The morning sun was beginning to steal in through frosted ice windows, when Isabella slowly opened her eyes groggily. She became aware of feeling exceedingly warm and cosy before she realised the source of that warmth. Turning she noted that Alexander was curled up beside her. She then became aware of a heavy object pressing down on her and looked down to see his arm encircled around her waist above the bedcovers. She slowly tried to disengage herself from his embrace and a feeling of embarrassment flooded over her before she tried in haste to piece the events of the night before together.

Eventually sighing in relief she whispered "nothing happened" and jumped when Alexander tightened his hold around her before he growled "Really Bella? I would not say nothing happened..." Moving her eyes to meet his she saw a mischievous glint in his and could not help but giggle in response. "Well you know what I mean..." she whispered, feeling a blush creep over her features. "I did tell you I would not ravish you, and I am a man of my word...regretfully!" he spoke emphasising the last word in a sarcastic tone.

Groaning he stretched his arms above his head and sighed "Another regret I already have is that we had better return to the house. The guests will be awakening soon and gossip could begin to fester if I am still absent". Isabella watched as he gave a yawn and nodded in response "Yes you are right...perhaps you might want to venture on yourself. I can follow later, once the overnight guests have departed" Isabella spoke, a twinge of nervousness entering her tone. Hearing it Alexander reached over and took her hand in his "You have nothing to fear. Miss Spencer was not given lodgings here. I made sure that Mrs Carter knew that she was an uninvited guest. A carriage would have taken her home last night" Isabella stared at him then "I see" she spoke softly before continuing hesitantly "So you had not wanted her to attend the ball then?"

Alexander witnessed the cautious look in her eyes that accompanied her question and sighed "No sweet Bella...I did not want her here. As if I could have eyes for any other woman when you were present". Feeling the urge to be open with her he continued "I did encounter Miss Spencer at a London party again recently, but nothing of note transpired. I found that the more brandy I drank, the more I had the urge to see certain hazel eyes and copper brown hair"

Isabella's heart gave a sudden thud and she averted her eyes from his, in attempt to quench in the mounting feelings building inside herself. "So that was why he had been distant with her after he returned from his last trip to London" she thought. Her heart soared in hope at his words but her head knew that they were just that- words. Their lives were set on different paths, and his seemed to be headed towards a marriage with Miss Worthington. Sighing she slowly affixed her eyes to his once more and whispered "I do not think your aunt would be quite so happy to hear those words escape your lips" before pausing and adding "Even if they fill me with elation". A wave of shyness overcame her then, - "had she actually said that out loud?" she grimaced.

Disentangling herself from the bedsheets she arose from the bed and her feet met the icy cold floorboards beneath. It was then that she realised she had slept in her ball gown from the night before. She stared down at the crumpled fabric and prayed that he would say something in response to break the now awkward silence.

Alexander was unaware of her unease however. Instead he was mulling over her words with a mix of hope and trepidation. She had all but admitted that she reciprocated his feelings and he was overcome by the delight that gave him. However, his aunt's plan for his marriage was like a dark shadow bearing over him. It was the only thing that was stopping him from taking her in his arms and asking her to be forever his. The last thing he wanted was an arranged marriage now that Isabella had entered his life and turned it upside down. But his duty abounded him.

His parents had arranged the marriage when he was born to ensure the future of the Rothbury estate and to align their great name with the Worthington's. Alexander had also learned that Lord Worthington had done many favours for his late father over the years before his death. Thus, maintaining the betrothal between his only son and their daughter was a repayment in kind. Through this arrangement, Miss Worthington would become a duchess and the prestige and financial protection that would give her was something Lord Worthington would not give up lightly. Since the death of Alexander's parents his aunt had taken it upon herself to ensure that the marriage was seen through to fruition. Thus he was beginning to feel like the proverbial pig in the middle, torn between what his heart wanted and the wishes of his family.

Snapping out of his reverie he saw that Isabella was awkwardly patting the creases from her dress and quickly realised he had not responded to her heartfelt words. Not knowing what else to say he spoke "I'm glad to hear it" and cringed internally. He could not in all good conscience say everything he wanted to say to her at that moment. All he did know was that he needed to speak with his aunt and somehow try to untangle himself from his unwanted betrothal.

Fixing his wrinkled clothing in turn he moved toward the door and extended his hand in Isabella's direction "Shall we go?" he spoke. Moving uncomfortably toward him she declined taking his hand and walked out into the crisp morning air. Their walk back to the main house was one of relative silence with only few words spoken by Alexander to punctuate the excessive silence.

Isabella's mind was in turmoil, she had given a clear indication of her feelings toward him and he had given her all but nothing in response. "How would things be between them now?" she questioned internally. "Would they carry on as before or would things be different now?" All Isabella knew for sure was one thing- he was bound in a betrothal to another woman and she was still his employee. Then a new thought entered her head "Perhaps all he wants is an affair?" the question played in her mind and she was too afraid to voice it. What frightened her even more was the feeling that perhaps she was willing to accept that. If they could never be married, was she willing to be the other woman? Could she be happy with having him partially in her life romantically, than not at all? And so, questions abounded in her mind with no clear answers in sight. Looking at Alexander it was evident that his mind was in some kind of turmoil also. His brow was furrowed and his eyes stared unseeingly into the distance.

When they neared the great mansions façade Alexander rested his hand on her back and began to walk toward the side of the house where the gradient of the gardens slopped upwards. "Where are we going?" Isabella asked distractedly. However, she was too preoccupied with the feel of his hand guiding her to actually require an answer. Eventually he responded "to a secret entrance".

He led her to where a patch of dense ivy clung to the wall and carefully pulled it back to reveal a small wooden door. Opening the latch he walked in leading her with the press of his hand at the base of her spine. They walked through small lowly lit corridor before Alexander opened a second door that led to a spiral staircase. Ascending the narrow stairs they finally came to a large oak door with a padlock attached to the handle. Moving to the left Alexander lifted an unassuming rock and took a small object from beneath it. "Good thing I put this under here a while ago" he whispered before he opened the lock with a small key and pushed the heavy door open.

Isabella followed him out of the dim light into what appeared to be sitting room. She stopped and stared at her surroundings noting the fire in the hearth and the fine paintings on the walls before Alexander noted her look of confusion and whispered. "Ah, this is my sitting room, it adjoins my bedroom" he said pointing at the adjoining door on the opposite wall. "The passage was built as an escape route when this house was built, should the lord and lady of the house ever need to flee in case of an attack".

"I see" Isabella whispered in astonishment. "Well I shall keep your secret" she said smiling. "I would appreciate that" he smirked in return. The passageway had certainly spared any unwanted gossip she may have encountered if they had been seen entering the house by servants or guests at the crack of dawn. Thus she found herself being unexceptionally grateful towards the builders that had fashioned it, even if it had been designed to be used for entirely different reasons.

Becoming inquisitive she questioned "And is that the only secret passage?" With a gleam in his eye he spoke "That is for me to know and you to wonder about!". Giggling she decided not to question him further and instead moved toward the fire to warm her chilled flesh. "Well I had better go and change" she said turning back toward him. "Yes I suppose I should too" he spoke and noted the slight tension between them. It was almost as if their return to the house signaled an unwanted return to normality after their closeness in the cottage. "Goodbye then" she whispered and moved to exit the room.

"I will see you at breakfast Bella" he said, and the use of his pet name for her soothed her anxious countenance somewhat. Smiling in response she exited the room and thought "Perhaps things may not be returning to normal after all"

Isabella then made the journey back to her room being careful all the while not to encounter any servants along the way.Finally sighing in relief she reached her room and quickly hurried inside. Removing her dress she hastily put on her nightdress and walked toward the bed with the intention of getting a couple of hours rest before Lily's arrival to awaken her. She had just pulled back the bed-covers when she noticed a piece of paper lying on the floor near the doorway. Walking over she picked it up and unfolded it to read-

"Stay away from Alexander. You have been warned. If you do not heed this, there will be consequences"

Scanning the words again Isabella's hands began to shake. Someone had placed this letter beneath her door and as her mind whirled she realised that she had an inkling who it might have been.