After a while. "You intend to make her your wife?""Only if she agrees."A pause. "And if she refuses?"He hated Carlisle. Why asked such a negative question? To push him away? He scoffed. His heart was set on the beautiful blond lady the moment they walked into his courtroom. How glad he had been when Carlisle told of his interest in the other sister."Would you force her if she refuses?"He would not. "Brand had better prepare himself for the throne."Surprise flitted across Carlisle's face and Brand choked. He did not give a single mind."Surely, brother, you are in jest." Brand said, wiping his mouth. "For a woman, are you considering the possibility of not bearing sons? Of not bearing heirs?"He turned to his brother. "The future is uncertain."He was not in jest. There was something about her, something that pulled him and like Carlisle, he was unsure if he was making the right decision, but he would nevertheless. It was better to fail than to not try at all. He was not a poltro
As soon as Beth opened her eyes the next day, she smiled. She woke up tired and free-minded, but greatly satiated. The morning sun shone down on the mansion through the windows, illuminating the room. Her body hummed as she stretched to relieve herself of the vibrations of her nerves, an aftermath of the previous night's activities. Charles had exhausted her greatly and she was quite sure he did not feel any guilt whatsoever. Of course, he would feel no guilt.Her eyes searched about the room. Where was he? Where had he gone to? Was she alone in the room?She turned, bringing the covers higher up her body as her smile became sheepish. There was nothing in particular to smile at, and when she chuckled, there was no humour. Her cheeks turned pink as her thoughts revisited the events of the previous night.His fingers in her, his lips all over her, his command to keep her eyes on him and his look of satisfaction when they raptured together. Her smile broadened. He was making her a shamel
Returning her eyes outside, through the window, her gaze fell upon a few sheep and goats grazing on the open plain and her heartbeat increased again. They really were there now. Why was she so afraid to meet her family? Beth closed her eyes and let her head bob against the carriage wall with each uneven drive the Coachman took.She had abandoned Charles's command, Thomas's plea and Anna's fear, and rode out to Rosethorn Hill that morning. Beth had yet to visit her relatives since she was married and it broke her heart that her first visit had to be because she must, not because she had to. Visiting them was socially correct and that she hadn't was socially insulting. And it was even more insulting because they were her relatives.Beth sighed."We are here." Anna informed a few minutes later, drawing her attention to the edifice ahead.The carriage approached Rosethorn Mansion and Beth looked up ahead. The rose bushes and vines had reestablished themselves, growing well upon the walls
"What if we got her married in less than a fortnight?" Uncle Fitzwilliam said. Beth turned immediately as did everyone in the room. "We could get her married, then the King would not be able to bring her to the castle.""What?" Aunt Marrily uttered, as shocked as the other women in the room.Father rubbed his chin, thinking. "Mr Richmond did come calling, asking about her."Beth sat up, pushing back her unease. "The travelling merchant?" The same who had been interested in her? Who, before Charles's arrival, had asked for her hand? "Father, why would the travelling merchant ask of her? Why would you even consider this?""He is a good man.""He did ask for my hand once, did he not? And now he is chasing after Gwen, and you still consider him a good man? Is he so desperate to be a part of our family?" She was sitting on the edge of her seat.Her father blinked. "He is a good man because he gave up promptly."Beth scoffed. "No contracts had been drawn and he never could have gone against
Beth remained in the carriage long after they had arrived at Torrence Hall. The carriage had suddenly become so comfortable she did not want to go anywhere else, not even to meet Lady Marjorie who she was calling on.They had been on their way back to Carlisle Crest when she had decided on Torrence Hall. At Rosethorn Hill after Gwen and her parents had set out for the castle, she had bid her relatives goodbye and headed for home, before suddenly asking the coachman, Edgar, to drive towards Torrence Hall. She needed someone else to talk to, someone unaffected by the decree of the king, someone who was as quippy as her Aunt Marrily and as emotional as her mother. But upon arrival, Beth suddenly did not want to converse with anyone. She wanted to sit and stare at perfect nothingness, maybe stare on until her eyes would grow tired and close of their own accord then Anna would order the carriage home. She leaned her head against the velvety wall.She could not tell them. She had not been a
***As soon as the carriage stopped at Torrence Hall, Charles waved Gilbert away when he came running to meet him and sent Albert with him, then with as much time in the world, he walked towards his mother's garden where he was sure he would find her. Lady Marjorie spent more time in a garden than he spent away from any party or soiree, tilling the soil or snipping at a flower ripe enough to be put in a vase. There were days she would simply sit with the flowers, breathing in the fragrant air and watching the vibrant colours.Rather than take the simpler path, he decided to walk through the halls. Portraits and memories of his childhood filled the walls. He wished his mother would let go of her undying wish to see him smile. He was not who he once was, that boy was long gone. She should rather focus on her duties as Carlisle's Dowager Duchess and her flowers. When Charles finally reached the threshold where her garden was, his feet stopped of their own accord. He heard a laughter he w
***There was a time when the sky held beauty, but would lack charm, when breakfast would be delicious but would lack the ability to entice, when music created an appealing sound but did not excite, and the brightest smile of the most beautiful debutante would not be enough to brighten the day, nor lift his mood. There had been a time when there was nothing to look forward to.Nothing to thrill, until Beth.The vast land continued out after them and with each step they took, it gained power and its emptiness gave solitude. Winter had made the land dry and brown, but as spring brought itself forward, the dryness gave rise to a flourishing on the grass only the men who worked the land could ever describe. The grass under their feet was slowly regaining its green and welcoming every movement they made. Beth allowed him to lead her without a question nor a doubt, following him as he walked farther down.Her hands were warm in his and he revelled in the feel of it as she trailed beside him
Beth was in the crowd, talking and laughing with everyone she saw and was introduced to.As soon as they arrived at Stonewall House, his mother barely waited for him to assist Beth down from the carriage before whisking her from his hand. She went about introducing his wife to all who cared to listen and even to those who did not, like they were clueless. Many people bowed to her and lingered a while to converse, while some others accorded her the respect due her title and left without wishing to be held in any form of discussion. As long as they did not become as foolish as Lady Cossington, overlooking her status and vexing him, he would not bother to care. Even fools were entitled to their beliefs.She was smiling brightly as she always did, standing still with his mother speaking now with Lord Witte, Lady Witte and a younger fellow Charles had not seen before. The older man continued to talk, moving his arms in emphasis, gesticulating even with the hand that held his wine glass, pl