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At The Castle
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LOVING HER DUKE The King Who Teases
Startled, Gwen looked to Beth, who gave her a subtle nod. She stepped forward. "Gwen. Guinevere Fitzgerald, Your Majesty.""Guinevere." He repeated quietly. "It is a beautiful name."Gwen smiled and bowed. "That is most kind of you Your Majesty."This time, the King exploded with laughter. When he sobered up, he said. "I am many things, but kind?" A chuckle. "Don't trouble your thoughts, I am not. I have never being." To the Duke, he said. "They are quite an amazing bunch, are they not? It seems I will enjoy their stay as much as they will."A look Beth could not decipher flashed through the Duke's face. "It has been a long day for the ladies.""Of course." The King quickly agreed. Still laughing, he waved at someone behind. The kingsman stepped forward. "Have them escorted to their rooms."Before fear could cloud sound judgment, Beth stepped forward. "If I may, Your Majesty." They all turned to her. She clasped her hands. "Forgive my insolence, but can I ask that we be allowed to sha
LOVING HER DUKE Young Prince Brand
Alexander forcefully nudged him. "Whatever made you think I have my eyes on her?"Charles rubbed down his aching shoulder. "The few seconds it took to look away from her." He deadpanned. "Your overstated compliments? Your insincere attention? Need I go on? Stay away from them.""You misinterpret my intent. All I spoke on was her beauty."Charles turned to him. "Best to leave it so."Alexander raised an eyebrow, eyes locked on his. None spoke, both battling for victory, one with exalted position and status, the other, with age. Their body stature gave both leverages, for though an inch shorter than Alexander, Charles was bigger, and without the smile on his face, he was fiercer. But Alexander commanded him. For though friends, their status has done well to set them apart and one under the other. After a few moments, the lips of the King pulled slightly to the right, the silence was broken. "Careful Carlisle," He warned with a drawl. "You are a step away from treason."Charles fisted hi
LOVING HER DUKE Bond Between Brothers
Years had since gone by, but Alexander still wished he had paid no mind to his brother's plea to be at sea when he was eleven. And Charles knew that behind it all, he still blamed himself greatly for the mishap and the unfortunate ordeal Brand had to endure and survive. That guilt still caged him in the dark corner. "Does it hurt at all?"Brand stepped away and wore the eye patch. Alexander, without hesitation, yanked it off and threw it fiercely to the floor. Brand smile flashed, and for a moment, Charles was elated that Alexander could be vexed. "Only when the wind is cold.""Everytime then."Alexander climbed back to the throne. Charles sensed that the argument was drawing to a close. He walked back to them, hands in his pocket. Alexander's countenance was solemn. He blamed himself still and Brand could see it.He climbed after Alexander, and sat on the handle of the throne. The room was completely empty, save the seat of the King, by his order. He had ordered all removed, except wh
LOVING HER DUKE Unfortunately, It's Lord Cossington
She needed no reminders from him, for she remembered how long ago that was. She remembered how her brother had tried his very best to help everyone forget it all, remembered all the unfortunate things that resulted from the events, remembered how his family had humiliated hers. She doubted she would ever forget. And she would never be with him. "Not even if you were the last man in the world." She declared to his face.He didn't look a bit annoyed. "Are you certain? I will be good to you. And I could find a worthy husband for your sister." Beth scoffed. "How about a rendezvous tonight?" He touched her."I think not!" She slapped his hand away from her arm and made to walk away.He grabbed her wrist. "I think so.""Let go of me!""Lady Beth_""Lord of Sorway!" Someone called. They turned.The Duke of Carlisle stood at a distance, hands behind him, the Prince at his side. They walked towards them, feet engaging themselves firmly against the floor, shoes tapping lightly against it. For r
LOVING HER DUKE Stonehenge
Stretching his hand out to her, Charles pulled Lady Beth across a felled tree as they made their way to the Stonehenge, fallen leaves and dried roots crunching noisily underneath their boots. She was no longer wearing the dress she had on at dinner, but instead, a simple dark blue dress that matched the colour of a cold winter night sky. And she had let her hair let down too, the fiery mass cascading down her back like an enraged volcanic eruption. He preferred it that way.Lady Beth held up her gown and followed him quietly, the cold air caressing their cheeks carefully. Charles pointed to the Stonehenge as it came to view, and continued still in silence, until they arrived. "Thank you for dinner tonight." He turned. She looked away, her stance guarded. "For asking the King to say those words in our favour. They comforted Gwen."Charles continued to look, but gestured for her to walk ahead. Having little to no power over the King, he had never asked Alexander to utter such words. Wal
LOVING HER DUKE Family Secrets
Her glistening eyes found his and he saw the conflict in them. She blinked to send back the threatening errant tears, sniffling. Quietly, he waited for her to decide. "Please, you mustn't tell another." It was almost a whisper. He knew not what she intended to reveal, but with a single nod, he promised. She hugged herself and exhaled deeply. "We are not sisters by blood." She revealed.Thoroughly surprised, his eyebrows hitched. "You are not?"Lady Beth nodded. Charles shifted. "Gwen is my family by heart." She searched out his eyes desperately. What was she hoping to find? "She was the daughter of a Duke of Devonfort.""The Duke of Devonfort?" That had been totally unexpected. She nodded. Devonfort was a great Duchy, though not as powerful and vast as his, still it had strength and held quite enough authority. This unexpected tale had him more intrigued than finding out Brand had been kidnapped.Lady Beth ran her hands over her arms, leaving Charles to wonder if she was cold. "Her bi
LOVING HER DUKE Glad To Be Your Friend
Lady Beth turned and jumped, shocked to find him behind her. Charles reached out and caught her, pulling her to himself to prevent a fall. She freed herself quickly and stepped back, creating a few centimetres between them, jumpily rubbing down her skirt. When against all things sensible, he closed in on her again, she made no show of it, even though she had noticed. She cleared her throat. "Mother was friends with the late Duchess, her birth Mother. She brought her home." She said, almost whispering, but Charles was no longer listening.Without much knowledge, night slowly descended upon them as the wind became stronger, the air, colder. In the silent, moonless night, Charles could hear his heart pounding and he knew it had no relation to the cold air. From where he stood, he could almost feel her against him, he only needed to move one foot. They stood like that for a while.Her lips were before him, a breath away from his. When the wind troubled her hair, the mass responded, dancin
LOVING HER DUKE You Are Only Trying To Persuade Yourself
* * *For two days the council meeting ran and on both days, Charles battled to rid himself of the thoughts of Lady Beth. Her hair, the fiery, unruly mass invaded his thoughts over and over again. He wished he had defiled honour and reached out to them as they lay on her back. Wished he had felt how silky they were. Through his distracted thought, he heard someone note on the cost and manpower to push back the bandits and another suggested complete eradication, but Charles didn't care for that, he couldn't care for anything else. Brand had inquired if he was well and truthfully, Charles no longer was sure. On the first day, while the gentlemen discussed the bandits and how best to rid themselves of them, Charles thought continuously of Lady Beth, only coming back to the room when inquired to utter a word of agreement.When the discussion had moved further away from security unto humanitarian works and poverty eradication, Charles was even more uninterested. All that held his interest
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LOVING HER DUKE Epilogue 3
She knew he truly cared for her too. Why would he not tell her he loved her? He had cried when he came to know of their child. He protected her from the scorn of the ton and stayed from her when he thought she wanted freedom from him. To Beth, these were all forms of love. Why then would he then not tell her he loved her? His gaze lifted and their eyes locked. "If I do," he whispered. "I'm afraid I would end up losing you." Her heart slammed, filling once more with love for him. she was absolutely breathless now. She never thought she could love him more. He was broken, broken by the tragedy of his parents. Scared that if he admitted aloud to loving her, she would be lost. But Beth knew better, she knew she would not be, she could never love another nor leave him. She loved the Duke of Carlisle and nothing could change it. He was the one she loved. She saw his fear, that he would become like his father, who gave up love to protect his power and title, leaving behind another importa
LOVING HER DUKE Epilogue 2
* * *Beth gasped as Charles's lips took hers, the familiar sensation sending shivers over her body and a known heat to the core of her being. Her eyes closed. He brushed his mouth back and forth against hers as his hands came to her cheeks. Her nostrils tinged. Surprisingly, he smelt like flowers and tasted like the best sunrise.The pebbles dropped and she clasped his shoulders, pulling closer. The pressure increased. His hand held the back of her head as he fought to pry her lips open. She gave in, the kiss was one of hunger and need and longing. He kissed her as if he had sworn his life to it, never wanting to let go.But when air failed her and she protested. He released her mouth.Beth was reeling from the pressure of the kiss and Charles shared her sentiment. His breathing complimented hers as her lungs fought for enough air to keep her alive, while her head fought for thoughts to keep her sane and in place."Darling?" Charles asked as soon as he could breathe naturally.It had
LOVING HER DUKE Epilogue 1
April 1827The rain had finally given up the challenge and let up to a drizzle, but not before creating obstacles in the form of puddles and broken branches, and hiding the moon from sight. In a bid to destroy, the wind had brought down branches and uprooted trees. The workers and the men who catered to the trees would be quite preoccupied in the days to come.The Carlisle coach pulled through, hurtling down the road at the request of its master, bringing itself home. It struggled against the rocks and branches flung about. In the sky, the flashing lightning and cracking thunder gave a promise of the rain's return. It would again storm terrifically, it said.Albert properly held the flowers picked from Torrence Hall when they had made a brief stop, and the cigars Mr. Danbury had given him at Lanhandron for his Lord. Although he had refused, many times, the man did not adhere to him. Did he think there was another merchant who they went to?Charles held freely onto the safety strap as
LOVING HER DUKE I'll Be Here For You
***Charles had finished with his work and was going to his room, walking the dark halls alone. As soon as Albert had finished attending to him, assisting him change his clothes and putting out his documents in his study, he had sent the man away, needing to remain with his ledgers and work without the hovering presence of an overzealous servant.Over the weeks after his return, he had been sitting with his documents, checking and ascertaining to a fault the works of his solicitors and confirming the progress of his estates.Beth and the builders had, to a large extent, established an edifice and he couldn't be more proud of her. The materials needed for the windows and the doors had already been purchased. On a later day, he would pay the site a visit, but he knew there was nothing to worry about.The bank statements and cheques his solicitors had sent were beautiful. The farms were progressing, the lands had been cleared and prepared for planting. The other estates had been renovate
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
