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Up A Hill
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2024-10-29 19:42:56September 1826
Beth quickened her pace as the footfalls behind closed in on her, running up the rough road with strength she had no idea she possessed, her heart in her mouth. At six ‘o’clock in the morning, Beth suddenly realized, much to her chagrin, that Carlisle might not be the safest of places.Her hands frantically searched through her bag for something, anything that would serve as a defensive means to protect herself but flowers wouldn’t even scare the nicest of people, how would it scare anyone else? She could call someone for help, but whom? And if she should try to, her assailant – she supposed the person behind her was one – would catch up with her before she could call for help again. No, she shouldn’t, the knowledge they lacked regarding her exact position was probably the only advantage she had over them. If she tried to call for anyone, her voice would give it away and that was not what she wanted. Perhaps she should seek refuge in one of the caravans? But no one was awake yet, even if they were, she doubted the gipsies would look kindly upon her intrusion. It was over; she was going to die on her very own birthday. Why would life choose to be unkind to her once again? She thought melancholically. Maybe it was someone taking a morning walk. Or like her, out to fulfil an errand. She was probably overthinking. They could be harmless.She heard a click, another click was sufficient for Beth’s heart to fall through her chest to the pit of her stomach; the excuses she had made up disappeared, turning to evaporating mist. Dear Lord, please save me! She prayed as her feet unknowingly quickened their steps. She tripped but righted herself immediately; this was no time to fall. Why, oh why did I decide to leave this early?! She lamented inwardly. She could have waited till first light and rented Clover, her cousin’s mare like Gwen had advised.She heard a thump and a male’s grunt of pain that scared her to the depth of her being. Oh good gracious, it was a man! Throwing all caution to the wind, she picked up her skirt and ran with everything in her, muttering fearfully, “Oh God! Dear God!! Please save me.” Was she running in the right direction? She had no idea, but it was away from that man and that was enough. She heard the footfalls again, this time they were so close and swift, drawing even closer with each passing second. Wait! Was he chasing after her? Dear Lord, what is this? Why was he chasing after her? She wasn’t ready to die nor was she ready to be kidnapped or worse… No, she wouldn’t think of what wouldn’t be as she would do everything to prevent it. Not that she could have, but trying to run even faster, she stepped on the skirt she had let go and tripped.Her breath was knocked out of her, her soul left too. It was over. He would catch up with her now. She was never going to see her family and the thought scared her more than her death. How would they live without her? Would they survive still after another tragedy? Casting all evil thought from her mind, she scrambled to her feet; tripping again and scraping her right knee on a rock which elicited a hiss from her lips, but the pain wouldn’t keep her. Wanting to waste no more time, she tried getting up to run when a hand dropped firmly on her shoulder. She gasped and did the first thing that came to mind.Scream.“Lady! Lady!! Quiet down.” She rose to her feet and stepped away from him. “It is not bright yet for such screams or are you so proud of your vocals that you would prefer the whole world to hear you?” He sounded angry. His voice, deep and bold, rang in the almost darkness. “Go join the theatre or the circus if that is your wish. No one wants this open show you are so graciously offering.” He put his hand towards his face and Beth saw the faint glow of a cigar.Why was he angry? Did she ruin his plans? What were his plans? “Wh-wh-who are you? What d-do you want?!” Her heart quickened, thumping even more. She gripped her bag defensively. Flowers were no weapon but in times when one was desperate, anything would serve; besides he didn’t know she held only flowers. If he tried anything like the unthinkable, his burial would be announced shortly. The sky was blue already but not enough light to make out his face. He was too close for comfort, so she put some space between them. “I asked what it is you wanted.” Her teeth were chattering.He stood to his full height and put his free hand in his pocket. “I wanted to make sure you were alright. That was quite a fall.” He dragged from his cigar and expelled, the odor was pungent and rich. “Although with that voice demonstration, I believe you are just fine.” What was he talking about? A gentle breeze blew and the grass responded to its song.“Why were you following me?” Her voice was low and raspy; her breath, rapid. “Look, I might be a woman, but I’m not scared of you.” She hoped he believed her and wasn’t paying attention to her shaking voice. Or her chattering teeth. Or her heavy breathing. If it came to, she wasn’t going down without a fight. “I’ll hurt you if I have to.”No response. He simply stood before her.After what felt like an eternity, he said. “I believe you as much as you believe yourself.” His deep voice, slow and lazy, mocked her. The silhouette before her brought his hand out of his pocket and raised it to her face. Before she could guess its purpose, a flicker illuminated her face and momentarily blinded her. “I must apologize for doing this, but curiosity got the larger part of me.” He said. “How is it, I beg to know, a small and, well, pretty Lady could harm me?” He took the light down.He called her pretty. Oh God! And was that Brandy she smelt beside the cigar? No, she wouldn’t panic. “When there is a will, there is a way.” She bravely returned. She stepped closer to the bush behind her. If this man tried to get close, she’d run, because there was no way she could fight him, let alone defeat him, brave words aside.She saw him nod, repeatedly. “So they say, until there is no more will and all ways are closed.” Her heartbeat increased. At this rate, she might just about die of anxiety. She searched the area with her eyes, even if she knew there was no way she would find anything in the near darkness. “So they say.” He repeated and stepped closer.Related chapters
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She impulsively stepped back, her grip tightened. “Don’t come any closer. Don’t give me a reason to hurt you.” Again he stepped closer and she stepped back in response, her heart missing a beat. “Please stop Sir, I beg of you.” The tears threatened but she held them at bay.Hands in the air in mock surrender, he said. ”You should really put the bag down. I doubt chrysanthemum could hurt anyone.” He put his hands down and sent the one bearing his cigar to his mouth for another drag. “My parents would not appreciate you hurting me. I am an only child you see, very much loved.”How did he know she had chrysanthemums in her bag? “How did you…? How were yo…? How did you know I have only chrysanthemums in my bag?” Her voice helped her thoughts.“I didn’t know you had only chrysanthemums.” He drawled. “They possess such lovely smell. Makes you want to smile all day long for absolutely no reason at all.” It wasn’t a sarcastic comment, it was simply a statement. He knew of flowers.He had no i
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She lifted her head, surprised he had heard her. The moonlight danced on her face again. Flustered, she said. “By my standards, I am. I am quite a meticulous being.” She turned to him and tried to make out his face but the light from behind made her effort fruitless. Somehow, he stood on the spot where she couldn’t see him, maybe on purpose. “I can't handle alcohol well,” she continued, “but tonight I am on the bridge, questioning if to cross.” She smacked her lips and whispered. “Maybe I will. That might just be enough for Aunt Marrily to leave me be.”“You don’t enjoy parties? Or is it this particular ball you are against?” He drank from his glass.She thought for a moment. “This ball is amazing, and parties are wonderful, but my ever-forward and free-spirited Aunt has introduced me to every gentleman in that room.” She threw her head in the direction of the ballroom. “I think I have had my fair share for a lifetime.”“That cannot be true.” She turned to him. “You weren’t introduced
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This time she laughed lightly, her hand still over her mouth. “I suppose one does, for your sake.” She leaned again on the railing, this time, putting up enough distance between them. “The view from up here is beautiful.”She commented, he said nothing. After a while, “You are Carlisle.” He looked to her. “On the hill, why did you say you were an only child?”He looked away. “Because I am. ““You mentioned both parents. You only have a Mother.”Nothing.Maybe she had been rude. The silence that followed was at first unnerving and scary, but soon it brought comfort, as they listened to the music flowing in from the ballroom and the gay laughter of men and women. Beth closed her eyes and nodded her head slowly to the beat, enjoying it as much as she couldn’t when she was in the ballroom. The breeze swayed the garden's trees again, but she was content enough to not care about anything.He tapped the railing twice. “How is your wound?”She opened her eyes. “What wound?”“From this morning.
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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
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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,
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"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,
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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
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