From his bedroom window, Ethan watched Beth emerge from the car he had sent for her, a vision of elegance in a simple white dress, showing her figure to perfection.
Her beauty was breathtaking to say the least and yet again he was overwhelmed by the rush of emotion she was able to awaken in him by her mere presence alone.For so long he had denied himself the pleasure of sharing his life with a woman, especially one as enchanting as Beth Collins, but now, no matter how difficult it would be, he found himself wanting that more than anything in his life.Beth was the woman he could build a future with, of that he was certain. From her radiant beauty, to her dignified demeanor, to the way she carried herself so proudly and with such strength, all of these things fascinated him and sent all reason flying out the door.He made his way downstairs to meet her in the hall. Seeing her standing there, it took everything he had within him to stop himself from sweeping her in his arms and kissing her until the world spun around them.She intoxicated his senses, her closeness driving him to the edge of madness. “Hello Beth,”he said, reaching out to take her hand.”I’m so pleased you accepted my invitation.” “Ethan, I must confess,I’m very nervous about this meeting today.After our conversation the other night……I don't know why this is happening so fast.” “Perhaps because it was meant to be.Beth Collins, you have stolen my heart.” ........ A table had been prepared for them in the lush garden of the manor and they enjoyed a glass of white wine as the sun was about to set. Beth could not take her eyes away from him, not caring that her every emotion was on display for him to see.She felt so at ease in his presence,as if she had known him her whole life.It was so very clear that he truly cared for her.His every action, his every word was centered around her. He wanted to know everything about her, from her childhood, to her marriage and her work. And what she adored most about him was how he treated her as his equal, his respect for her shining through without reserve.She too learned so much about him and finally she summoned the courage to ask him the one thing that had been perplexing her the entire time. “You said it was complicated Ethan and I feel if we have any chance of building a relationship, there can be no secrets between us.” The dark and tormented look clouding his face was not lost on her.What could possibly hurt him so much that he shut himself off? “Come inside with me Beth,”he said softly.”There you will find all the answers you seek.” “Ethan, just tell me,”she said.”What answers do you speak of?” “Answers about me… and the truth about my marriage.” ......... Beth walked behind him in silence following the bombshell he dropped on her. She was too stunned to speak or even breathe.At the bottom of the opulent staircase her voice at last returned to her. “Ethan,”she said,as the force of his words hit her again.”Are you telling me you're a married man?I am not prepared to be your mistress.” Ethan’s eyes widened in shock.”Beth, no Beth,”he said incredulously.”Forgive me for not making myself clear.I am no longer married.My wife died 6 years ago.” Beth felt a weight being lifted from her.He was a widower and she would not be in the position of home wrecking skank. Her relief must have been obvious on her face because Ethan smiled widely as he put a comforting arm around her shoulders. “I had no idea,”she said,”I’m so sorry Ethan, about your wife.” “Thank you Beth, but that’s not where the story ends.My choice to live as I have for the last 6 years all comes down to a promise I made to Leticia before she died.That promise has shaped my life and it's one I must fulfill until the day I die.” Beth was intrigued.A deathbed promise to his dying wife that would impact the rest of his life? What could that possibly mean? Of one thing she was certain.Ethan Hollingsworth was a man of his word to honor whatever transpired that tragic day. “Come upstairs with me Beth.I want you to meet my stepson.”October 13, 1811I have barely had the strength to write the last while. The final months of my pregnancy took a terrible toll on me and I was ill for some time. Charles and I prayed that I would deliver a healthy baby and our prayers were answered. William is six weeks old and very robust. We can not be more proud. For so long I feared I would never give Charles the child he so truly desired, but God heard my cries and gave us this greatest of blessings.I nearly died giving birth to him but from the moment I laid eyes upon his beautiful face, I knew all the pain and strife had been worth it. His presence completed our lives and our marriage is stronger than ever, despite the madness that overcame me three weeks ago….“Dear God in heaven!Katherine, calm yourself!”Charles’ voice bouldered in their bedroom,
“ I hope Marcus is still awake,” Beth said as they took the turn down the dimly lit road leading to the manor. “We talked so much I lost track of time.” Emma smiled as she shifted gears. “I’m still concerned about what you said earlier Beth. About bringing danger to us, the people who love you.” “In a way it’s true though Em. You’re in danger by way of associating with me. We still have no idea what this spirit wants or why, well, besides myself and Ethan dead. And it’s frightening to think she confronted Mrs Feeney in her own home. How will she protect herself? I don’t even know what I’m feeling nowadays. I never imagined this would be the path I would walk someday and it kills me to think anything could happen to you guys.” “Enough with the martyrdom Beth. We love you and we will face this with you. We’re family.” Beth felt a sense of comfort at Emma’s words. When her parents were killed she felt alone for the longest time and moments like these reminded her that Emma and Mrs
Propped up against his pillows, Marcus pondered the question Noah had just cast his way.“Why do you think something is going on?” he asked innocently. He dreaded the thought of Noah finding out the truth and then just disappearing in a mist of shock and delusion.Noah was not only his nurse, but also his best friend. In the four years Noah had cared for him, they’d grown quite close and although Marcus hated the idea of lying to him, he consoled himself with the thought that it was all for Noah’s safety.“ Because it’s disconcerting,” Noah replied. “The way you,your dad and Beth have been acting. Like there’s some big secret. If you need to talk Marcus, you know I’m here for you.”“It’s just the adjustment,” Marcus lied. He surprised himself with the effortless ease with which he could do it. “For so long it wa
It was just after dark when her shift was done and Beth went out into the parking lot, to wait for Emma who was picking her up tonight. Although she appreciated their concern, Beth had to admit she felt a bit riled by Ethan and Emma, who it seemed had some unspoken agreement between them to babysit her. They even took turns picking her up at work and were constantly checking up on her. It was out of love, she knew, but it could also be extremely aggravating. It was almost as if they decided she needed around the clock care. She quicly cast her unpleasant thoughts aside, realizing this was her best friend and the man she loved. And after what happened today, with the animated corpse of the young man and the lady in the shadows inside of him… She suppressed a shiver at the memory, trying not to let it upset her mood as Emma pulled up beside her and honked the horn. “ All done?” Emma asked. “Still taking your leave of absence?” Beth smiled indulgently. “Yes, Em. I can’t give my
“You should close your drapes dear,” Abigail said. She sat behind Fallon on the four-poster bed, gently brushing her daughter’s hair. “Yes, Mother,” Fallon replied. “Though I doubt I will get any sleep, seeing as Father invited the Carrick’s to stay the night.” Abigail stopped and turned her daughter to face her. ”It would have been unforgivable, for your father to turn guests away in this storm. They will leave early tomorrow morning, I think.” Fallon cast her eyes down, fearful her mother would see her utter disgust. The more time she spent in Warren’s presence, the more her hatred for him grew. This was what her life was to be. Married to a simpleton. Without his father’s riches, he would be no more than the village idiot. “Warren will make a fine husband,Fallon. You must simply be the dutiful wife and acquiesce to his will,” Abigail continued. “You must make this sacrifice for your family. Your children will want for nothing in this life.” “The dutiful wife?” Fallon questioned
“Lord Carrick, how fascinating for you to allow Warren to have an Egyptian boy as his manservant,” Abigail commented. Somehow she had overheard the idiot telling Fallon, and was now bringing it up in conversation. Fallon was immediately alert. The young man confounded her. Why did he have such an electrifying effect on her? Was it his exotic appearance? Or the way his eyes had bored into her soul, in the brief moment he’d looked at her? Whatever it was, she resolved to find out. There was never a mystery which did not appeal to the young Miss Rutherford. “I concur,” Arthur said. “Wherever did you find him?” Lord Carrick lifted his decanter to his dry lips, draining it of its contents. Instantaneously, one of the servants refilled it. He coughed as he cleared it once more. “I bought the boy from his mother,” Lord Carrick announced nonchalantly. Fallon covered her mouth with her hand, fearful they would hear her outraged gasp. Who was Lord Carrick, to treat people as commodities to