Alice had quietly snuck up to her room to wash her face and made sure that there were no traces of what happened earlier that morning. She then made her way down stairs. She heard voices in the dining room before she entered it. "Good morning" she quickly said as she headed over to the sideboard to pour herself another cup of tea acutely aware everyone was staring at her. "Alice, so nice of you to join us" said the familiar voice of Hamish Osborne, who stood from the table to greet her. "Hamish, so good to see you" Alice said as she gave the daemon a hug. "Let me introduce you to everyone else," Hamish began, "Alice this Sarah, Diana's aunt" indicating a middle age woman with red curly hair sitting at the table who Alice instinctively identified as being a witch "this is Nathaniel and Sophie" indicating the young daemon couple, "and.." "Miss Taylor, how nice to see you again" Alice said, interrupting Hamish and addressing the young woman sitting next to Marcus. "You know Phoebe?" the daemon asked, surprised. "We've met briefly at Sotheby's " Alice replied as she sat down at the table next to Hamish. "Yes Mr. Edwards asked for her to come in to assist in authenticating some of the artwork." Phoebe added. "Really?" Sarah asked with interest. "Yes I work in the art world mainly in the restoration and conservation of art pieces for museums in the United States and Europe. I will also occasionally design exhibits and as Phoebe mentioned authenticate pieces for old friends," Alice answered, "My main area focus is 19th century art but I have extensive knowledge of most European art." "Of course it is. Didn't you take painting lessons from one of the masters, wasn't it like Manet?" Marcus interjected. "It was Monet," Alice said coldly, "but I did meet Manet at the cafes and salons." "You're special to him aren't you?" Sophie said suddenly. Everyone turned to look at the daemon. "What are you talking about Sophie?" Nathaniel asked his wife. "Her," Sophie said, staring at Alice with a little bit of a dreamy expression, "You are special to him, Matthew's brother, aren't you?" "Not sure what you are talking about," Alice answered with a frown. "Sorry Sophie sometimes gets strange ideas" Nathaniel said as Alice stood up from the table to leave. "Of course, no offense taken," Alice said with a smile, "if you excuse me I do have some things that I need to take care of."
As she left the dining room to go to the library Alice felt Marcus following behind her. "Marcus, what do you want?"Alice asked turning to face the other vampire. "You already know," Marcus simply answered, "Have you changed your mind?" "About joining the scion?" Alice shook her head clearly annoyed by the question, "Absolutely not. My answer is no and will remain no. I've told you, Matthew, and Ransome no several times now. Both Matthew and Ransom have both even shown up at my home in San Francisco to persuade me. If I did not agree then what makes you think I will agree now? I simply wish to remain part of the main de Clermont faction." "You know in my books that makes you a traitor!" Marcus told her in a harsh whisper. "I've always been a traitor." Alice answered as she walked away indicating an end to the conversation. As Marcus re entered the dining room he heard Sophie say "I don't know it was just a feeling I got from her. Do you think they are mates?" Marcus laughed, "Alice and Baldwin. No and I would know. If they were his scent would be all over her by now and I have not smelled anything of the sort upon her. Besides, Alice was sired by Matthew making her my older sister and also Baldwin's niece. Even though they are not directly related through Phillipe's bloodline it would still break the rule that members of the family cannot mate with each other."
Alice had retreated to the library and pulled her favorite Agatha Christie, The Secret of Chimneys, off the shelf. She settled into one of the chairs and read the book until almost dinner time. As the day turned to evening she heard a gentle knock at the door. "Come in," Alice said. The door opened to reveal Alain. "There will be no formal dinner tonight, but did you want anything prepared for you?" He asked. Alice smiled and nodded, "Yes and have it brought up to my room please. I will dine alone up there." "Of course." Alain did a small bow and retreated out the way he came.
Baldwin had stayed up in his tower most of the day buried in work. It was the only thing that kept his mind off the dull ache that had settled in his chest and would not go away. Now he made his way down to find Marcus. He found him in the dining room with Phoebe and Hamish. "Awww Uncle I wondered when you would grace us with your presence," Marcus said as Baldwin entered the room. "Yes, well be reassured this will be quick. I was just going to let you know I will be heading back to Venice in the morning, so you will have Sept Tours to yourself again. Alain have dinner sent up to my tower." "Yes Sier, anything else?" "No that will be all, thank you." As Baldwin exited the dining room he found Alice in the hallway. "You are leaving to go back to Venice? So soon?" she asked the hurt very apparent on her face and in her voice. Baldwin looked away to the wall and replied, "Yes, urgent business came up. Excuse me." He then rushed past her before she could say anything that might make him change his mind.
Early the next morning Alice was at the door of her bedroom listening for Baldwin to leave for Venice. She was worried that maybe he had already left when she heard his footsteps as he headed for the door. She grabbed her bags and went to follow him out to his car. Alice placed her suitcase just inside the front door, took a deep breath and called "Baldwin" as she stepped out the door. He turned around upon hearing his name. "Leaving without saying goodbye," she teased as she caught up with him. He looked away from her " I thought it might be…" but was interrupted by Alice giving him a kiss. It was a quick, chaste kiss to his lips but he felt it break down the last of his walls and defenses. When he reopened his eyes after savoring the feel of her lips upon his she was looking at him with uncertainty . "Well have a nice trip back to Venice" She said as she turned to go back into the chateau. "Wait Alice," Baldwin said after finally finding his voice, "Would you like to accompany me?" he asked. She frowned in deep thought and he almost thought she might decline when she smiled, nodded her head, and answered "I would like that." "I'll wait for you to pack." Baldwin said "No need" Alice replied as she hurried up the stairs to grab her suitcase. Just inside the door stood Yseabeu. "Alice, are you sure of what you are doing?" She asked quietly. Alice looked her straight in the eye and said, "I always know what I am doing" and headed back out to join Baldwin. At her quick return Baldwin just shook his head and gave a small laugh as he grabbed the suitcase from her and put it in the trunk of the car. Once on the road Baldwin grabbed Alice's hand in his. She turned to look at him surprised by the action but Baldwin's focus was entirely on the road. She looked down at their intertwined hands, smiled a little and then turned to look out the passenger window.