Chapter Eight #2
Esther peeked in at her. “Miss, I heard you cry out. Did you hurt yourself?”
Drat! How loud had she been? Juliet’s cheeks burned. “No. I’m fine,” she squawked like a child caught with their hand in the biscuit tin.
“Oh, good,” Esther said. “Should I help you dry yourself?”
Criminy, no! Betty had never dried Juliet after a bath. “I can manage,” she said. “Please close the door, and I will be out in a moment.”
“As you wish, Miss.” Esther bobbed a curtsy and left her alone. At least the overzealous maid seemed unaware of what Juliet had been doing to amuse herself.
Half-whimpering, half-chuckling, Juliet dropped her forehead into her hands. The almost discovery of her wanton behavior had been entirely too close for comfort, teaching her a valuable lesson. She would not engage in such brazen activities while visiting Chesterhill Manor.
Juliet twirled, her toes digging into the plush carpeting.
Oh, how she loved this chamber. This past fall, she’d shared it with Emily when their family had attended the marchioness’ masquerade ball.
It seemed like forever ago that she’d lost Emily to the handsome scholar.
She couldn’t find it in her heart to be too jealous, since Emily was exceedingly happy, and Alexander treated her as if she were the queen.
Her arms wide, Juliet toppled backward, landing in the center of the massive bed.
She folded her hands behind her head and took in the elegance.
Rose wallpaper and rich red draperies adorned the chamber.
A delicately carved writing desk sat beneath a round leaded glass window resplendent with colorful shapes.
Pink satin and cream lace festooned the dressing table, and paintings in gilded frames covered every inch of wall space.
A knock, knock. Knock, knock thudded, Emily’s signature greeting announcing her arrival.
Smiling, Juliet sat up.
The door cracked open, and Emily peered in at her. Her grin wide, she barged into the center of the room. Esther tagged along at her heels, carrying a tray of cakes and a decanter of brandy.
Emily rushed to the dressing table and moved Juliet’s paltry travel possessions to the side, creating space for the tray. “Please set it here.”
Esther carefully lowered the treats, then turned to the sisters. Hands hanging by her side, she stared at Emily, her expression pleading.
Emily nodded at their unspoken communication. “Yes, of course, Esther.”
It seemed the two women were up to something.
“Juliet, Esther would like to act as your lady’s maid for your stay,” Emily said. “How do you feel about this?”
That was an easy enough question. Juliet wished she’d brought Betty, but since she hadn’t, Esther would do. The woman was a bit too eager, but sweet, nonetheless.
“That should suit,” Juliet said. Hopefully, Esther wasn’t looking forward to caring for fancy frocks, because if she were, she’d be sorely disappointed. “I’m afraid I packed quite light.”
“Oh, thank you, Miss.” Esther popped onto her toes. Then, seeming to think better of her display of emotion, she stood still, twisting her hands in her skirt. “I’ve never been a lady’s maid before, but I’m a fast learner.”
“I’m sure we will get along splendidly,” Juliet said. She would explain later that Esther should not walk in on her when she was bathing, not that she’d put her hands down there again during this visit.
“That will be all for tonight, Esther,” Emily said.
Esther bobbed a curtsy and left the sisters alone.
Since Emily was in her loose nightdress, she easily crawled onto the bed and sat beside Juliet. Her expression serious, she grasped Juliet’s hand. “There are cakes for good little sisters who tell their big sisters what in the dickens is going on.”
Juliet sighed. “As you already guessed, I ran away.”
“Why?”
Perhaps the easiest way to handle this was to blurt out the truth. “Because I no longer want to marry Charles.”
Emily gasped, then blinked. “I can’t say I’m disappointed. I dislike him immensely. Why don’t you start at the beginning?”
Juliet searched her memories, trying to recall when she had first changed her mind about marrying Charles.
Maybe it was a few weeks ago, when he’d lecherously stared at one of the maids, licking his lips.
She’d conveniently shoved that image deep inside her, but here it was, plaguing her thoughts.
Or perhaps it was all those nights he left dinner early, looking sheepish.
Even though she made flimsy excuses for him, she’d known he was up to no good.
But it was the second he’d forbidden her to see her own flesh and blood that she realized she despised him.
And then he’d behaved like a coward, solidifying what she’d known for weeks.
“Last night, after we left the theatre, we were set upon by thieves,” Juliet said. “Lord Riley hid behind me and even pushed me into the path of one of the bandits, who held a knife.”
Her mouth wide, Emily clutched her chest.
“I doubt Mother and Father will allow me to break the engagement. I think they will force me to marry him.”
“Mayhap you are mistaken,” Emily said. “Did you tell them what he did?”
“No. What is the point? Father has already met with the earl. As far as they are concerned, our families are to be joined. The truth is, I don’t trust Charles.
My instincts tell me there is another woman.
Or women. I don’t want that. I want what you have with Alexander, a man who loves me and only me. ”
The tears Juliet had held at bay burned her eyes. The slow trickle turned into a sticky waterfall. Blubbering like a silly child, she collapsed onto her pillow. Emily lay beside her, holding her close and whispering comforting words.
Eventually, Juliet’s tears stopped, not because she felt better, but because she had cried herself bone-dry.
“By now, I suspect Mother and Father are frantically looking for you,” Emily said. “It will only be a matter of time before they realize you are here.”
Juliet sniffled. “I know.”
“Then the four of us will sit and discuss this logically. I shall help you plead your case.”
Juliet nodded. If her sister was going to defend her, she needed to know the entire sordid story. “There is something else,” she whispered.
“Tell me,” Emily said, her eyes soft and filled with compassion.
Juliet inhaled deeply as she gathered her courage.
Finally, she exhaled, declaring, “A masked man is running about London. Some say he is an avenger, doling out justice. Others think he is a criminal who has started to target the aristocracy. I believe he is quite heroic. And he is a marvelous kisser.”
Emily grabbed Juliet’s shoulder. “How do you know this?”
“Because…” Juliet closed her eyes. “Because he saved me from the men with the knives and then kissed me in front of Charles and his grandmother.” She opened her eyes to regard Emily’s gaping mouth.
“And the truth is, I quite enjoyed the kiss.” Juliet lowered her gaze to her lap to stare at her hands.
“But when Mother and Father hear of my scandalous encounter, I will be dead to them, and no one will ever marry me. However, I am not sure that I care. As long as I have you and Maria, I shall survive the scandal.”
Emily wrapped an arm around Juliet’s shoulder. “Of course, you have me. Now, tell me more about this kiss.”