The glass in his hand remained untouched still.
Brand moved to stand at the dais beside his brother as he had done in time past. Rather than escaping the eager women sent from his mother, he simply stood there out of habit.
His body remained in dutiful attendance, but his gaze had long since betrayed him to her.
Madelyn remained precisely where Lady Carlisle had taken her, although alone now. Her companions had each gone to find dance partners. Her eyes played about the room, searching and enjoying the sight while he pleasured his with the wholeness of her.
A sudden movement caught his attention. A couple of young lords debated amongst themselves, pointing in her direction. Were they seeking to ask her to dance? His fingers tightened faintly about the stem of his glass.
When his eyes returned to Madelyn, she was no longer alone. The queen moved to her side.
"She draws the eye, does she not?" Alexander asked mildly, looking in the direction he was.
