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“Because I wasn’t ready,” I clarified

“You aren’t ready because I haven’t made you ready,” Branford said definitively “So it was my decision and my responsibility”

“I e Camden,” I whispered

“Again, because I didn’t prepare you properly”

“You were angry about the carriage driver,” I finally said

Branford’s fingers tensed against my shoulders

“Yes, I was I can only hope it was an accident, and I didn’t let a traitor live because you felt sorry for him”

“A traitor?”

“Yes, a traitor,” Branford growled

“I only lost my balance,” I said quietly

“Which would not have happened if he had kept his horses still,” Branford insisted “I’ain, I will not stop at your whim”

I tensed at his harsh words and felt Branford’s hand stop at the lower part ofmy hair

“I’…in what you need from me”

“Alexandra, I don’t understand”

The door to therooroan as Ida walked into the bedroom, stood at the very end of the bed, and put her hands on her hips

“Ida, for the love of God, you can’t just walk in here any at his sister He pulled the blanket up overme from view

“I thought you ht like , obviously not concerned about her intrusion “Good , Alexandra”

I h she h the blankets

“I’ht,” Ida said, “since the first one was obviously a coood one, and since I’o to Sawyer in two days, it will have to be tonight Mother said it would be a good way to introduce Alexandra to the court officially, anyway”