Set Him Straight

"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