Mysterious Seduction

XXXVII. Parting

"You cannot find her," one of his superiors said with finality.

"Of course, I should."

"If you want her alive, you will stay put," said the man.

Byron frowned. "Whatever do you mean?"

"Byron, she did not merely give you your freedom." His superior looked him in the eyes. "She gave us the evidence we need to catch the snitch amongst the Leaders."

Byron started to shake his head. "Then the more reason we ought to find her. She can be a witness. If you she truly chose our side, then she ought to prove herself."

"No. We have made a deal with the woman."

"A deal?"

"Yes."

"For what?"

"Your freedom, of course."

-Above and Below

*****

"Do tell us," Ysabella whispered, breaking the silence in the room.

Alex frowned at her and then at Emma who was pacing the room. "Tell ye what?"

"Oh, you know what," Ysabella said, impatient. She grabbed Alex's hand and repeated her question. "Tell us."

Alex's shoulders dropped as she sighed. "Yer brothers called fer the man."

"Yes, we know that. We saw him enter and exit the manor. Tell us why."

"Te talk, 'cors."

"Alex," Emma said, stopping beside her sister. "We know Ralph tells you everything."

"Nae, he don't."

"He does because if he does not, he knows the consequences."

Alex scoffed and rolled her eyes. "Yer brothers asked him questions."

"About who?"

"Wynne," Alex said. "Hastings. Ye know him."

"What did they ask Durley?"

"What happened te Wynne, 'cors. After he was dragged out o' the manor by Durley 'imself."

Emma's jaw tightened. "And why would our brothers care what happened to him?"

"Ye know 'em," Alex said, waving her hand. "They're curious creatures."

"Whose plan was it to call for Durley?"

"Max, I believe."

"And what did Durley tell them?"

At that point, Alex hesitated.

"Alex," Emma said, voice filled with warning.

Alex looked her in the eyes. Emma saw the understanding cross her sister-in-law's face. "Oh."

Ysabella sighed. "She just realized it, Em."

"Yer in love with the man," Alex said with awe. She stepped back and laughed. "Yer in love with a bleedin' Trilby!"

"Hush!" Ysabella and Emma hissed, looking around the bedchamber.

"Aye, aye!" Alex said, chortling and shaking her head. "Oh, Ralph won't like 'tis at all. No, he won't."