The day broke with plenteous possibilities and for Beth, the will to live; the will to truly live. She had made a great decision the day before: to stop feeling guilty for the life she was living, the life that had been bestowed on her and to no more permit the likes of Lady Cossington to faze her. She would live her life for herself, attending to her duties as asked of her by the ton, but far from their will and orders. She would live for no one but herself. And if Lord Carlisle would allow her, she would live for him too.Beth's hand searched underneath her pillows and she retrieved her journal. The brown, leather jacketed book had for long been her friend and her confidante. Its pages had always listened to her complaints, collected her words as a friend and agreed with her as an ally. She smiled and began to flip through it.She recalled to memory every event that led to the words on each page. Her fingers rubbed the watermark her tears when she told the pages of Lord Carlisle's a
The maids quickly finished, and with endless bows to him, left the room, leaving it almost as empty as when he first arrived. He was getting impatient. Where was she? Why was she late? He had caught from her conversation with her maid that she was headed into the kitchen. If the maid had prepared the table, then where was she?Charles scoffed, mocking himself. He had gallantly kept away from her for months, what was a few minutes more to wait? He could wait for her all day, he thought and realized it was true.Knowing she would finally come, he could wait for her for a lifetime.When the doors again opened and closed with a light bang, Charles turned to look and his heart did an unnatural flip.She had come.Beth strolled into the dining hall wearing a yellow dress, with a black shawl over her shoulders. The dress was simple and gorgeous, just like the lady who wore it. She walked to the table, smiling at the lilies she held, repeatedly sniffing them. Flowers? Had his mother come call
Charles was in the ninth heavens. Beth was speaking to him like it was the most natural thing between them to do. Her lips as they moved, her hands as she gestured and her voice were exciting him all over. He had no knowledge she affected him so. And her hair, it bounced as she spoke, coming to life with each movement. He almost reached out to touch it. He quickly sent a good amount of peas into his mouth.Breaking out of the trance her hair had put on him, he asked. "Do you want to? If not, you could simply say so." He placed a small piece of cold turkey on her plate. She hesitated but ate it. He released the breath he did not know he was holding. He ate a piece too."Lady Marjorie says it is a family tradition. I suppose I could. I am_ I am Lady Carlisle after all." His heart missed a beat.A family tradition? Charles almost scoffed. The Carlisle Christmas Ball had only been ever since his mother joined the family but he would not tell Beth. He shovelled a hefty portion of mashed po
* * *His solicitors sat before him in their office defining how the cost of the project was not worth the funds he intended to invest. They and the head of builders argue to and fro the amount, quality and quantity of each material to be used.Jack hit his hands repeatedly on the table. "Even if they are to pay rent, it would be ages before His Grace would get back the money for the project. And here, there is no rent to be collected." He harrumphed. "I reckon the prices for the materials to be cut down. Drastically."Henry, the head of builders yelled. "And how would you manage the mishaps that would occur, because a number of them are sure to.""Do you intend to cause mishaps on purpose? For extra funds?"Henry gasped. "That is absurd. Are you bringing ridicule to my work? Or do you want to perhaps think I glory in the misfortune of others?"The men argued on and on but Charles did not listen to their annoying voices. Would they be done with their quarrel and let him know how much
Charles halted his next step, and turned slowly.Lord Denney, hasting down the steps, rushed to him with a smile. He stopped and stood straight, standing a few inches shorter than Charles, waiting for the latter to bow to him. Charles obliged, unwillingly inclining his head halfway. "It has been a long while. How do you do?""I am fine." Was the simple answer.Lord Denney wouldn't care either way. He sighed. "I had hoped to speak to you in private and when I saw you at The Fox, I thought what luck is this?" Charles's eyebrows rose at the dramatic man. "But it was no luck of course, you were not alone." He signed as though disappointed. "There would be other days, I concluded."Charles sized him up. A balding, old man who the former King had been kind enough to let live after his almost act of treason. He was a selfish bastard who would do all it took to get what he wanted. Too bad what he wanted this time was out of his reach for Alexander would do all it took to keep his crown.It was
"I had thought your haste was as a result of pressing matters of states? Is it not concerning the letter you had received? Is Lord Cossington to be in attendance too?"He ignored. "What happened to Beth?""Your Grace?"He turned to the talkative man. "The bruise on her face? How did she come about it?"Albert shook his head. "I was with you all day yesterday, My Lord. I have no knowledge of that.""No word from Thomas?" Charles's eyes returned to the parchment."None at all. Whatever it is, Your Grace, I doubt it should cause you to worry. She can very much handle her affairs." Charles ignored him, turning to the parchment the King had sent alongside the letter. "She is Lady Carlisle after all." The coach rocked sideways and Albert cussed under his breath. "Take care, would you?!" He yelled. "We are not sacks of potatoes!""Forgive me, Sir!" The coachman yelled back. "A squirrel ran across the road!""We are more important than a bloody squirrel!"They were still on the route to Carli
It was a great building. Both were, and it was unfortunate, for regardless of the reason for the visit, he would not be giving it back even if Carlisle had come to talk about marrying Harriet. Easton House was his to keep."Carlisle!" He yelled, waving to get the other man's attention. Carlisle turned and walked to him, adjusting his jacket. He closed the stable door and walked to meet him halfway. "I am surprised by your visit. What brings you along?" He stretched out his hand, Carlisle took it reluctantly."Where is Lady Cossington?"Was he right? Had Carlisle truly come to seek his sister for a rematch? Joy bubbled and exploded in Geoffrey. He could perhaps demand other fortunes as an apology before accepting the offer. "She is in the mansion." Carlisle made to turn, he grabbed his wrist. "What is the rush? You can converse with her later, we men should talk." He gestured behind him. "I hope you don't mind me renovating the stables, it does not suit my taste."Carlisle made no othe
'Dearest whispers,Lady Cossington came calling yesterday. Yes, I have always dreaded her visit, and I have my wound to show for it, but I survived and lived to tell the tale.I left Carlisle Crest today and rode with Lord Carlisle, sharing his carriage. It was pleasing as was the breakfast I shared with him and although he remained quiet as always, it was nice for I am becoming quite acquainted with his silence. It gives a surprising sense of comfort.The marketplace was so amazing that I forgot the reason for visiting and got carried away with other activities. I shall visit again on the morrow and hope this time I pay better attention to my proper engagements.It is late and Lord Carlisle is yet to return, if he would at all. I hope he does, it would be nice to talk with him, even if I end up being the only one who talks.I have missed our conversations.I have missed him.'* * *Beth stood at the door of Lord Carlisle's study for a long time, contemplating. Should she or should sh