice turned her head away to hide her tears. She briskly wiped it with the back of her hand and moved her hips. He pulled out of her and she almost—almost—begged him not to.

But she had her senses back.

She wanted this man, but not like this. Not when all he wanted was just... this.

There was no release this time. It was their punishment, Alice thought as she shivered with lust and need. Her body yearned to be touched by him again, but her mind was stronger now.

"This shall be the last time, my lord," she coldly uttered as she pulled her breeches back into place.

"Alice, forgive me." His voice was filled with dread and self-contempt. "I did not—"

She turned to find him looking at her, face filled with anguish at what he had just done to her. "Do not apologize for had I not allowed it to happen, you would be on the floor with a bullet in your head. But as I have said, this is the last time." She lifted her chin. "The last time," she repeated, voice shaking.

He did not stop her when she turned away. Walking over to grab her rifle, Alice walked out of the cabin and into the rain where she let the tears fall freely.

*****

He had been following Alice in a good distance, knowing full well it would be stupid to try to convince her to go back to the cabin after what he did.

As they trudged the slippery path, Harold kept cursing himself.

Why did he do it?

He acted like a lust-filled young man who had just had his first lay and could not wait to get more.

She did not deserve it.

What he did was disgusting. He would not blame her if she thought so as well.

He looked on. She was determined to escape him.

Was that why she decided to leave Wickhurst? To escape him?

The rain came to a sudden stop just as they neared the edge of the forest where everyone else was waiting for them. Dozens of sheds were put up earlier to protect everyone from the heat of the sun and the possible rain, so it was no surprise to see as many people still there waiting when Harold emerged from the forest, completely drenched.

A few other hunters were running out of the forest as well, having given up the hunt.

Alice crossed the distance to where Eva was waiting for her, wrap at the ready. The other hunters also had warm cloths waiting for them and they all ran for them, shivering.

But Harold took his time, watching Eva wrap Alice in dry cloth, whispering something in her ear.

Harold began to walk faster, sensing something was not right by the look on Eva's face.

He noticed Theobald also standing behind Eva, looking rather angry.

That caused Harold to frown. He looked at the others and found the women looking at no one else but Alice. Some of them whispered as they watched.

Eva saw him approach and pulled Alice closer to her. She then whispered something to Theobald who nodded and turned to meet Harold.

Alice looked over her shoulder to find everyone still shamelessly ogling her and then her eyes met Harold for a second before she turned to Eva and allowed the woman to usher her away from the shed to the direction of the carriages.

"What? What the bloody hell is happening?" Harold demanded at Theobald as the man drew close.

Theobald waited until he was close enough to nonchalantly whisper, "Eva is taking Alice home, I am afraid."

"She is drenched, of course she should. But why is everyone glaring at—" he stopped when he realized that everyone's eyes were on him now that Alice was gone. "Why are they staring at me? They try to pretend not to, but they are doing a very poor job."

Theobald placed his hand on Harold's shoulder and turned him away from everyone. "I believe it is best you stay away from Alice, my friend, if you do not want the rumors to grow worse."

Harold frowned. "What in tarnation are you talking about? What rumors?"

Theobald winced and groaned, uncomfortable with the situation. He clucked his tongue and said, "Just trust me. We will discuss this on our way home. You should get dry first—"

Harold was getting angry. "I swear to God, Theobald, if you—"

"Alice is no longer the Lady Ice," his friend hissed near his ear. "She is now the Jewel Mistress." He leaned away from Harold. "Since four hours ago if you wish to know."

"The Jewel Mistress? Why in the bloody hell—"

"You are wise, Harold. I am sure you can figure it out without me telling you."

"I am currently not in the state to think clearly, Theobald."

"You are an Everard."

"And?"

"You mine jewels."

Harold glared at his friend. "You cannot be bloody serious."

Theobald merely nodded. "Well, apparently, everyone now knows of your trip to Langworthy months ago. And the short visit at Henry House with Alice."

"What!"

Theobald pulled him to the side as more hunters emerged from the forest. "Everyone now believes she is your mistress, Harry."