When something seems to be, to good to be true, it certainly is. I should have known better ten years ago, that this contract of 'paying back' was going to last a lifetime, not five years. Not only was I educated in math, science, literature, and arts, they took it upon themselves to educate me in the art of killing, stealing, and seducing of the nobility without being found out and still keeping a dignified reputation. They had been grooming me for bigger prospects, government prospects, and I was not letting them down.

No one ever suspected the sweet little shop keeper, to have become a ruthless, cut throat, thief, smuggler and black mailer when she wasn't taking care of her little tea, cakes and gifts shop. That under those dresses was a mass of muscle, wit, and cunning that would tear you apart if you tried something stupid. The Cogs have become my other family and this family takes care of it's own.

"Ms. Langridge, welcome! How may I help you today?" Mr. Wellsew, the owner of the dress makers shop, greets me.

"Mr. Wellsew," I give a light bow of my head, "I was hoping you had finished my order of handkerchiefs and tea napkins. I have nearly sold out of my tea napkins, everyone loves the floral fabrics you've provided for me."

We do the banter, that's more theatrics than anything, before he goes to the back and grabs the bags of products I've ordered. After thanking him for my order and promising to be back, I leave and head back to my little shop.

Walking in I'm greeted by Elaine and Maraquette, my employees who help in running and maintaining the shop.

"Hello, Rakara. Mr. Wheelwright dropped in while you were gone. He left you something. I put it in your office." Maraquette informs me, brushing a lock of her brown curls behind her ear as she takes the tray of used cups from a table.

"Thank you, Etty. What did he leave this time?" My tight smile doesn't reach my eyes but with customers present I wouldn't roll my eyes at the thought of Mr. Wheelwright's attempts at courting me.

Elaine pipes in with her chipper, singsong voice, "Oh now that would ruin the surprise now. Go on and have a look, Rakara."

I can tell by her statement, I'm not going to be impressed. I walk into my little office in the back and my best poker face wouldn't be able to withstand the annoyance running through me.

It's a painting.. of me. While the artist wasn't horrible, they were not very good either. They had set it proudly on a easel in it's decorative carved frame for me to feast my eyes on with my entrance.

"UGH." I roll my eyes as I start to play with my tongue in my cheek. I step closer and inspect it for the artists signature and I see a B.Wheelwright in the corner. Sighing, I shut the door and put the picture against the wall, away from sight.

Locking my office door, I put my bags on the desk and take out the handkerchiefs and tea napkins out, inspecting them and counting them. Satisfied, I reach in and go for my other package when my hands meets more cloth.

"What is this?" I actually look in the bag and there is several new table cloths that match the tea napkins with a note, stating 'for your display in the window.' I chuckle at Mr. Wellsew and his thoughtfulness.

"I need to take that man some cakes as a thank you."

Setting those aside, I pull out what I really wanted. Several soft packages filled with Opium and then two boxes of Tungsten ore. I was holding well over fifty golds worth for the Opium, but the Tungsten..... it was a small fortune. We used it in making our steel weapons, but also our electrodes and ray tubes. The government controlled all the Tungsten mines so it was hard to get a hold of this. They kept a tight watch on who and why anyone received anything containing tungsten. So in order for us to make things for ourselves with out having to worry about them tracing anything back to us, black market ore is the way to go.

I put the ore and the opium in the hidden safe, inside of the false water heater tank located in my office. I check and oil the fan and motor that comes on at random times, like a real water heater would before closing everything back up. I turn and look at the picture frame as my lips curl in disgust and annoyance.

Mr. Vernon Wheelwright, the young bachelor that decided to pursue me, has no idea I know what kind of man he really is. He's young, handsome, and is part of the upper class of the works. He works with his father, who owns a couple of factories in the Undercarriage that manufacture textiles for everyday things like clothes and linens to the fabric for the airships envelopes. However, I am no fool. I have personally seen him in the Under-works district, the district of ill repute, spending his time, money, and affection on the women of the night. I wouldn't be surprised if he ends up smoking a quarter of the opium I have locked away right now. He can act like he's a gentleman and say honeyed words and shower me with gifts all he wants.... I've seen the bruises on the girls who refuse him down below and even if I had not, I would never want a man who shared his love so freely.

'I must end this charade with him already. I'm disgusting myself now.' I take a pen and paper and begin to write a thank you, but no thank you note to be returned with the painting. I take and seal the envelope and drag the painting out and wrap it in a old blanket.

"Elaine, please call Eric for me. I have a delivery he needs to take care of."

"Yes, Ma'am. IS that what I think it is?" She quirks an eye at me as she begins to ring up Eric on the talking tube.

"It most definitely is. Please refuse anything else that may come here from that particular person. I do not wish to further drag this out than what he has already." I glance around and see Maraquette is busy with her hands full.

My small shop  could only fit five small tables, but each one was packed with happy customers, with others waiting to be served. I run to the kitchen and wrap an apron on and begin to help out the customers waiting in line to be served. Many came in to grab a cup of tea and a scone with ham for lunch. Those I could serve easily so they could go back to work quickly. Elaine helped behind the counter selling the cakes and goods for people to take home, so everyone was quite busy.

After our lunch rush, Eric shows up. " 'Ello ladies, you called for me to pick up a delivery?" I tell him, handing over both of the items.

"Yes, Eric. Here is this picture and a this envelope both go to Mr. Vernon Wheelwright."

"Alright. I know where to go then. Just give them to his butler, or him personally?"

"Doesn't matter, Eric. Either way leave them and get out of the damage zone." I warn him.

"Oh, Ms. Langridge.... Good for you. About time you told him to stick it in his personal undercarriage. I will take care of it, don't you worry."

I pay Eric and give him a little extra for the trouble and continue helping the girls, clean and tidy up from lunch. Tea time was in less than three hours and we'd be packed again.

"Girls, I was thinking of buying the building next door and expanding the store. What do you think?"

I asked them, thinking of how much more room we would have to expand the business.

"Rakara! They want fifty thousand gold for that property! I know we make a decent amount here, but how in the world could you afford that!?"

I scoff, "I'd get a loan, silly. By the time I turn thirty five, I should have it paid off." I do the calculations in my head thinking about how much we're making in profits as of now.

"Why not buy a property somewhere else in the works and sell this one?" Maraquette suggests as she removes the table cloths and napkins to be washed.

"I inherited this store from someone dear to me. I could never be rid of it." I also had to keep it for work with the cogs.

'Maybe they would loan me the gold? Oh, who am I kidding, of course they would...but what would be the final price?'

I'm lost in my thoughts, when I hear a clearing of the throat, a males. I snap out of it and see the most gorgeous male, I have ever laid eyes on. His long black hair that fell straight like a curtain of night, loosely across tall broad shoulders. His well pressed suit said he was from money, which quickly snapped me back from admiring him any further.

"Good afternoon, Sir. My apologies, I did not hear you enter. How may we help you today?"

He gives me a polite nod before turning his dark eyes towards my own. My heart started to beat like crazy.

"I was told, for the best tea and cakes in Lagford, it was imperative I patronize your shop, my lady." He states to me polite, slightly aloof with a lazy and bored look across his face.

"That was very kind of whoever told you that, Mr. ?" I left it as a query, hoping to get an answer of who this man, I had never seen before, was.

"Fairchild, ma'am. Bavarthos Fairchild." He removes his hat for a light bow and I curtsy in return.

"Rakara Langridge, pleasure to make your acquaintance, Mr. Fairchild. May I help you pick something out?" I motion towards the cakes in the display and the list of the teas available at this time of year.

"What do you recommend? I like to try new things and flavors." His eyes flickered across the list and the assortment of cakes before coming to rest back on my face.

"The Dandyberry tea is my best seller, and I would suggest one of our fruit pastries with it. The lemon puff pastry is my personal favorite to have with a cup." I smile as he returns it with a dazzling set of white teeth.

"That sounds wonderful, Mrs. Langridge."

"Oh, it's just Ms. Langridge, sir." Elaine came walking over to the counter.

"Ms... Well thank you for correcting me, mademoiselle. My apologies, Ms Langridge. I simply assumed a beautiful woman like you would be married."

I felt the heat rise up over my face. 'Thank goodness my skin color makes it harder to tell.'

"Thank you Mr. Fairchild, I didn't take offense, but I appreciate the compliment. So one Dandyberry tea and a lemon puff pastry for you today?" After I receive a nod I take one of the new table cloths and napkins and motion for him towards the dining area. "Please, choose whichever spot you'd like, I'll set that up for you and get your tea and pastry."

"Thank you, Ms. Langridge."