"Well, Jacob's done it again," Evie snarled, slamming the door behind her causing the car to rattle a little. "First, he almost brings the city to a halt then he tries to upend the very financial structure of the country."

I looked down at the atlas in front of me, trying to hide my grin. "What's next? He blows up parliament?"

"Don't even joke about such things." She spat angrily. She took a deep breath. "I'm sorry, Gwen. I don't mean to direct my frustrations at you. I only wish my brother would think before he acts."

I scoffed. "You ain't the only one."

"Has he spoken to you since…" She trailed off.

"Henry's made some headway in the Shroud search." I gestured to the silent assassin standing by the bookcase, letting her know I didn't want to talk in front of him.

She turned, noticing him for the first time. "My apologies, Hen – Mr. Green. I didn't realize you were here."

He blushed a little, causing me to look down again so I wouldn't laugh. "No apologies needed, Miss Frye. I understand Jacob has taken on his own missions of late. Gwen was just updating me."

"As much as I could anyway. Not like Jacob and I are even talking at this point." I stood. "How about I go get us something to eat while you get Evie up to speed on your findings."

I headed to the dining car, which was usually filled with Rooks. As expected, several of them were relaxing there as I made up a platter of bread, cheese, and apple slices.

"Oi, Miss Gwen!" Rupert called when he came in and saw me. "How are ya?"

I smiled over at him. "Always good when I see you, Rupert dear."

The other Rooks laughed as he blushed a little and Dan gave him a playful punch in the arm. I continued working while they talked, not paying attention to them.

"Jacob says he's been invited to a meeting with the leader of the Blighters," I heard someone whisper. "Thinks he may be calling for a truce."

"Why bother when Miss Gwen has him under her thumb?" Rupert said. "Aye, Miss?"

Finishing the snack, I walked over to them, tossing a piece of bread at Rupert for pulling me in. "What are you talking about?"

"Why, Maxwell Roth, of course."

I shook my head. "Maxwell's just the owner of the Alhambra. He doesn't have any ties to the Blighters."

"Are you selling us the dog, Miss?" Dan huffed. "You been spending nearly all your time with him and didn't notice the army of Blighters hanging about?"
I shook my head. "I swear, I had no idea."

"Well, since the night you spent with him –" Dan started to say.

I cut him off. "I did not spend the night with him. We had dinner and talked. That was it. Are you implying something, Dan?" When he just shrugged, I was enraged. "How dare you! I may not follow English etiquette, but I sure as hell don't go hopping from one man's bed to another. Maxwell and I are friends."

"Ya gotta admit, Miss Gwen, it does look a little suspect." Rupert interjected, apparently trying to defuse the situation, but only making it worse.

I looked at the other Rooks and realized by their expressions they agreed with what Dan was implying. They really thought I was sleeping with Maxwell. Horrified, I turned and went back To Evie and Henry.

"What the hell is wrong with the Rooks?" I demanded, slamming the tray down. "Do you know what they're saying about me? That I'm sleeping with Maxwell?"

Evie and Henry both looked at me. Finally, she asked, "Who?"

"Maxwell Roth. They're saying I'm sleeping with him. Can you believe that?" I threw my hands in the air. "I'm not a whore. I don't sleep around. Where did this even come from?"

"Calm down, Gwen. It's just gossip." She patted my shoulder. "It's nothing to fret over."

"It's my reputation!"

She shrugged. "It's just a rumor. Let it go."

"I will not let it go." I grabbed my blade and tucked it into its sheath on my trousers. "I'm going to find out where this is coming from right now and put an end to it."
"Gwen, please don't be irrational," Henry said in his ever-patience tone.

"Oh, I'm about to get real irrational. And somebody's gonna get hurt." Slamming the door behind me, I noticed Dan standing on the adjoining gangway. "What? Come to tell me I'm a whore again?"
"I'm sorry, Miss Gwen." He lowered his eyes. "I shouldn't have insulted you in front of the boys."

"No, you shouldn't have."

"The truth is, it's been said you left Jacob for Roth. That he's saying – Roth is – he's gonna 'clip the wings of the Rook queen'. To hear his men tell it, ya already his wife."

I rolled my eyes. "Dan, you know me. Do I let anyone tell me what to do?"

"No, ma'am."

"And do I put up with being belittled?"

"No, ma'am."

"I'm going to talk to Maxwell right now and, so help me, if he's really telling these lies there won't be enough left of him to bury in a matchbox."

Dan looked up at me and smiled. "Mind if I join ya? I been itching to make some Blighters bleed."

"Not this time, Dan." I reached out and patted his shoulder. "But I'll make sure you're the first one I call if I need help."

"Be careful, Gwen. Maxwell Roth has a reputation of being a devil when he's angry. I wouldn't want you hurt because of what I told you."

"I'll be careful. You just keep an eye on Jacob. He's a hot mess right now and needs as many level-headed people around him as he can get."

He nodded. "Yes, ma'am. I'll take care of him." He shuffled a little before continuing. "It ain't my place to say it, but he misses ya, Gwen. When he's half-rats, he says as much. I think a lot of what he's been doing is to get your attention."

I nodded slowly, remembering how he'd practically begged me to tell him I was proud of him. Maybe all of this madness was my fault after all.

"Thanks, Dan. I'll be back soon."

After I got off the train, I cut through the back alleys and side streets I'd learned from Jacob until I was standing in front of the Alhambra. Letting myself in through the side doors, I kept to the shadows until I saw Maxwell standing center stage barking out orders to crewmen.

A million thoughts volleyed around my mind as I watched him. In front of me was a man I cared about – loved like family – who'd been lying to everyone saying I was his mistress. While he'd shown me nothing but kindness, behind my back he'd been making sure everyone knew that kindness came at a price. He'd made Jacob suspicious, my fellow Rooks lose respect for me, and broken my trust. At the same time, he made me happy again.

Then there was the monster. Had he really been the leader of the gang killing my fellow Rooks? Could this man who treated me with so much gentleness been head of a ruthless murderous squad that plundered London along with the Templars? Was I so blind as to not notice he was a Jekyll and Hyde?

"Gwen darling," he called, suddenly noticing me when I accidentally stepped into the light. "What a pleasant surprise."

He rushed over and embraced me with a kiss on the cheek. When I didn't respond, he held me out at arm's length and stared at me. "What's wrong?"

"Is it true?"

He looked confused. "Is what true? My dearest, have I done something to upset you? Please, let me make it right. Whatever it is, I'll fix it."

"Have you told people we're…" I paused, swallowing the disgust before spitting the word out, "lovers?"

His response startled me. He laughed. "I don't need to tell people what they already believe."

I tore away, horrified. "Why? Why would you do that?"

"Darling, let's speak in private."

I shook my head. "No, Maxwell. I want to know why you'd do that. Why would you try to ruin my reputation like that?"

"Leave us!" He bellowed, sending men scattering to leave the stage. Once we were alone, he led me to a pretend throne and helped me into it. Kneeling in front of me like an old-world knight, he began, "Gwen, you know I adore you. Dare I say, I love you like I've loved no one else."

"But you told me you didn't want a romantic relationship," I argued.

"And I still don't." He sighed. "Darling, the world is so much more dangerous than you know. By keeping you close and letting others think you're my consort, I've protected you from the wrath of Crawford Starrick. He means to see your beloved Frye twins and all those associated with them dead."

"I don't believe you, Maxwell." I glared at him, angry he'd used the Fryes against me. "Why would you need to protect me when you work for him too?"

He lowered his eyes, his expression so remorseful it almost hurt me to look at him. "You're right. I trained all of his gang leaders personally and commanded the Blighters to do his bidding. All of this before I met you. Don't you see, my love? If I'd suspected for a moment I'd come to care so deeply for you, I would've severed all my ties to Starrick and renounced leadership of the Blighters. I can't change what's been done but can apologize for it."

I wiped away a tear. "You tricked me. You used me."

"Yes, Gwen. I used you and misled you." He pressed his forehead to my hand. "If you must punish me for my trespasses then take your little blade and cut me from ear to ear. I only ask that you strike swift and true, my love, so that my broken heart dies quickly. Without you by my side, it's all meaningless."

I wanted to hurt him. He'd admitted to lying to me and using me, but he also admitted to protecting me from the Templar's Grand Master Crawford Starrick. Could I really hate him for doing wrong for the right reasons?

I fell to my knees and wrapped my arms around his neck. Tears rolled down my cheeks when I thought about how close I'd come to losing my best friend. "I'm sorry, Maxwell. Please forgive me."

"Forgive me, my dearest Gwen. I never meant to hurt you." He stroked my back as we clung to each other, his lips pressed to my forehead. "I swear, I only wanted to keep you safe. That is, from everyone but me."

I laughed. "You're a horrible man, Maxwell Roth."

He smiled. "There's something else. Something I only dare speak of when we're completely alone. Stay the night with me, Gwen, and we'll talk until we run out of words. Tonight, I want to keep you close and share everything with you."

I nodded. "All right."

I did stay with him that night, sending word to Evie I was helping Dickens with a haunted house instead of telling the truth. I supposed part of me was ashamed I'd been so easily swayed back to him, but I really did care about Maxwell and wanted more than anything to believe him.

He invited several actors from the theatre over to dine with us that evening. I enjoyed seeing them again but noticed Alexis was absent from the group. Curious, I asked Lewis about it.

"Mr. Romanov has been dismissed from Mr. Roth's troupe," he explained stiffly. "His performance was subpar."

"Really? I thought he was a good actor."

"Not nearly as good as he thought, though, and no displeases Mr. Roth."

A chill ran down my spine, remembering that this caring man I knew was also the leader of a gang, but quickly dismissed the thought. Hadn't I been the fiancée of the leader of the Rooks? Who was I to judge?

After the dinner party, a bath was made for me in the guest room and I was treated to a new nightgown. I lounged for a while, enjoying the luxury of being with Maxwell. Even if we weren't lovers, he knew how to treat me. As I brushed out my hair with the silver comb set he'd also given me, he came to my room.

"Is everything to your satisfaction, my dearest?" He asked, looking a bit disheartened.

"Of course." I smiled up at him as he took my brush and began running it through my hair. "What's wrong, Maxwell?"

"Hmm." He stared down at me, his long fingers running through my hair. "It's nothing."

I stilled his hand and met his gaze in the vanity mirror. "We're friends. Talk to me."

"You are a rare gem." He sighed. "Do you remember the play? How you believe the two warriors were lovers?"

I nodded. "I do."

"Why would you think that?"

"Because they were, of course."

"And you're comfortable with this blasphemy?" He asked carefully. "Surely you know that such acts are illegal? And against the church?"

"I don't agree with that at all. In my… travels, I've seen love in many forms and none of it is wicked or sinful when it's true love. It makes me sad to think that some kinds of love have to stay hidden because of what society deems is acceptable. I think the world would be a better place if we were all free to love who we want. Sadly, that's not the case. Personally, I see nothing wrong with a man sharing his life with another man. Their happiness is all that matters."

He smiled finally. "You have such a beautiful heart, my dear. I knew you'd understand."

"Is that the deep, dark secret you wanted to tell me?"

"In part." He laid the brush aside and sat down on the bed. "And that there is someone I've been watching for some time."

I got up and curled up next to him. "I see. And have you approached this person?"

He nodded. "We've spoken. I believe they're receptive."

"Noting ventured, nothing gained."

"I'm not sure."

"Tell me about this person. Maybe I can give you some advice about how to approach them."

He smiled wistfully. "Apollo would be jealous. The dangerous, cock-of-the-walk sort with a stare that could kill a man at a hundred paces."
I thought about Jacob and smiled. "Well, Maxwell, with that sort nothing less than the direct approach will do. You'll have to grab that stallion by the mane and break him."

He laughed. "If only I had your boldness, my darling."

"Seize the day." I shot him a wicked smile. "And what you want by the balls. Don't let go until it's yours."

"Oh, my vicious Gwen." He said, roaring with laughter. "Won't you join me in taming this beast? I would love to see you ride this brute until he drops."

"Maxwell!" I scolded, laughing too. "You're disgusting. You'd want to watch some ogre take advantage of my innocence? How lewd!"

"Only because I think you'd enjoy it."

"You're horrible!" I shoved his shoulder, only slightly swaying him from his seat. "I'm a lady."

"That you are, my darling." He grabbed my wrist and tugged me into his lap. "But you're also a wanton succubus. A lady in the study and a whore in the bedroom. What all men dream of."

"How dare you call me a whore." I pushed against his chest, laughing at the backhanded compliment.

"Join me tomorrow night." He kissed my forehead before letting me up. "There's a fight all of London is talking about. There, you'll meet the stallion."

I nodded. "All right. I'll go. But on one condition."

He smiled. "Anything, my darling."

"I have a red dress being completed by a seamstress in Lambeth. Have Lewis pick it up for me before we go. I want to make sure I make a good impression on the person my dearest friend holds is such high regard."

As he kissed me goodnight and left, I crawled into bed thinking how wonderful it was to finally have someone who trusted me so completely. I had no idea I was selling my soul.