Chapter 3

"Kira! I told you to stay away from that man!" Sophia paced back and forth between the walls of Kira's new room. Her hair was loose and she had her night garments on. However, that didn't stop Sophia from lecturing her poor niece. "He is a mad man Kira! Your uncle is even trying to persuade the judge into sending to the town of Sleepy Hollow just to be rid of him!"

"Aunt Sophia! They cannot send Constable Crane there! All those murders…" She whispered as she brought her knees close to her chest and watched Sophia's shadow against the candlelight.

"And we should surely never see him here again…" Sophia whispered as a horrified look crossed Kira's face. She watched as Sophia made her exit, snuffing out the light. "Good night Kira…and don't worry about Ichabod Crane… The man is getting what he always wanted…" After the last statement, the door slammed. Kira grabbed her pillow and hugged it tightly as she lay down. She closed her eyes tightly and gave into a night of dreamless sleep.

The next morning, Kira woke with a startle. Ashley had entered her room and started bustling around. She grabbed dresses, shoes, and the proper jewelry…of course; it was all blue, periwinkle to be exact. Kira sat up and looked at Ashley confused or as if she were absolutely insane.

"Ashley, what in heavens are you doing?"

"You have received a note form a secret admirer Miss Miller! He wants to meet you in front of Trinity Church! Come Miss Miller! We haven't much time!" Ashley said exasperated.

"If it is Mr. Adams I refuse to go…" Kira said as she leaned back onto the headboard of her luxurious bed. "I am half Mr. Adams' age…if he has yet to find a wife then there must be something the matter with him!"

"Miss Miller…The note was not in the hand of Mr. Adams… His writing is much more elegant then that of which was sent here." Ashley laid a dress on the bed and motioned for Kira to sit down in front of the vanity. Kira stood up, only to sit in front of a mirror to have her long, dark hair brushed and pulled back. Ashley was much more gentle than Sophia when it came to this matter. Kira thought that secretly, her "beloved" aunt wanted to rip every little hair from her scalp and make her cousin the better catch.

"Where do you think you're going Kira?" Sophia asked as Kira walked down the grand staircase in the foyer.

"I'm going to Trinity Church, to pray for my dearly departed father." Kira lied as she made her way towards the door, grabbing her black cloak. The sky looked dismal, just the way Kira liked it.

"Then why do you not wear mourning colors dear?"

"My father detested black…He much preferred blue." Kira reached for the door handle and pulled it open. "I shall be back before supper." Kira stepped out and walked towards the gate, opening it and exiting towards the main streets of the city. It wasn't far of a walk from the mansion to Wall Street. Kira was thankful for that. Her feet were already swollen and pounding. She wasn't used to wearing such fine shoes and she loved her "farm girl" shoes.

Kira arrived at the church and sat outside on a step, bringing her cloak closer to block from the wind. It looked like it was going to rain and she started fearing this was just some cruel joke made by one of the girls at the party the night before. The girls she hadn't met, but saw. They were standing in a corner. They looked like porcelain dolls…like they were only there to look at and not to touch. Kira wasn't the least bit jealous. She'd prefer to be dirty and have a good time then to look pretty and be bored to tears. The world she was forced into was not meant for her. But what else could she do?

A man running into a cart and apologizing profusely interrupted Kira's thoughts. That voice, the quick paced voice sound familiar. Though with the hustle and bustle of the street it was hard to decipher. She looked up and smiled slightly. A dark haired, dark eyed man who looked positively sick had run into the cart of a sales woman. Kira's hand flew to her mouth to stifle the laughter. Ichabod looked up. His pale cheeks held a hint of red; this caused Kira's body to shake with immature laughter.

"Hello Miss Miller…" He said silently as he approached her. He bowed and took her hand in his and kissed it gently.

"Hello Constable Crane…" Kira stood up and curtsied, smiling the whole time. "How do you fair today?"

"Um…" Ichabod laughed lightly, rubbing his neck. "I've…Never been better really…I'm slightly embarrassed…But seeing you greet me and not act as if I were a stranger…" He smiled slightly.

"Dear Constable Crane, we are all entitled to embarrassing moments… I know I've had my fair share. Now my dear friend, what brings you to Trinity Church on such a day?"

"Isn't it obvious dear Kira?" Ichabod brought his voice to a low whisper as he offered her his arm. She linked her arms with his. He led her into the gothic styled church; it was beautiful, especially to her. "Your aunt whisked you away so quickly. I had to speak to you again Kira." She looked down, then looked at him.

"Ichabod…Have you heard anything about the trail yet?"

"No, why do you ask Kira?" He looked at her confused.

"They want to send you to Sleepy Hollow…To investigate the murders…"

"Kira…This is…Horrible…to tell you the truth…I cannot stand blood…" He looked down somewhat ashamed. The blush that had left his cheek returned once more. "But I must go…They want to test me…Yes…That's it Kira…They want to test me!"

"Ichabod! I won't let you go! You'll surely be killed because you are there to stop it. It's a small town! We rode through it…Ichabod…Please don't go…" She turned to him and hugged him tightly. "You can't!"

"But I must…"

"Then you are taking me with you…"