Page 24 of The Guardian's Witch

“No,m’lady.Iknow of none.”

“Did you really vow to never take a wife?”asked another faceless voice in the room.

He looked at Barbara.She had a pleasant smile on her face.How well trained she had become in the ways of the court.She covered his affront with poise.

“Istand here ready to marry Lady Lisbeth.Does that answer your question?”Indeed he had vowed to never marry.The humiliation of his youthful blunder and her not-so-private rejection spread through court like a spring storm.He hadn’t enough words to thank his father for quickly getting him a commission with a regiment that left for Wales.

“We heard all about your brave deeds in Wales.You returned to us much changed,”said Barbara.

“Come on,Alex.Kiss the bride so we can get on.”

After four long hard years he had returned to London to find Barbara willing to renew their friendship.He had no interest.

Barbara moved with lightning speed,threw her arms around him,and kissed him deeply,to the enjoyment of the crowd.

He stood cold as a statue against her assault.“Let’s finish this entertainment,m’lady.I’ve important matters that need my attention.”

The spectacle over,the bride and groom mingled with the crowd.

“Alex,”his brothers Bennett and Cameron pulled him to the side.“We had no idea you were the intended groom.If we’d known,we would have gotten you away.We thought you and Bryce had left for Glen Kirk early this morning.”

“That was our plan but the king summoned me.”He nodded and flashed a tight-lipped smile at the people who walked by and congratulated him.“Ileave for Glen Kirk as soon as I can,if I have to wake the king’s guard to open the gate.”

“We’ll go with you.”

He gave his brothers a penetrating stare.Finally,he relaxed.“No,you both stay here and enjoy the entertainment.But thank you for the offer.Bryce rides with me.”Alex headed for the door.

“Where are you going,Lord Alex?Aren’t you staying for your wedding feast?”asked Edward,who stood by the door speaking to Howard.

“No,sire.”He laughed as if amused.“Ihave a long journey to be with my wife.”

He watched Cameron sidle up and lead Barbara away.Both were quickly lost in the crowd.

A shiver of unease crossed his back. He focused on the king’s message still on his desk. He’d been back at Glen Kirk for weeks, and he still hadn’t told Lisbeth she was his wife. He let out a loud sigh. He could wait no longer. What would he say? He paced in front of the hearth. His quick mind was blank. He should have told her when he first arrived. He saw that now.

Chapter Eight

It was a warm day for October. Lisbeth stepped out on the terrace ready to harvest the last of the berries. She planned to take advantage of the unseasonably mild weather. The hunters had brought her a brace of ducks and she wanted them served with a berry glaze. She knew the most succulent ones were on the other side of the garden wall. But all morning she had felt a compulsion to go to the lodge. Perhaps she could pick a few berries there; that’s all she needed. The mix would be perfect with the duck. If she went quickly no one would miss her. She stood still. She had the feeling that eyes bore into her back. She turned and found Bryce stepping out from the library’s terrace doors.

“Good day, Lisbeth.” He joined her in the garden.

“Bryce.” She forced a smile and gave a brief nod.

“I’ll walk with you.” He relieved her of her basket, abruptly caught her elbow, and firmly escorted her down the path. “I wanted to speak to you.”

They strolled among raised flower beds, trellises of roses and down paths of neat hedges. A gentle breeze rustled the leaves. The polished charms in the trees caught the sunlight and twinkled like fallen stars among the branches. She glanced at Bryce. The expression on his face gave nothing away.

“It’s time we called a truce.”

“A truce?” She stopped, but he gently tugged and pulled her along.

“Yes. We appear at odds with each other over something I cannot even remember. Let’s let bygones be bygones. What say you?” He gave her a polite, unemotional sideways glance.

His aloofness unsettled her. “Of course, Bryce, I don’t think anything’s wrong. We simply grew apart over the years. We just travel on different paths.”

He stopped and she glanced up at him, and for a moment saw him as the boy she grew up with and her brother’s good friend. Her brow wrinkled with the memory of her and Laura shadowing the boys when they were children.

“You’re deep in thought. It must be something serious.” He moved her along the path.

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