At The Castle

Beth was regretting it. Agreeing to the visit, she was regretting it. She had not agreed to it. She was forced into it, coaxed into it, emotionally blackmailed into it.

As he had promised, the Duke arrived at Rosethorn Hill at dawn, and without a moment to spare, her Aunt shoved them into the waiting carriage, bidding them farewell, telling them to enjoy the moments as they came. Gwen and Lucy were beyond themselves with joy, which irked Beth to the highest heavens. She wished they would stop for a moment and see how manipulative the Duke was.

The carriage ride to the Castle was quiet and tense. Except for the snickers and occasional giggles from the younger girls, Beth felt like she had walked into a dark tunnel and as the ride became longer, the feeling only increased, the tunnel quickly becoming one without an end. When he looked at her, she had quickly thanked him for his invitation - forced as it had been - and settled into a corner. Occasionally, Gwen – or Lucy – would tap or shove her to draw her attention to the passing scenery or something they dimmed as important or fascinating, and in those moments when Beth stole glances at the Duke, she never met his eyes, he had his gaze fastened on the horizon. After travelling for hours, they made a stop at an inn.

The inn was both grand and lush; the upholstery was so beautiful Beth almost doubted it really being an inn. The Duke ordered the horses to be watered, and walked after a smiling woman who led them into a waiting room, where he finally spoke to her for the first time that day. "You do not seem to be in a festive mood."

Beth raised her head to meet his eyes. He was not looking at her, but at his cigar, twirling it between two fingers. "I am well, Your Grace."

He turned to her, his face expressionless. "There was never a single doubt. Are you unhappy about the invite?" He placed the cigar on the table, beside his plate.

A cup in hand, Lucy commented. "She is not, Your Grace. She is relentlessly trying to be rebellious."

"Lucy, keep shut!"

"Remember Aunt said not to let the Duke know how excited we are, especially Beth." Gwen 'whispered' to Lucy's hearing.

 "And what a marvellous display of that this is." Lucy sneered.

Beth was mummified in shame. She could not decipher if their words were deliberate, or if the girls were simply ignorant. She stole a glance at the Duke but he was not moved as though not affected by the words of her sister and her cousin. She would never forgive them! When they finally arrived at the Castle, she prayed that the worst be over.

The Castle was greater than she had dared to imagine, it was bigger than she had ever heard; much bigger than Carlisle Crest and Carlisle Crest was, to Beth's opinion, already amazingly big. Walking with the Duke gave a sort of security she never imagined she would crave. His strides were with purpose and familiar to the floor. Ahead of her, the younger girls gasped at every turn and squeaked, while holding hands as they trailed behind the Duke. Beth was surprised, and relieved, that Gwen and Lucy had, at last, kept their promise to be cultured and presentable.

The doors to the courtroom opened, and her heart missed a beat. They were really at the Castle! Every step they took towards the King felt sacred and important. She could hear the heightened breathing of her sister and cousin. How excited were they to not be able to control their breathings? The room had its curtains drawn, and it was empty, save for the doormen, another man, and the King.

Sitting on his throne looking regal and dignified in rich and wealthy clothes deserving of a man of his status, the King was listening keenly to someone – a minister? – telling him about a parchment he held out. He was as young as she had heard. After succeeding his Father to the throne, he had remained as arrogant as when he was young – people had gossip – and Beth, though not keen towards gossip, inclined her head towards it one time or two. She supposed it was paying off.

"Your Majesty, the Duke of Carlisle and his guests." The kingsman introduced when they finally stopped, a bit too close to the King in Beth's opinion.

The King turned, and smiled. Handing over the parchment, he stepped down from the throne and walked to them. Genuinely speaking, he walked towards the Duke. "I suppose I have to condescend to threats to see you, don't I Carlisle? And to lay eyes on you, an invitation?"

The Duke made no movement. "Your words never move me. I came, responding to the content of the note received at Carlisle Crest. And in extension, to see Brand. Is he here yet?"

The King took a moment, inhaled and exhaled, and then clasped his hands behind him. "Those will be infamous last words, I warn you." They held their gazes for a while, the room suddenly became tense and Beth was beginning to fear. Was it not the rumour that they were friends? Or did they have a falling out recently? If so, was it not rude to invite guests alongside when all was not well between them? As her thoughts ran hitherto in her head, the Duke did something she least expected of him; he hugged the King.

"I suppose it has been long, has it not?"

The King tapped his back and the smile on his face grew. "I must declare that I am glad to see you." Stepping back, he said, "If only you would spare me a smile, all would be forgiven. But your face is as frozen as your manners."

That piqued Beth's interest. It was true then, her observations were true then; the Duke of Carlisle had no smile.

The King climbed back to his throne. Turning to the man by his side, he whispered and wrote briefly on the parchment. The man bowed, first to the King, and then the Duke, before leaving the room. "Next time, I will declare your arrest." He stated as he leaned on the hand whose elbow he rested on the chair's arm.

"Or you could grace Carlisle Crest with your presence." the Duke returned.

"Now what joy could be derived from that?" His smile pulled to the right. "I would rather order you about, I am King after all." He arched his brow.

The Duke exhaled. "I suppose so. And I suppose I should send notes more often." The smile on the King's face broadened. "But I can never find the time to do so. Running a Duchy is bothersome." The King exploded with laughter. The Duke made a joke? Beth was beyond surprised.

Turning his hand over to lay his chin in his palm as a smile that seemed mischievous crossed his face, the King turned to them. "Who are your guests? As beautiful as they are, the time of tributes to Kings are long gone."

The time of tributes?! They were no tributes! The Duke stepped forward. "Your Majesty, this is Lady Beth Fitzgerald, her sister, Lady Gwen, and their cousin Lady Lucy Gallagher. I promised them a tour of the Castle grounds."

"Lady Beth, Lady Gwen and Lady Lucy." The King repeated as he looked at them one to the other. Beth quickly bowed low and was glad Gwen and Lucy followed suit. For a moment, his gaze remained behind her before moving to the Duke. "Beautiful." He murmured. Then, "Lovely to meet you all." They bowed again. Turning to the Duke once more, he inquired. "Who are they?"

Without hesitation, the Duke declared. "Acquaintances." A short pause. "Though, I seek a hand of friendship with Lady Beth." He gestured at her.

"Great! Then she I must curry favour with for your sake." He leaned back on the throne and turned to Beth. "Um, Carlisle, for a moment there, I thought you were after her hand in marriage. Pity." The Duke uttered no words which had the King smiling, before he said to Beth. "The trip here was good, I suppose?"

Quickly she bowed. Was he already in the process of currying her said favour? "Yes Your Majesty, it was nothing but." She prayed he wouldn't pose before her difficult questions.

"Hmm." His smile broadened. "How do you find the Castle thus far?"

Beth gave her all to hide her excitement. "It is more than I imagined."

"I am tempted to hear what your imaginations are, but I am not keen on the glares of Carlisle here." He waved. "He probably thinks I am in the act of seducing you." Beth's mouth opened and closed without any coherent word. What was she to say? The King chuckled. "Enjoy your stay then." He was smiling again.

Confused, Beth bowed fully. "I thank you for this opportunity. We promise not to impose."

"Why not?! Carlisle does it as much as he can." Beth found herself speechless again. "My Castle is open to all that choose to adhere to my rules."

She bowed again. "Then I must thank you for your hospitality."

A chuckle, then, a soft laughter. "A sweet talker, will you not agree with me, Carlisle?" Beth dared to look at him. He was not angry. Relief flooded her. "A great hostess you must be, Lady Beth." He blinked then pointed to Gwen. "Which of the ladies are you?"