Meeting With Lord Carlisle

He took her waving hand in his and held it tightly and held her gaze, then he did what he had never done before. He pulled her closer to himself, and kissed her cheek, startling her. "Friends."

* * *

She woke up the next morning energized and ready for the day. She was spending it with Lord Carlisle.

Over dinner, the previous day, he had proposed they spend the day together, and Beth had agreed without hesitating. They would forsake all of their duties and dilly-dally the hours away, going horseback riding.

The day would be cold, but Beth did not care and agreed as soon as Lord Carlisle suggested. She had been so surprised at his preposition that she had jumped at it. A thick dress and an even thicker shawl should be enough to keep the cold at bay.

A quick, warm bath was all it took to prepare her for the cold outside. At the vanity table, Anna brushed down her hair while she smiled uncontrollably. She could not help it. It was the happiest she had been in a while.

Lord Carlisle h