She lifted her head, surprised he had heard her. The moonlight danced on her face again. Flustered, she said. “By my standards, I am. I am quite a meticulous being.” She turned to him and tried to make out his face but the light from behind made her effort fruitless. Somehow, he stood on the spot where she couldn’t see him, maybe on purpose. “I can't handle alcohol well,” she continued, “but tonight I am on the bridge, questioning if to cross.” She smacked her lips and whispered. “Maybe I will. That might just be enough for Aunt Marrily to leave me be.”“You don’t enjoy parties? Or is it this particular ball you are against?” He drank from his glass.She thought for a moment. “This ball is amazing, and parties are wonderful, but my ever-forward and free-spirited Aunt has introduced me to every gentleman in that room.” She threw her head in the direction of the ballroom. “I think I have had my fair share for a lifetime.”“That cannot be true.” She turned to him. “You weren’t introduced
This time she laughed lightly, her hand still over her mouth. “I suppose one does, for your sake.” She leaned again on the railing, this time, putting up enough distance between them. “The view from up here is beautiful.”She commented, he said nothing. After a while, “You are Carlisle.” He looked to her. “On the hill, why did you say you were an only child?”He looked away. “Because I am. ““You mentioned both parents. You only have a Mother.”Nothing.Maybe she had been rude. The silence that followed was at first unnerving and scary, but soon it brought comfort, as they listened to the music flowing in from the ballroom and the gay laughter of men and women. Beth closed her eyes and nodded her head slowly to the beat, enjoying it as much as she couldn’t when she was in the ballroom. The breeze swayed the garden's trees again, but she was content enough to not care about anything.He tapped the railing twice. “How is your wound?”She opened her eyes. “What wound?”“From this morning.
She inclined her head, struggling to keep her emotions at bay. “Hate is a strong word.”“And yet not strong enough to convey the feelings you harbour against him.” She looked away, shaken that he could see through her. “Did he pursue you with dishonourable intentions?”“No!” She wished it had been her. He should have pursued her so.“Were you abandoned at the altar?” He threw his cigar to the ground and crushed it.She exhaled deeply. “Please, Your Grace, It was nothing of the sort. Believe me.” His hoarse voice, rather than annoy her with the badger of questions like the morning before, appeased her for he wasn’t a sycophant trying to please. And why should he try to please her? He was higher than her in wealth, status and in every possible way.When she lifted her head, he was walking closer, she oddly stepped back, unsure of the reason for her action. He stopped and said. “I am intrigued. What was it?”“Please, Your Grace, I mean no disrespect, but I would rather not dwell on that
The sound of the opening door woke Charles from his sleep. With the interval balance of the footsteps, coupled with the implicit knowledge that none other would visit his bedroom without his permission, especially when he was in, he knew right away that it was Albert, his valet.Charles opened his eyes slightly and saw the young man pulling back the curtains. "Did she make it?" His voice was broken from sleep and almost inaudible.Albert was startled. "Your Grace, I am sorry to disturb your sleep. I only wanted to draw back the curtains." He bowed.Charles turned to lay supine, ignoring the apology. "Black? How is she?"Albert stood upright, held his hands together. "As was feared, Your Grace, she passed away last night. The stable hand said it was painless and peaceful."The covers fell to his hips as he sat up. Albert quickly rushed to him, picking up his robe and helping him put it on. "Death is never painless. Peaceful maybe, but who has discovered it out?" He rose and walked to t
He closed his eyes and exhaled sharply, enjoying the warmth of her tender hand to his face. "I do not. If I did, I wouldn't be marrying her, would I?""Do not think me a fool or one oblivious to how you address her with such distance. You did not treat your mistresses with as much distance as you treat her." Charles almost scoffed. What did she know about his past mistresses? She touched his shoulder. "You do not hate her nor do you share affection with her." She stated.He didn't reply. It was known to all that his relationship with Lady Cossington was simply for power and to honour his Father's wish, to do his Father's bidding. For the sake of dignity and his Father's honour, he had remained engaged to her for four years.Four years! Charles thought. It had been long enough. He had postponed it enough in the hopes that he would finally get a reason, whatever it may be, to not live by the wish of his father. Or maybe deep down, he hoped that the Cossingtons would ask that the engagem
* * *Beth did not say anything, she couldn't say a word. Time and again, she had found herself rendered speechless by the Duke of Carlisle. His words and the look in his eyes held her in place and time; she was stuck in the particular moment. It was a miracle she could breathe at all.When she had left Rosethorn Hill – her relative's home – for his, she had promised herself that she would not be entertained or marvel at whatever she would see, but as the Duke's coach drew closer to his home, she couldn't help herself; its size and beauty were breathtaking. For although she had visited it the night before, seeing it in daylight, though not materialistic, Beth thought one had to be happy simply working there. Tightly, she had clenched her dress in both fists, trying to hold on to her resolve but she had known it was a losing battle.The halls, as the butler had led her in, were even more amazing to behold than she had thought. And when she saw the portraits and the paintings of running
"Very well then." To the serving maids, he nodded for them to proceed.And they did, placing first a large portion of cold meat on each plate, making Beth's eyes bulge. Then came the cheese, bread, mashed potatoes and dried tomatoes. They poured coffee for the Duke and upon request, tea for Beth, before bowing and leaving the room.Beth exhaled. "I never imagined this to be your breakfast."In the process of picking up his cutlery, he paused. "Why? Is it not to your liking?" He looked at her plate. "I can ask for a fresh plate for you."Quickly she objected. "No no. By my words, I meant that your breakfast is to a certain degree… heavy." His eyebrow hitched. She looked at the plate and again at him. "If I eat like this everyday, I'm afraid I'll become lazy. God forbid I become slothful, or worse, fat." She raised her head in time to catch the slight twitch of his lips.He picked his cutlery and began to cut away at the meat. "Breakfast is my most important meal. Much obliged to than a
Covering her face in frustration, she groaned. She would refuse him now and whatever it was he was offering, that would be best, she finally concluded. Walking once more and back to him, she said. "I appreciate your hand of friendship, but I am afraid I would not be able to afford being your friend."He was staring again. "Whatever do you mean by that?""I cannot be your friend. I am grateful for the breakfast and the invitation to visit the Castle with you, even more grateful for inviting my sister and my cousin, but I must decline on their behalf and mine.""You are refusing me." He simply stated.She bowed fully. "I apologize if I am being rude." She dared to look him in the eyes. He wasn't amused, nor was he enraged, his face held no expression. Beth didn't know what to do after. With a slight stutter, she said. "I should leave now."No reply. The Duke stood before her, watching her. His gaze made it difficult for her to meet his eyes. They were intent upon her and her cheeks were