Leo sat in the library at Aston House, listening to the chattering of aristocrats that seeped in through the walls. The library wasn't even located very close to the ballroom, and yet Leo could still hear their voices carrying down the hallway. He tried to tune them out, focusing instead on the slow melt of the ice cubes in his drink.

Lord and Lady Aston were hosting a ball this evening. They hadn't done so in many London Seasons, but what better way to show the ton that they had nothing to hide than to invite everyone in? His parents were making the stand that they cared not for the rumors going around about Leo.

Of course, it was expected that Leo make the same stand, the same show. His parents hoped that he'd carouse as he usually did. But more importantly, they were counting on him to dance with eligible ladies and appear as though he actually cared to find a wife.

But that would need to occur later. At the moment, Leo had other priorities.

After all, the treasonous band of aristocrats was reuniting. Eleven o'clock in the evening sharp. In the Aston Manor library, where they would be hidden amongst the smell of leather, dust, and parchment.

The door creaked open, and Leo first saw a head of silver-grey hair enter the room.

"Well, well, well," he drawled, kicking his feet up on the small ottoman as he did. "Weston graces me with his presence in my own home."

Andrew Hayfield, the Duke of Weston, smirked. Little wrinkles appeared near the corner of his eyes as they shone brightly in the dim room. "It isn't your home yet, Farrington," he pointed out as he came to sit across from Leo.

Leo waved a hand at him. "Close enough."

Andrew merely continued to smile. It was nice to see him. He'd always been relatively reclusive, and Leo hadn't had cause to visit with him in recent months.

Andrew was that one who had secretly orchestrated Adelaide's return to the throne. He'd been the one to approach Leo, asking for his support in their treasonous endeavor to overthrow the ruthless King Ernest. But now that they had accomplished their task, Leo hadn't seen Andrew in some time.

However, Scarlett had informed them of a new threat on the horizon, and so tonight their group was meeting once more.

"How do you fare, Farrington?" Weston asked, cocking his head to the side as he examined Leo. The duke always had the uncanny ability to discern far too much from a single glance.

"Well," Leo said, nodding idly.

"Is that so?" The corner of Weston's mouth twitched. "I've heard you've been engaging in fisticuffs in gentlemen's clubs, causing scandals at the operas, and hiding bastard sons in your townhome."

"Only two of those are true," Leo pointed out.

Weston chuckled lightly. "I know. I saw Scarlett's article this morning, clarifying the matter. It was indeed a cousin from the country that was seen at your residence, I understand?" He raised a questioning brow.

"It was a friend of my brother, retrieving books for his studies," Leo replied. The duke was one of the few people who his parents had trusted with the information about Maverick. Weston was a strong advocate in parliament for supporting the disadvantaged populations of London. He was familiar with the facilities that doctors had suggested Maverick attend when he was born, and so Leo's parents had sought his advice.

"I see," Weston said, nodding. His face grew serious. "And how is the little man?"

"Maverick is fine." Leo blew air through his teeth, considering what he could say about his brother. "His learning is...slow."

"You know," the duke responded with careful, measured words. "I have met other people who are similar to your brother. And their experiences are very much the same concerning learning abilities. Maverick may not be like you or me, but there isn't anything wrong with him, Leo. He was created precisely as he was meant to."

Leo took a moment, slouching back in his chair as he contemplated that. "You were always wildly progressive, Weston."

The other man merely shrugged.

The door opened again, and this time Emilia bounced in, looking rather pretty in a ruffly rose-colored gown. As expected, Will strode in behind her.

"Andrew!" Emilia exclaimed, her eyes bright at seeing the Duke of Weston, who smiled widely. He'd been very close with Emilia and Theo's father and had always supported his friend's children as though they were his own.

"Emilia." He returned her greeting warmly, gesturing to the seat next to him and saying, "Come join us." He glanced toward Will. "You too, Trotten."

The couple obeyed, settling in on the settee just as the door opened once more. Scarlett walked in. Her hair was pulled back from her face with only a few stray ringlets escaping her pins, and Leo could see her bewitching features perfectly.

It'd been a week since he'd seen her last. A week was far too long of a time period for a man to be thinking about a kiss. For goodness' sake, a damn kiss had overtaken Leo's entire body, and now he was starving for her. Just like he'd always known, a kiss wasn't enough. It wasn't nearly enough.

One thousand kisses wouldn't be enough either, though he wouldn't precisely complain about it if that should happen.

"Lady Humphries," Weston said, greeting her with a smile.

Scarlett's mischievous little smile that she always wore curved upwards as she floated gracefully across the room. Leo's attention was subsequently drawn toward her mouth.

But now was not the time to become distracted by thinking of all the things that Scarlett James could do with her lips. Not when Addie and Theo were currently entering the room through the back doorway that connected to Lord Aston's study.

The queen and her royal duke were here tonight in secret, whereas the rest of them were guests at the ball. Addie and Theo weren't ready to publicize themselves until a decision had been made regarding their predicament. Which was why they were all here.

After greetings had concluded, the Duke of Weston cleared his throat. "Since we are all here, let us begin."

"Is Clemonte not coming?" Leo asked, realizing that the baron was absent. Lord Clemonte was a stakeholder for Potter Publishing, a company that was responsible for The Times newspaper. Combined with Scarlett, the two of them virtually controlled the news that Londoners received.

"Unfortunately not," Weston replied. "He's been ill for quite some time. He has a chest cold that he cannot seem to be rid of."

Leo nodded but frowned. "I am sorry to hear that. I will miss the man's candor at tonight's event."

"You say event as though it is some grand affair," Emilia laughed, rolling her eyes.

"Any night when I get to see you is a grand affair, my dear." Leo winked at her, and Emilia flashed him a characteristically sardonic look.

"Anyway," Weston interrupted. "We are here to discuss what we are to do regarding the speculation of Princess Victoria's parentage." He nodded toward Scarlett. "My Lady Humphries has informed us that the gossip mill has been churning with such rumors."

"Yes," Scarlett said lowly. She folded her hands primly in her lap as she addressed the group. "And that is not all. Some of you might have heard that another gossip column is gaining headway in London. The Ton's Talk. I fear that this news will reach those pages first, and it will be taken out of our control."

They were all sitting in a circle in the Aston Manor library now, their ballroom fineries pressed between plush cushions and smooth leather. Leo chanced a look at Adelaide and Theo, wondering about their reaction to this all. The two of them sat closely, holding hands with expressions of apprehension.

"I do not believe we can contain the rumors," Scarlett added.

"No," Adelaide said, sitting up straighter. "No, the question at this point is merely how we will respond."

Theo nodded in agreement, staring devotedly at his wife as he did.

"I would just as soon tell the truth," the queen said confidently.

Leo watched as the expression on Theo's face changed. He opened his mouth, paused, and then closed it again. Leo noticed that Weston was similarly examining Theo's reaction. The duke was the first to speak.

"Let us discuss the repercussions of that, Addie."

"We already know the repercussions," Addie replied, brushing aside her husband's suggestion. "I can handle the backlash on my reputation when the public learns that my previous husband is not the father of our child."

Theo's jaw clenched noticeably.

"But what of the backlash on Victoria?" Emilia pointed out softly. "Addie... she'd likely be denied the throne when her time comes."

"You might be denied the throne," Will added.

"And then where will the country be?" Weston asked, his voice low.

Addie sighed deeply. "If I had known we were getting together just so you would all overpower me, I daresay I should have stayed at Buckingham," she muttered and crossed her arms over her chest.

Theo chuckled, his fingers brushing over her shoulder as he went to tuck a lock of hair behind her ear. "We are not trying to overpower you, love. We are merely using logic, whereas you are using your heart."

Addie lifted her head, looking toward her husband. "Have we switched roles, then?"

Theo's lips pressed into a small smile. "I've heard motherhood can do that to a lady. Even the queen. No one faults you."

"But if we deny the rumors, it feels as though I deny a part of Victoria. I deny Theo's chance to truly be a father."

Theo shook his head as Weston broke in. "I know it is a difficult situation, Adelaide. But we cannot have it both ways."

"Well," Leo finally contributed. "Perhaps, in a way, you can. What if you make no public statement regarding the gossip at all. Let rumors be rumors. Do not confirm or deny anything at all. The public will grow tired of scrutinizing you after some time."

"Won't it appear suspicious not to deny the gossip?" Theo questioned, tilting his head as he did.

Leo shrugged. "Perhaps. But I mean to say, even if you were to deny the rumors, it isn't as though it will stop the ton from examining you. I doubt many people would be assuaged by your assurance of Victoria's father anyway, so why bother? Pay them no heed, and you show them who is truly in power."

"It could still damage your reputation," Weston said, glancing at Addie with uncertainty.

"Then let the press defend you instead," Scarlett said. "I fear Mischief in Mayfair is already too biased toward the queen, but perhaps if it were to come from another source. Maybe Lord Clemonte would still be able to help us, despite his illness."

Weston was nodding, and Leo knew they were getting to a good point. He smirked.

"I knew there was a reason we kept you around, Leo," Will muttered, throwing an entertained glance across the room.

"I always thought it was because of my good looks," Leo retorted. Out of the corner of his eye, he noticed an amused expression spread across Scarlett's face. He couldn't help but peek over at her, and their eyes connected. A heated awareness washed over Leo as Scarlett's emerald eyes locked onto him. He felt his smirk fall, his jaw tightening from the wave of desire that accompanied her look.

Leo watched as Scarlett's expression similarly changed, her mouth popping open as her eyes flicked down to Leo's mouth, tracing the memories on his lips with her gaze—just as he had done to her earlier. Whether on purpose or not, a sultry expression overcame her. Her eyes became hooded, her mouth slowly coming to a close, though not without a quick lick of her lips.

"I shall connect with Lord Clemonte," Weston said, and Leo nearly jumped in his chair from the reminder that they weren't alone. His eyes widened as he looked around to see if anyone had noticed his preoccupation. But everyone's attention was on Addie and Theo as Weston addressed them.

"How do you feel about this plan, Your Majesty?" he asked.

Addie cocked her head to the side. "I cannot be sure." She looked at Theo. "What do you think?"

He sighed. "I want to say it is up to you, but I cannot condone revealing that I am Victoria's father to the country. It would put you and her at far too great a risk. So if you do not wish to deny the rumors completely, I believe this is a fair compromise. Let people assume what they will." Theo moved to cup Adelaide's face, and Leo felt compelled to look away from the seemingly tender and private moment. "We know the truth," Theo finished softly.

"I think it is a wise move," Will added, trying to add reassurance to Theo's words. "As a new queen, you need to be careful not to disrupt the balance of power that you currently have, Adelaide."

The queen nodded and finally drew her attention away from her husband and to the rest of the group. "Fine," she said simply.

"If the rumors grow out of control, we may need to change our course of action," Weston pointed out. "But, we may give this plan a hearty attempt."

Without much further ado, their meeting adjourned. Scarlett was one of the first of their group to stand, striding toward the door without another glimpse backward.

Oh, hell no. She wasn't going to escape that easily. Not after the way she had devoured Leo with her eyes.

He waited approximately ten seconds until following her, barely letting her get two steps outside the library door.

"Scarlett," he hissed as the door closed behind him, shutting out the prying eyes of his friends. Leo took two quick strides to surpass her, blocking the woman's ability to simply ignore him. She ceased, her eyes flashing wide at his presence in front of her.

"Leo?"

"Don't play coy with me," Leo said, wrapping his fingers around her bare arm and pulling her gently to the side, her back hitting the wall with a soft thud. Leo leaned his body over hers, propping his elbow against the wall and watching as a little gasp escaped between her lips.

"What do you mean?" she finally replied.

"I saw you," he whispered, his voice coming out rough. Raw. "I saw the way you were looking at my lips and remembering how they felt against yours." Leo leaned down further so his lips brushed against her ear. "I saw you wonder how they would feel on other parts of your body."

Leo longed to see the expression on her face, but he wasn't done with what he wanted to say privately. So he maintained his position, enjoying the light flowery smell of her perfume. "I can answer that question for you if you'd like. You need only ask."

Pushing back from the wall, he noticed that Scarlett was now biting her lip. Hard.

With a sly smile, Leo traced his thumb lightly over the skin just below her bottom lip, coaxing her to release it from her teeth. "Don't do that, darling. That's my job."

Then he winked at her, walking away toward the ballroom as he did. Leo might have given her the control in this situation, but that didn't mean he had to play fair.