"I heard a rumour in town today that you are to oversee the Duke's new project.""Lord Carlisle is so amazing." She drawled.Beth sent her a glare she wasn't sure she was capable of. "Yes, it is true." Was the lady acting coy thinking about her husband?"You work?" One asked."How belittling!" They exclaimed. "Still I understand. You must earn your keep."Beth scoffed. They were despicable! Their words hurt as soon as they left their mouths and their smiles made it even more annoying as they insulted her in subtle ways. She had since grown tired and could no longer indulge them. What was the upper-class revulsion for 'work'? If allowed, she would work as much as she could. It was better than sitting around whispering about people.And did they dismiss her family as poor and out of fortune? They were right, but how could they say such to her face? The gentry was beyond harsh."It is a pleasant ball, by the way.""Do enjoy it to the fullest." She said and left them, having had her fill

She held footsteps and a voice, it came from the other side of the shrub."She is very bold I tell you, walking around as though she belonged here."Beth put her hand over her mouth. She did not know others would venture this far into the yard. She would quietly depart so as not to unwillingly eavesdrop. "I am as stunned. Lady Carlisle? Quite the jest!" Beth went still. They were talking about her."I heard her family is far from poor. They are destitute."A chuckle. "Maybe not anymore. She has made the perfect fool of Lord Carlisle. Surely, they must enjoy his generosity now.""How dare they refer to Lord Carlisle with such disrespect?!"How could he have ever believed she was pregnant? This is the fourth month of their marriage, is it not? She is still not showing." They were keeping count? Beth leaned on the wall.The voice lowered. "Maybe she lost the child?""What great fortune then."Beth was aghast. Her hand involuntarily went to her stomach to protect the child that wasn't th

"Your Grace." She bowed, seductively, allowing him a perfect view of her bosom, he was nauseated. "It is a surprise to see you." She chuckled. "I thought you abhor these sorts of gatherings. It is lovely though, she has put a great amount of effort into its preparation." He was quiet. "Although, I wouldn't say it is up to par as the ball your mother held in my honour. Remember? The one she held right in that ballroom."Charles said nothing. Lady Cossington planted herself beside him, smiling too brightly. The seductive glint in her eyes was hard to miss. He doubted she would want him to miss it."My brother thinks I must apologize for vexing you, so here I am." He cast her a sidelong look. She had offended Beth, but would apologized to him? She sighed, her voice losing the annoying seductive edge. "Are you still angry with me? You should not be. I am indeed sorry." She smiled sheepishly, her eyes widening with the scheming innocence of a debutante. "Do you realize this is the first ti

She kept her eyes on him too. "I do not mean to, but you kissed me in front of so many people and left. Why?"Something in his gaze shifted. "I left to speak with one of my men." She knew immediately that he was telling the truth."I…" He let go of her wrists and stepped away. In that instant, she realized she had hurt him. She would give anything to return to what they had. No! She would give it to attain more.She missed the warmth his hands provided her wrist, missed his closeness and she missed him. He was standing before her and she missed him. Her love for him was overwhelming and it was starting to frighten her. She would never demand him to love her, still she wished he would.His hands returned to his pockets. "Did you come to quarrel? As charming as it is to always quarrel and reconcile, Beth, I am not in the mood to entertain it." His voice was unkind. He started away, back to his table.There had been pain when Eric died, pain so great and paralyzing she could still not fo

Charles pulled his shirt over his head and Beth was privy to his bare body. He was well-built and she again was reminded of how much his clothes hid away.. Her hands lifted of their own accord and came to rest on his chest.Beth had seen him before but she had been under the influence of alcohol, she was not sure she had studied him so intently. He was so masculine and firm.Her hands travelled his body and he waited, standing evenly still as her gaze moved slowly over him and her hands did the same. She touched the square of his muscles and tendons of his stomach, surprised he had no fat to spare.Beth was admiring him as he had admired her. She was completely mesmerized by him and was unashamed. His chest was broad and dusted with dark hair. Her trip ended by the tip of his trousers and returned to his chest. She dared herself and kissed him on his left breast.He moaned.Surprised by the sound, she glanced up and found that he had closed his eyes. The invitation was clear and compe