Page 23 of The Guardian's Witch

Every muscle tightened but Alex forced a bland disinterested expression on his face while deep down he raged.Out of the corner of his eye he saw Bryce standing by the door.Asilent signal passed between them.

“Steady,man,”cautioned Bennett.

“Take your rightful place and humble yourself before your king and maker.As you bravely and solemnly come here today,you have shown to all present that you are worthy and ready to care for this woman your king has chosen for you,from this day forward.To take thy woman’s hand is an act of bravery only supplanted by the call to arms”

“Is it war he enters or Lady Lisbeth?”Another roll of laughter passed through the room.

Husband or not,Lisbeth was Wesley’s daughter.Her name would not be dragged into this farce.He turned to the crowd and gave them a hostile stare.

The effect was immediate.The raucous talk quieted at once.

“Do you understand and accept this,sir?”The little man couldn’t hide the fear in his voice.

“Sure he does—now get on with it.There’s no wine until this is over.”

The king gently nudged Alex.

Alex glanced at Edward and saw something honest in his gentle smile.The edge smoothed off his anger.He turned to the holy man.“Yes,Iunderstand.”

The sword was too heavy for the man to handle.The tip came dangerously close to Alex’s neck but he didn’t move.Cameron quickly interceded and helped place the blade on Alex’s shoulder.

Alex gave his brother a scathing look.

“Mother would never forgive me if I let someone lop off your head,”he whispered.

“Three times I tap thee,once in the name of our King...”

Ashout rang up from the attending audience.

“...once in the name of our bishop,and once in the name of our holy protector.Now that you have knelt and been christened and tapped,Ideclare thee ready to receive your bride.”

The king squeezed his shoulder.The veiled woman approached.“My dear.”The king took her hand and drew her next to Alex.

With all the solemnness the little man could muster he began.“We are gathered here to join this man and this woman in a binding of life.At this day of binding,if any man declares any reason why they may not be coupled together,speak now.”

“It is all well with us—let them marry,”responded the crowd in unison.

The man turned to Alex.“Sir,do you take this woman who represents Lady Lisbeth Reynolds,daughter of the late Lord and Lady Reynolds to wife?”

Alex gave the obligatory response but he didn’t hear the rest of the ceremony.

“Lord Alex,Isaid you can kiss the bride,”said the frightened man.

The room was quiet.Whispers went through the room.“Who is she?”

“Well,Lord Alex?Do you need instructions?”The king’s words sent a ripple of laughter through the room that soon turned into a tidal wave.

With a smile on his face that didn’t reach his eyes,Alex gently unveiled his proxy wife.There staring at him with wide blue eyes and a lovely smile was Lady Barbara Kincaid.

She looked at him boldly.Another roll of laughter filled the room.

He gave her a nod.She was still a beauty after all the years.

“Iknow you did not brood when I declined your proposal.”

“No,m’lady.There was nothing to brood over.You were merely a youthful dalliance that was quickly forgotten.”

Barbara’s eyes widened at the insult.“Alex,is there someplace we can speak?”

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