"Your Ladyship." The butler, Thomas, ran out to meet her as she alighted her carriage. He bowed fully. "How do you do this beautiful morning?" The man was beaming.Marjorie returned his smile. "After the note your Lord made you send to me, I am doing more than fine. And I see you are as joyous too." His smile brightened."His Grace has left the grounds. He rides for the castle. He has been quite busy since his return.""I came upon him this morning. My carriage met his as he was leaving and he told me your Lady remains abed.""Yes, Doctor Lockhart's said she is well enough to continue her daily activities but His Grace asked that she rest a lot and eat a lot. I am to visit the building site in her stead today."Contrary to people's words, her son was a kind man, only he never let it show. Or was he only kind to his wife? "Take me to her. I can hardly wait."Marjorie walked down the halls of Carlisle Crest, marching briskly to meet her daughter in law as she followed after Thomas. Her
Touching Beth's chest, she continued. "It is easy to let go of here. The harder part is letting go of here." She touched her temple. "If you trust your husband, it is high time you let him know. That is the true definition of love."Beth nodded and smiled. It was bright, bright and true, just like her. "I enjoy spending time with you. You always know the right things to say.""Then pay more visits to Torrence Hall. I have been told I have the spirit of a sage."Beth laughed as Marjorie had intended her to. The sound was beautiful. She had always wondered what it was that made her son let himself go to her, that made him free himself into her control. It wasn't her laughter nor her beauty. It was not fortune nor family status either. It was the woman herself. Beth was true and she gave her truth in her smile."Indeed you do. Thank you."She patted her chin and with affection, pinched her cheek. "You are most welcome." Suddenly the atmosphere was no longer gloomy. Marjorie inhaled and e
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