Page 27 of The White Enchantress

“I would marry him in an instant if he wasn’t head-over-heels in love with you.”

I rolled my eyes hard at that last comment. “Gonna say this one more time. Wes doesn’t love me. He never loved me and he never will love me. Whatever scheme you two are working on together, it’s not going to work. I’m not marrying anyone in three days.”

“What if it was Josh? Would you marry him in three days?”

I blushed, unable to keep my feelings from showing on my face and quickly buried my head in my book.

“So that’s what happened in America. You and Josh finally slept together.”

Breathe, just breathe!

“Guinevere, is this true?” Charlotte gasped as if I was more entertaining than the trash she was watching on the TV.

Breathe, just breathe, 1, 2, 3, 4, dammit, Guin, breathe!

“Guinevere?” Ed was now fully involved in the conversation. I couldn’t ignore him. When I looked up into his face, my expression was all the answer he needed. “Goddamit, Guinevere! How could you be so careless? You are engaged. Engaged to a fine gentleman who will be a wonderful husband. Why would you damage a–”

“Wonderful husband? Wesley is a vile, cruel man who only wants me for what I will inherit. He told me so himself when I.Broke.Up.With.Him.” I emphasized each word dramatically. “Would a wonderful husband slap his wife? Because that’s what he did to me when I told him that I didn’t think we were working out. He doesn’t love me, he doesn’t care for me, he was only using me, and using you too!”

I should have stopped there when I saw my father’s face melt with concern. But I kept going. “Cecily and Wes are obviously playing some kind of fucked up game to ensure my imprisonment. I don’t know what Cecily gets out of this arrangement. MaybeWes has promised her the role of his mistress in exchange for my wedding vows.”

My anger had exceeded boiling point as I finished my rant and reached a level where I couldn’t control the words that came out of my mouth.

“Go to your room, Guinevere, before more fantastical nonsense escapes your enraged mind. And pray that Wesley still wants to marry you after all this.”

“I’m twenty-three, Ed. You can’t make me go to my room. You can’t make me do anything. But I will leave this room because I can’t stand the sight of any of you.”

I stormed out, stomping up the steps and threw myself in my bedroom where I stayed for the next three days. I spent my time texting Josh, calling Josh, thinking of Josh, and fucking Josh when he was able to sneak into the manor.

The night before my wedding, Josh didn’t bother sneaking in. He waltzed through the front door and headed directly to my bedroom, locking the door behind him. I must have looked like an exhausted wreck. Josh didn’t care. He pulled my tear-stained face to his lips, kissing me urgently.

“Will Ed make you marry Wes?” Josh asked after making love to me, holding my naked body against his as we lay in bed.

“I’m not sure. My dad’s wrath has not diluted even an ounce. All he’s heard these last few weeks are words against me from my biggest enemies.”

“Let’s go to America. Tonight. I will go with you. We can run the bed and breakfast together.”

“What? No, you have a life here, Josh. What about your family? And your band?”

“My family can visit. They’d love to come to America. And my band is replaceable.”

“I couldn’t run away from my father. Even though he’s being a fucking asshole. I love him. My mom loved him.”

“I understand. And I think it is the right decision. What do you need me to do?”

“Stay with me tonight, don’t leave my side tomorrow. And don’t let me get married.” I laughed at my last command. There was no way in hell I was going to marry Wes. I would make it as far as the aisle, then I’d run.

“You got it, love.” Josh winked, offering me a smile that brightened up his moody face and made my heart burst with happiness.

If I had run away with Josh, I’m not sure if I would have been able to patch things up with my dad. Our relationship would have been ruined. I could care less about the inheritance. I didn’t want to lose my dad.

The decision to stay was one I don’t regret. But if I had gone to America with Josh, we would be together now. I would have a chance to mend my relationship with my dad, a sliver of a chance. I can’t decide which is better: life with Josh, estranged from my family or having my father’s love back but lost in time and unable to get back home.

I sigh loudly, thinking about the mess I left behind, that would happen 1500 years from now. My sigh makes Lancelot turn around on his saddle, giving me a quick glance. I must have a distressed look on my face because his softens at the sight of me. He slows down the pace of his horse, falling back to ride alongside me.

“What is the matter, my lady?” Lancelot asks, his brow raised in concern.

“Nothing,” I huff aloud. But my insides scream,I’m tired, I have to pee, I’m aching all over, I miss Ed and Leo and Uncle Al. I just want to go home. I miss Josh so fucking much, and I’m so fucking horny!

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