All Chapters of HATING HER KING: Chapter 91 - Chapter 100

It was the prince."Your Highness." Gwen saluted, bowing low."I do not believe we have been properly introduced. Brand Williams." He said."Gwen Fitzgerald, Your Highness." She replied, bowing again."Highness," he whispered, his right eye blinking. "I very much prefer to be called Brand."Gwen blinked, confused. How could he ask her to address him in such a manner? "I could never call you that.""It is my given name. The king calls me by it.""He is your brother. I am not." The prince's right eyebrow hitched. Gwen quickly reprimanded herself. "Forgive me. I meant to say, I am not the king." She corrected.Was the prince looking to stir up trouble? Alexander had asked her to call him by his given name, and months later, she had been brought to the castle against her will. What would the prince demand if she obeyed him? She was not curious enough to find out."I am not so highly placed to call you by your given name, Sir." She added."That is true." He hesitated. "It is simply a matte

"What, then, is a proper lady to you?" He tapped his hand on his thigh, consciously blinking both eyes. "A proper lady is one who is true to herself," Lady Fitzgerald said. "one who is not always bound by the rules of society, but manages to obey them."Brand stiffened, unpleasantly surprised. He did not know what to think or what to say. She was a rebel, just like Alexander."Forgive my words."He found his words. "One should never apologize for being candid." Then, "Are you a proper lady?"There was hesitation. "I believe I am."A smirk began to form on Brand's lips. "Is Lady Farrington a proper lady?"She hesitated again. "I believe she is."Brand's face straightened. He had been sporting for an argument. "You believe so?"Lady Fitzgerald nodded. "Propriety comes from the person who believes they are proper. That is how the standard began."Brand stared, finally seeing her appeal. It was not her beauty, nor her clever words. It was her thoughts and how she represented them. There

The carriage rolled up to the grand circular drive in front of the mansion, its wheels crunching on the gravel. The coachman swiftly jumped down and pulled open the door. It was well past eight o'clock by the time she had left the castle, under the cover of the dark, starless night, its black cloak, a perfect shroud.Jane descended from the carriage, her movements swift and deliberate. She hurried up the familiar steps and into the house she had known so well since childhood. Bellingham House.She had visited this house countless times, spending plenteous moments with her beloved aunt. But tonight was different. Tonight, she had come not for comfort or nostalgia, but to secure her future. The butler stood waiting at the door. "Good evening, Lady Farrington." He greeted her with a slight bow. "Lord Denney is in his study in the company of Lord Featings. He has asked that you join them there as soon as you come."Jane nodded in acknowledgment. Though she knew the way, the butler led on

Alexander turned to sit facing the piano, a gentle smile on his lips. "You are endearing. I could not help myself." He confessed, patting the space beside him on the bench, urging her to sit.Though there was hesitation, Guinevere took a deep breath and lowered herself back onto the bench. She was flushed.He gently touched her cheek. She flinched from him. "It was not my intention to startle you." His words accompanied the fall board back down over the keys.Guinevere's hands rested gently on the fall board, and she looked up at him with a soft smile. "You are forgiven." Her voice was warm. When Alexander met her gaze, she let out a light, melodious giggle. "I am in a benevolent mood.""Are you now?""Yes." She replied, her smile broadening. "And I am also gifting you this music, expecting no lessons in return." Her eyes sparkled with mischief as she added, "Although you owe a debt already.""How truly benevolent of you." Alexander remarked with a smirk.Guinevere laughed softly. She

Alexander's gaze came to her face which remained turned from him. There was sadness. It was consuming.He hated it."How did he die?" He should have required Mr. Macquoid to find out. The tune resumed, quietly turning into a beautiful symphony."Beth had always wanted to see the world and in a way, she did, through books, tales told by the merchants in the marketplace, and through maps. My sister loves to study maps. I could never understand the crossing lines and the coloured regions."The roads and the seas? Alexander almost chuckled but said no word. She was a delight."Since she could not be able to travel, considering our family's fortune, she took to hill climbing." The song stopped abruptly. Guinevere turned to him. "She swore she would climb the hill at westside manor, and every hill after that, simply to gaze upon the open plains."With her so close, it was hard to exercise control. He took her hand again, his grip gentle and warm. She went still for a moment."If she had we