"I have no thorough affections for her. Just lust."
Alexander stared, marvelling at his brother's indecisiveness. How difficult was it to allow one's heart the freedom of love? He had loved Guinevere from the moment he saw her and from that moment, he had declared it even when she refused it. Their journey had been long and tiring, but the day she told him she loved him as well, had been particularly rewarding.
He imagined Brand could not forgive Miss Stanhope for her deceit, but he reckoned love would be enough. It had been enough for him to forsake Guinevere's true heritage and the sin of her birth father. Perhaps his brother did not esteem love as he did.
"Send her away quickly then, so that no one would know of the child."
Brand turned fiercely and he smiled. His brother had bitten on his bait.
"I cannot do that. How can you ask me to abandon my own child? He would be a bastard."
