Chapter 4

After unpacking and getting reacquainted with her room, Alice made her way down to the kitchen. "May I be of service and I get something for you?" a familiar voice asked as she neared the kitchen. Alice turned to see Alain looking at her expectantly. "No, that's ok Alain. I'm just going to make myself a cup of tea. Thank you." Alice replied to his nodded and disappeared back down the passageway. Alice sighed and continued to the kitchen. She had forgotten what it was like to be in this house and with other vampires. Once in the kitchen she set down the tea cup and the bag of english breakfast tea leaves she had brought with her and started heating up water in a kettle. When her cup of tea had finished brewing Alice made her way out into the garden. She took a deep breath, breathing in the crisp morning air then took her first sip of tea. The taste of tea mixed with the smell of the earth in the early morning always made her feel better. As she sipped her tea Alice wandered the garden admiring Ysabeau's flowers and collection of herbs. As she was heading back to the house Marthe was coming out with garden tools and a basket. "Would you like to help me in the garden?" Marthe asked. Alice smiled and answered "Of course, I'd love to."She knew Marthe didn't really need help but it was almost like old times. Her and Marthe discussed the latest murder mysteries they had read while they trimmed plants and collected herbs for Marthe's cupboard. " I loved the new series Ann Cleeves started but I will miss reading of Shetland and Jimmy Perez'' Alice was telling Marthe. Before Marthe could answer back they heard an annoyed sigh followed by Baldwin grumbling how the house is always busy with so many creatures and then finally the slam of a door. "What was that about?" Alice asked. "Oh, Baldwin's been like that ever since Matthew and Diana's return. He must not have known Marcus and his fiance, Phoebe, would be here along with Diana's Aunt Sarah and Hamish," Marthe replied with a shrug like it was an everyday occurrence. Alice nodded and then decided to head inside.

Alice walked through Sept Tours and was aware of other presences in the great house but all she wanted was to find Baldwin. In the garden, she had become acutely aware of annoyance, frustration, and possibly a slight feeling of tiredness that was not her own. She figured they must have come from Baldwin and that being in such close proximity with each other again had caused the connection between them to awaken. Alice followed Baldwin's scent to the door of what had been Phillipe's office and quickly opened the door. At her abrupt entrance Baldwin had looked up from his computer extremely annoyed but upon seeing her he relaxed and with a small smile of relief said "Oh it's just you". "Just me?" Alice faked being a little hurt as she fully entered the office and closed the door behind her. "You ask me here as your guest and you are going to hide away here with your work?" she asked as she stopped to look out the window. She continued without waiting for a reply, "Come outside and join me for a walk?" When Baldwin did not answer right away she turned around and looked at him expectantly, but Baldwin was looking at her with such intense curiosity it felt like he was trying to read her soul. Alice finally moved to lean on the desk next to Baldwin and softly into his ear said "Please, it will do you more good than to be stuck in this stuffy office" and then gently touched his hand with hers. At first Baldwin froze unsure of how to respond to her sudden closeness but after looking into her pleading eyes nodded his head and answered "Sure I will join you for a walk."

As Alice led him through the garden Baldwin studied her in the sunlight. She was just as he remembered her and thought that even though she was just wearing a pair of jeans, a black t-shirt and a green rain jacket that she was stunningly beautiful. Her blonde hair had been messily put up in a large clip and he fought the urge to tuck one of the loose strands behind her ear as the breeze whipped it around. Neither one of them had any idea what to say so they just walked in silence but it was a comfortable silence. When they reached the forest Alice suddenly turned around and faced Baldwin. "Why did you bring me here?" Alice asked gesturing towards Sept Tours. "What do you mean?" Baldwin asked back. Alice replied " Well you know, it's been five years since we've been in each other's presence. Also in all these years you have never asked me to come to Sept Tours. So why now?" Baldwin didn't know how to answer. He could have asked her at any time since Phillipe's death but for whatever reason had stubbornly kept his promise to his father. It seemed the least he could do. What had happened recently was that Matthew had met Diana and Baldwin had been jealous that Matthew had found his happiness and just took it without any thought of the consequences. In Venice, all Baldwin wanted was to protect her from all threats and that he would do anything to make sure she was safe. Now he thought that maybe the world was telling him to finally accept the happiness that he had been denying himself all these years. He looked down at his feet and then back up at her. "I am so sorry about the last time we met," he started, " but we've had this conversation so many times. You know why we shouldn't." " I know why we shouldn't but I still do not fully understand your reluctance to finally be together," Alice interrupted, "I've missed you so much since that argument." "I've sent you texts and have called you in that time" Baldwin replied. "It was all family business and not the same and you know it" Alice said a little frustrated. Baldwin stepped so quickly towards Alice that it forced her up against a tree. Baldwin's close proximity was overwhelming her senses. All that she could smell was him and she was very much aware of his body almost touching hers. He had one hand resting against the tree next to her head and was looking at her intently. "You don't know what being my mate would mean. Are you sure you want that responsibility? The danger that it will bring?" He asked in a stern tone. "Baldwin," she said gently, "of course I understand the responsibility and as for the danger that kind of just comes with being in this family anyway." He moved closer to her like he was going to kiss her. Alice closed her eyes ready to receive the kiss. She could feel his breath on her face and his body now touching hers. Alice knew in that moment, as she had always known deep in her heart, that she did not want anyone else, only Baldwin. Then suddenly she was acutely aware of his absence. She opened her eyes to find Baldwin gone. Alice slid down the trunk of the tree to the ground and felt tears run down her cheeks.

Baldwin had fled to the safety of his tower. It was the farthest he could get from everyone. He had almost given in and kissed her. Her scent and the way she had looked at him had been so enticing. Now he was leaning over, the only thing holding him up was his hand pressing against his bedroom door. The heavy pain he felt in his chest was excruciating. He had always been able to ignore his instincts to mate with her, but this time it was almost unbearable. This time he felt like a coward not going after what he wanted but in the end his misplaced duty to his father won out. He knew the best thing for him to do would be to physically leave and to never see her again. Baldwin then realized he couldn't leave right away. It would cause too many questions, so he decided to leave first thing the next morning.