Wow... Two chapters in day! I'm on a roll!! Hope you like and please keep up the reviews!


Chapter Three- Outside Discussions

Her face was flushed and her body was overheating. Clara heaved a sigh of relief when she finally managed to tear away from the excitement and sit down on the porch outside. She was not there two minutes before the door was opened, and who should come out but Constable Ichabod Crane.

He took one look at her sitting down and his mind began to muddle. "Oh. Apologies, I-I didn't know-"

Clara merely smiled good-naturedly and patted the spot beside her. "No, no. It's quite alright Constable, you may sit down if you wish."

Ichabod looked at the young woman and hesitantly sat down. "It's quite the town, isn't it?" He asked conversationally.

Clara nodded. "Oh, yes. I-it is… or rather, was. Now there is darkness everywhere and everybody lives in constant fear… it didn't used to be like that."

"And you, Miss Masbath? Are you living in fear?"

Clara looked at him. "Am I?" She asked herself. After a moment of thinking the young woman shook her head. "I used to be, but now it doesn't seem to matter as much."

"I do not mean to pry but…"

"No, it's perfectly alright. Curiosity is something everyone possesses… I'm betrothed." She whispered.

Ichabod frowned. "Oh."

Clara smiled softly, men were so naïve. "I am betrothed to a man I do not love." She explained. "But then again, love is a silly thing. I'm old enough to understand that there are no happy endings. Nothing seems to matter anymore; I'm damned to the life of an obedient wife… but look at me, complaining of my social life when you are after an undead horseman. My life seems miniscule in comparison, does it not?"

Ichabod smiled slightly. "Miss Masbath, there is no such thing as the headless horseman… is everyone in this village in thrall to superstition?"

"Not everyone believes it's the horseman."

At that, Ichabod looked relieved.

"… Some think that it is the witch of the Western Woods who has made a pact with Lucifer." She continued while smirking.

The young man huffed in annoyance. "There are no witches, or galloping ghosts either!"

Clara cocked her head to the side. "Why are you so frightened of magic? ... Not all magic is black. There are ancient truths in these woods which have been forgotten in your city parks."

"If they are truths, they are not magic… and if magic, not truth."

The young woman chuckled good naturedly. "You believe in what you see." She stated.

"Usually, yes. It is the only reasonable way to believe in anything."

Clara shook her head. "This magic is black, Constable. Seeing isn't believing, but rather, believing is seeing."

Ichabod opened his mouth to retort but was cut off. "Clara!" Daniel Masbath exclaimed tiredly. "Clara, could we go home… please?"

The brunette nodded and turned to Ichabod. "Goodnight Constable Crane, it's been a pleasure speaking with you."

With one last curtsy, Clara Masbath picked up her younger brother and started to walk. Ichabod heard the boy mutter protests and almost chuckled when his sister quieted him with a: "Oh hush up. And don't tell me you're not enjoying this."

Having nothing else to do, the Constable made his way to his room.

Katrina Van Tassel was in the midsts of having her hair brushed by her step mother when there was a knock at the door. It was Sarah.

"That Constable, he wants the Bible, Mum." The maid said.

"Bible?" Lady Van Tassel asked curiously.

"I'll bring it to him." Katrina piped in.

And with a swish of her skirts, she was gone.

A very pretty woman. Ichabod thought as he sat in front of his ledger. All he had done so far was think of the ever so mysterious Clara Masbath. He had drawn pictures of her warm eyes and button nose in his ledger and seemed incapable of any rational thought; that bothered him. Ichabod ran his ran through his hair and glared at the small book. He heard a knock at the door and didn't even bother turning around.

"Yes – yes – come in."

The door opened and Katrina entered quietly, when she saw that the young Constable didn't turn around, she frowned.

"Thank you. Just leave it on the reading stand."

She placed the book down as instructed.

"That will be all…" Ichabod continued. "No, tell me, about that brute that seems to be Miss Clara's…" He finally turned around.

Katrina raised a quizzical brow and smirked at the young, clearly baffled, man. In his haste to stand, he had knocked all the papers off his desk; including his ledger. Katrina grinned as her eyes scanned the page filled with drawings of her best friend.

"Forgive me, I… I asked Sarah to bring me…" Ichabod stuttered. He followed Katrina's gaze and immediately picked up the ledger and straightened himself.

"So your clever books have failed you and you turn to the Bible after all!" The blond mused aloud.

"I see I am talked about downstairs." The Constable said sharply.

"In passing only, we have many things to talk about even in this backward place." Katrina assured.

"I am sorry. Please excuse my manner… I am not used to…"

"Female company?" She asked playfully.

"Society." Ichabod answered.

"How can you avoid society in New York? How I should love the opera and theatres, to go dancing… Is it wonderful?"

"I have never been." He answered shortly.

"But is there and art museum? A concert hall?

"I don't know."

Katrina pouted. "Then you have nothing to teach me, nor my friend Clara. For she is most interested in leaving Sleepy Hollow."

The young woman saw Ichabod frown thoughtfully at that comment. "She wishes to leave?" He asked curiously.

"I fear that I have said too much already, Constable. I should not have interrupted our town's savior. Good night." She turned to leave, but stopped. "And as to your first question; that brute proposed to her."

Ichabod felt all rational thought leave him even though he already knew the information the young blond was divulging. "I… I… I'm happy that…"

"She was forced to accept his proposal. But, you already knew that…"

And then she was gone.