At The Castle

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