"You have never played darts before, Alex?" Mitch asked. He stood up and nodded to Garrett. "We can play one round if these guys are yearning for a good walloping."

Alexander looked over towards where Garrett was leading them off too. "No. Remember? I don't get out much... And even if I did, I doubt I would like many activities Garrett enjoys."

"Ah, too good for fun then?" Mitch teased. "I can show you how to do it; then we can both show up these boys."

"Right," Alexander mumbled. "Just go first and show me how it's done."

Mitchel nodded and walked up to the group. Most of the boys were covered in dirt from their day working the farms. He smiled at them all and nodded. "You boys ready to lose again?"

"With that scraggly lad on your team? You wish, Mitchel!" One of them laughed.

"Watch closely, lads," Mitchel said as he picked up a sharpened wooden stick. Three feathers were attached to the back of it.

They were cut in a deep 'v' shape to give it more of an arch when thrown. The boys cleared the area as Mitchel stood facing the wall. A small board with a bull's eye painted on it hung opposed to him. Dints and holes surrounded the board and middle.

Mitchel stretched his head to both sides, cracking his neck as he did so. He rolled his shoulders and shook out his arms. Holding up the dart, he moved it back and forth, getting his position correct. The boys started to yell and holler to throw him off, but Mitchel paid no attention to them. He pulled his arm back and released the dart in one swift motion. It whizzed through the hair and smacked into the board, sticking dead center.

"There! Simple," he said with a chuckle, turning back to Alex. "Your turn." He handed the duke a dart and stepped to the side.

Alexander rolled his eyes and mumbled, "Of course, you're fantastic at darts."

He twirled the dart in between his fingers and lined up with the dart board in front of him. Once he looked up, though, the board was fuzzy. He could feel his body sway slightly. He closed his eyes, took a deep breath, and opened them back up. The little break helped with the dizziness.

Alexander lined himself up as Mitchel did with the board. He squared off his feet like Mitchel did and swung his arm back and forth, mirroring Mitchel exactly. Alexander swung back his arm one last time and released the dart in his hand. The dart flung forward in the arm but missed the board entirely, falling to the floor without touching the wall. Alexander stared at the dart while the other dukes laughed like hyenas behind him. He looked at Mitchel off to the side, expecting him to join in on the commotion. He didn't expect a sympathetic smile instead.

Alexander shrugged. "I suck... I'm not surprised. I've never even heard of this stupid game before tonight."

"No, Alex. It takes time. Here, let me help." He jumped to his feet and handed Alexander another dart. "Your stance was off. Try this," he said as he gently gripped Alex's wrist. Mitchel's calloused fingers brushed against Alex's soft skin. Alexander stiffened once they made physical contact. Any kind of fuzziness in his brain instantly cleared up.

Mitchel stood close behind him and tapped Alex's boot with his. Once it was just so, he laid a hand on the small of Alex's back, pushing his hips into alignment. Alexander bit his bottom lip hard, holding back the gasp, screaming to escape his lungs. His cheeks heated up at how close Mitchel had gotten.

"What you are going to do," he said, leaning into Alex, ignoring the hollers from the other boys, "is move your whole arm, not just your wrist. Keep the middle feather on the top. That is your line." He smiled and stopped moving Alex's arm. "You want to release it about here and follow through with your arch," he said before stepping away from Alex, his eyes never leaving his face. "Give it a go," Mitchel said, leaning back on the table. He crossed his arms over his chest, his smile never leaving his face.

Alexander took a few slow, deep breaths to calm down his heart that pounded in his chest. He wasn't sure why Mitchel provoked such a reaction, but no one had been brave enough to be so close. Even his mother doesn't hug him anymore. The warmth of Mitchel, his smell, and his voice so close to Alexander's ear awoke such a strange reaction. He wasn't sure how to perceive it.

He followed Mitchel's instructions exactly, and when he flung back the dart, he used his entire arm. The dart flew forward and hit the board. Alexander's dart landed under Mitchel's by a couple of inches, but it was a victory, nonetheless. Alexander let out a short laugh and smirked over at Mitchel.

"I'm a good student," Alexander gloated as he motioned towards the board.

Mitchel's smile turned to a cheeky grin. "Aye! You are, lad. That was a good throw!" The boys threw their hands in the air.

"You gonna teach us all like that, Mitch?" one of them asked, mockingly batting his eyes. "Would it be so hard for you to let us win once in a while? It's harvest time." He laughed.

Another boy spoke up as some of the other gentlemen roared with excitement. "Ladies! It's about time some of the entertainment showed up. We've been getting bored here."

Alexander turned towards the front of the bar to see a horde of women of the night pushing through the doors and finding seats on top of other men's laps. His eyes lock with a pretty brunette sporting a pink and black dress that's low cut enough to preview anything on top. Alexander quickly looked away, but the woman approached him with easy strides.

"Hello there, Duke Izar. I don't think I've ever spotted you here before." Her voice was deeper, more mature. Alexander figured she was around the age of his own mother.

Alexander caught Mitchel's gaze, observing them, and back towards the woman. "No. I haven't been here before."

"It's your birthday, Alexander!" Garrett said, a mischievous grin passing his face. "Let us pay for your services tonight as a birthday gift." He placed a hand over his chest to say it was on him.

Alexander quickly shook his head and took a step back from the woman. "N-no. That... That won't be necessary, Garrett!"

"Oh, Marilla, he's just shy. Never been bedded before." Garrett smiled and nodded towards the stairs. "Be gentle with him."

Marilla looked Alexander up and down before taking his hand. She led them both up the stairs. Alexander glanced back at Mitchel's calculating face before they made it to the establishment's second floor. Marilla walked down the hallway a few steps before opening a door on our right. She led them both inside and locked the door behind them.

Alexander hesitantly sat on the bed on the edge, gripping the sides. "Look... Marilla, I–"

"Don't you think I know a girl when I see one?" She asked with a kind smile. "Don't worry, dear. You can stay up here for as long as you like. Then I will tell those boys you were the best lay I ever had." She chuckled. "Easy pay for me, sweet cheeks."

Alexander stood then. "Wait... What... Really? H-how...?" Alexander pinched the bridge of her nose. "You know what? I don't think I want to know. Just... Thank you. I mean it."

"Of course, love. We are always here to help a girl in need." She sat down on the dresser and tilted her head to the side. "It is curious, though, why pretend to be a boy? You are very beautiful. You could do just as well being your true self."

Alexander snorted and blushed a little at the compliment. "Thank you, but... beautiful or not, it wouldn't help my situation in the least bit." She let out a deep sigh. "My father died when I was still very young, and to keep the estate, there had to have been a male heir. I do what I have to so my mother and I can live peacefully in the home my father spent his life savings on."

"I understand that kind of hardship," Marilla said. "So, these things take between twenty minutes and an hour. What would you like to do, birthday girl?"

Alexander fiddled with her fingers before licking her lips. "I would... actually like to ask you about Mitchel. I'm not sure... I'm not sure if you talk about clients, though."

"The jungle boy?" She chuckled. "He's caught your eye, hasn't he?" She pursed her lips and nodded. "Ask away. I am curious as to what questions you have about him."

Alexander quickly shook her head. "I could never have him even if I wanted to. I have to protect too much... He would cause too much trouble in that situation." She cleared her throat. "He's a regular here. I know that much. Has he ever... paid for... your or your other patron's services?"

Her smile stretched, and she shook her head. "No, he does like you. He pays, then comes up here and talks. Sometimes he will help us out now and then if we are struggling to make our shares. He is always a gentleman." Marilla shook her head and sighed. "There's a dark side to him, though. I have seen him get very angry at times. I can say I am disappointed to be denied his time. I have always wondered what climbing his tree would be like. So if you get that far, you'll have to come back and let us all know. Tilly would be so sorrowful. She has a burning for him like no other. "

Alexander's cheek lit up red at how casual the topic was for the woman, but she wasn't sure why that came as a surprise. "O-oh... Well–" Alexander cleared her throat. "There'd be no luck of that. I have to marry a girl to keep up appearances and such. Besides, I hardly know the guy. Anyone does. He just kind of swooped in and took Patu by surprise. He's the main topic of any conversation. I kind of... feel bad for him. He took over my spot in a sense, I suppose. I figure he hates the limelight as much as I do."

"I wouldn't be too sure, girl. He likes to flaunt his feathers when he can." Marilla giggled and shook her head. "He's like a bird. He will show off to anyone who will look."

Alexander nodded with a smile. "That's why I thought... He wouldn't shy away from having company, know what I mean? He seems to have the reputation of being a sexual deviant."

"Well, it's probably because that's why he was sent here. 'Got caught messing around with the big man's daughter,'" she said in a mocked accent.

Alexander jerked in her seat. "Oh? I heard that he got himself into trouble from where he came from. His father had to bail him out. Is that the main reason why he was sent here? If his father was a Lord, not sure why it– well, I guess he didn't exactly have a title back then." Alexander looked over her shoulder at the moon high up in the night. "I think I need to get back home before my mother falls over from a heart attack. Do you think it's been long enough in this room?"

Marilla nodded. "Give me just a second." She stood and loosened her bodice, ruffled her hair, and pinched her cheeks. Looking into the mirror, she splashed water on her face and only dapped it off a little. Turning to Alex, she smiled. "May I?" Without a proper answer, she messed up Alex's hair and dissolved her Jacket. "Just for the looks, you know?" She winked and opened the door. "We should go down, arm in arm. I'll be breathless."

Alexander couldn't stop the giggle that escaped her. After she calmed, she took Marilla's hand and laid in the crease of her elbow. "Thank you... again."

"Don't mention it, love. Let's go make those boys talk."

Alexander walked them out of the bedroom and down the flight of stairs. Most of the other barflies were still there, just more drunk. Mitchel leaned against another table while Garrett and his goons sat around the large booth. When they were spotted, each boy stood up and gawked at Marilla's state. Her face was still a little damp, making it appear like she was sweating. Her hair was sticking up in places like she had just got up from bed. Alexander couldn't help her smirk as they started to whisper amongst themselves.

At the last step, Alexander turned to Marilla and gave her a quick peck on the cheek. "Thank you. I had a great time, darling."

"Come back any time, my Duke. Free of charge," she said breathlessly.

Alexander patted Marilla's butt once as she walked away before turning towards the boys. "Well, I had a great time. How about you lot?"