A Winter's Tale

Chapter 11:

PICTURE OF ALICE

Chapter 11:

KANE'S POV:

I barely registered William's words as he tried to calm me down. I was enraged. How dare the girl sneak places she was strictly forbidden?! Hadn't William made that clear the first night she arrived?! This girl was going to a problem, one I had no idea how to solve. I'd hoped she would understand that I hid from her view for specific reasons that were not to be revealed yet. But, the curious, enthralling girl still directly defied me! I have to commend her, for it had to take planning and bravery, to make her trick work. I hadn't even heard her come in until I saw the plate from the corner of my eye. Assuming it was William, I went closer, almost exposing myself. It took five seconds for my rage to explode.

I knew William put together what'd happened when he burst into the library, apologizing, and trying to stop me from storming the house in a rampage. "If you cannot handle her, then why are you here William," I growled, "you had clear instructions to keep her under control. What happened?" William wrung his hands, nervously, "she's befriended my daughter, and Alice was helping her. Alice distracted me, that was enough time for her to gather the plate, and run off with it. Alice must've also told her where the library was located." My head suddenly cleared, causing me to calm down. Having someone to blame was easier to deal with than admitting that the beautiful, wisp of a girl had completely and utterly thrown my entire home off track within the few days she'd been here.

"Maybe Alice should be sent away," I mused, "if she's going to continue helping my bothersome betrothed break strict rules." I felt guilty when I saw William's face crumple. I didn't want to threaten his family, but he had to understand that Emery could not meet me. Everything would be ruined if I risked a glance into those innocent eyes and saw trust, or acceptance. I would fall apart, and that was something I could not do. My attraction to my betrothed was stronger than ever now that I'd seen the full extent of her intelligence. She'd been so awed by my many books. Perhaps, later, when I'd fully forgiven her for what she'd done, I'd allow William to take her some of them.

"No, no. I'll make sure neither of them conspire another thing of this magnitude," William rushed out, his eyes begging me not to send away his daughter. I may be a dark, imposing man, but I was not evil. I would never separate a man from the things he loved. Not since I knew the burn of that pain all too well. I knew what it felt like to have your world ripped from you, and being forced to watch it be destroyed around you. I shook my head, "you may go, William. Alice may stay. Keep Emery preoccupied. I have things I must sort out before we move forward." My best friend and right hand man didn't need to be told twice as he scurried out of the room with obvious intent to castigate his young daughter.

I sank into a chair by the windows, looking out into the night. I'd become so comfortable with the darkness, I'd forgotten what the light felt like. Emery was the light. Mixing us together would no doubt be detrimental. To me or to her, I hadn't decided yet. I cursed King James for sending me the one woman who knew I would never be able to view with cold detachment. He knew me almost too well, the only other person other than William truly knowing my secrets. I topped back the glass of wine I'd vacated earlier before my explosive encounter with the woman who'd soon be my wife.

I pulled open the book that was as old as time. The bound leather was frayed and faded at the edges, pages were yellow, and the writing was almost indeterminable. However, anyone with a drop of royal blood could read it, just like it was written for them to decode. I bent over it, holding a candle to the pages to gain light. I picked up my quill, dipped it in ink, and painstakingly began to translate it into English. I didn't have much time left; the darkness had to be exposed to the world for what it was. Lurking and hiding behind every beautiful face and landscape, waiting for the opportune moment to strike.