Beth was regretting it. Agreeing to the visit, she was regretting it. She hadn't agreed to it. She was forced into it, coaxed into it, emotionally blackmailed into it.As he had promised, the Duke arrived at Rosethorn Hill at dawn, and without a moment to spare, her Aunt shoved them into the waiting carriage, bidding them farewell, telling them to enjoy the moments as they came. Gwen and Lucy were beyond themselves with joy, which irked Beth to the highest heavens. She wished they would stop for a moment and see how manipulative the Duke was.The carriage ride to the Castle was quiet and tense. Except for the snickers and occasional giggles from the younger girls, Beth felt like she had walked into a dark tunnel and as the ride became longer, the feeling only increased, the tunnel quickly becoming one without an end. When he looked at her, she had quickly thanked him for his invitation - forced as it had been - and settled into a corner. Occasionally, Gwen – or Lucy – would tap or sho
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
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
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
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
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
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
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