All Consequences Be Damned!

He cleared his throat. "You leave tomorrow still?"

She nodded, her lips in a pout. "We leave as early as possible." Then her lips pulled into a smile. She sat upright, smiling at him. "But we return in two weeks for Lucy's wedding and farewell." She clasped her hands together and brought them to her chest in delight, still smiling. "How absurd to already look forward to the day we would return when I haven't left yet. It is amazing how Carlisle has grown on me." She chortled quietly.

He became incredibly still; he couldn't look away. Her eyes shone with the reflection of the fire at the thought of returning to Carlisle, to his Duchy. "Do miss me, Beth." He blurted out. She froze up, surprised. "For I will miss you." He finally confessed.

The night became still and quiet. The wind calmly troubling the grass and her hair as usual, dancing to the song of the wind. Beth's eyes remained on him and he held her gaze.

He had began to refer to her given name rather than adhere to calling her w