[center][img]http://i.imgur.com/sbufiQm.jpg[/img][/center][center][h1][color=f6989d] Alexis [/color][/h1][/center]

Alexis watched Elias and sighed. [color=f6989d]"I know what she wants. I just refuse to give it to her. Maybe I could spend more time with her though, that might help."[/color]

[i][color=fff200]Over the next few weeks[/color][/i] the hunters healed and Alexis spent more time with Elinora and started training again with Elias this time. She was surprised at how easy it was to get into the routine but also at how sore her side and stomach muscles still were. They were still working out when the stable boy came running into the training room and blurted out, [color=f7941d]"Miss Alexis! You have company to see you. Mr. Nathan and Miss Amelia Broussard are here to see you. Your mother said hurry to change for tea."[/color]

Alexis' smile faded instantly and she nodded. [color=f6989d]"Thank you Robert."[/color]

She looked over at Elias frowning sadly. then sprinted out and across the lawn to the house. Her maid was already for her when she got there. Half an hour later Alexis walked down the stairs to see her guests. When she walked over and into the parlor Nathan jumped up and walked over, taking her hand in his rather unexpectedly. [color=f6989d]"Oh, hello Nathan. It's good to see you."[/color]

Amelia put on her fake smile and asked her [color=ed145b]"Is your cousin still here? After we heard about your accident we just had to come make certain you were both okay."[/color]

[color=f6989d]"The accident, oh...yes of course and yes he is here. Although he was outside just a little while ago working with his horse. I'm not sure of where he is."[/color] Alexis rambled, at least maybe she could save Elias some grief. She was still feeling a little awkward about Nathan grasping her hand. Now she was also wondering what Elinora had told people. Amelia looked a little deflated at her news.

Alexis walked over to the couch and sat down and be darned if Nathan didn't just sit as close to her as he could possibly get without being rude. The maid came in with the tea and poured each of them a cup and left a tray of cookies for them.

[color=ed145b]"Your mother wouldn't allow us to see you before now."[/color] Amelia chimed. When the doctor said he had been here to tend to your injuries we were terribly upset. [color=ed145b]"See, he was talking to mother about father's gout he mentioned being here so she had to ask what happened and he said you were both attacked by an animal the night after our party. So naturally we felt bad because of the incident."[/color]

Alexis knew but had to ask. [color=f6989d]"What incident?"[/color]

Amelia fairly glowed as she was telling her story. [color=ed145b]"Apparently the night of our party two of our guests were attacked and killed by wolves or bears or something and our hunters went out the next day and couldn't find them. Maybe you wouldn't have been attacked if we had found them."[/color]

"Oh Amelia! No it's not your fault and may I ask were the guests alright? Who was it?"

Nathan answered, jealousy clear in his voice [color=00a99d]"I believe it was the man you were in the garden with and his friend."[/color]

Alexis feigned shock and distress. [color=f6989d]"Oh no! Are they alright?"[/color] A look of mock horror set in when Nathan shook his head and replied. [color=00a99d]"Both men died of their wounds."[/color]

Alexis turned slightly greenish and picked up her tea cup to "calm" her nerves.

After tea was over Nathan stood up and offered her his hand to rise. Out of politeness she did and was ready to walk them to the door to leave when Nathan suggested a walk. When Amelia beamed brightly hoping to run into Elias she couldn't say no. They left through the door nearest the kitchen and as they walked Nathan reached over and took her hand again. Unsure of what to do she pointed things out to him, dropping his hand whenever possible until he refused to let it go. She pretended that she didn't notice. Amelia was going on ahead to look for Elias.

Nathan slowed his pace so they were alone as they walked. [color=00a99d]"Alexis, we've known each other a long time and we have a lot in common. I wanted to ask you if you would mind me calling on you."[/color] Alexis stood there for a moment and put on a bright smile.

[color=f6989d]"That would be fine as long as my father agrees."[/color] Nathan beamed as if he had won a prize. 

Alexis was not prepared for Nathan to slide his arm around her waist and kiss her and when he did she turned her face so that he got her cheek. Then she stepped back and blushed. [color=f6989d]"Why Nathan, you startled me."[/color] Looking down the path a ways she saw Amelia had found Elias and was talking to him with her arm linked in his. [color=f6989d]"Oh look! Amelia found Elias."[/color] She exclaimed hoping to have some company at that moment. She nearly pulled her irritated beau down the path til they reached the other two. 

[color=f6989d]"Hello Elias!" [/color]Alexis said desperately.

[@December]