Page 54 of The Guardian's Witch

He took his hand from hers and raked it through his hair. “I don’t know. I think I was so angry with Edward that I denied it ever happened.” He looked into her eyes. “I certainly didn’t intend to hurt or insult you.”

He pulled his chair around to face her squarely, sat down, and took both her hands in his again. “Let’s get through this together. I must tell you what happened. Then we can decide what we need to do. Agreed?”

His extraordinary eyes were gentle and thoughtful.

“Agreed,” she answered. Her heart pounded. “And you should know what happened at Ravencroft. It is not as it seems.”

“Yes. I reached the wrong conclusion.”

“Alex, I did go the lodge.” She squeezed his hands. “I had to do something, anything. I thought Laura was in danger and I had to take action. Alex, I’ve lost too many people I love sitting and doing nothing when I knew there was danger. I will never let that happen again. Never.”

“If she was in danger as you thought, you should have told the guard. He would have gone.”

“Yes, when John confirmed your orders I didn’t press him to take me. It would have been best if I had.” She looked at him wide-eyed. “But I wasn’t thinking. When I got to the lodge Bryce was there pierced in the shoulder. He said his horse stumbled and threw him. He was impaled on a downed tree branch. All I did was care for his wound. He fell asleep in the bed. I fell asleep at the table. In the morning we decided it was prudent for me to go back with him to Ravencroft. His men would bring me back to Glen Kirk.”

* * *

Alex listened carefully and watched her eyes. There was still some doubt in his mind but he said nothing.

“Alex, I thought he could get back to Ravencroft on his own. But he said he needed my help. When he stood in his hall he wasn’t the same man I traveled with. He had made a miraculous recovery. And I never asked for sanctuary. Never.”

“I see that now.”

“Do you have any idea why Bryce would manipulate us so?”

“No, I don’t, but I will find out. There is much I need to tell you, too.”

He settled into his chair but never let go of her hands. He had to be gentle. He had to tell her he would try to find a solution as soon as possible. Annulment wasn’t a choice. “I come from a strong line. I’m the seventh son of Philip Stelton, himself a seventh son.” He waited a beat and noticed her eyes widen. His shoulders relaxed. She knew the significance. “Most of my family, well my brothers and their wives, will be here tomorrow.”

She didn’t pull her hands away. He thought that was a good sign. He searched her face and decided she looked less panicked.

“We are a close family. While there is infighting and intrigue in other families, ours is solid and strong. We’re devoted to each other and strive to help one another succeed. I’ve come to learn that’s quite unique.” Even he could hear the pride in his voice.

“Like my father, I knew I would never inherit, and if I wanted a home and land I would have to get it on my own. I went to war in Wales for the king and became his trusted friend.”

She cast her eyes in her lap as if she studied his hand.

“When I returned he told me about Glen Kirk and the missing protectors and their men. He expected to receive a ransom demand but none had arrived. I made a bet with him that I could hold Glen Kirk and still be here to tell the tale. He challenged me to do it for one year, and if I did, he would award me the estate. You were not included in the bet.”

Her head sprang up.

“When the king summoned me back to London after the year was up, he surprised me by marrying us by proxy.” He dropped her hands and stood. He walked to the window and stared out at the dusky landscape. “I should have known he would not lose graciously. I should have known. If I had, I would have found some way to protect you. If there is someone else you wanted to marry I would have done whatever I could to...”

“I can’t believe he meant to be vicious.”

Was that pity he heard in her voice? He turned and faced her. “He ushered me into a banquet room and had me decked out, draped in flowers.”

Lisbeth giggled. “I can’t imagine you draped in flowers. I can imagine you seething.”

Thinking about the scene sobered him. “He led me up to the dais and married me to a veiled woman who stood in for you. I couldn’t make out who she was. After the ceremony I lifted her veil and found it was Lady Barbara Kincaid.”

“Was she old and wrinkly?”

He heard a rare playfulness in her voice. She was radiant when her defenses were down. “No.” He smiled.

She stood next to him looking out the window.

“No, of course not.” She whispered in his ear. “It’s been some time. I remember her being beautiful and elegant.”

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