Sasha was roused from her sleep when she felt something moist and ticklish on her foot. Wriggling her toes, she buried her face deeper into the pillow, inhaling the familiar scent.

The tickling on her foot resumed and Sasha bent her leg with equal moan and growl.

The arm around her waist tightened, pulling her back against his length. She felt his warm breath flow through her hair and shoulder, tickling her skin.

As she began to fall back into sleep, a heavy weight bounded on her hip. She blindly found Seven, patted his head until he calmed down and settled behind her, resting his chin on her hip while nestled somewhere between two pairs of legs tangled underneath the covers.

Seven whimpered and Sasha reached out to shush him again.

West's arms pulled her closer, his lips pressing on her shoulder blades. Sasha smiled against the pillow, transferring her hand to his cheek and resting there as sleep began to settle in once more.

Warm hand cupped her breasts. She squirmed in half-protest and pleasure. "Will no one allow me to sleep for an extra hour?" she groggily complained.

She felt his smile against her neck.

His hand traced her waist and her hip, circling around to the inside of her thigh. Requiring not much effort from him, Sasha allowed him to lift her leg as he eased to claim her, awakening her senses.

She could feel her cheek turn crimson as a stream of heat ran through her veins, igniting her sleepy limbs.

His lovemaking was slow, so different from last night when he took her to the villa and claimed her against the door of his bedchamber, impatiently insatiable. She never complained for she welcomed it, reveled at it.

The Sasha from the Court of Libraries may have never imagined that she would ever find pleasure in an activity where slight pain was involved—a tease of a bite, a little bit of roughness. Sasha the Librarian would have fainted in fear that she was going insane, that her mind was consumed by the devil.

The Sasha from the Court of Flowers could now say that lovemaking was not a sin at all. It was not obscene or filthy, rather it could be so gentle as this one and unrefined and raw as last night and still be magical. It was anything two consenting lovers wanted it to be. If it was the work of the devil, then Sasha's soul would already be burning in hell for making love with West Blackwood was deliriously and sinfully glorious.

Their once quiet and sleepy breathing was turning into quick, shallow pants as their body moved in a dance under the covers. Sasha arched her back, reaching for his hips as he quickened his pace. Seven bounded on top of them and they both gently pushed the dog away, directing him to the foot of the bed to patiently wait.

Sasha muffled her screams in the pillow, her other hand clutching hard at the bedcovers beneath it.

When it was finally over and they lay panting, slick and sated, Seven returned to lick on Sasha's face. West blocked the dog's face with his palm and pushed Sasha on her back so he could hang his head over her and kiss her lips. "It's morning," he greeted, biting her lip.

Sasha kissed him soundlessly and stretched. His eyes traveled to her exposed breast, kissed it, and lazily dropping beside her. He rolled to his side, kissing her shoulder. Sasha bent her head planted a chaste kiss on his forehead. "You should wash your face."

He laughed and left the bed, shamelessly naked. He pulled her out with a tug and playfully took her to the washstand where they gargled and drank water, the task taking too long as their hands tried to distract each other. Once, Sasha sputtered water on the floor when his arm suddenly caught her from behind and lifted her away from the washbasin so he could resume to washing his face.

Seven readily bounded to Sasha, jumping up and barking to gain her attention.

"Just take him home with you," West commented as he wiped his face dry, watching Seven sit beside Sasha's feet while she splashed water on her face. "Seven," he called, but the dog ignored him, his large, round eyes staring at Sasha. "Seven." Still no answer, West dropped the washcloth over the dog's face, blocking its eyesight.

Seven struggled, circling around the same spot with the towel over him. "What are you doing!" Sasha exclaimed, bending down to rescue the dog. She snatched the cloth and slapped it on his arm, Seven growling at West beside Sasha's right leg.

"Should I call Darren so he could sit beside your left leg and bark at me?" he asked, eliciting a loud laugh from Sasha.

He smiled, pulling her against him, both completely naked in the middle of his bedchamber with the daylight streaming through the windows. He kissed her, but before it deepened, Sasha ducked under and rushed to the bed. She wrapped the cover around her and walked to the window, her hair a mess of waves as she looked out to check the streets. "Do you know what time it is?" she asked. "I am to meet Ruby and Jade for tea this afternoon."

When she heard no reply, Sasha turned. Her brows pulled up in an arch when she found him just staring at her, his face classically blank but his eyes curious. "What do you call them? The little particles in the air," he asked, motioning with his head.

Sasha looked about and saw what he meant. The specks of dust that would have otherwise been unnoticed were now visible, floating within the ray of sunlight that streamed through the open window. Her gaze retraced its path back to him and she smiled, then shrugged. "I do not know. That is a rather good question."

"Dust lights, I would say," he said, crossing his arms over his chest.

"They are dust," she wryly said.

"Floating and glowing around you. I call it magic." He grinned. "You are a painting."

Sasha's face flushed.

"Don't go. Stay here," he said, his gaze cruising her figure by the window. Sasha imagined the entire day with him. They would never leave this chamber, she knew that. The heat she felt was probably from both the sunlight and him. But who could ever tell, really?

But Sasha shook her head. "I have to go home, West. And I have to find your sister," she said, knowing it would break the magic.

It did.

He said nothing further.

*****

After breaking fast, he accompanied her back to her villa.

She stopped herself from telling him no when he climbed out and helped her down, avoiding any argument. They had not had any since that night during the storm. She would hate to have one now simply because she was reminding him of his own rules.

"Sasha! Oh, Sasha!" Mrs. Compton's voice called from her doorsteps.

Sasha nearly panicked, frozen in place. She wished West would leave now. Mrs. Compton was old and her eyesight may not be working well at the moment. There was still a fair chance that the woman did not see him.

But the gentleman standing beside Mrs. Compton was young enough to recognize West. "Your Grace," the tall man said, leaving Mrs. Compton's side to rush to West. "Baron Owen Compton," he introduced with a bow.

West just nodded, eyeing the man with a blank expression.

The man turned to Sasha just as Mrs. Compton reached them. "Sasha, dear, I have been hoping to see you. See, my son has come by for a visit." Mrs. Compton held Owen Compton's arm and tugged. "Son, this is the lady I have been telling you about."

The baron smiled at Sasha, his blue eyes glistening with interest and recognition. "Of course. You had no name come out of your mouth other than Sasha, Mother." He turned to Sasha and bowed. "I am very pleased to finally meet you, Lady Sasha."

Sasha threw West a look. He was looking grim, his brows fused together. "And the pleasure is the same, my lord."

"Please, Lady Sasha, I prefer Owen."

Sasha felt West's hand behind her back. "I would rather call you however I am comfortable with, my lord."

Mrs. Compton was smiling at her and her son. "Would you wish to join us for luncheon, dear? I made your favorite."

Sasha saw the glimmer of hope in Mrs. Compton's eyes and she sighed. "Very well, I shall join you."

It was then that Mrs. Compton saw West and her eyes widened. "The Duke of Eaton!"

Sasha blinked, biting her lips to hold her laughter.

"Goodness! How long have you been standing there!"

Sasha cleared her throat, hiding her smile by turning to West and said, "Mrs. Compton, I have missed to introduce you—"

"West Blackwood," West interjected, taking Mrs. Compton's hand for a light kiss. "Mrs. Compton, yes?"

The old woman nodded, love in her eyes as she smiled at West. "Sasha, dear, I was not aware you know this dashing young man."

Sasha laughed with the baron. "He is a... dear friend, Mrs. Compton. Just recently we met at a ball. He found me walking this morning in the park and offered to take me home."

West's hand returned to the small of her back. He did not like the lie.

"He was about to go on his way, were you not, Your Grace?"

West's gaze dipped down at her. "Yes," he said through his teeth.

Sasha then turned to Mrs. Compton and her son. "I will see you for luncheon." She curtsied and stepped back. "Have a lovely morning!"

Sasha whirled around and ran up the steps of her villa. Iyana was already waiting for her by the door, looking not so pleased.

"This is the second night you have been spending the night in his villa, my lady."

"Yes, Iyana," Sasha said, looking out the window to find West's carriage driving away and Mrs. Compton being guided back into her villa by her son. She turned to Iyana and smiled. "I have a full day today, Iyana. I would rather not hear your sentiments." She ran up the stairs. "I already broke fast! And I will have luncheon with the Comptons!"

*****

Sasha arrived at Mrs. Compton's doorsteps later that afternoon in a simple dress. Since morning, the sky had not shown any sign of rain, indicating an entirely good day.

The maid allowed her entry and guided her to the parlor. Sasha walked inside, expecting Mrs. Compton, but she stopped in her tracks when she saw the baron alone inside.

"Lady Sasha," he said, standing up from his seat. "Please, have a seat."

Sasha smiled, taking the seat across from him. "Is Mrs. Compton all right, my lord?"

He blinked. "Of course. She will be down in a few minutes."

Tea was delivered and served. Sasha shifted in her seat ever so slightly, growing uncomfortable.

The baron, although quite young, reminded her of Willoghby. His face was pleasant, his smile rather shy, but the look in his blue eyes as he eyed her did not settle well with Sasha. She decided that if Mrs. Compton will not be joining them any time soon, she would change her mind about the luncheon.

"I hope Coulway is treating you well, Lady Sasha."

Sasha smiled and nodded. "Very well, my lord."

Owen Compton leaned against his seat. "I believe my mother has given you details about me."

"She did."

"She told you I am a member of the House of Commons?"

She nodded. "She is very proud of you."

His eyes went to her feet. Sasha pulled her feet under the skirts of her dress and cleared her throat, feigning interest at the painting on the wall.

"She also told me you are from Belcourt."

The shiver that ran up her spine was also familiar. It was the same chill she would get around Willoghby. "Yes, I am."

"And the Duke of Eaton is your gentleman, is he not?"

Sasha stiffened. Then she forced a smile. "I am not in liberty to divulge any information about Belcourt or the duke, my lord. I would hate for his name be spoken with mine." She added the last sentence with a little more weight.

The baron chuckled. "You can be at ease, Lady Sasha. I am not one to gossip." He crossed his leg over the other. "I wonder how much he has to pay to be your... friend."

By this time, Sasha was no longer smiling, neither was she trying to fake it. "The duke is not—"

"I can pay for you as well, you know. I would hate to be a part of Belcourt, but I would love to also be your friend, Lady Sasha. In fact, I could give you whatever I would have to pay Belcourt. It can all be yours. Belcourt would never have to steal your hard-earned money."

Sasha's mouth hung open in disbelief. How many men like Willoghby and the baron was in Coulway? She did not even want to find out. "Are you suggesting what I hate to think you are suggesting, my lord?" she asked, voice shaking with growing anger.

He displayed an easy smile, one so deceiving Sasha believed it had been fooling his own mother until now. "I can give you more than what the Duke of Eaton and the others give you. If you would have me, of course."

"Then the answer is no, my lord, I would not have you." Sasha stiffly stood up. She lifted her chin and said, "I believe I will have to cancel. Please, relay my apologies to your mother. Lie to her if you must."

Sasha's entire form stiffened in alarm when his hand caught her wrist in a tight grip—a very tight grip.

If she was not so angry, Sasha thought she may have already started to experience the dimming of the room and the ringing in her ears. She felt the rush of blood through her ears and the intense anger that colored her face, giving no room for a fainting spell. "Let go of me, sir," she growled under her breath. "Now, or I will scream."

His hand tightened even more around her wrist that Sasha feared he might break it. She winced in pain. "My mother will be heartbroken if you do not join us for luncheon, my lady."

Sasha's other hand gripped his wrist. "Let go. Now, sir."

Owen Compton looked at her for a very long time, his hand tight around her wrist, causing her hand to go numb and white. "Are you quite certain you wish to go?"

"Yes," she said, pulling at her hand. "Now."

Suddenly, her hand was free, and Sasha stumbled back. "May you have a good day, my lady. I would advise you not to leave your home today. I know it's tempting to be outside what with the weather, but it might just... rain."

Sasha's eyes narrowed. "Is that a threat, sir?"

Owen Compton frowned at her. "A threat? Whyever would you think that, Lady Sasha?"

She looked at him from head to foot. "Your mother speaks very highly of you, sir. Please, do not tarnish your reputation before her eyes. She is too old to see your true nature."

"Is that a threat, my lady?"

She smiled. "Yes."

*****

Her encounter with Owen Compton did not stop Sasha from coming to town to meet Ruby and Jade at the tea house. To her surprise, Aliya was also there.

"We were unfortunate to run into Aliya here," Ruby said in jest. "She was alone and we took pity."

"Sasha," Aliya greeted with a small smile. "I hope you are doing well?"

"I am," she said, settling in the chair beside Ruby.

"We were just discussing Daniel," her friend said.

"Belcourt still cannot find him," Jade added, voice fretful. "It is uncommon of Belcourt to not find him by this time. They almost always never fail."

"Not finding him is not failing, Jade," Aliya retorted. "But I do agree that he has to be found. He has to face his crimes."

Aliya was looking at Sasha as she spoke. Once she was done, she smiled. Being in the same table as the woman, they paled in comparison to her beauty. It was as though the chandelier above had fallen on one of the seats. She was glowing. Just the red cloak and still she had everyone's attention. Even the women behind her had to turn their heads over their shoulders to steal a glance.

But Aliya seemed unperturbed, or maybe she was just ignorant of the staring. Her eyes traveled down to Sasha's gloved hand. They stayed there for quite some time. Then she looked at Sasha. "Sasha, what happened to your hand?"

Sasha instinctively wrapped her hand around her wrist and it was too late when she noticed what she did. "It is nothing."

Aliya narrowed her eyes. "Have you forgotten what I told you?"

"It was not Willoghby," she snapped. "I would never repeat what I did. It's... it was not a gentleman," she said under her breath, just enough for only her companions to hear.

"Who?" three cold voices demanded.

She blinked. "No one you know of, I am sure."

Aliya's stunning light brown eyes flashed with impatience. "The name, Sasha."

Sasha swallowed.

As she looked at the three women scowling at her, Sasha began to realize that it might have been better if she lied.

*****

"Are you certain—utterly sure—that this is not against Belcourt law?" Sasha asked for the third time that night.

And for the third time, her companions, all of whom hidden in the shadow of their hoods, nodded. The night was bright, casting their shadows on the cobbled street across the brightly lit building of the gentlemen's club.

"Pull up your hood, Sasha," Aliya ordered, voice calm and intriguing, a contrast to the raging wreck of turmoil Sasha was feeling. "Ruby?"

Ruby nodded with a confident smile before she walked across the street lined with carriages.

"Wheeler's is only second to Stark's," Aliya informed Sasha. "But it is equally busy."

"I heard Compton was blackballed three times at Stark's," Jade said, staring at the building across the street.

Sasha was no longer listening as she watched Ruby walk up to a group of carriage drivers. She talked with them for a while, turning around as if she was looking for something, then thanked them for their time with a graceful curtsy.

She turned to the general direction of Aliya, Jade, and Sasha. Then she turned and walked down the side of the street. The drivers followed her with their gaze, their attention entirely preoccupied.

"Come, ladies," Aliya murmured, turning to walk toward the lined carriages, taking the opposite route that Ruby was taking.

"What about—"

"Ruby will be fine," Jade said, giving Sasha a wink.

Aliya walked ahead, steps purposeful.

"I heard many stories like this from other Belles," Jade whispered to Sasha. "She is notorious for this sort of things."

The hood of Aliya's cloak turned as she said over her shoulder, "While it is easy for a gentleman of Belcourt to answer for any misconduct, it is a challenge to give lessons to those who are not a part of Belcourt. We must learn how to take matters into our own hands in a manner that is discreet and graceful—if possible, of course. Do you understand what I am saying, Sasha?"

Sasha nodded, holding the edge of her hood to keep it in place.

Her heart began to hammer against her chest.

Was this truly happening?

Surely they could not do this?

But they were doing it.

Aliya had stopped outside an empty stagecoach, one parked between two others of its kind. The driver was probably amongst the group of men gawking after Ruby.

Aliya's hand carefully came to rest on the horse, caressing the animal with soft, soothing whispers.

"We are truly doing this, are we?" Sasha asked when Ruby appeared behind them, breathless from her trip.

"What are you talking about? Doing what?" Ruby asked, a wicked glimmer in her eyes.

Jade choked with laughter as she helped Aliya with the horse.

Aliya just smiled at Sasha and together, she, Jade, and Ruby began to work on the horse's bellyband and straps. With a sigh, Aliya paused and looked over her shoulder at Sasha. "Sasha, would you please?"

She jumped and came forward, biting her lips to hold the laughter that was beginning to form. They were truly doing this!

Holding the horse with a firm grip on the reins, Aliya gave them more instructions on what to do, reminding them that they had done the same task many times during their Manor days.

"It has been years, Aliya, please have a heart," hissed Ruby, the wicked smile on her lips long gone as she grunted. "My carriage driver always does this task—oh! Well, that does it," Ruby said, dropping the strap to the ground.

Sasha stared at their work. "Now, what do we—"

She was not able to finish her statement because Aliya gave the horse another pat before letting go of the reins. The horse, now with its blinders off, rose to his hind legs and galloped down the streets. One driver noticed and howled for the others. Only one man who recognized the horse jumped up and ran after it. The others laughed, watching the spectacle unfold.

Aliya wiped her hands on her cloak and turned to the others. "Well, that was not so difficult, was it?"

Sasha swallowed and then she started laughing in disbelief.

"Hush, Sasha," Jade whispered as they stepped away from the horseless carriage.

"What do we do now?" Ruby asked Aliya.

"We wait for the man, of course," Aliya said, looking about. "He would come out soon, I am certain of it."

Surely, the driver was running back to Wheeler's in panic, about to inform his master of the situation.

"We ought to have let the horse take the carriage," Sasha said.

"Why would we do that?" Aliya asked, eyes on the driver talking to the doorman. "It was born without a burden. It should be free with none."

The four of them waited until Owen Compton himself walked out of Wheeler's and talked with his driver who pointed at the carriage and then down the road. They smiled when Compton bounded down the steps and walked across the street with purposeful strides.

Soon, he was approaching the carriage with the four of them standing close by. His steps halted the moment he saw the four cloaked figure, his carriage driver doing the same, peering at them with curiosity, trying to see their shadowed faces.

"Who are you?" demanded Compton, his eyes darting to his stagecoach.

Aliya was the one who took the step forward. "Good evening, sir," she greeted, her voice deadly creepy.

"I am asking who you are, woman. What have you done to my horse?"

Aliya approached Compton. The carriage driver veered his eyes to the three of them standing by the carriage. Ruby waved at him demurely and his eyes widened with recognition.

Sasha watched Aliya step very close to Compton and leaned to whisper something. Compton's eyes widened in surprise and horror. Aliya leaned back and stepped away. "Good night, sir." She turned to Sasha, Jade, and Ruby. "Ladies?"

The three of them followed Aliya, walking past the distraught Compton and the speechless driver.

"What did you tell him, Aliya?" Jade asked as they quickly walked away.

"What he should expect should he approach another Belle."

"Which is?"

Aliya did not respond.

"Aliya," Ruby prodded. "What did you tell him?"

Aliya just smiled. She stole Sasha a glance. "What a Belle should. That is all you have to know. Now, I will not always be around to be of help as I am only in Coulway for the season. You should know how to fend off men such as Owen Compton, most particularly you, Sasha. Never think you can do it on your own. You must have an ally."

Sasha, Jade, and Ruby shared a look of awe, having found a new kind of admiration to Aliya.

*****

Sasha returned home from her little adventure.

For a few hours, she was able to forget the weight of her situation, having found a new footing amongst her fellow Belles. For a moment she caught a glimpse of a life she would lead should she fail to return to the Court of Libraries. It could be exciting. And it could be full of friends like Aliya and Jade and Ruby.

An adventurous life outside of Belcourt.

She had never thought of it that way.

Shaking her head, Sasha allowed Iyana to help her undress, giving the woman a recount of her escapade.

Iyana laughed and said, "I have heard of rumors about Lady Aliya. A few service women said that she is a generous mistress. And a very dangerous one at that. They would never tell for they are too loyal to her. I am glad that you are chummy with her now, my lady. She is a very strong Belle, they say. Very capable as well."

Sasha nodded, facing the window as Iyana worked on her stays. "I am starting to see that now—"

She suddenly went cold, her words dying in her lips.

"What was it, Lady Sasha?" she heard Iyana's faint voice behind her.

The ringing in her ears started and she blinked away the darkness. She looked out the window once more.

He was still there.

Standing there just staring at her.

Willoghby.