Lady Fitzgerald was the daughter of a land baron with humble means of living, whose sister had married Carlisle only the year before. How had she managed to captivate his brother, to cause a turmoil to a man who had never cared for anything else except him and the kingdom? He was not jealous of Alexander's growing affection for the lady. After all, Alexander was king and needed to produce heirs, and it would be all the better if it was with a woman he shared affection with, but he was confounded nonetheless.
When they had visited the castle, Brand had noticed Alexander's behaviour toward the lady to be more than mere teasing. He was almost certain that, for her sake, he had convinced Carlisle to marry the elder sister after compromising her.
He watched him now, seated across from him. His brother had never been known to hesitate when he wanted something. He was like an unrelenting greyhound. Why hesitate now?
