Loving Her Duke

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ned, shoving him away as she did. “Wake up woman, it’s your birthday.” He whispered again, successfull

her face, smiling sheepishly at her. His face would make anyone think that the survival

e. “Stop it!” She whined. “What is it abou

table and sat candle down. Whispering, he said. “Quie

that it is too early to be rudely interrupting other people’s sleep.” Then, “Wh

” He was sti

ted, hugging herself in her cotton night garment. “Why ar

w her the cover, rolled up in

ver to herself, intending

door clothes. At the early hours of the day? She wondered. “You always wanted to see the sun rise f

sted. He nodded the smile widening. “But Mother would never let us get tha

soon you would have to leave home.” When she hesitated, he said. “I’ll take responsibility.” She squealed and

. She gathered, secured and abandoned her hair on the top of her head and jumped into the nearest boo

er again on his lips. “Let’s

y are poor.” He was strong physically, but she feared for his intellect. H

worm and follow me

ree. Not being pained as much, surprised her, but she chose not to confront it until after they watched the sunrise. Maybe she was no longer affected by it. Or was it the moment? Sh

Beth followed suit. They shouted and soon burst into laughter. “I can’t belie

w. A woman now.” Beth smile grew wider. “Ha

e ruffled her hair like he always did. Sh

The hill is not going to climb itself.” He looked her over. “Why

gift.” And then realization struck her. “You wanted me to wear them for when we go hill climbing?” He mirrored her expression. “I had no knowing. I'

d rained the night before. Eric held her hand all the way to the top, never letting go, not even when she insisted. At a po

Eric ruffled her hair and set himself down beside her. Breathlessly, she

absurd. “I would still run my hand through your hair even after they turn grey.

hen, “Isn’t it ironic how the hill sits at the eas

st side of the hill. “He

At twenty-one, he was old enough to be a husband and she knew he would make a fine one, but Beth didn’t want him pressured into the institution y

l be hurting from what that bastard Cossington said to Father about her.

hear that. She shouldn’t have to go through such pain.” Her younger sister was o

inger waved over her face in accusation. “You a

er. Naturally, I thought she preferred piano to books.” He ignored her excuse. After a while, she said. “For what it would matter, I am grateful for my birthd

When her eyes narrowed, he asked carefu

when she felt the wet grass through her skirt. “What do you intend to giv

ct her. She began to think of words to say to him to make him tell her, but he s

nd about how odd the wish was. “And I am called the preposterous one because I insist that

egan to brush off her behind. He did the same. “It is beyond absurd, I realize that, but I suppose learning how to

words of that vile man? At that moment, it struck her. “Marriage

stare. “You are uttering nonsense. Marriage is not ove

ain of it. If marriage was formed on alliances and what to gain without a care for the parties involved, or how hurt they

enjoy it.” She smiled. “We would watch the sunrise, climb back down, get scolded by Mother,” Beth couldn’t help but to laugh, “And you would make us a sumptuous breakfast.” He turned her to him

n and coyly sai

for the sun to rise. Its glow began to fill t

n it ha