It was nearly dawn when a commotion outside made me look up from my copy of Wuthering Heights. Before I knew what was happening, the door flew open and Jacob, clearly drunk, spread his arms wide as he belted out the final chorus of a song.

"Jacob Frye, you're drunk!" I accused as he leaned against the doorframe and smiled at me.

"I am that, Miss King." He staggered over to the sofa and fell down next to me. "There was a devil of a chill the lads and I needed to chase away."

"You and the lads chased away more than the chill." I noticed the deep bruise forming on his cheek and the remains of blood on his knuckles. "From the shanty you were singing, I got a feeling sailors were involved."

He roared with laughter before leaning closer, almost falling into my lap. "You should've seen us, darling. Dan and I were back-to-back and there were six – no, seven – of them. They came at us all at once, but we were quicker. Beat them within an inch of their lives, we did. It was glorious, darling. Glorious! I wish you'd been there."

"If I'd been there, I probably would've drug you out before you started a fight." I stood and went to get a blanket for him.

"Bah! They were being heavy handed with Lily." He stretched out across the sofa. "They deserved it."

"Well, if you were protecting a lady, that's completely different." I laid the blanket across him with a smile, remembering the older prostitute I'd met once at the pub. "I'm proud of you."

He grabbed my wrist painfully, though his pleading eyes let me know he hadn't meant to hurt me. "Are you, darling? Truly?"

"Of course, I am." I smiled as I eased his hand from around my wrist. "I'm always proud of you."

"Father never was." He lowered his eyes, his expression becoming almost tearful. "Of Evie, he was. But me…I was the one who wasn't smart, or strong, or brave. He demanded more until I had nothing left to give. Never once was he proud of me. Never once."

I tapped his shoulder and he sat up enough for me to slide in so he could rest his head in my lap. Tenderly, I stroked his hair, trying to soothe his pain. "I'm sure he was proud of you, Jacob. Father's just don't know how to show their sons how they feel. He was British too so that stiff upper lip thing."

"I loved him." He whispered, talking to himself more than to me. "Then he was gone. I love Evie, but she'll be gone too. I never told them. Either of them. I'll never be able to."

"You can still tell Evie." I traced the scar along his cheek with my fingertip. "If you want to."

He just shook his head. "It's too late. I've ruined it. Ruined everything. She hates me."

"She doesn't hate you. She's just frustrated with you right now."

He sighed. "She has every right to be. She deserves better than I can give. So do you, Gwen."

I just smiled and shook my head. "How can I do any better than the man I love?"

"But you should."

"Should what?"

He looked up from my lap to stare me in the eyes. "Find another man. A fine gentleman who'll take care of you and give you the life you deserve. Not this… This life. Something better."

I stroked his forehead, pretending to smooth the worry lines from his brow. "Why do I need to settle for a stuffy old gentleman when I can have my wonderful rogue."

"Marry me, Gwen King." He said as he took my hand and kissed each fingertip. "Be mine forever."

I chuckled. "I already said I would."

"Say it again." His words started to slur from exhaustion rather than alcohol. "I want to know you'll always love me. No matter what."

"I'm yours, Jacob Frye." I said softly as he closed his eyes. "Now and forever. And someday soon, we're going to get married and we'll live happily ever after."

"Like in the fairytales." He muttered, barely awake.

"Just like the fairytales."

At the sound of his soft snores, I leaned down and kissed his forehead. For all his bravado and swagger, there was still a scared little boy inside him wanting someone to let him know he was loved. I just hoped it'd always be me.

However, when I woke up alone the next morning, I couldn't keep from being annoyed with him. After his drunken admission, I assumed he'd opted to leave rather than having to discuss it in the morning light. Just like any scared little boy, he wanted to avoid what bothered him rather than confront it.

While I could deal with that sort of behavior from a child, two days of not seeing the man afterward because he was afraid of facing his insecurities pissed me off. It wasn't the first time he'd disappeared on me, but I was done with waiting. I needed some time out too. Since Evie was gone and most of the Rooks I'd befriended were either sleeping off the night before or busy, I opted to call upon my friend Charles Dickens. After all, Jacob had a life outside of our relationship, why shouldn't I?

It wasn't until I made my way to Charles' home that I noticed the trio of Rooks I didn't know. Hoping I was mistaken, I went inside for tea and conversation which lasted most of the day. When I finally took my leave, I noticed the same three Rooks across the street watching the house.

"Damn him!" I grumbled under my breath when they followed at some distance along the sidewalks and to the market where I picked up some bread and cheese for a snack. Finding myself a bench near a church, I took out my meal and set it down next to me, pretending to still be unaware of them, but it galled me. How was I supposed to have a life when he'd left instructions for me to be tended to like a child?

I knew Jacob hated me going out alone because of the Blighter threat, but it was broad daylight. I was careful; going places I knew well and always paying attention to my surroundings. I'd spent my entire adult life in New Orleans, a city that made Victorian London look positively tame by comparison, and knew how to take care of myself. Still, he treated me like a helpless toddler who needed her hand held at every turn. What insulted me more was that he didn't even feel the need to protect me himself; he sent his lackeys to do it.

I'm a grown ass woman, I thought as I looked over at my shadows, disgusted. I can take care of myself dammit.

I left out a shrill whistle, catching my followers' attention and flagged them over. Sheepishly, they meandered over toward me; their eyes downcast.

"All right, boys," I said in a matter-of-fact tone when they were standing in front of me. "Let me guess. Mr. Frye sent you?"

They shifted uncomfortably before the meanest looking one spoke. "Begging ya pardon for intruding, Miss, but Jacob told us to keep an eye on ya."

I sighed, trying to keep myself from taking out my anger on them. "Look, guys. Y'all go tell Mr. Frye I'm fine by myself."

"But, Miss –"

I raised my hand. "Let me finish, please. Tell him if he wants me to have an escort, he can send Martha or Rupert. I don't want to be tailed anymore, but I'm willing to stay here and wait for one of them if he thinks I need it. You guys can go now."

They looked at each other, clearly unsure if they should follow Jacob's orders or mine.

"You have my word I'll stay right here." I smiled sweetly, which masked my icy demeanor when I added," Or would y'all like me to start screaming bloody murder until the coppers show up?"

I continued to smile as they stared at me, measuring the legitimacy of my threat. Finally, two of them decided it wasn't worth the risk and started to move on. The third, the only one to speak, lagged behind.

"You're not going too?" I shrugged casually. "All right then."

"Wait, Miss." He pleaded as I opened my mouth to scream. "Jacob'll clobber us if we leave ya."

"You tell Mr. Frye that if he so much as touches a hair on your head, he'll have me to deal with. And I'll make sure he wishes he'd never laid eyes on me." I grinned as I gave him a little wave. "Buh-bye now."

He turned and sprinted off to join his companions without so much as a backward glance. Please with myself, I finished my snack and reread the excepts Dickens suggested needed revisions while I softly hummed an Imagine Dragon song. Lost in my own thoughts, I jumped slightly when I single white rose was laid across my journal.

"A rose for American's loveliest bloom."

I looked up at the man who'd delivered it. He was a gaunt gentleman with wiry limbs and piercing blue eyes. His features were sharp, almost comically so, with the exception of a deep burn scar that webbed across his cheek.

"Forgive me, Miss King." He said, his voice just raspy enough to remind me of a smoker. "I saw you from my carriage and decided to introduce myself. Maxwell Roth at your service."

Warily, I extended my hand, which he seized and kissed gallantly. "I'm sorry, Mr. Roth, but have we met before?"

"My dear Miss King, please forgive my forwardness. I presumed you already knew of me from our mutual acquaintance, Jacob Frye." He made a quick, sweeping gesture to the empty seat next to me. "May I join you?"

I nodded, still wary of the odd man. While I knew Jacob's business associates were not exactly the most reputable people at times, this man didn't strike me as dangerous. If anything, his flightiness was almost endearing.

"I've been told Jacob speaks highly of you," he said, "yet I can see none of it truly does you justice."

I smiled, flattered. "Thank you, Mr. Roth."

"Pfft. There's no need to be so formal, my dear." He waved my words away dramatically. "Maxwell will do."

"Thank you for the beautiful gift, Maxwell." I lifted it and inhaled the scent, subtle but sweet. "I'm ashamed Jacob's never mentioned you before."

"No matter. I'm pleased to finally meet the lady whose charms are the stuff of legend." He cupped my hand. "As for the gift, it's a paltry token compared to the vision you are, my dear Miss King."

"Mr. Roth." I began, snatching my hand away from his grasp. "In case you weren't aware, I'm Jacob's fiancée. Regardless, I'd ask you keep your hands to yourself or I'll have them removed… From your shoulder."

Instead of being offended, he let out a deep laugh. "Spoken like the true queen you are, my dear. The stories I heard truly are an underestimation of you. You are dangerous."

He's loony as a toon, I thought in amusement. I instantly liked his forthrightness and laughed too.

"That smile was underestimated as well," he teased. "It could melt even the coldest heart."

"You're very flattering, Maxwell." I looked down at my lap. "Jacob might not approve."

"Jealousy is an ugly beast no lady should endure. It's Jacob who should be flattered by your company." He gestured to my journal. "But I've interrupted you. My apologies. What are you reading?"

I glanced down and shook my head, embarrassed. "It's nothing. Just a story I'm writing. It's silly."

"May I?" Before I could protest, he slipped it from my hands and began reading. His face quickly changed to keen interest as he seemed to devour my work. As he scanned each page, he muttered to himself, "Interesting… Amazing… Riveting."

"It's just a silly story," I mumbled apologetically, craving and fearing his reaction. "You don't have to read anymore."

He ignored me and continued, his eyes widening with surprise at times and softening at others. Finally, he came to the last page and reverently closed the book with a contented sigh. Suddenly, he turned to me excitedly.

"How does it end?" He demanded, almost shaking with anticipation. "Does the traveler return to her home or to her love? Tell me. I must know."

I smiled, pleased he seemed to enjoy it. Before I could answer, I saw Rupert over his shoulder running full speed with a look of panic on his face. I quickly got to my feet and rushed to meet him; Maxwell only steps behind me.

"What's wrong?" I demanded once we'd met up.

"Miss Gwen," he managed through wheezing breaths. "Miss Frye… Mr. Frye… They'll kill each other."

An explosion of terror went through me. Before poor Rupert even had time to catch his breath, I was dragging him back the way he came; fear of what the Frye twins may have already done spurring me on.

"Wait, Miss King," Maxwell said, a look of true concern on his face. "Take my carriage."

Still moving, I just shook my head. "Thank you, but I couldn't impose."

"I insist." He caught my free hand and led us toward his waiting carriage. "Lewis, take Miss King and her companion wherever they need to go. Do be careful, my dear." He added in a whisper. "And call upon me should you need anything."

I nodded my thanks as he helped me aboard, thankful to have met such a kind soul. If ever I needed a friend, it was now.