* * *Beth was as excited as her mare who was eager to cover more ground and would canter ahead of Lord's Carlisle's black gelding. Her reins had to be pulled multiple times to stay her so Beth and Lord Carlisle could ride side-by-side. Lord Carlisle did not seem to mind.The horizon was perfect, the sky was beautiful and the path had been recently cleared. Even though the trees stripped naked by the winter did not compliment it enough, the view was wonderful to behold. Some evergreen laid to the right of their path and Beth could smell them from where they were.The day was cold as expected, but the sun was warm on her face. Winter was kind to Carlisle and she enjoyed it greatly. Her horse tried to increase its pace again but Beth declined with a quick pull of the reins."She is eager." Lord Carlisle said from beside her. He directed his horse and bumped into hers. The mare neighed, complaining. Beth laughed."Well, I intend to enjoy every moment of this day. She should be my ally."
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
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
If all could be well as this, why had they spent months away from each other? Why had he spent time brooding and she locked away in the library? If she could, Beth wanted to tell him all the truth about her and be done with it, so no dark cloud could ever ruin their perfect days.She had left Westside Manor with a heavy heart, scared for her life here at Carlisle Crest that she had hidden away in her books and from the ton and their social gatherings. And from Lord Carlisle.But now, her heart felt light and the world floated with a wonderful ambiance. Lord Carlisle made her feel wonderful. He had asked if she preferred books to him. Few minutes ago, she had not been certain, she was now. Beth realized she would rather stay with him than live in any library.…tell him what troubles you.Anna's voice loomed close. Beth allowed her eyes to go to Lord Carlisle but he was looking elsewhere. He was looking at her hair. The man seemed to be obsessed with her red locks.…you say he would lis
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
At nine o'clock the next day, Beth went with Lord Carlisle to the administration office to meet with the solicitors, the head builder and the architect. She was eager to begin management of the project he let her in charge.She sat at the head of the table while Lord Carlisle resigned to a seat at the corner of the room.The head builder, Mr. Henry, was a kind man who was not prejudiced to her being a woman unlike the solicitor who had thought she had come for more money for the ball, or the architect who subtly told that she was not refined enough to understand his drawings on paper.Lord Carlisle remained silent in the corner, quietly smoking his cigar though his eyes remained on them.Regardless of their judgmental eyes boring into her flesh, Beth went ahead to make a number of changes she deemed for the project. She countered and rejected whilst agreeing to as many as possible."My Lady, this is not a ball. This is a building."She felt insulted. "I am well aware of that fact, Mr.
Beth was in dismay, uncertain how she had spoken the words she had only of recent admitted to herself.Anna shrieked, laying her hand over her mouth to hush herself. She was graciously joyful. "My Lady, that is great news!"Beth clasped her hands. "You mustn't tell anyone. Do you hear me, Anna? No one must learn of this." She must trust her more than she knew. Still, she should have kept her mouth in better inspection.Anna became sober. "No one?""No one." Beth reiterated."Lord Carlisle too?"Especially Lord Carlisle! She would not have him bothered by her emotions. She wished he would, but he need not reciprocate it. She would not receive untrue affections from him."Even if he must, Anna I…"A knock interrupted them. Hesitantly, Anna strode to the door and opened it to let in Albert. He entered and bowed.She acknowledged him. "Albert.""His Grace has asked for your presence. Her Ladyship, the Dowager Duchess, and your aunt, Lady Gallagher, have arrived. They are in the Red Room."
"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