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A Different Lord Carlisle

Author: Psalm Matonni
last update Last Updated: 2024-10-29 19:42:56

The trees were now naked and the hill dry and devoid of grass, but from where they stood, it did seem familiar. It couldn't be. It was… She spun to him at once, excited. "This was the hill I ended up on the morning we first met!" His lips twitched. "How can this be? I do not remember this path."

"That was the path you took." He pointed through the evergreens.

Beth searched through. She couldn't make it out but he said it was, it had to be. She did remember seeing a bolder as she climbed after ridding herself of his presence. Unsatisfied, she ambled closer to the path he had pointed and saw the bolder. "You are right! It is the path!" She yelled out to him. Then, "The estate can be accessed through here too?!" She returned to the ledge.

"It is pretty far, don't you think?"

"Not if I were a bandit or a poacher." She shook her head. "What silly words I have uttered. I am sure Carlisle Crest is well secured." Beth adjusted her hat. It did not need adjusting.

"I came here that day hoping t
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  • LOVING HER DUKE   Start Overs

    He studied it for a moment. First his palm then the back of his hand. "No. This was an accident."Beth smiled. "You are very loyal to him.""He is loyal to me." He took a heavy sip."And to his brother." She drank from her glass. "Loyalty? Is that why he refuses anyone calling the Prince his half-brother?Lord Carlisle shrugged. "Perhaps it is for Brand's sake. Perhaps not. He wouldn't tell." He reached out his hand, feeling the strands of her hair. It took the entirety of her will and her nerve not to flinch or lean from him.He moved closer to her, lying on one elbow. Tension caused the hair on her nape to rise. Lord Carlisle looked up slowly. "Why was that day sad?" His voice was soft like silk and the tone impossibly intimate."What?" Her gaze skidded to his face and darted away. Surely he must know how he was affecting her. He couldn't be oblivious to it. It felt like it was what he intended. "What day?" She breathed out.He twisted a few strands around his fingers. "The day you

  • LOVING HER DUKE   I Want To See Your Smile

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  • LOVING HER DUKE   Let Me Protect You, Bethany

    It was almost a command but Beth didn't dare disobey. She rushed to the chair adjacent to his. "You are here.""You promised to spend the day in my company. The day is not over."Beth was overwhelmed with shame. She had acted without culture, acted like a terrible drunk who would overindulge at the sight of good wine. "I am terribly sorry. I do not know what came over me." She dropped her head, biting her lips. "I behave so badly."It was a good thing she could not see his face. It must be filled with scorn if not downright disappointment.A switch and a small light came on. A small flickering fire. "I thought your behaviour was endearing." Beth raised her head. "It was adorable." He put out the light.Was he drunk too? "You_ you think my behaviour ad_adorable?" Every word was laced with unbelief."Is it so unbelievable?"It was! "I would think you would detest it.""That is a stupid thought." The light flickered on again and he blew it out. "Tell me, do you mumble in your sleep?"Tak

  • LOVING HER DUKE   He Was In Command Of Her

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  • LOVING HER DUKE   Amassing Gossip

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  • LOVING HER DUKE   The Carlisle Christmas Ball

    "I heard a rumour in town today that you are to oversee the Duke's new project.""Lord Carlisle is so amazing." She drawled.Beth sent her a glare she wasn't sure she was capable of. "Yes, it is true." Was the lady acting coy thinking about her husband?"You work?" One asked."How belittling!" They exclaimed. "Still I understand. You must earn your keep."Beth scoffed. They were despicable! Their words hurt as soon as they left their mouths and their smiles made it even more annoying as they insulted her in subtle ways. She had since grown tired and could no longer indulge them. What was the upper-class revulsion for 'work'? If allowed, she would work as much as she could. It was better than sitting around whispering about people.And did they dismiss her family as poor and out of fortune? They were right, but how could they say such to her face? The gentry was beyond harsh."It is a pleasant ball, by the way.""Do enjoy it to the fullest." She said and left them, having had her fill

  • LOVING HER DUKE   Your Power Over My Son

    "You know, in the years since the accident, I have not seen my son truly happy, until you became a part of his life." Beth turned to her. She was smiling, looking at a jolly couple, dancing vibrantly to everyone's amusement. "It is an amazement how you do it.""I do nothing."She scoffed. "You do not know what cosmic power you have over my son. When you do find out, use it to the uttermost. You have my blessing." She patted her hand.Beth was dumbfounded. Cosmic power over Lord Carlisle? There was none. On the contrary, he was the one whose breath commanded her heart. "My Lady…" She was interrupted."I have known Harriet since the moment my late husband declared her Charles's betrothed." Beth's heart slammed. "But I have never seen her elicit any emotion from him." She met her gaze. "You are a beautiful woman with an even kinder soul, Beth. I am glad you are his wife."The words warmed her over."You are a loving mother and as kind as your words. Lord Carlisle is fortunate to have you

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    She held footsteps and a voice, it came from the other side of the shrub."She is very bold I tell you, walking around as though she belonged here."Beth put her hand over her mouth. She did not know others would venture this far into the yard. She would quietly depart so as not to unwillingly eavesdrop. "I am as stunned. Lady Carlisle? Quite the jest!" Beth went still. They were talking about her."I heard her family is far from poor. They are destitute."A chuckle. "Maybe not anymore. She has made the perfect fool of Lord Carlisle. Surely, they must enjoy his generosity now.""How dare they refer to Lord Carlisle with such disrespect?!"How could he have ever believed she was pregnant? This is the fourth month of their marriage, is it not? She is still not showing." They were keeping count? Beth leaned on the wall.The voice lowered. "Maybe she lost the child?""What great fortune then."Beth was aghast. Her hand involuntarily went to her stomach to protect the child that wasn't th

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  • LOVING HER DUKE   I'll Be Here For You

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  • LOVING HER DUKE   A Final Goodbye

    Beth searched for his emotion, searching to see if he truly was not angry. He wasn't. She turned her away, letting her eyes wander around. The sky was dark and save for the fire, it was all darkness. The wind blew, whispering to the fire, troubling it, and against her skin, causing goosebumps to rise. She sighed. It was warmer at the foot of the hill.How were they on the hill?!"We were standing by the foot of the hill." She mumbled to herself.Eric heard her. "Now, we are here, atop it. Isn't life wonderful?"It was. Wonderful and unpredictable. The grim feeling rose again, and Beth felt uncertain about the future, but she was almost sure of the disaster waiting to happen."Eric, we should not be here." She held his wrist. "This hill_"He cut her off. "What about the hill?" When his smile surfaced, it was one of melancholia. Beth had the silent feeling that he knew of what was to come but would not prevent it. Was he not afraid of it? Was he not scared for the future?If he was not,

  • LOVING HER DUKE   Seeing Eric Again

    "Beth. Beth!" Someone was whispering, calling out to her. The voice was close by, as though the caller was by her side, but also like they were afar off. It was a familiar voice. Beth stirred in her sleep, refusing to pay attention to the call, choosing rather to dive deeper into the world of sweet subconsciousness and unawareness."Bethany wake up, it's morning." The voice called again. She turned, pulling the covers higher as she allowed the darkness continuous hold on her tighten. The comfortable sleep carried her and she liked it. She enjoyed it.But the familiar voice would not relent. "Wake up, sister." It called again. She turned away from it, drowning it out. The bed covers wrapped perfectly around her, helping her remain where she was, far from the voice.Again, it called. "Wake up!!!" The caller shook her, forcing her to regain consciousness. She refused but he was as stubborn as her, finally she gave in. Annoyed enough, Beth forced her eyes open.The room was dark at first,

  • LOVING HER DUKE   The Perfect End To The Perfect Night

    ***Beth stayed with Lady Marjorie who was as excited as a church mouse and the group, laughing gaily at the jokes of Lord Witte. When it broke, she walked with Peter Sinclair, Lord Witte's son-in-law, before excusing herself, telling that her feet were tired and she needed to sit. She walked away to the fountain and sat herself down.The water was beautiful and golden due to the lamps set up about the place. It beckoned and she answered. Her fingers played lightly over the surface of the water and her contact with it caused ripples, distorted and obedient to the slow movement. The lines formed and swept silently by, but before they could scatter she would create yet another set of lines. It was a nonsensical act but it was fun for her, at least for the moment.The Willowbrook sisters had scared her with their words but it had made her receive a promise from Charles, a promise that everyday made life beautiful. Her words to their mother had been true. There was nothing to forgive. The

  • LOVING HER DUKE   She Is Brave

    Beth shook her head. "No." She giggled. "Not too long ago, they saw me as a seductress and a thief. Soon they would see me as Bethany, and even if they don't, I am satisfied with being Lady Carlisle, after all Lord Carlisle is my husband, is he not? I would no more care for how people see me, it is their choice but I would demand my honour, it is my right."She was different. She was bolder. What had happened to the timid woman who was angry at the too quick a marriage and the new home she was to own and manage? The same who would always turn her away at every visit? Marjorie liked this woman. She was good for Charles. She was good for the Duchy. She was good for herself. Like this, she could face society and win even though many people still held contempt against her.She was brave."You are braver than I am and I consider myself quite brave. Marrying John was one of the greatest joys of my life, but there were days I was forced to regret it."The same people who bowed to her now, se

  • LOVING HER DUKE   Seen Only As Lady Carlisle Now

    ***Marjorie turned her head at every approaching carriage, hoping it to be the one from Carlisle Crest. They had not promised to be in attendance but she hoped they would, seeing as they had not rejected the invitation either. She wanted them to be more aligned with the ton and her ways, even if just a little bit. It was alright to have one's dealings, but society had some rules and breaking so many of them l might lead to not being accepted or worse invited to its norms and functions ever again. She knew Charles didn't care for societal rules but she did, and perhaps Beth might too and it would be cruel to steal it from the young woman.Mrs. Blackwell, Jacob Blackwell's new and older wife, waved to her and she waved in return. They did not run in the same circle but she was a nice woman who, like her, had defiled society and married the man she loved. When Mrs. Blackwell invited her in with a gesture, she refused and gesticulated back, saying she would be in the open area in a matte

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