The nights were chilled and damp now. Alexis hugged her dressing gown to keep the draft to a minimal irritant. She let herself into the library and began to search for one of her books. Stefan 'allowed' Alexis to use his account at Blackwell's to order any books she wished. She'd had so little time to herself for the last week, that her latest arrivals had been largely ignored. She pulled "Ethics and Democracy" off the shelf and began to retreat when she realized she was not alone.

Lorenzo grinned at the surprise on her face. "I'm, I'm, I'm terribly sorry Mr. Alcazar. I didn't realize." She stammered, then crossed her arms in an attempt to hide the fact that she was in her night clothes. His smug expression irked her. "A gentleman would have announced his presence." She shot at him.

"A thousand pardons, Miss Davidovich." He makes a low bow. "May I ask what you're reading this evening?"

"Uh, well, its nothing you'd be interested in…" Lorenzo gently pulled the book from her hand.

"Jane Addams. Quite an interesting woman. She spoke at Sophie's graduation from Sorbonne. This is a compilation of her recent speeches is it not?"

"You've heard Jane Addams speak?"

"I believe that's what I just said. Are you enjoying the book?"

"It's new, I've only just started it, but yes so far."

"I'd like to borrow it when you are through, if I'm still here that is."

"I should be done by this week-end." Alexis smiled. She lost herself re-evaluating the man in front of her. A man intrigued by a suffragette, a social reformer. Stefan had long since given up pretending to be interested in Alexis' obsession with social justice and equality. He gone so far as to 'accuse' her of being a closeted feminist, implying it was simply too distasteful to be true. He was talking to her…

"I'm glad I ran into you actually. Sage has been anxious to go to London, my calendar is clear tomorrow, so we will be gone for the day."

"I beg your pardon?"

"You don't have to look after Sage tomorrow."

"Mr. Alcazar, I've worked very hard getting Sage adjusted to school, pulling her out on a whim, would be detrimental at this point. I'd rather she not go."

"This is a temporary arrangement Miss Davidovich, Sage will be leaving in a few weeks anyway, I thought you would be happy to have a day free of her. Besides which, she has her heart set on going…

The days had fallen into a bit of a routine. Alexis and Samantha had a short lesson before Sage arrived from breakfast with Lorenzo. Then Alexis would work with Sage for a while Samantha did some independent exercises. After lunch Alexis would read to the girls, and nine times out of 10 Sage would fall asleep, leaving Alexis and Samantha with another hour for a private lesson. In a way it would be wonderful to have a day without her, but it was clearly not the right thing for the child.

"She fancies something and she's sure she can only find it at Harrods."

"You are pulling her from lessons, because she wants you to buy her something? Oh, Mr. Alcazar, I have to protest."

"I was not asking your permission Miss Davidovich, only informing you that she will not be there tomorrow."

"Fine." Alexis pushed passed him. "Continue to indulge her every whim, I'm sure its easier than saying no once and a while."

"I beg your pardon."

"You do your daughter no favor by giving her everything she wants Mr. Alcazar. Her nurse didn't fall ill at all did she? She quit because she couldn't control her and you didn't have time to replace her. So you leave her in my charge as it suits you, but take away any authority I have. That is your choice, Sir, but I don't have to like it. Good night."