Gaze Quote by Josie Litton

““Get out,” Alex said and raised a hand, summoning a guard. “But my lord,” Byron protested even as he stared with alarm at the man advancing on him. “I meant no harm! I hold Lord Hawkforte in the highest possible esteem, as I do you all, most especially Her Highness, the Princess Kassandra. It was only with thought for her tender concern and wishing to prevent her from hearing this from a source less simpatico that I-“ It would never occur to Alex to repeat an order nor would there be any reason for him to do so. The door was opened and Byron was through it, his legs tangling in the air as he was unceremoniously ejected. Scarcely had he gone than Kassandra was in the hall, beseeching her brother. “I must go with you! For pity’s sake, do not say otherwise. I cannot sit here waiting to know-“ He looked at her just a touch oddly. “Of course you can’t. I’ll get a carriage brought round while you dress. Only hurry.” A few months before, he would have insisted she remain where she was while he handled the matter. But between then and now lay a world of change. She had ceased to be the protected princess of the royal house and emerged instead as a woman of maturity and grace. She would need both as she rushed upstairs and began pulling on the first gown that came to hand. Fortunately, it was a simple day dress and she was able to manage the buttons down the back without great difficulty. She had just finished the last when Joanna hurried in. She, too, had dressed hastily. Brianna, who had accompanied them back in England, came right behind, holding Amelia. “You’re ready?” Joanna asked. She was pale but composed. Kassandra nodded. “You know?” “I woke when Alex went to see what was happening. Should we thank Byron or throttle him? He is hardly the most reliable source yet if there is anything to what he says-“ “We will find out for ourselves,” Kassandra concluded.””

— Josie Litton