The first time she met Tanner Macmier and Rider Fairborne, Sasha had been in a state of panic. She was found in a very embarrassing scene with West by his friends and it had taken all her pride to escape them.

But that was in Humbrick. She had many places to hide that week she was there. She never had to see them again. Until now, of course.

The two men arrived with the intention of discussing something important but were surprised to find Sasha in the drawing room with West.

And to her complete chagrin, West announced to his friends, in a manner so nonchalant, that he decided to work with her.

And that he told her about Reginald and his plans.

The two men, if ever they still remember Humbrick, must have forgotten about it by then. The initial response was silence, and whatever they may be thinking were kept to themselves.

Sasha wondered if the two men were simply waiting for her to disappear before they boxed the ghost out of West as they took their seats and received West's offer of brandy.

Tanner Macmier had a natural mischievous face. His lips curled into an invisible smile that was reflected in his curious light brown eyes that were fixed on Sasha.

The Earl of Keene, however, was entirely different. His square jaw seemed to be locked in place. He made no attempts to hide the cold, arrogant look in his eyes. While she could say that Rider Fairborne was the friend who had the closest demeanor to West, Sasha could not help but note that West looked a little less domineering. The earl seemed distant... indifferent, she thought.

Not that she was aiming to please him. The man was free to judge her as he obviously already did.

"I do not understand," Tanner said, giving Sasha an amused look. "You are saying that you are helping West find his sister because you wish to find out who is betraying Belcourt?"

Sasha and West nodded.

Tanner blinked, looked at Rider before he stared back at them in confusion. "But is that not you? The one betraying Belcourt, I mean. By being here with us, you are betraying the mission you were given."

Her jaw went tight. "No, I am not."

"In a way, you are," West murmured beside her.

"And if the person you suspect is not betraying Belcourt, then you are the only one betraying Belcourt." Tanner pointed out.

Sasha narrowed her eyes. "Belcourt never told me how I should carry out my mission, gentlemen. I am to find proof of treachery. It simply happens that the treachery is not where Belcourt expected it to be."

As Tanner opened his mouth, Rider said, "Pardon my blunt statement, my lady, but I do not like this new arrangement at all." He glared at West. "We are welcoming a spy in our midst, Eaton."

"Then what do you suggest be done to me?" Sasha challenged. "Deliver me to an officer who is paid by the kingdom, the very same one you are trying to keep secrets from? Or do you intend to present me to Belcourt and expose me so they could ultimately report it back to the prince who will report it to the king, the same man who represents the kingdom, the very same one you are trying to keep secrets from?"

Rider glowered, his mouth curling in contempt.

"I do not trust you as much either, gentlemen, but I have to make a choice." She motioned her hand at West. "He is a player in this game and his role is more advantageous for me than any others."

West turned to frown at her. "How so?"

"You are rich," she replied without sparing him a glance, eliciting a laugh from Tanner and a scoff from Rider. "It will not do us any good if we continue to discuss whether or not I should be a part of your little group, gentlemen. We do not have the luxury of time, so please, if you would go on..." she said, motioning her hand to Rider. "You can discuss Reginald and his son in front of me because that is what you wanted to discuss, yes?" At the look Rider threw West, she added, "He merely told me about the letters from London and the current one you received about the son. You must understand that I know very little concerning this... small secret of yours."

Rider did not speak for a while and Sasha patiently waited until he tore his eyes off her and transferred them to West. "Reginald's last letter spoke of his son joining him in London, which we feared already happened. Just last week, our men discovered that the son is on his way from the Americas."

Sasha frowned. "The Americas? Why would he be in the Americas?"

"The previous Queen Josephine escaped with the help of a rich uncle in the Americas. She was pregnant with her son and gave birth during the voyage. She was never seen since the ship arrived, and so did the boy," West replied.

"And what is the name of this son?"

"Leo," Rider replied. Without giving more details, he addressed West, "What do you suggest we do?"

"Observe. And we have to know when Leo arrives in London."

Sasha frowned. "Do you have evidence that he has had contact with Reginald before this?"

West shook his head. "We cannot say. The man has been all over the world and has just recently arrived back in the Americas."

"And now to London," Tanner added. "The question now is... Do we want another port in Sutherland now that we know they may be coming here?"

"I would rather discuss this during parliament," Rider wryly said.

Tanner turned to West. "West, surely, you have an opinion?"

West shook his head. "That is a matter we have to discuss during parliament, Tanner."

Tanner fumed, looking around the room and then at Sasha. "Are we boring you?"

"No, not at all. I also agree that a port is advantageous."

Rider scoffed beside Tanner.

"Truly, why?"

"Is it not basic economics?"

West groaned. "Belcourt ladies have classrooms, Tanner. I would not suggest you dare one to engage in such a discussion. I have learned that they take their studies rather seriously. We spent two hours yesterday arguing about the physics of wheels. I would not suggest economics either."

Tanner's interest was merely rendered intensified as he shifted in his seat, leaning forward as he eagerly asked, "Then do tell me one thing, Sasha—I can call you Sasha, yes?"

"Whichever is comfortable for you, Tanner."

"Very well, familiar it is," West's friend said, narrowing his eyes with interest. "Do relieve me of my curiosity and say that there is indeed a lake within Belcourt."

Sasha was surprised and looked at West. "You never told him?"

West shrugged. "The more familiar you become of Tanner, Sasha, the more you will realize that he does not need to know everything."

Sasha chuckled and answered Tanner. "Yes, Belcourt has a lake."

"I have heard there are certain... what do you call them? Courts, yes. How many are there?"

"I'm afraid I cannot answer that, Tanner."

"Who rules Belcourt? They say the king."

She laughed. "No man rules Belcourt. And no, I cannot answer you with a name."

"And of the island? Is it true?"

"I cannot answer that."

"Can you truly not, or you only choose to because West said so?"

"I truly cannot."

Tanner sighed with frustration. "Perhaps I should be a gentleman."

"You can try," Sasha said. "Are you willing to pay the consequences?"

"He is considering it," West said.

"I am immensely curious, but I am not utterly a fool," Tanner said, throwing Sasha a look of concern. "I did not say that to offend you, Sasha, of course."

"No offense taken, sir."

Darren entered the drawing room and his eyes immediately landed on her. His smile widened as he cleared his throat and said, "Excuse me, my lords, but a letter has arrived for Lady Sasha."

Sasha came to her feet. "It must be from my villa. Do go on, gentlemen. I have had my curiosity filled. I must now attend to my tasks and Seven. He has been awfully quiet, hasn't he?"

"Indeed," West scoffed. "The bloody mongrel may be enjoying a meal of muslin as we speak."

*****

When the door clicked, Tanner was fast to say, "You are bloody besotted, West. Would not you agree, Rider?"

Rider simply uttered, "Hmm."

Tanner shook his head in amazement. "You bloody besotted fool." West did not comment and simply shrugged. "What do you intend to do with her after this is over? This was never part of our plan, West."

West leaned against his chair and looked at his friends, a hint of a smile on his lips. "I intend to marry her."

Tanner's eyes bulged while Rider stiffened in his seat.

"I am beyond scandalized, West," Tanner said with a dramatic gasp.

"You cannot be utterly serious," Rider said in a deadpan voice.

West once again shrugged. "I am my father's son after all."

"Of all the bloody—damnation, West!" Tanner said, coming to his feet. "Look here, my friend, I do understand that your relationship with her has since improved in a manner you did not even plan for in the first place because you were arrogant enough to believe that it would never happen. But it did happen, yes? But to let it come to this—are you bloody insane? She is a Belle! She is from Belcourt!"

"I do not see the problem," he said. "It shall be advantageous for me—and us."

Tanner whirled around to face Rider. "You put some sense into this bastard. He does not see the bloody problem!"

Rider met West's gaze. "I cannot believe I have to ask this of you, West, because it seemed to me that you had always believed in your plan, but I shall ask because you are proving to be losing control of the bigger picture so answer this—do you fancy yourself in love?"

West opened his mouth to speak, but before he could utter a word, Tanner said, "She could be manipulating you."

"She does not wish to discuss our relationship."

"Good! Did she reject your proposal then?"

"No, because I never asked her." Rider and Tanner frowned. "I simply told her I shall marry her."

Tanner groaned. "I do not know if I should be embarrassed for you."

"Why did you not find the need to ask her?" Rider asked, face curious.

"Because I knew she would say no."

"And it will be right for her to do so, considering the consequences!" Tanner hissed. "She is not the reason why you entered Belcourt, West. Need I remind you of that? She is not the reason why we are here."

"I refuse to discuss my intentions for Sasha at this time," he said dryly. "We still have more important things to do."

Tanner let out a mocking chuckle. "Good lord. Marry a Belle..." His friend shook his head. "I have been quite fond of the idea of you getting into Belcourt, but now I do not know. You have worked so hard up to this point, West, and now you are willing to throw it out there for one bloody woman who was tasked to spy on you in the first place."

West was not in the mood for an argument, but he considered his friends' reactions. Rider and Tanner had saved him numerous times in the past and he would not entirely discredit their opinions for that would be a great insult to their friendship.

Both men knew their boundaries. They would voice their opinions and live with the decision.

*****

Sasha absently caressed Seven's back as she watched the fire consume the paper.

Iyana's letter was short.

Sasha had to return to the villa because her hidden flower wanted to see her in two days.

As the paper turned to ash, Sasha squared her shoulders.

Perhaps it was time to make progress to her game, Sasha thought.