Beth could hear the crack of static in the air. The fire in the fireplace flickered slowly. She noticed how quickly Lord Cossington held his sister but the damage had already been done. Lord Carlisle's anger must have been stoked again. She was grateful she wasn't the receiver."Harriet, keep shut.""Would you assault me again? Push me to the floor this time?"Lord Carlisle was quiet, until, "You challenge me?" He questioned.Lord Cossington stepped forward, shielding his foolish sister. "No, she does not. She would never."Lady Cossington pushed her way back. "I should be your wife, not her. I waited for years, and while I was waiting, you disregarded my honesty and chased after this tramp." She glared. Beth turned her head, looking at other things in the room, fearing another assault. "She doesn't deserve you.""Cossington?""Harriet?" He implored.She wasn't listening. "I should be able to_""Be quiet!" He yelled at her. Shocked, her sobbed stopped abruptly. When she tried to talk
December 1826Beth sat at the table finishing up the embroidery she had promised Gwen for her eighteenth birthday. It would be done in enough time to have it sent to Westside Manor. She had promised to finish it in six days, just in time for her sister's birthday. If she couldn't be present for their traditional family dinner, the least she thought she could do was finish up her gift and send it along.It wouldn't be the same as when she was with her family. Who would assist Grace with the cooking? Who would distract Gwen so the gifts could be well hidden? Who would listen to her mother's tale of womanhood and family ties? She sighed. How greatly she would be missed. She hoped the day went well.Gwen had wanted her there. She had sent letters to that effect, inviting Beth to Westside Manor. But Beth knew better. She couldn't. The ton were making fun of her and Lady Cossington spared no time telling her how she was a thief and a seductress. She couldn't let Lord Carlisle come to know o
Beth wanted to query the maid who was putting up an aura of naivety. She had instructed everyone that she did not wish to entertain and so far only Albert seemed to be adhering. The Butler would send her calling cards the moment they arrived and invitations as soon as they were received. While Anna would, in passing, tell of the ball happening that day, or the luncheon being held at a particular moment. She wished they would let her be."I do not wish to entertain. Tell her I had an engagement to attend to in town and had left the mansion all day." The Dowager Duchess had been by many times and on all occasions she had told them to send her off with the excuse of her being away from home. This would not be different.She was a good woman, maybe too good for the son she had, but Beth did not want to associate herself with her just yet. She would never be able to evade her forever but she would for as long as she could. She seemingly could not face the older woman who seemed to already
She was a beautiful woman who did not seem to have any grudge, or hold anyone accountable to a fault. She was loving and accepting and it was confusing to Beth. The night at the ball, Lord Carlisle had told her that Lady Marjorie wanted him to develop a better relationship with Lady Cossington, yet she was welcoming to her who had upset the Lady. Surely, she should be disliked, shouldn't she?She remembered how Lord Carlisle had told her that she reminded him of his mother. Maybe in terms of height, for she could not relate what else. The Lady was outspoken and brave. She was accepting of a stranger, and she loved her son.Maybe deep down, Beth had wished for the older woman to dislike her, loathe her even for upsetting Lady Cossington from the position of Lady Carlisle, but she was surprised that she was accorded with the eye of kindness. Although, she remained wary."Thank you. How was your day?""Oh, I had a short visit with Lady Dumbray and Mrs. Eastwood. It was enjoyable. We talk
He didn't care for her. "You are mistaken. He did it so he would not be humiliated." He had feared her to be with child. It was confirmed now that she wasn't.Lady Marjorie went quiet. When Beth looked at her, she had a soft smile on her lips. "Do you think my son cares about being humiliated or not?"She nearly nodded. He married her, so he does care."He is the Duke of Carlisle. He only need mention it and the talks would cease." Her eyebrows furrowed. She sat up. "Could that be the reason you have avoided social life since the wedding?" Beth was quiet. "You need not torture yourself. I will set the rumour straight."Beth panicked. "Oh please don't, My Lady. I only need to wait it out. Soon they would find another to talk about."The Dowager Duchess held her eyes and she looked away. She was scared, but she did not want anyone to see it.After a while, the Dowager Duchess rose and walked about the room. "I love this wall colour, but I think it is about time to have it changed."Why
Beth gasped. She had suspected but to have it confirmed and to know that it was Lord Carlisle's, was frightening. She stepped back. "What had happened?"The Dowager Duchess rubbed again, then she stepped back also. "Has there ever been a moment in your life you would wish undone. A day or a happening you would gladly go back to and undo?"There was. The morning of her eighteenth birthday. Time and time again Beth had wished to revisit that hill only to run back down with her brother before tragedy struck. And she had, in her dreams. She would race atop the hill, search for him and attempt running downhills only to find herself alone at the bottom.A sad smile rose. "My son had always been a good student, but that day he had failed a few questions on his test and his Father was reprimanding him sternly." She looked at Beth. "He was only seven years of age, a few months' shy of his eighth birthday." She stepped further away from the door. "Charles was such a sweet boy. His smile was so
Two hours after she waved the Dowager Duchess goodbye, Beth had her letters and her gift sent to Westside Manor, even adding a note for her father. It did not matter anymore if it would be read or not, she simply wanted him to know that she had not intentionally chosen to make him sad. Or as he put it, embarrass the family.She had penned down her reply for Lucy to send the next day. It was succinct – She was fine. She hoped Lucy and Lord D'Averette were too. And she wished them luck on their plans to have a child.She had touched her lower abdomen.Lord Carlisle had married her to save her from any scandal of her being with child outside of marriage, even though she had, without certainty, sworn that she was not with one. Now she was certain, but she did not know if she should be happy or sad.She had always wanted a child. But that was a long time ago, before Lord Cossington had insulted her family and humiliated her sister. She had wished for her own children too when she was young
And Lady Dumbray? She belonged to the higher society. Her mother was friends with the Dowager Duchess and enjoyed flower planting as much as the Dowager Duchess. But was her daughter as kind as she was? Beth doubted. It was not prejudice, but she was Lady Cossington's friend.Beth hesitated at the door, closed her eyes and exhaled. A second later, she opened them and willed her legs to carry her to the waiting women. She entered the Red Room."All hail Lady de Nocrosse. Or would you rather I called you Lady Carlisle." Lady Cossington declared. She was staring at the portrait above the fireplace when Beth entered. She walked over to her. "Should I bow or shall I curtsy?" She walked over, smiling. It was not genuine.Beth almost sighed. This would be tough, she thought. "Good afternoon, Lady Cossington. How do you do?""I do not know. Celeste," She called, her hand on her chin. "What do you suppose I tell the woman who stole my husband how I am fairing?"Lady Dumbray walked to join them