Semua Bab HATING HER KING: Bab 121 - Bab 130

"When you first summoned Lady Fitzgerald to this place," Carlisle began, breaking the heavy silence that had settled between them, "my wife had sent several notes, each one more desperate than the last. But, as you are sumptuously aware, not a single reply was ever returned to her."My wife? He was mocking.Alexander took a mighty sweep of the scotch. "Those letters were misleading.""They were from her sister. Her family." Carlisle leaned forward and graciously supplied. "Did you ever wonder why I insisted on inviting Lady Fitzgerald and their garrulous cousin when I first brought Beth to the castle with me? There is no blood relation between them, but there are family ties." He made a dismissive sound. "And these ties become lines one must never cross. I learned this in the hardest of ways, Alexander."Alexander's expression tightened and his jaws hurt from the clench. He glared at Carlisle's numb face and said harshly. "You seem unusually loquacious today."What had become of the t

Gwen's brows furrowed. He had come to the Stonehenge seeking peace, unaware that she was there as well? Somehow, she found his words difficult to believe. Alexander walked past her and sat on the very boulder she had recently vacated. Could he not have chosen to sit elsewhere, perhaps giving her the space she so desperately craved? And how had he known where she had been sitting? There was nowhere else to sit, she realized, blatantly annoyed.The silence between them stretched thin, while Gwen remained standing, refusing to share the boulder with him. To share the moment with him was the last thing she intended to do. She would rather return to the castle.A mild breeze blew as Gwen reached for her shawl, the cool air nipping at her skin. But as she bent down, the scent of alcohol wafted toward her. Alcohol? She sniffed again. It was Alexander. He smelled of it - strong and unmistakable. Had he been drinking? It was nearly midnight, almost a new day. How had he been drinking?"Is it n

***The rushing carriage informed its owner even before Denney caught sight of the familiar flag and coat of arms. Featings - the loose-tongued fool who had sworn his fealty, yet who often proved to be more of a nuisance than an ally.Denney's brow furrowed with irritation. Why was he ever so impatient? Could the man not pause and spare a moment to consider his actions? Must he always be governed by his impulsive nature, responding always on toes without so much as giving another thought?The carriage barreled toward him with reckless speed, and before it had fully come to a halt, its passenger leaped out with frantic energy. Denney remained still, watching and waiting."Lord Denney!" Featings shouted. He was waving a white envelope wildly in the air. "My Lord, have you seen this? Have you seen the audacity of the king?" He pushed the envelope into Denney's hands. "The king has declared that he would make a classless woman the queen! How long must we sit idly by and watch this travest

For a lifetime, if necessary, he would wait for her to say the words he longed to hear, to admit what he already knew. In the meantime, he would see to her happiness, doing all in his power to see her smile, to hear her laugh, to watch her eyes light up with joy. He would wait for her, as he had always done, because he was certain that one day, when she would no longer be able to deny the feelings that were so plainly written in every look, every touch, every unspoken word between them, she would tell him that she loved him too.Alexander saw Edmund and Reginald approaching from the corridor, bringing a box with them. He took Guinevere's chin and brought his face to hers. "I have always wanted to give you a gift, one that truly befits you."Guinevere arched an eyebrow. "I have no need for more jewelleries or clothes, Alexander.""Good thing I have brought neither." He smirked. Then, taking her shoulders, turned her in the direction of the approaching men. "Edmund?" He called.Edmund s

The ring caught a stray ray of light and gleamed. His chest tightened. Should he have given her a diamond, he thought, a conventional choice as was custom? Or perhaps a ruby, to match her fiery temper? Or maybe a topaz? Its warm golden hues that could have mirrored her hair and fair skin.No. Sapphire was the better choice. It perfectly complemented her eyes, those eyes that captivated him every time he looked into them. They were like the bright, clear sky on a summer's day, full of life and light. He loved the way they glassed over, glistening with concentration when she played the piano, how they brightened, sparkling with excitement when he taught her to fight, and how they blazed when she was angry. He loved her eyes and there was not a single shade they would assume that he did not adore."I am the most fortunate."Alexander snapped the box shut and quickly hid it from sight, startled by the voice. He turned to find his brother standing there, a sly grin on his face."What are y