“Yes, although not around here. They visit occasionally, and when they do, I’ll let them know the same. I have no doubt they will abide by my wishes. As I said earlier, those that lead them are as educated as me.”

“That didn’t stop you.”

Max grinned. He couldn’t help himself. “No, it did not, but after spending less than an hour in your company, you’ve succeeded in convincing me to make a change. I’m merely asking the same of you. I’m asking you to allow yourself a chance at being better than you are, and to open your mind to the possibilities I’m offering. I’m sure if I can teach you, then not only will it ameliorate my existence, it will change yours as well.”

“I don’t know—”

“Yes, yes, yes, I know,” Max said, waving his hand. “You don’t understand ameliorate. It means to improve.”

“Then why didn’t you say that?”

“Why indeed?” Max said, scratching his head. “I can see this is going to be quite an arduous task if you agree to it.”

Bennett opened her mouth to speak, and Max flew out of his chair. “Good God, woman, I cannot change my entire vocabulary for you.”

From the depths of Bennett’s cider-brown eyes arose a twinkle. “I wasn’t going to ask about the word. I know what it means. You’ve used it before.”

“Oh,” Max said, dropping back into his seat. “My apologies. Please go on.”

“I was going to say I’ll agree to what you’re suggesting on two conditions.”

“Is that so? Well, pray tell, what are they?”

“I am never to be made what you are. I will be your student. I will learn what you teach me, but I live out my life as I am now—human.”

“I will have it no other way,” Max breathed. “You will die as you were born. I promise you that.”

“Thank you.”

“And the second condition?”

“You said I’d be given better food, but what about my children? Do you honestly expect me to live with more when they have so little?”

“It’s what they’re used to, isn’t it?”

“I won’t eat anything better, nor will I sleep on more than dirt until their situation has changed.”

Max’s mouth dropped open. “Since when do you believe you have the right to haggle?”

“I don’t,” Bennett said, moving to stand. “Can I go back to my cell now?”

In a split-second, Max decided he would never teach Bennett Archer how to play chess. She had outflanked him like a grand master, and if he wanted to win, there was only one move Max could make.

“Oh, bloody hell.” Max snatched up the handbell, and instead of ringing it once, he kept jangling it until Victor rushed into the room.

“Yes, m’lord,” Victor said, gasping for air.