Three years ago...
He would never admit it.
No, he would rather rot in hell than be caught doing such stupid, irrational thing.
His brothers would roll on the ground laughing and mocking him. His sisters would most probably never rest until they witness a tragic end.
And perhaps someday he would remember this day and he would hang himself in shame.
He was in Blucksley.
Not for a mission, not because he was chasing bandits.
He was here looking for a woman who did not have a name.
*****
Alex stared across the carriage at Durley.
He had not said a word since they arrived from Beechworth.
Tearing her eyes away from the man, Alex looked out the window, and at the estate that stood not far away. Located near the villages of Gilford and Montague, Alex knew the estate too well. It was heavily guarded, but they were permitted entrance after Durley showed his face.
"What are we doin' here?" she asked, eyes veering back on Durley.
Durley's handsome face was unreadable, mayhap because it was shadowed by his bowler hat. He simply stared at her, saying, "Osegod refuses to meet me in person until I have what he wants."
Alex frowned. "Ye know Aurora and I don't look alike, aye? One look and he'll know."
Durley scoffed. "But you are the woman who found her."
"Dyin'," she corrected strongly. "And she died in me arms." When Durley did not offer a retort, Alex shook her head. "He doesn't know, aye?" Again, Durley did not reply. "He must already know. It had been days since we rescued Sophia and Gwyneth. He must know now what ye've done."
"No, he does not."
"Because of that man Thorne? He's helpin' ye?"
Durley finally showed something and it was anger. "I do not allow a Trilby to help me, bandit."
Alex was a little confused.
"I am using them all, bandit."
"Like yer usin' me."
His lips twitched into a tiny smile. "Yes."
*****
Ralph woke up with a start.
And when he realized that the space where Alex was supposed to be sleeping was cold, he leaped from the bed, screaming, "Wax!"
His valet came rushing in as Ralph dressed. "My lord?"
"Where the bloody hell is she?"
Wax's face was filled with confusion but when he realized that Ralph's entire bed was rumpled, he gulped and blinked his eyes rapidly. "Did you mean the bandit, my lord?"
Ralph shot him a sharp look.
"M-Miss Alex, my lord?"
"Yes!" Ralph growled.
"I—I do not know, my lord. B-but her horse, Siege, is still in residence, I believe. She could not be at the gardens! Picking flowers, perhaps?"
"Do you truly believe she is one who would spare time picking flowers!" he incredulously cried out.
Wax shook his head. "No, my lord."
A deep groan escaped his throat as he realized the situation. If her horse was still here, then she did not escape. She was missing. "Bloody tarnation, not again!"
"Should I prepare your horse, my lord?"
"Yes. And do inform Samuel never to set foot out of the estate until my return."
"Yes, my lord. And should Lord Samuel inquire, where would you be, my lord?"
"Wickhurst, visiting my sister Margaret."
"Very good, my lord."
"Nothing good yet, Wax," Ralph said, coming down the grand staircase. "Nothing good at all!"
*****
Alex was led by Durley through the side entrance of Ransford estate. Two footmen who looked and moved like Guards had permitted them entrance and she was certain their eyes were still on them from where they stood.
Ignoring the fact that the estate was heavily guarded and that she may never set foot outside alive again, Alex studied the place as they moved along.
She may not have seen the grand hallway and she may not be currently climbing up the grand staircase, but by the state of the service staircase, Alex was certain Osegod was amongst the lords she would want to encounter in the middle of a lone, dark road.
The Ransford estate was the grandest she had seen. Devonshire was a beauty, yes, but it was nothing compared to this one. But unlike Devonshire, or even Beechworth, the estate had no life at all.
Servants leaped out of their way as they passed, cowering and turning their backs as if in fear.
Durley seemed to know the place as he guided Alex through countless corridors until they arrived in a grander corridor, one she was quite certain was part of the main estate, but was apparently restricted from the usual household.
"He's holdin' his bad conferences here? Directly under his family's noses?" Alex commented.
"They follow his rules," was all that Durley had to say.
He lightly held her arm, signaling for her to stop.
Alex frowned. They were now facing a large tapestry.
Durley looked right and left before he held out his hand to pull aside the tapestry, revealing a hidden door.
"Do not speak," he said, looking down at her. "Or you are dead."
Alex merely blinked.
As Durley turned the knob and opened the door, she gulped.
Her calm heart started to hammer against her chest when Durley pushed her into the door and followed suit.
The study was utterly bright and she realized that it was directly under a hole. The ceiling was made of glass! If she was going to die here today, at the very least it would be a beautiful one, Alex silently thought.
"You said you are bringing the wench, Marcus," a calm, deep voice said from somewhere.
Alex stiffened at the voice, eyes instantly searching the room.
And she found him.
He was standing by the liquor cabinet, holding a glass of brandy. She had merely seen his face on the new prints of the Herald and she had thought him to be too handsome for his age. But the true person was not merely aging very well in features, but he also held an air of power. His dark hair had streaks of white, giving one an illusion of wisdom. And his blue eyes gave Alex a hint of what he was capable of and of the dangerous secrets he held.
"It has proven to be quite challenging, Alan," Durley's voice nonchalantly answered as he harshly pushed Alex forward. "But I brought you the best way to find your dear Aurora and your child."
A glimmer of fury crossed Osegod's blue eyes but he did not let Durley's incendiary comment get to him. Instead, his lips curved into an uncanny smile. He carefully placed his glass on the table and gestured for Durley to continue.
"This bandit—"
"Bandit?" Osegod interrupted, suddenly eyeing Alex with a look of distaste. "What in the bloody hell are you playing, Marcus?"
"Allow me to continue, Alan," Durley calmly spoke, his smile tight. "This woman also happens to be Ralph Everard's wench."
A flicker of interest crossed Osegod's face.
"And she also happens to be the same woman who found Aurora in the Dark Forest," Durley finished.
At those words, Osegod's smile widened and Alex briefly saw a look of relief on his face as he marched forward to study Alex closely. Alex had to remind herself that she was not to speak as Osegod stopped before her, tilting his head to the side, laughter slowly rumbling in his chest.
"She is willing to talk for a few of your townsends, of course," Durley said.
"You are, are you?" Osegod said, his eyes filled with victorious laughter.
"Not only that, but she will tell you where she is keeping Aurora. And perhaps also play as our little spy into the Everards. She is, after all, a dear friend to the two youngest sisters," said Durley, grabbing Alex away from Osegod when the man attempted to touch her. "But that shall depend on how you keep your end of the bargain, Alan."
Osegod turned his head to look at Durley. "Of course, my boy, you have my word. Your secret is safe with me."
Alex was confused. What secret?
"In fact, another delivery is currently on its way," Durley said, smile secretive.
Osegod's face brightened even further as understanding dawned. "Ah, you are proving to be a very efficient partner, Marcus."
Durley merely shrugged. "The things we do for our secrets, Alan."
Osegod looked at Alex once again. He could not contain his happiness and his chest heaved. He looked like a man who was finally freed of his thorns and shackles.
"Very well, perhaps Aurora's location can wait for we do have a bit more of waiting to do, yes?" Osegod said, turning to return to his brandy. "If I am not too giddy to have this second delivery, I would already be on my way to get the escaped wench. How long should I wait?"
"She shall be here on time, I believe," said Durley, pointing Alex to one corner before he followed Osegod to serve himself a glass of brandy.
"Do not sit, woman," said Osegod. "Let us contain filth in one corner, shall we?"
"I would not want to insult her if I were you, Alan," Durley warned playfully.
Osegod chuckled when Durley finally stood beside him, both of them studying Alex standing in one corner as though she was a priceless artifact they had just procured. "Ah, I wager she is willing to swallow any insult for a good sum."
Alex was stiff as a board, but she was willing to be patient.
Whatever—whoever—they were waiting for, she did not know. But she waited with them for it was the only way she knew she could survive.
*****
Osegod's wait was not long for the door to the study opened to reveal two men whom Alex had met thrice in her life. Once when they chased her down from Beechworth, second when they tried to abduct her in Blucksley and third when they entered her bedchamber in Lord Hasting's estate in Wickhurst.
But this time they were not here for her. In fact, they merely sneered when they spotted her in one corner as they dragged a struggling woman into the room. It was as if they were telling her she was lucky she was not the other woman.
"What is the meaning of this?" the woman demanded haughtily, her dark eyes wide with fury when she recognized Durley.
Alex stayed still in her spot, her eyes transfixed on the woman. She had not seen her before and perhaps there was a reason why.
This woman was not just anyone. She looked like she was amongst the very few who would dare not ride a carriage out of town without an army of footmen to protect her.
Her long, straight black hair flowed like expensive silk down her shoulders, her dark green and blue dress, although disheveled because of her struggle on the way here, was made of materials Alex could only dream of. And her face—her face was beautifully sculpted and her skin not only fair but it glowed. Even if without the bright sunlight streaming through the glass ceiling above them, Alex was certain the woman's skin was not like the numerous pale ones around The Town.
She was a princess from a fairy tale, a voice inside her head said with wonder.
"Vega Trilby..." Osegod said, chuckling as he stood from his winged chair. Durley kept his silence, although a smile was curling his lips. "It is such a pleasure to witness you gracing us with your magnificent presence, my dear. It is too blinding. Not even my daughter can come to par with your beauty."
Vega's eyes flared with an even more intense fury as her dark, beautiful eyes scanned the room, first landing on Alex then on Osegod and finally on Durley. Bright, flaming anger colored her face and she began to move toward him, hands balled into fists, but was stopped by Durley's men.
She tried to pull away but was merely pulled back.
"Aunt Amelia shall know of this, Marcus, you bastard!" Vega growled, eyes alight with fire of anger. She looked over her shoulder at one of the men holding her and demanded, "Release me at once or you shall pay with your life!"
"Now, now, Vega, dear," Osegod said, walking forward. "Do not start making threats you cannot deliver." He motioned with his head and one of the men let Vega go to grab a chair where Vega was harshly deposited and tied. While doing so, she put up a great fight, much to Alex's amazement.
Durley was silent throughout the entire scene while Osegod watched on with fascination, his head tilted to one side in mock pity.
"Now, are you comfortable?" he asked Vega, walking closer, hands deep inside his pockets. He looked entirely relaxed, his face bright with fun, menace and relief.
Vega's answer was a seething growl and a very sharp look.
A chuckle rumbled out of Osegod's chest. He took a deep breath and let out a long sigh. "Ah, Vega, dear, you must be very curious, yes? But you see, I am wiser than all of you Trilbys." He paced in front of Vega. "I know that your aunt and uncle are planning to eliminate me. You have pawns everywhere." He paused to look at Vega and let out a fake shocked gasp. "Oh, how did Osegod know? He knows!" he cried out an attempt to mimic Vega's voice. And then he laughed.
His laughter slowly died down and his smile disappeared, replaced by a sudden look of hatred. "You think me your puppet, do you not?"
But to Alex's surprise, Vega scoffed instead, one corner of her lips lifting into a menacing smile. Her dark eyes were not filled with fear, but with pride and condemnation. "You are naught but an incompetent fool."
Osegod chuckled. "A fool who knows you are planning to betray me." He sighed and looked down at Vega as if he knew something she did not, as if he already saw what would become of her. "I am not taking any chances, Vega, dear. Do you not think I am not aware what Amelia is planning against me? What your dear Uncle George is planning?"
"We all believe you to be an incompetent fool, Osegod, but we would dare not betray you." Vega gritted out.
"Oh, but I do not believe you, dear," said Osegod, clucking his tongue. "And I know you know why I do not." He looked at Vega for a long time and when he spoke, he asked a question. "You do know what I did to your dear Uncle Osmund, yes?"
Vega's jaw tightened, but she blinked and her face was suddenly blank.
"Now, do not act so ignorant, Vega, for you and I both know what I did to secure my position amongst the Leaders. Osmund was the only one in my path. The Trilbys must have been devastated to have lost such an important seat in the Leaders. And you saw an opportunity with me, thinking I would be an easy feat." He started to pace again. "But have you ever wondered if I deliberately made it easy for you?"
Vega did not respond.
"You gave me the support of your powerful, rich family. And I was merely very happy to play the part of the puppet." He walked toward Vega and cupped her cheek. She turned away but he grabbed both of her cheeks with one hand, pinching them until a cry of pain escaped her lips, forcing her to look up at him. "But no longer, child, not when everything finally fell into place for me. Any threats against me will soon be gone, you see? You can no longer use Aurora Randolph and her imp against me for they shall soon be eliminated."
He harshly let go of Vega's face and turned to Durley. "This is enough cause for a celebration, is it not? Two wenches in a day!"
Alex felt a shiver ran up her spine but she obeyed Durley's order earlier. She stayed quiet.
"Are you certain you can trust Durley?" Vega demanded when Osegod walked away from her, her lips curving into a hateful smirk.
"Yes," Durley said, turning to face her again. "For I know how to play my cards and I have one against everybody," he said, voice filled with meaning.
Alex saw Durley's jaw twitch.
"I am certain your family will want to take me seriously now that you are my prisoner," Osegod continued. "You see, my dear? You Trilbys are not the only ones with the powerful cards for I have more to spare than you." He turned his head to Durley. "Secrets to hold and keep. Is that not right, my boy?"
Alex suddenly felt something change. She could feel it by just looking at Durley's face. Whatever it was Durley was keeping, Osegod knew about it. And whatever secret it was, Durley would die keeping it from the Trilbys.
"Now, my boy," Osegod said, turning to Durley, completely ignoring everyone else. "I can keep my secrets for a while, can I? You have delivered your end of the bargain, after all." He turned, facing Alex's direction now. "Make this bandit talk. Or better yet, she ought to show me where the wench is. It is about time we reunite."
"Reunite?" Durley asked, turning his back on Alex to block Osegod's path.
Alex got a proper view of Osegod over Durley's shoulder. He was smiling with menace as he replied, "For a final meal with me, of course. The moment this bandit tells us where she is, Aurora Randolph will dine with me. I shall be eating lamb while she chews on mud served on a golden platter, courtesy of my generosity."
As Alex shook with the contained fury building up inside her, Aurora's lifeless blue eyes came flashing through her eyes. Perhaps she would not be able to obey Durley's order after all. Perhaps her control would betray her. And she would end up dead after all while trying to murder this devil of a man who caused men and women like Aurora and Sophia, and children like Gwyneth, such tremendous suffering!
Another short satisfied laugh escaped Osegod, snapping Alex back to the moment. "I shall have her desperate pleading cries for dessert before I send her back to that creature she calls her child for their final goodbyes." Osegod looked over his shoulder to add, "And Vega here shall bear witness to all of it for it is about time a Trilby learns what it means to be under the mercy of an Osegod."
Alex vaguely heard Vega scream before one of Durley's men covered her mouth because the rest of her senses suddenly focused on Durley's back and down on the hand hidden away from Osegod and the weapon it was tightly gripping.
And suddenly everything became very clear, Durley's intent now evident.
Help 'em... my baby... please...
Aurora's dying plea repeatedly rang around Alex's head and it was enough to make her remain silent, eyes wide as she stared at Durley's hand. Her feet were frozen, her breath caught in her throat as Durley coldly said to Osegod, "I believe, Alan, that it is the other way around."
Alex's eyes flickered back to Osegod's. If the bastard would only spare her a glance, he might realize what would come next. But his attention was fully on Durley.
Confusion was clearly painted on Osegod's face and he was seemingly rendered speechless because of it.
"Your dear Aurora cannot join you," Durley explained as his hand slowly lifted away from his back and he pointed the pistol right at Osegod whose eyes had gone wide with betrayal and shock respectively flashing by. "But it is about time you join her."
Alex's scream was muffled by the echoing sound of the single gunfire.