Mitchel helped Alexander out of the bookstore, ensuring the young duke wouldn't go home with bruises and drunk. He took in a deep breath of the night air. Autumn hung around, waiting for the tail end of summer to leave. The walk to the pond was peaceful and calm. Crickets chirped into the ever-darkening sky as the moon peeked over the valley.

The pond sat nestled between two low-rising hills a little way out of town. Farmland surrounded the area. The sounds of frogs croaking and fish splashing about in the water filled the air. Mitchel took a deep breath. The scent of grain and mud made him forget about Violet. He shook his nagging father's voice out of his head as they came to a stop.

He chuckled as he started to strip off his clothes, laying them on a rock that was still warm from the sun.

Mitchel hated his clothes. They were tight and stuffy, and the frills weren't his style. He would much rather just wear the bare minimum, but his father wouldn't have it. If anything, he had to dress up more than the average duke due to his father's ideals. The velvet was much too hot for this time of year anyways.

Once he took off his last shirt, Mitchel inhaled again, finally able to breathe without restriction. He had worked the fields before his father learned of his existence. His thick shoulders and muscular arms told stories of his time there. He was stuck wearing his father's clothes, having yet to call a tailor. His father had a more diminutive stature, so it made it difficult. Mitchel stretched and turned to look at Alex.

"Are you ready to go swimming?" He worked on his pant buttons, eyeing his new friend curiously.

Alexander's eyes were wide, darting between the pond and Mitchel's rippled body. "I... I... didn't think... I think I will just keep my clothes on to swim?"

Mitchel tilted his head and chuckled. He muttered to himself as he nodded. "I wouldn't want wet clothes." He shrugged. "Please stay close to shore. Don't want you drowning from the weight of your clothes." He dropped his pants and walked into the water. The water rushed over his marbled skin, cooling his muscles and relaxing his body.

Alexander squeaked when Mitchel dropped his pants and spun around, not to face him anymore. He picked at the buttons of his coat and slowly peeled it off. "I guess I can take off my jacket and unbutton my caveat... But nothing else." He unbuttoned his caveat, leaving the white button up top. "Is it cold?"

Mitchel floated in the water, stretching out like a starfish. "Only if you aren't used to it." He sighed, watching the stars twinkle in the night sky. "It is a little cool." He sat up in the water, his eyes not leaving Alex.

Alexander avoided looking at Mitchel, slipping into the water after taking off his boots. He shivered and chuckled. "Not too horrible... Been warmed by the sun all day." He kept his arms hugging his chest. He could feel the wrappings start to loosen in the water. He worried the wrappings would completely unravel.

"I can't stay here long, though."

"We do what you want, Alex. I don't mind the quick dips." Mitchel chuckled. His wet curls dipped down around his face as he floated about the water with slow strokes. "When we have more time, what else would you like to do?"

"Um, well... I had never ditched a party before, and I accomplished that. I never went to a bar, and you took me to one... I have never been swimming, so this is also new... I couldn't think of-" The wrappings unraveled under Alexander's grip. He dunked down into the water. Only his head was visible above the water. "Uh... I think we should stay in the pond for a while." He attempted to wrap himself inconspicuously, but Mitchel watched him like a hawk.

"That is not how you tread water, Alex." He chuckled. Mitchel leaned against one of the boulders that sat halfway into the water, watching the night sky. "It is sad to hear when others can't experience the wonders of life. I like to change that if I can."

Alexander could barely follow along with Mitchel's words. The wrappings weren't hooking up in the back. He was worried the splashing would catch the man's attention. "I think... I think I should leave-" the wrappings fell out from the top. "Shit!"

"Shit? That is not a nice word." Mitchel laughed, turning his attention back to Alexander. His eyes widened when he saw the state Alexander was in. "Alex-" He picked up the wrappings. "What is this? Are you hurt?" Mitch moved closer to Alex and stopped seeing how his shirt wrapped around his body.

His mind struggled to comprehend the curves of Alex's rapidly rising and falling chest. Realization hit him as he looked down at his own naked body. Mitchel handed the wrappings back, his face a deep red as he turned away from Alex, grabbing his clothes.

"Well... this is going to make things more difficult." Mitchel finally said with a deep breath. "That is one big secret, Alex..." He mumbled, moving behind the boulder to get dressed. A chuckle escaped his lips. "I never thought I would hear a lady say 'shit.'" He laughed.

Alexander ignored all appropriateness and rushed at Mitchel with wide eyes and a face white as a ghost. "Swear to me you will keep this secret." He gripped the man's shoulders. "You must swear it, Mitch! This is much bigger than me! Please!" Alexander was beyond distraught. Not even most of her house staff knew of her secret.

Mitchel finished pulling up his pants and got down to Alex's level. His eyes searched her face, and he smiled, not wanting to see her in distress. "We are friends, no?" He paused and nodded. "Friends keep secrets. I have plenty I would not want running around the rumor mill. I-" He nodded as if making up his mind about something, "I understand." He took her hands off his shoulders and patted them gently. "Please, Alex... I can take you back home. Do not worry. I swear I will not tell a soul."

Mitchel turned away and threw his shirt over his head. So much of Alex's behaviors and mannerisms made sense. The way she locked herself up in her house and the reason she never had a life was that she couldn't.

I will not tell a soul, he thought. No matter what!

He liked spending time with Alex, but would she still be his friend? She had seen him naked. His mind stopped as that thought ran wild in his head. They had broken so many rules, which he never intended to break. Mitchel took in the hills and swaying wheat, giving Alex time and privacy to adjust herself.

"Let me know when you are ready," He said. His voice was as far off as his thoughts were.

"I don't want you to worry, Mitchel. You won't see me after tonight. I will make it easier for both of us. Please. They could imprison me and my mother or worse. I did what I did to protect my family. Just," Alex looked away from him, "please." Alexander's voice was so small- fragile.

Mitchel sighed. His heart broke at the sound of her voice. He didn't know what else he could say to calm her down. "Alexander Izar, I told you already, I will not tell a soul." He turned back around and smiled at her. "I enjoyed this night. I would not wish to taint it by getting you placed in jail. Come now, let's go back to the carriage. It is getting late, and I am sure your mother is worried." He started walking away but kept an eye on their surroundings. There were plenty of unsavory characters out that night.

Mitchel furrowed his brows, wondering at that implication. Alex wasn't a different person just because he was now a she. He had always been a she.

His mind was on overdrive, wanting to make sure she was safe. He shook his head and took a deep breath. They had a ways to go before they made it back to the carriage, and the town wasn't safe at night.

But it was fine a few nights ago? Come on, Mitch. She is not of lace. His mind screamed at him, going back and forth on what he knew and how a simple bit of cloth shattered it. It confused him. He struggled to put the pieces back together.

Mitch knew one thing was sure. He didn't like that Alex said they would never see each other again.

Alexander nodded. "I hate to ask... but I need help with the wrappings. Just hook it in the back... please." She turned around and lifted the top where the wrappings hooked in the back. "Just snap it together."

"S-sure." Mitchel stuttered, frozen in his place. He turned, taking in how pale her skin was. The water from the pond glistened in the moonlight. His breath caught in his throat as he fumbled with the latches. His fingers brushed across her smooth skin, causing his breath to hitch. "How's that?" He asked quietly, his face red hot. Mitch averted his eyes.

He stepped back, creating distance between them again. Mitch bit his tongue to control himself. She asked for help, not for someone to stare at her and think creepy thoughts. She trusted him.

Alexander jerked her top down and tucked it in her pants. With her clothes being wet, it was even more apparent that her curves were less concealed. Her cheeks burned from the realization. "I'm ready to go home now... Might as well try to sleep it off and forget any of this happened."

Mitchel threw his black jacket around her shoulders and wrapped the front around her to help conceal her form more. He smiled and started back to the carriage. "I would not want to forget such a night, Alex." He whispered more to himself than her. "I enjoyed your company."