Page 63 of The Guardian's Witch

“Alex, you cannot kiss the bride.” Cameron walked up to them.

Alex was livid. He pulled his brother out of the room by his tunic.

“I don’t expect to be humiliated by my own brother in my own home,” he said through clenched teeth.

Cameron looked perplexed. Barbara appeared at Cameron’s side. She loosened Alex’s hands from Cameron’s tunic.

“No, dear, it’s alright,” said Cameron.

Alex dropped his hands.

“It was a bad choice of words on my part.” Cameron adjusted his clothes

It was Alex’s turn to be baffled.

Cameron took a calming breath and put his arm around Barbara. “Alex, Barbara accepted my proposal last week. We’re to be married.”

Alex looked from one to the other in disbelief. Betrayed. Fury almost choked him. How could Cameron...

“Don’t judge me until you’ve heard me out,” said Cameron, his hand raised to stop his brother.

Alex wasn’t surprised Cameron knew his thoughts. Alex immediately locked down his feelings and cleared any emotion from his face. It was a military tactic that served him well—in front of the enemy. “Go on.”

“It was wonderful when you and Cameron first came to court all those years ago and the three of us spent our days together,” said Barbara.

Alex turned his attention to Barbara. He didn’t miss this brother’s pleading look or that Barbara stood in the protective circle of Cameron’s arm.

“We did everything together.”

Alex’s anger subsided and his racing blood slowed. Those days had been innocent and carefree. Much had changed since then.

“I enjoyed being with both of you, but it was Cameron that I wanted.” She gave Cameron a tentative look. He responded with an encouraging nod. She went on. “You always had a way of directing the conversation. Do you remember how you used to finish Cameron’s sentences? I found it odd that you knew your brother so well.”

Of course he knew his brother well. Cameron wasn’t the only one. All his brothers did it one time or another—usually as an annoyance. He was just better at it than the others.

“When you spoke to me in the garden,” continued Barbara, “and you spoke of the future I thought you spoke for Cameron. I was so excited. All I could think of was Cameron. When you finally declared yourself for me I didn’t know what to say. I didn’t know what to do.”

“You ran.”

“I did what?” She was clearly startled.

“You looked at me with terror in your eyes as if I had just asked you to do the most forbidden thing. You stumbled at saying something. Then you turned, picked up your hem, and ran to the palace.”

“Oh, Alex.” She reached to touch his arm. “I didn’t give a thought about you. I was so busy being distraught.”

“I got over it.”

“Alex, there’s no need to make this more difficult,” said Cameron.

Alex registered the concern in Cameron’s eyes.

Barbara placed a steadying hand on Cameron’s arm. “That’s all right, Cameron.” She stepped closer to Alex. “That night I sought advice from my sister. I thought as one of the queen’s ladies she would give me good counsel. I made the mistake of speaking to her in front of the other women. They magnified everything I said and twisted it into something that had no semblance of the gentle words you spoke or sincerity in your heart. The next morning I was mortified to hear their interpretation of our story and that it had become fodder for the court. I tried to reach you but I couldn’t find you anywhere. When I learned you were leaving I rushed to the gate only to see you and Cameron ride off with the regiment.”

He saw the truth in her eyes. If he was truthful with himself he had to admit that his proposal all those years ago was foolish.

“Alex, I lost you both that day. I have regretted my actions ever since. When I saw you back in court, you made every effort to stay away. I wanted to explain it all to you but you avoided me. When Edward told me about the proxy wedding, I thought it my chance to speak to you. I volunteered to stand in as your wife. I had hoped to reconcile. I never thought they would taunt you so.”

“When you asked me to take care of things when you left,” said Cameron. “I listened to her and heard her sincerity. We’ve spent the last weeks together and renewed our friendship. We love each other, Alex.” He turned to his fiancée. “Barbara, let me speak to Alex alone.”

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