To Thine Own Self

"Carmen!" she gasped. "You look absolutely stunning!" She eyed Carmen's dress appreciably and smiled. "I've never seen you in anything so ..." She paused, obviously reconsidering what she was about to say.

"Stylish?" Carmen supplied.

Candice blushed. "Flattering," she amended. "That wasn't very nice, I guess, but you always tried to hide your figure - though I can't for the life of me figure out why."

Actually, she had never tried to hide her figure. She simply wore what her mother sewed for her. If she had cared about fashion, it might have been an issue. It still didn't matter unless she wanted to please Alex - or Katie.

A tall man joined Candice and she turned to him.

"This is my husband, Donald. Donald, this is Carmen Pulock ... umm, I mean ... what is your name now? I heard you got married."

"Barnett." Carmen glanced up as Alex joined her. "This is my husband, Alex."

Alex glanced at Donald as he offered a hand to Candice. When his gaze shifted to Candice, he stiffened, his expression becoming wary.

Candice had started to lift her hand, but it froze as she stared at him. When she found her voice, it fairly dripped with sarcasm.

"Well, if it isn't the reluctant prince of Medena Castle."

Donald's perplexed gaze went from Candice to Alex and then finally sought Carmen. No doubt he had no idea what his wife was talking about.

Alex continued to hold out his hand until Candice accepted it.

"I'm sorry," she said to Alex without explaining her comment.

A few years ago Carmen wouldn't have had a clue what Candice was talking about. Now she knew Candice was referring to the Medena hacienda and Alex's reluctance to inherit. What she still didn't know was how Candice knew and why it annoyed her.

At that moment the band began playing. Carmen turned to Alex.

"I think I'd like to dance now."

Alex immediately offered an arm and escorted her to the dance floor. As he drew her into the circle of his arms, she followed his steps, wrapping her arms around his neck. She met his bewildered gaze and wrinkled her nose."

"Don't pay any attention to miss snooty-face. I think she's jealous."

The smile came so quickly that it seemed the dimple arrived first. He shook his head, his smile becoming wry again.

"The only thing she feels for me is distain. I'm not sure which of my sins she considers worst - being a Medena offspring or refusing my heritage."