"Did you force your thoughts on her?" He heard from a distance.Charles was disgusted and he couldn't hide it. "She asserted." He held back. "She was a mutual participant.""Which is why you still live. If you had forced yourself on her," they held their glares. "we would not be having this conversation."Through clenched teeth and controlled anger, he said. "I am not a monster.""But one you most certainly will be, if you marry without the littlest of affections. Our parents were proof enough." Brand said."Father loved your mother." Alexander countered.Brand returned. "And hated yours who was his wife and Queen.""Father never shared any emotions whatsoever with my mother, but Carlisle is friends with the Lady in question here. Unlike Lady Cossington who he has not spoken to since the marriage contracts were drawn." The annoying smile returned.Silence reigned.A knock. Then the door opened. "Your Grace, your cigars have arrived." Thomas strode into the room and placed the box of c
Alexander disdainfully gave him a onceover. "How should I have the knowledge?"He had been played again. Charles grounded his teeth. "Alexander!" He called, getting up, totally enraged. He was being mocked. He stopped breathing, the rage choking him. With a deep exhale, he said. "I am not in the mood to be mocked!" He heaved. "If that is all you are going to do, I would rather you leave."Alexander's head tilted. "Are you asking your King off your Estate?""I am asking my friend, my very annoying friend, off my land."Brand was frozen in place, staring, anticipation in his gaze. He was waiting, bidding the moment they would come to blows, but Charles refused him the entertainment. The latter walked away, wondering why he was enraged. Nothing, no one could faze him so why was the very idea of Beth being ridiculed annoying to him?"Shame. I was expecting a duel." Brand said. Charles turned furious to see Alexander sparing the young Prince a mean look as well. "Alright then. Best we all
"What?!" Her skirt dropped as her eyes popped; he feared they might about fall out of their sockets.A harsh sound escaped him. "And I did fraternize with her."She grabbed hold of the table. "I beg your pardon!""And she could be with my child." He finally added."Charles!" Lady Marjorie collapsed into her chair, then held up her hand to stay whatever he was to say next, but Charles was done. He was now more scared of Beth's reaction. His mother supported her head with her hand and massaged gently on her temple. "If you intend to humour, this is not funny." He made no movement. "You couldn't possibly be serious?! How can you sit still after telling me so much in so little time?!" She exhaled, fanning herself with her hand.There was a storm inside him, but he would be damned if he let anyone see it. He rose and walked to the other side of the table, only to sit on the edge of it, his hands resting on it. "Mother_"She put her hand up to stop him. "Let me a minute, would you?" She tap
Thomas rushed in, bringing light with him. He was surprised. "Why are you sitting in the dark?" He set the lamp down on the centre table. "You should have called for me to attend to you." He walked briskly to the hearth, scurrying around to revive the fire."Let it be." Charles said lowly. He needed the darkness to hide. What from, he could not say.The other man obeyed and stayed. "Yes, Your Grace." He returned to the lamp, and adjusted it. "Is there anything I can do for you?" No one could help him, he alone could aid himself. "Or would you rather I bring Albert?"His valet would prefer to talk, rather than listen, not that he was keen to share his thoughts with him.He lit another cigar and took a drag. Was she really ill, or was it all a ruse to permit her liberty to meet the cad that had been arranged for her? He nearly broke his cigar in half. How dare the Fitzgeralds force a husband upon her when she never wanted to wed? She wanted to be free, why would they not let her be?Why
They had better stop before things got out of hand, they had agreed. No good would come of this, he had said. But still…Beth could not, for the life of her, contain the joy. She went about the house, prancing like an achieved leopard; like a deer who had finally learnt to walk right. There was never enough for her to do. She was bursting with energy, helping out everywhere, going about her chores without delay, fulfilling them perfectly, and carrying about her day with gusto.Their parents had been glad to have them back. Grace too, she said she needed assistance to keep the manor running, but the girls knew she missed them as much as she was unwilling to tell.Grace was the only household servant they could keep in their employ. She was the butler, cook, cleaner and everything else for the Fitzgeralds. She was any and all things they needed, as hers was the only service they could afford, so they aided her in almost everything.She was a waspishly, strong and sometimes, nastily beha
Beth grabbed a basket and proceeded to arrange the linens in it. "I know that, Scholar. I saw the note Mother sent Aunt Marrily." She added a pillow cover, but removed it almost immediately. It needed more washing. "Besides, this intention has come to stay in our household. They have been intending to have me wed for ages." They would soon lay it to rest, like they always did.Gwen joined her. "This time, I think they are determined and I think their decision is final." They finished and Beth picked the basket up, supporting the weight with her waist. Gwen added the pillow cover to the other pile and stood to her full height. She was taller than her older sister. "They hope to have an alliance drawn when we return from Lucy's wedding. You are to be affianced to Mr. Richmond."She stopped immediately. "Mr. Harry Richmond? The travelling merchant?"Gwen shrugged her shoulders. "Apparently he wants a wife and has shown his interest in you." She smiled weakly. "So you can finally lay your
* * *Her parents and her sister returned days later from Lucy's wedding and Gwen could not stop herself from telling of all the excitements and delights they had had; how the groom had been shy, how Aunt Marrily had kept everyone on their toes, commanding here and there, and how Lucy had dropped her ring due to nerve. It was wonderful, she swore. Beth was sorry to have missed it. But she was grateful to Gwen for helping her evade the entire occasion and convincing her parents to leave her behind.Oh, how glad was she that she did not attend.The Duke of Carlisle was at her cousin's wedding!Why had he made himself present? Her Aunt's family was not close to his, so why had he attended? If any invitation had been sent out, it must simply be out of courtesy. Especially since he called her friend before her Aunt's family.She couldn't have been more joyful to have been absent. How would she have faced him, talk to him? She would have been able to evade him anywhere else, but not at her
Beth was exhausted, too exhausted even to send the needle again through the tired fabrics. She decided to heed her mother's words and save the others for the next day. And she was hungry.Grace was still preparing dinner, and much to everyone's surprise, Gwen had decided to join her – help her, she had said – to make dinner for her beloved family. When would they be done? And when would father return if he left at that hour? She prayed her lies would not be exposed before she had the chance to tell. Maybe she should meet with Mr. Richmond and convince him to annul the contracts.Suddenly Gwen rushed in, pushing hard against her door. Beth jumped, startled. "Sweet Heavens!" She breathed out. "Do slow down, young lady, that door might cost a fortune to fix, and I doubt Father would be happy with you if you destroyed it. It is bad enough already." She ranted.Gwen was wheezing. She collapsed onto Beth's bed, dramatically tapping lightly on her chest. "It is unbelievable, Beth! You would