Chapter 12

The Game Begins

Alexander cast a sidelong look at his wife as she stood in front of him, having proclaimed herself his Pirate Queen. If someone had asked him that morning how his day would progress, he would not have expected this.

In truth, as soon as he had seen her, he had expected ridicule. Yet, she had surprised him. She had treated his siblings with gentle earnestness and then, in a complete turn, declared herself a villain. His Pirate Queen. Her words echoed in his head, and his chest tightened slightly.

Of course, at that point, Olivia had joined in, and Alexander knew there was no hope of escape.

Besides, look at the excitement on their faces.

Marie, Natalie, and Peter were all grinning from ear to ear, whooping and jumping in delighted anticipation.

I cannot deprive them of this.

Groaning, Alexander drew his remaining sword and stood between Rose and Olivia as he proclaimed, "It would appear the terms are set. Or are you no longer brave enough to face the challenge?"

"Never!" the children cried in unison.

"Then, for your first challenge, I give you this clue." With a flourish, Alexander produced a sealed piece of paper and handed it to Marie. "Though I daresay, you will be unable to solve my little puzzle."

Marie stuck her tongue out at him as she beckoned Peter and Natalie towards her. Taking advantage of her distraction, Alexander gestured to Rose and Olivia, and together they strode swiftly towards the maze, glancing over their shoulders as they ducked into a hidden spot.

"I would say we have a little while before they discover the answer to the first puzzle." Alexander rolled his shoulders back and looked at Rose. "I have hidden clues and puzzles all around the grounds. They will eventually lead them to the heart of the maze, where we will have our final confrontation, and they must defeat me in combat."

Olivia nodded. "Usually, the Pirates also hide in different locations and attempt to ‘catch' the officers as they solve the puzzles. Where have you hidden the other clues?"

Alexander pulled his pocketbook out and ran through his list of locations. "The first puzzle will take them to the boathouse, from there they will journey to the stables and must talk to a specific groom to unlock their next secret. Then they will be directed to the entrance hall."

As he detailed the various locations, he tried not to look at Rose. Yet, her quiet intensity and focus seemed to steal his attention. When he was finished, her mouth was slightly parted.

She thinks you are ridiculous.

"Perhaps we could create a false trail? Is that in line with the game's rules?" Her question surprised him.

Before he could answer, Olivia said, "Knowing Alexander, he has already created several false trails. Were you planning on being at some of them to fight our brother and sisters?"

Alexander nodded. "The secret of the lake and, of course, the apple tree by the stables."

"I shall go to the lake and see if I can lure our dearest siblings off the trail, and then return to the center of the maze for our final confrontation. Alexander, give me one of your swords." Olivia held out a hand expectantly.

"And what am I supposed to use?" He arched an eyebrow at her.

"I am sure your Pirate Queen will keep you safe. Besides, I have no doubt you have placed spare swords around the place." Olivia turned to Rose and added, "Dread Pirate Golden Eye is known for losing his weapons in a fight."

Rose bit her lip, clearly holding in a laugh. Alexander felt himself redden once more.

"There is a spare sword in the stables. You can collect it on your way to the lake." Alexander attempted to sound authoritative and dignified but found that he simply sounded mulish.

How does my sister do this to me?

Olivia threw her hands in the air in frustration. "Fine! But if the others ‘kill' me because I am unarmed, then I am blaming you."

"I am sure you will be fine." Rose's eyes were full of mischief. "Besides, you have longer legs. You should easily be able to outrun them."

"The betrayal!" Olivia shook her head, laughing. "To think you care so little for my life."

"As Pirate Queen, difficult decisions must be made." Rose giggled.

"Do not worry, Olive, your sacrifice will be remembered forever." Alexander grinned teasingly. "We shall sing songs of your heroic deeds."

Olivia shook her head in mock disgust. "Fine, but if they are not enough to make the minstrels weep, I shall haunt you for all eternity."

She left without waiting for an answer, leaving Rose and Alexander alone. Silence stretched between them, but something felt different about it.

Alexander ran a hand through his hair. "Where would you like to wait for the Officers?"

Rose flushed. "I am not very familiar with the grounds. I am not even really sure how to find the center of the maze."

"Ahhh, yes." Alexander frowned. "The grounds and castle can be quite tricky to navigate without a guide. And I would not want you to be lost and miss the final confrontation."

"Perhaps you would be my guide?" Rose's blush deepened, but she held his gaze.

Alexander hesitated.

I should keep her away, give her directions so that she might find it on her own.

"Very well."

His answer surprised him. The look of hope in her eyes caused his heart to clench, and he found that he did not have the heart to extinguish it. Besides, it was only a short walk to the center of the maze. What was the worst that could happen?

The last time you were in a maze together, you ruined her life.

As if Rose had read his mind, she said, "At least this time, if we are discovered, we are already married and there will be no scandal."

Alexander looked at her, expecting to see sadness in her eyes. Instead, he found that she was smiling, albeit somewhat uncertainly.

He smiled back, feeling lighter. "Shall we go?" he asked, nodding towards the nearest entrance.

"Lead the way, Golden Eye." Rose laughed and fell into step with him.

As they entered the maze, they fell silent. The sound of birdsong filled the space, coupled with the sound of their footsteps. The wind rustled through the leaves, and Alexander inhaled, catching the smell of oranges.

Rose.

He turned to look at her but found that she had stopped and was standing a few steps away, peering at something in the hedges. He followed her gaze.

"It's a wren." He kept his voice quiet, taking in the little bird before shifting his gaze to her face.

She smiled. "I know. I have always loved them. They are so small yet so full of life. I have always been fascinated by the way they live in such harsh plants like brambles so that they are safe, and yet they are brave enough to venture out when the fancy takes them."

Her tone was almost wistful.

Perhaps she longs for that same bravery? Or freedom?

"They often nest here. That is in part why the hedges are somewhat unruly. I will not have them trimmed until September, at the earliest."

Rose's eyes widened, and she looked up at him. "My father often refuses to cut our hedgerows for the same reason. I thought he was the only one."

Alexander shook his head, anger rising within him. "There are not many who feel as your father and I do. If it were within my power, I would make it law in the land. I have seen too many nests destroyed for the sake of vanity."

"You are truly a most mysterious man, Alexander Rokesby." Her voice was full of wonder, and he flushed.

How long has it been since someone has said my name like that? No disgust, no anger. Just warmth.

Alexander shook himself and glanced at Rose, who was still studying him curiously. "I have been called many things in my life, but never mysterious. Uncanny. Unnatural. Enigmatic. But not mysterious."

He had meant the words as a joke, but they came out clipped, his hurt evident.

Rose's eyes softened, and for a moment, Alexander thought she would try to move closer to him, but she remained where she was.

"Well, to me, you are mysterious." She smiled at him and gently tilted her head in a suggestion that they continue their walk. "There is far more to you than meets the eye, and that is intriguing."

Alexander swallowed but found he could not look away from her. "And what has brought you to this conclusion?"

"I know few men who would care so much for the welfare of birds." Rose paused thoughtfully. "Or, indeed, who would think up such elaborate games for his family to play."

Alexander flushed. "They are not so elaborate as that."

"I have played many games with my sisters, especially as children, yet nothing so intricate as this." Rose laughed. "Alexander, you have created multiple puzzles and clues, created intrigue and false trails. I cannot imagine the hours it must have taken you to do so."

In truth, it had taken him several hours to create this little adventure for his brother and sisters. But he did not say this, he simply nodded and continued walking.

"You must love them a great deal to go through such effort," Rose noted softly.

Alexander nodded. "I do."

"Why do you do it?" she asked.

Alexander turned to her, expecting to see judgment in her eyes. He stiffened. Yet, when their eyes met, all he could see was genuine curiosity.

No, that is not right. This is… This is something else. She wants to understand.

"In truth, I am not the one who came up with the game. My father used to create such things for Olivia and myself, especially when we were younger." He swallowed and turned away from her. "They are some of my fondest memories, and I wanted Marie, Natalie, and Peter to experience that joy."

"They must have been very young when he…" Rose trailed off, the word hanging in the air between them.

When he died.

Alexander shook his head as if to clear his thoughts, and answered without turning around, "Marie was only two. The twins were infants. Born a few months before. They will never know him. This felt like a way to keep some part of him alive."

Alexander felt a lump rise in his throat and forced it down.

She will think I am weak.

Something soft and warm touched his forearm. He glanced down to see Rose's delicate hand on his skin, and then their eyes met. Where he expected pity and judgment, there was none. All he saw was genuine sadness and kindness.

"Your father sounds like a wonderful man," she murmured.

"He was." Alexander's throat tightened.

"I would have loved to meet him," Rose said sadly. "I wonder if he would have approved of me."

Alexander smiled. "I have no doubt that he would have given you his most sincere and warmest approval."

Rose returned his smile.

Alexander realized that she was still holding his arm. The warmth of her touch seemed to soothe something inside him. He searched her face, trying to find some sign of the revulsion he was sure she must feel. Yet, there was nothing.

All he saw was Rose. Her kind face, the smile that was so ready to appear that it made his heart clench in his chest. There was nothing but warmth and compassion. At that moment, the silence that stretched out between them felt fragile and innocent. As though something was beginning.

Something warm and curious stirred within him, tinged with confusion and disbelief.

What is happening?

"That is the first time I have heard you speak of your father. You must have cared for him deeply." Rose's voice was gentle but tentative, as though she were puzzling something out.

Alexander stiffened, the hairs on the back of his neck standing on end. "I do not speak of him often."

It is too painful.

The connection between them seemed to stretch, becoming brittle and sharp. Alexander felt something coil within him. He held her gaze and knew what her next words would be before she said them.

Do not ask me.

"What happened the night your father died?"

Those seven words broke the silence, and the fragile bond between them shattered.