Two weeks later Rain glided down the windows and morning thunder echoed through the quiet castle. A warm fire burned brightly across the room and she found herself curled up in front of the fireplace with a book. A blanket was wrapped around her lap and Tanner was curled up by her feet, using his stomach to keep them warm despite her leather boots. She turned a page in the book and heard movement from behind her. Glancing over her shoulder, she found Kara working on a homework problem and smiled. The children had settled into a comfortable lifestyle here. She kept them busy with William during the days if the weather was good. On cold wet days like today they did their school work or helped Abigail with daily chores. She glanced at the wet window and looked back at her book. Tanner let out a yawn and stretched before drifting back to sleep. A silent observer leaned against the door frame and watched. He studied the little girl working on her homework and glanced over at Eve. She looked content for being trapped indoors. The storm had persisted for almost two whole weeks since they brought the sibling in. The first day spent indoors she had vanished from everyone until Leon had spilled out her whereabouts. Something about this woman was distracting him but he couldn't fight it anymore. He watched her turn a page in the book and heard footsteps approaching. Glancing down the hall, he saw Grace approaching and left the doorway. He met her half way down the hall and the woman smiled. "The sun is trying to come through." He held her gaze and she looked back at the library doors. A teasing smile captured her face this time and he looked away. "Don't even start." Her smile deepened and she asked "Have you asked her to join you at the ball?" Brown eyes looked back at her and he leaned against the wall. He crossed his arms and felt his cousin's disapproval. "Honestly you two just need to get it out in the open. This silent attraction is going to kill one of you." "I'm not looking for advice, Grace." The woman bit back a laugh and said "The last ball was a bit dim without her. Make sure she comes." Growling, he ran a hand through his hair and watched his cousin walk away. He didn't want to invite Eve. She was already affecting his thoughts. He didn't need to see her at a formal event like this dumb party. He didn't care if it was the traditional ball to welcome in the upcoming holidays. Closing his eyes, he took a deep breath and cleared his thoughts. He'd leave the attendance up to her personally. Pushing off the wall, he walked down the hall and headed for the stairs. Trevor bumped into him in a rush and reeled back on his heels. "Oop! Sorry My Lord." "In a hurry?" The boy smiled and said "Abigail said we can go outside now. I was just going to tell Eve and Kara." He watched the boy walk past him and stop. Trevor looked back at him and smirked. "I don't know which one will be more excited to be free of this musty place." His eyes narrowed as the boy disappeared into the West Wing and he walked down the stairs. He heard a knock from the front doors and watched Leon open them. The butler held a professional smile when Christopher entered and slid off his jacket and hat. He handed the items to Leon and looked up at Johnathan. "There is the man of the hour." Silently he stepped into the hall and Christopher wrapped an arm around him. Biting back the growl, he let the man drag him into the parlor and shut the door behind them. He shook the man off and walked over to the window. "How about some wine to celebrate?" "Celebrate what?" The man chuckled and said "The finalization of the proposal." He looked out the window and said "I never signed it." Christopher's hand stopped at the wine cabinet door and he looked back at his cousin. "What?" Brown eyes settled back on him and brought chills along his skin. He hated looking into those dark eyes, especially when his hard work was about to blow up in his face. "You didn't sign the paperwork?" Johnathan bit back a snort and looked back out the window. He heard running from the hall and listened to Tanner's happy whining. Christopher stiffened at the sound and glanced at the door. Young laughter reached them and he walked to the doors. Pulling them open, he watched Leon put light coats on the children and open the doors for them. Tanner took off and the kids followed behind laughing. Leon chuckled and looked back at Eve. She declined the coat he handed her and walked outside. Christopher watched the doors shut and shut the parlor doors. He glanced back at his cousin and found the man watching the three out the window. His arms were crossed as usual and he took his normal pose of leaning against the wall. His eyes followed the children's approach to the water and Tanner's mad dashes in and out of the cold waves. Christopher quietly approached and caught the man glancing at the blonde woman watching the children. He looked back at his cousin and then at Eve. A small smirk crossed his face and he left the window. Johnathan watched him pour himself a drink and raise it in mock salute. "To the ruins of this proposal then." His eyes narrowed and Christopher emptied his glass. He left it on the counter and silently exited the parlor. The doors shut behind him and Johnathan let out a low growl. The man was up to something and it left his blood boiling. Frowning, he looked back outside and found Eve adjusting Kara's coat. The girl was laughing and took off after Tanner when the woman released her. She quietly stood and brushed her glowing hair from her face. Wrapping her arms around herself, she watched the children play with Tanner. Silently she glanced upward and met his guarded brown gaze. A smile slowly captured her face and he fought back one of his own. He pulled away from the window and raked his hand through his hair. That was totally unexpected. Glancing at the sunny window, he shook his head and looked up at the family portrait. 'Father help me. That woman is getting too close.'