He kissed the crown of her head and she leaned back, coming to kiss him softly on the cheek. Because her tears stained his cheek, she wiped it, as well as hers. He smiled. "I can never begin to tell how much I have missed you. Gwen has been harder to handle without your help."Beth burst into a hearty laughter. "I am certain she has."Her father waved the others forward. Then, he invited. "Come, we should eat. Your mother had guinea hen with apricot stuffing made, and Grace has been fussing even if she would never tell.""God forbid we think her too soft." Beth teased, clinging onto her father's arm.The women at the bottom of the stairs climbed up to join them and they entered the house. Gwen and Lucy held onto their mother on each side.Beth smiled feeling warm and tired but happy. Nothing had changed, she was still the daughter of Radclyffe and Victoria Fitzgerald and would remain so come what may.She had regained her family's love.She had indeed made the perfect circle.* * *"Y
* * *With a gesture, Charles commanded and Albert gave the King a parchment, bowing to him. It was the testament of the Viscount of Lumbridge. The latter topped off his glass. "Is this proof enough?"Alexander slammed it on the table. "Do not gloat. It is not an attractive trait."Charles drank his brandy. He wasn't gloating. He was angry.They sat in a stateroom on Brand's ship, gathered together in discussion. Lord Denney had indeed been in cohorts with the pirates much to Alexander's chagrin and Charles's annoyance. The testament bore the agreement of both parties under the witness of Lumbridge's greedy, yet spineless Viscount. Charles pitied Alexander.Against better judgement, the King had decided yet again, against removing his uncle from his title and rendering him penniless for treason. It was not understandable. He had hoped this to be the final straw on the camel's back but had been wrong.Brand groaned quietly. "I was hoping for it to be a misunderstanding." He groaned aga
Beth was smiling. She felt different than she thought she would. Climbing up, she thought there would be sadness and pain and regret, but there wasn't, rather there was calm and peace and as she talked, there was company, for it felt like he was sitting across from her, listening."My husband and I get along so well you would be surprised. He is a good man, Eric, and I love him. You would have loved him too." She sighed. She wanted to tell her brother that Charles was incapable of loving her too, not because he did not want to, but because he could not, but she did not. It was no fault of his. The former Duke had hurt him too much and some part of him remained broken. "He makes me happy and I am content." She said rather.She rearranged the flowers over and over again, fussing with the already perfect bouquet. "Lucy is married now too and tending to her own home. In your words, Gwen is a woman now and remains the strong-willed girl who was up to one mischief of the other." She smiled
"My Lady!" Anna rushed out to meet them as soon as they returned to Westside Manor, collecting the basket of wares from her mistress. "A messenger is here for you. From His Grace, he says. Mrs. Grace asked him to wait in the Marble Room."Beth's breath caught. From Charles? There was someone for her from her husband. Without any thought whatsoever, she picked up her skirt and hurried to the man.She had accompanied Gwen and Lucy to the marketplace to watch the gipsies. On and on they had moved from one stall to the other, being entertained by the talented crew. A juggler juggling five apples, a girl walking the line held by two other men, the fire dancer who could make fire appear and disappear. She enjoyed her time in town but nothing was compared to the happiness she felt when Anna gave her news of a man from her husband."Beth, do wait for us." Gwen called, but she wasn't listening. Her husband's message was waiting.Was all well? Why was there a message from him? He had told her t
* * *Dearest Husband,I am glad my note made you glad. Waiting for your note has become the best part of my visit and when I read them, I feel even more alive. Whenever I see the carriage of your messenger even from afar, I become very delighted because I know he has come bearing a missive from you. Jem might just about be an angel.A few days ago, I climbed up Westside Hill, alone. I visited to give a proper farewell to Eric, he deserved that much and I felt relief after. It was a wonderful feeling.I had to let him go so I can only remember the good times.How fares the attack?Beth, your wife.* * *'Wife,Be careful, else I might have to remand Jem. How dare he?You are a constant thought in my mind too, and in my trousers. Everyday I miss you all over again and wish I were there with you. I should have been there with you too when you went up the hill. Bethany, I want you to depend on me completely and I would do all I can to protect you from hurt in and out.I am here for you.'
February 1827The carriage rocked violently as they fell into a pothole and the wind carried the faint apology of the coachman to her. Beth wasn't the least concerned, she was too happy to bother about small mistakes. And she was too satisfied to care.Her husband had returned.Charles had returned the previous day and, not stopping to bother about the servants who were watching, she raced out as soon as she had seen his carriage. She had been eager for his return. The days after his last note had been received had been longer than the weeks she had waited for him.He promised that he would be gone for a month, but had stayed longer. When his note came to her, telling of his return, Beth had been happy and eager for him, but when one week quickly turned into two, her heart became fearful. No further note came and she did not know of his whereabouts. All that kept her company was hope and the memories of him. Until a carriage bearing the Coat Of Arm of Carlisle came, approaching the ma
* * *Charles sat down in discussion with St. James and Willowbrook in the Great Room, requesting and receiving the report on their areas of assignment."This is the last of it, Your Grace." St. James said, giving him some parchments.Charles received it and passed it to Albert. "Any deaths?""None Sir, injuries were sustained but no deaths.""None from my regime either." Willowbrook said.Charles nodded. No one died. Good. "See to it that they are all compensated and make certain they remain tight lipped about this attack.""Yes, Your Grace." The men chorused.Suddenly, the doors flew open. Beth marched forward to stand before him, veering around the low table. "How dare you?"Charles lifted his head to her face. "What?""How dare you? I ask.""Bethany…""How dare you?!" She yelled out, breathing heavily. "You make me look like a fool and now you sit there feigning innocence?"Clueless at her accusations, he looked behind her. Thomas stood at the door with a horrid expression. The ma
She slowly opened her eyes and whispered, placing her other hand over his that still held tightly to her wrist. "You are hurting me now."Her eyes glistened with the tears but he saw fear in them. She was frightened of him. He quickly let go, putting a safe distance between them. With a voice barely audible, he asked. "What would you have me do? He is the King. I cannot question him."Beth turned her face from his, sniffing. "Then do nothing. Absolutely nothing. I would find a way to rescue my sister from becoming a royal mistress." She gently pushed against his chest, sobbing and set herself free.Charles remained by the wall, listening to her footsteps reside. He was aware of his trembling hands and his bruised knuckle. His rage made him breathless, but he was not angry at her. His anger was towards Alexander. How could they discuss with him in the room and make a fool of him? He had never hated Alexander as much as he did at the moment."She has suffered enough. I would not let her