Isabel sat at her desk, a quill in her hand and a blank page before her. She knew that she had to do this, and she was planning to, she just didn't know how. She pressed the quill to the paper and sighed. She would just have to wing it at this point. And so she wrote:

Dear Lord Isaac,

I'm sure you remembered what happened at the tavern. I must say, I didn't think that you knew that I knew who you were. But then you brought it up at the barge so you had to know. If you feel like talking about it, I would very much like to. And once we get that out of the way, we can talk about something else. Anything else. If you want to talk about it, please meet me in my chambers as soon as you get this. I'll be waiting.

Sincerely,
Lady Isabel

She folded up the paper and gave it to Sophia. "Sophia, please deliver this to Lord Isaac's chambers and make sure he gets it. Then, if he chooses, escort him back here." she said.

Sophia nodded and left Isabel's private chambers. She heard another door and assumed that she had left Isabel's chambers entirely. Isabel got up and walked to her bed. Laid out on it was her cream dress. She pulled it on and tied it. Then she left her private room and sat in a chair, waiting.

Isaac had stowed the letter away in his desk drawer before getting ready. Isabel's maid was waiting just outside his room while he changed. Slipping on a pair of white slacks and a forest green tunic, he sat on his bed to put on his green slippers. His face was painted with a nervous expression, not knowing what Isabel might want with his alter ego. He hoped that she wasn't looking for a bribe; Isaac barely had enough to get around. Stepping up back on his feet, he walked out of his chambers and followed the maid.

He was silent while they made their way to Isabel's chambers, his thoughts clouded with worry. He watched the maid call upon her mistress, feeling his heart beat quicken its pace. There was nothing much else he could do except wait.

Isabel was breathing very deeply when Sophia walked in the door. She almost jumped at her voice. There were a many number of things that could go wrong with this. Including those nosy gossips who always managed to find out about thing like this. "Lady Isabel?" her maid inquired. "Lord Isaac is here." she said.

Isabel nodded. "Thank you Sophia. Please wait for me in my private room. Lord Isaac and I have private matters to discuss." she said. Sophia left the room looking nervous. Perhaps she was afraid that her friend and mistress would do something...unladylike. But she didn't have to worry.

Isabel went to the door and opened it gently. Her eyes trailed over Lord Isaac's form, making sure it was indeed him. And it was. "Thank you for coming." she said. She walked away from the door and sat in a chair by the table. "Listen, I just want you to know. I'm not planning on telling anyone your secret. It's safe with me. If no one else knows, they aren't going to."

He stood silent for a moment, allowing Isabel to sort her busy out with the maid. The conversation was short and Isaac was allowed in right afterwards. After the door opened up before him, he followed Isabel to her table and took a seat across from her. Her words calmed his nerves for a moment, glad that she would keep a secret away from the hungry ears of the court. He was rising in favor of the royal family; he couldn't afford a damper on his reputation.

"Thank you, my lady. I truly do appreciate your willingness to keep it away from the other courtiers," he smiled. "I will admit, I was quite nervous that you would speak of it. The rumors mentioned nothing of my second identity. Therefore, I have decided to dispel the charade. My friends and I have found other places to meet where there is no need for disguise. If you keen eyes could catch me, I'm sure there would be many others to come."

Isabel nodded. She could understand. The court was a vicious place where if you put one toe out of line, the whole realm knew about it. There were so many rumors flying around it was hard to tell which were true and which were nothing but lies. It wasn't easy to guess either. But mostly, Isabel just ignored them.

The Isabel smiled. So the men had found a new place to play cards and do their tricks? One where they could not be easily seen? It would be interesting if she could find that place. Would they accept her precence? Or would they make her leave? She wondered.

"I'm suprised that you thought I would do such a thing. But I understand. I am also glad that you decided to join me here tonight. I do enjoy your company." she said. It was not a lie. She had fun with Lord Isaac. Even though the first time they met was filled with deceit and the second time they were both nervous.

Nodding in agreement, he relaxed his shoulders and smiled. At first, he was always worried about what she was going to say to him or the other courtiers. Now, he saw her as a good acquaintance, perhaps a potential friend. Isaac had always been fond of meeting new people and making new friends.

"I didn't know who you were when I first met you," he replied honestly. "It was my first time to the courts and I barely knew anyone. I thought that you were one of those ladies that loved to gossip, but I am glad that I was wrong." Slowly, he furrowed his brows, feeling slightly nervous again.

"My lady, are you sure it is alright that I should stay? I mean, I wouldn't want the courts speaking ill of you. I'm sure they would believe that we were just holding conversation if I leave soon." He didn't want to leave yet; he had just started to get good footing with Isabel. He knew, though, that the courtiers would suspect that he was having a sexual relationship with Isabel if anyone had seen him.

Ah, Isabel was worried about that at first too. But she had sent a friend of hers as a look out. Well, she more or less begged her. She didn't want any of those ladies that Isaac had mentioned snooping around her private chambers trying to get information on her. They were not the sort of company that she enjoyed. She wondered if Isaac thought of her as a friend. She knew that she thought of him as one.

She waved, as if waving the question away. "They can gossip all they like, it makes no difference to me. If I am part of their gossip I do not care, nor would I blame you for it. I am the one who invited you here and I am the one who asked you to say. Unless you want to go? Then I will not stop you." she said hoping that it was not the latter. But it couldn't be. Well it could have been, but Isabel didn't like to think about it.

As nervous as he felt, he would feel even worse if he left her. Especially what she was willing to do for him after knowing him for such a short time. He shook his head in response to her question.

"No, my lady. I would not abandon you because of words and gossip. Our budding friendship is more valuable than that," he smiled at her reassuringly. "Perhaps we now have the chance to chat and get to know one another. How have you been since the barge ride, my lady?"

Isabel smiled. She was glad that he wouldn't leave. Of course, she knew that this meeting put him in danger as well as her. But he had decided to stay. And that was all that mattered to her. Isabel decided to answer his question honestly. "Nothing very important. I did meet several interesting Lords and Ladies and had fine chats with them. I also did spend a lot of time trying to figure this whole thing out." she said blushing.

And it was the truth. She had had no idea where they should meet or how she would explain to him that she meant no harm. It was a long and confusing process. "And how about you Lord Isaac? What sort of things have you been up to since the barge ride?" she said. She thought that it was only polite to ask since he had asked first. Besides, it would allow her to get to know him better.

"Since the barge?" he repeated, thinking to himself. "Well, I've had the chance to meet with many other courtiers. There are an abundant amount of newcomers from what I've seen. I've been able to see old faces as well." He remebered his time with Ziare as well as his encounter with Leana. Even now, he was seeing a familiar face.

"I've visited the river and the courtyards, but I haven't strayed far from the court. Have you been able to travel, my lady?"

Isabel had to think for a moment. Had she gone anywhere outside of the court? She had done some shopping recently but that had been done in the courtyard, where the merchants set their stalls up. No, she had not even been anywhere outside the castle for many days. What a shame. "I have not been able to travel yet. I haven't left the castle grounds since the barge ride actually. Isn't that funny?" she said. It wasn't funny though. Not in that way.

She looked at the door of her private room. Sophia was still in there. She had confidence in her maid though. She knew that Sophia wouldn't tell anyone of this meeting unless sorely tempted. She looked back to Isaac. "I've befriended a few people too. Lady Alexandria for one. And Lady Ziare and Lord Daniel. Who are your friends here?" she asked.