Alexander set her jaw and walked into the home after her mother and Mitchel. He kept glancing back at her with apologetic eyes, but she was having none of it, even though she thought of it as adorable. He was going to get her in more trouble than it was worth.

Mother led them into the drawing-room until dinner was ready. Alexander could read the smirk on her face from across the room. She was up to something and doing a marvelous job of it. She sat down in the chair, leaving Mitchel and Alexander to sit on the opposite ends of the couch that was hardly big enough for two people.

Alexander looked around the half-empty room. "Mother, where are all the other chairs? This room was full of them."

Mother rolled her eyes. "You know those dusty things had to be cleaned, love. They were practically covered in spiderwebs." She waved at the piano that sat next to the massive bay window. The view overlooked the garden. "Why don't you show off your skills for our guest?" She smiled at Mitchel and leaned in. "He won't ever admit it, but he's the best pianist in Patu."

"An intellect and a musician?" Mitchel smiled over at Alex. "Color me impressed." He chuckled, though the apology never left his eyes. "I would love to hear you play, Alex." He figured if anything, they could get some distance. Mitchel didn't want it, but it would help the situation.

Alexander narrowed her eyes at him and stood up with a sigh. "Very well then." She walked over to the piano and slumped down. "I am not the best in Patu by any means, though."

Mother waved her hand again. "Oh, hush you. Play that song you wrote about the rain." She nodded at Mitchel. "It's divine how he rolls his fingers on the keys. I assure you that you won't find a better concert."

"I bet not," Mitchel smiled. His eyes never left Alex. The way the evening glow showed on her through the window made her look like an angel. His breath caught in his throat as he anticipated the music to come.

Alexander's cheeks betrayed her, burning bright for everyone to see. She cracked her knuckles and began to play the song from memory.

The song was her mother's favorite. She would play it often to soothe them both. The music started slow, like a gentle rain, when the storm began to move in until the beat picked up. The sounds mimicked thunder that blasted out from the dark storm clouds, picking up the speed and force on the keys. The last few lines of music mellowed out at the end to show that even the roughest storms all clear out. Her fingers stopped on top of the keys, smiling down at them. Her mother was persistent in ensuring she learned the piano even though it wasn't proper for a man to do so. She silently thanked her mother for the gift.

Mitchel sat, unable to pull his eyes away from her. His breath came out slowly as he gathered himself. "That was incredible, Alex..." He said, his words barely above a whisper, yet they carried through the silent room. He cleared his throat and straightened his posture. "What a remarkable gift." he smiled over at Lady Izar. "You must be very proud, no?"

She nodded, tears brimming her eyes. "I am, indeed." She looked back at the room entrance and stood up to bow. "I apologize, but I forgot that I had an important matter to take care of before dinner tonight." She nodded at Alexander. "Do keep our guest company in my absence." She left before Alexander could argue, leaving the two dukes in the drawing room alone.

"Damn that woman," Alexander muttered under her breath. She rolled her eyes and addressed Mitch, "Do you play at all?"

"No," He shook his head. "I always wanted to learn, though. Growing up, I would get into a lot of trouble if I touched the piano." He watched her carefully. "How long have you been playing? That was beautiful and written by you?" He hummed and shook his head.

Alexander sighed. "I've been playing since I've been seven." She patted the seat beside her as she scooted over for him to have room. "You won't get in trouble touching this piano. Come here, and I'll teach you a simple trick."

"Truly?" He stood and walked over to the piano, rubbing the back of his neck nervously. He glanced down at the small seat. Mitchel couldn't hide the smile as he quickly sat down, not wanting to argue with her or give her time to change her mind.

Alexander grabbed his hand and placed them on top of the keys, keeping her hand on top of his. "All the keys are associated with a letter. That's how you read sheet music." She pushed down his thumb to make a sound. "This is 'c'" She pushed down each of his fingers, telling him each letter. She nodded when she got down to his pinky, her hand still flat on top of his. She loved the warmth his skin had underneath hers; she knew she would crave it when he was gone. "If you... decide to... make any more unannounced visits; I will teach you more. The piano is a simple instrument to play. And the most beautiful one too." She knew she needed to get up from the piano, which would require moving her hand. That was something she wasn't quite ready to do.

Mitchel looked over at her, raising an eyebrow. He smiled, looking down at their hands, and nodded. "I would like that..." He said quietly. "Will... you be okay if I make more unannounced visits?" He turned his attention back to her. Her large eyes and wavy hair enthralled him.

Alexander trailed her eyes from their hands and up his arm until they reached his face. She peered deep into his eyes as if he was hers. She shook her head. "No... I will not be okay... but... I want it all the same. Does that make me a fool?"

Mitchel pulled his hand back and chuckled. "Fool is another word I would not use to describe you, Alex..." he stood and moved away, taking in the strings and hammers under the piano's lid. "I want it too..." He ran a hand along the polished wood. "But, if you are not okay with it, I do not wish to force it." His eyes moved back to her. "I just need for you to pick a direction, Alex. I will go on whichever path you set me on."

Alexander laughed, the rush of cold hitting her skin too quickly. "Oh, my dear friend... If I knew that, if my mind decided on what it wants, I would be more than happy to inform you of such a path." She shrugged her shoulders and bit her lower lip. "You seem to have me at my wit's end."

Mitchel chuckled and shook his head. "That was not my intention, Alex." He sighed and looked out the large window. His mind raced at her words. "There is no rush for an answer. This friendship is important to me. I do not wish to lose it." He looked over at her. "So," His smile grew, "If I am correct, I have your wits, and you have my will, Alex." He chuckled.

Alexander nodded. A sad smile twisted her lips. "What a horrible friendship we seemed to have produced then." She sat straight when the footman rounded the corner to enter the drawing room. "Dinner must be ready."

"Yes, indeed, Master Alexander." He bowed and left out.

Alexander stood up from the piano bench and waved Mitchel forward. "After you, friend." She would at least have fun if she knew both were damned to keep each other company.

Mitchel's smile grew. He raised an eyebrow and headed out of the room. "I have always wanted to try the lamb." He stated.

Alexander walked beside him, leading Mitchel into the dining room, where her mother was already seated. She sat at the end of the table where Alexander normally sat. Again, the chairs of the dining room table were missing. Only three remained, and mother was sitting in one of them, leaving Alexander with no other option but to sit next to Mitchel in close proximity. She knew her mother would say something if Alexander moved the chair, so she saved herself the embarrassment.

When she sat down, Alexander glared over at Mother. "I suppose the other dining room chairs were dirty as well? All except these three?"

Mother nodded. "I suppose you're correct, Alexander." Her tone was low and direct; Alexander knew right then that this was definitely a game. "Oh, and would you look at that?" She nodded at the footman that brought in the mail. "I was sure my important business would be finished by dinner." She smiled at Mitchel apologetically. "I do deeply apologize. I must leave you with Alexander for dinner. I promise that next dinner, you will have my full attention."

"Do not apologize, Lady Izar. I look forward to the next dinner." He smiled, glancing over at Alex.

Mother stood up and inspected the chair she was sitting in. She nodded at the footman. "This chair needs to be taken back with the rest as well; it was wobbly."

Alexander motioned towards the chair. "The chair is fine! You didn't wobble once since you've been sitting here"

Mother waved at her and walked out of the room. "Hush, child."

Alexander shook her head and laughed when Mother was entirely out of the room. "You two are conspiring against me. I just know it."

"Me?!" He placed a hand over his chest and shook his head. "I was going to accuse you of the same thing, Alex!" Mitchel chuckled and shook his head. "Does your mother usually do things like this?"

The food was served on the table just like any other night except for all the expensive candles that decorated the room. Mother only had the servers present them with essential events in the estate. If Mother was trying to set a mood, she was succeeding with flying colors.

Alexander ate silently beside Mitchel, glancing up every chance she got to ensure he hadn't run off yet. She enjoyed seeing the small smile playing on his lips. He seemed to enjoy how the night had unfolded for the both of them.

Alexander pushed the remainder of the lamb onto her plate and cleared her throat. "You did say that this was your first time trying lamb, correct? Was it up to par?" She didn't care for his opinion. She only wanted to hear his voice in the silent dining room.

"It was incredible, Alex. Thank you." He hummed and leaned back. "So, what do you think all this was about?" He gestured to the other side of the table where Alex's mother had sat before promptly leaving.

Alexander blushed again at her mother's antics. "Business, I assume. That's what she said it was. That woman has always been quirky. I hope she didn't come off giving the wrong expression."

"Not at all. Your mother seems very sweet." He chuckled. "Hard working. Reminds me of my mother."

Alexander looked up from her plate and watched Mitchel's face. She saw the hint of sadness in his eyes. "You must miss her very much." She stated the obvious.

"I do," he nodded. "She-" his breath caught in his throat as he tried to talk. He nodded, "-wasn't allowed to come with me when I moved here." He sighed. "Though I am not sure if 'here' would be much better for her."

Alexander shrugged. "I'm not sure why not. She would've found work and been closer to you. I assume that would make all the difference."

"Perhaps." Mitchel hummed. "She wouldn't have come even if she had the choice. She was never much one for adventure. Anything new scares that woman." He chuckled and shook his head.

"Despite what you think of me, your mother and I have that in common. Maybe I'm afraid of new things because I've been locked in this estate too long... Maybe I'm just a coward." She looked up at Mitchel. "But I push anything away that frightens me. That seems to include you also..."

"And yet, here I am, Alex." He smiled down at her. "I do not think a coward would have done what you did last night, nor would have allowed me to stay." He raised an eyebrow. "You are too hard on yourself."

She laughed. "I have to be, friend. Who else will do it for me? My mother infantilizes me, and our friendship is too new. You're still afraid of pissing me off." Alexander shrugged. "I have to have at least one critic."

Mitchel laughed. "If I wanted to piss you off, Alex, I would have." He chuckled and looked around the dining room. "Everyone criticizes me, and yet I am still arrogant." He chuckled and shook his head. "Criticism is only effective if you allow it to be."

Alexander snorted. "For such big talk, you can't back it up. If you weren't afraid of upsetting me, you would've stayed in the garden... You hesitated. You didn't want to leave, yet you still did."

"Respect is more important." He said curtly, his eyes snapping to hers. "I may be arrogant, but that does not mean I would so bluntly ignore the request of someone I care about, Alex."

"You fight for the things you care about, Mitchel Sunce... I wouldn't have left the garden." Alexander set her jaw and looked out the window. She took a deep breath and released it slowly as the servers brought dessert. "I apologize... I'm not sure what came over me. I have no right to critique you."

"Do not apologize for how you feel, Alex." He chuckled and poked her shoulder. "See? I pissed you off." His mischievous grin returned as he moved his attention from her to the desert. "If that is an invitation, I will take it, though. I will fight for whatever this is. I enjoy your presence too much to lose it." He hummed and started to eat. He found the intricate swirls in the wood incredibly interesting at that moment.

Alexander rolled her eyes and scooped in a mouthful of chocolate cake. She thought about his words and wondered what they fully meant under the surface. She would poke around for that exact meaning. "All your other friends... must adore you then. I'm sure you have dinner often just so their mothers can swoon over you like mine."

Mitchel snorted. His laugh echoed through the room. "Jealous, Alex?" He chuckled and shook his head. "As I have said before, I don't have many friends. By that, I mean none." He held his hands up again and shrugged. "You and..." He groaned, "Lady Evana, you seem to be the only one who has not cared for my past. Though, I would not wish to have dinner with Lady Evana."

Alexander laughed. "You should ask her to read to you. That might change your mind. You sure tried it on me." She smirked at her plate.

He blushed. "That old crow would bite the dust before she finished a story." He shook his head. "No, I would not want to ask her for anything."

Alexander poked at the remains of the cake like the lamb from earlier. She looked out the window; it was late and dark. "You should stay the night. It's already late." She rolled her eyes. "I'm sure mother had made arrangements."

Mitchel froze, his eyes locked on the window in front of them, mulling over the invitation. His curiosity and excitement overpowered his fear of what his father would say if he stayed the night at the Izar estate. "I would not mind staying." He finally said, his voice a low whisper as his smile returned to his face.

Alexander sighed. "Very well." She stood from the chair and pushed it against the table. "I'll be in the library... If you wish to join me." She chuckled. "You might get what you asked for after all."

"That would be the greatest gift, Alex." He hummed and stood, gesturing for her to lead the way.