Chapter 32
Chapter thirty-two
If Juliet were being ostracized from society, one would never know it because friends and family packed her parents’ townhouse for the wedding brunch.
After their delicious meal, Juliet entwined her fingers with Eric’s, and together, they circulated through the dining parlor and the drawing room, visiting with their guests.
As much as Juliet was enjoying herself, she craved being alone with her husband, and despite normally being a social butterfly, she struggled to maintain her energy level.
Therefore, when Emily patted the cushion beside her, inviting Juliet to sit, she dropped onto the settee without hesitation.
To her disappointment, Eric excused himself, saying he would be back in a moment.
“Don’t look so despondent, Jules,” Emily said. “From now on, you shall spend every night and day with your husband.”
True, so she should take this time to enjoy being with Emily. She’d just leaned back on the cushion and relaxed when Maria hurried into the room and sat on the other side of her.
“You finally escaped from purgatory,” Emily said.
“How unfair that I must spend every minute with Aunt Lydia,” Maria whispered. “Even now, when there are others around to entertain her.”
“Aunt Lydia isn’t completely awful,” Emily said.
Maria waggled her finger. “Easy for you to say now that I am the one who must be her companion.”
She had a point, especially since their aunt was judgmental, needy, and boring.
Maria sighed. “Let us talk about other things. Jules, your wedding was lovely, and the meal was delicious. Especially the cake.”
“Mother and the staff did a fabulous job,” Emily added.
Juliet’s thoughts exactly. She beamed at her sisters’ reassurance.
“And your dress—” Maria pointed at the embroidered roses decorating Juliet’s bodice “—The needlework is spectacular.”
“Betty’s wedding present,” Juliet said. The stitches were intricate and precise, and Betty had completed the work in a matter of weeks.
“I should have known,” Maria said. “She is so talented.”
Speaking of maids… Hopefully, Emily would not think Juliet presumptuous for pilfering her staff.
“Em, how would you feel if I asked Esther to come to London and be my lady’s maid?” Juliet asked.
“Are you sure?” Emily chewed on her lip as if she were choosing her words carefully. “She is sweet but a bit of a disaster.”
But a loyal disaster. “The man she favors works at a London stable,” Juliet said. “Since Eric and I are living in London year-round, I thought she might enjoy staying here with us.”
“She does seem rather attached to you,” Emily said. “Since she traveled with us, you can invite her yourself. But what about Betty? Is she staying with Mother and Father until Maria returns?”
Maria scoffed. “If Aunt Lydia has her way, I won’t ever leave her. However, whether I’m free or not, I don’t require a lady’s maid.”
Emily and Maria were so unconventional and free-thinking. Enviable, in so many ways, and thank goodness, neither of them required Betty because she’d requested to live with her and Eric. And, truth be told, Juliet enjoyed Betty’s companionship.
“Betty has expressed an interest in being a nanny.” Her exact words had been, “I helped raise you girls, and now I am ready to raise your children. I don’t favor being at Chesterhill Manor in case the hideous marchioness returns, and I don’t think Maria will ever marry.
So independent, that girl. Keep in mind, I’m not a young girl anymore.
Still, I’m ready to tackle new adventures. ”
Emily squealed. “Are Maria and I already aunts?”
“Em, how indecent,” Juliet chastised, probably because she was experiencing guilt over her premarital relations with Eric.
“Not yet, but we hope to have children soon.” She quickly changed the subject.
“We won’t have a large staff. Just Betty, Esther, and one of Eric’s dear friends, Mrs. Paulson, who will be cooking and doing some light cleaning.
Eric told her she could retire if she wished, but she insists on staying busy, and Eric adores her. ”
“That sounds quite cozy,” Maria said. “You will be exceedingly happy, and I think Eric is delightful. If I had any intention of marrying, I would ask if your husbands have another brother.” Maria inclined her chin toward the lord and his sons, who were approaching.
“They probably do,” Emily whispered. “Perhaps another dozen or so of the bastards are running about London.”
While considering how many by-blows Lord Chesterhill might have abandoned, Juliet cringed. Pushing her misgivings to the side, she smiled at her father-in-law. “Are you enjoying yourself, Sir?”
“A fine day indeed,” Lord Chesterhill said.
Eric placed his hand on Juliet’s shoulder. “Lord Chesterhill just gave me another wedding present.”
“Call me Father,” Chesterhill said.
Eric swallowed. “My father just presented me with another gift.”
Juliet folded her hands in her lap, waiting for Eric to continue.
He flashed his perfect teeth. Whatever this present was, it must be something Eric really wanted to warrant such a sincere grin. Since he’d already accepted the money to purchase their home, and a home for Athena, Flynn, and the girls, there was only one other material thing he desired.
“Harvey is officially mine,” Eric said.
“Oh, splendid.” Juliet infused her smile with warmth. “How generous of you, my lord. Eric does favor him.”
“Pssh.” Lord Chesterhill swished a dismissive wrist. “’Twas nothing. He was my newest horse, so I never really bonded with him. Besides, I have stables full of the four-legged creatures.”
If Juliet’s memory was correct, Esther had indicated the marquess was quite taken with the stallion, hence the reason Walter had brought him to the estate. She truly admired the man’s devotion to his illegitimate children.
As much as Juliet would like to stay with her sisters, it was time to move on. Standing, she grasped Eric’s hand. “If you will excuse my husband and I, we should personally thank all of our guests for spending the morning with us.”
Moments later, she and Eric stood in the corner of the drawing room with Athena and Flynn.
There was no way that anyone would guess that Athena had spent her life in a brothel, or that Flynn was her devoted protector, especially since Eric had introduced them as his mother’s sister and his favorite cousin.
“You look beautiful, Juliet,” Athena said.
“As do you.” Athena’s light blue gown had to have been designed by one of the finest modistes in London, and her hair was braided and twisted into a coiffure worthy of a queen. “How is your new home?” Juliet asked.
Athena patted Eric’s cheek. “Charming. Chelsea is lovely, and the girls are pleased with their new lives.”
Flynn leaned close to whisper, “Malestorm, however, is far from happy. He stops by at least once a week to beg Auntie to marry him.”
Athena snorted. “I suppose if he truly favored me, he shouldn’t have resorted to extortion.
” She perused the room to ensure no one was listening, then whispered, “While we were at the church, Lord Chesterhill approached and asked to speak privately. He promised us an ongoing allowance. Eric, he offered enough for us to live comfortably so that you no longer need to worry about us. No strings attached. He said that it is to pay us back for raising you, and to make up for the money that your mother never collected.”
Eric’s Adam’s apple moved ever so slightly as if he were swallowing a bittersweet pill. Juliet fought the urge to wrap him in her arms.
“Thank you for coming,” Juliet said. “It means the world to us. I hope you will both come to dinner at our new home.”
“That invitation extends both ways,” Athena said.
After saying their goodbyes, Juliet guided Eric out of the drawing room and down the hall. She stopped short, blinked, and refocused. Her vision had not failed her. Hugh had caged Charlotte against the wall, and his lips were locked on hers.
Eric cleared his throat. Hugh stepped back and licked his lips.
Seeming undaunted that they’d been caught in a public display of affection, Charlotte rushed to Juliet, the hem of her skirt swishing about her ankles. She clutched Juliet’s hand. “What a lovely morning.”
Hugh approached and clapped Eric on the back.
“Congratulations, mate.” His gaze slid down the empty hall, as if he was about to divulge information, after he ensured there were no witnesses.
“I heard from my mother,” he said, his voice barely above a whisper.
“Your friend has settled in and is doing well.”
“Thank you,” Eric said. “I plan to repay you for what you did to help her. I also still owe you for the job I hired you to do for me.”
“We will work all of that out later,” Hugh said. “Stop by my office someday next week.”
“By the by,” Eric said, his voice soft, so that he would not be overheard. “How did you find Dixon?”
“Easy, really,” Hugh said. “I figured if he was missing fingers, he probably lost them in one of the mills or factories. So, I asked about him in the bars that those workers frequent.”
Eric huffed. “Why didn’t I think of that?”
“Because I’m the investigator,” Hugh said with a lopsided grin.
Charlotte kissed her husband on the cheek. “He is the best investigator in all of London.”
Theodore Ravenforde and his wife, a lovely red-haired woman Juliet had never met before today, strolled out of the dining parlor.
Lord Chesterhill had insisted the young couple be invited, and since Mother was fearful about Juliet’s status in society, and she thought Theodore was Lord Ravenforde’s heir, she insisted they attend.
Juliet saw no point in arguing. Although Theodore seemed a bit growly, Victoria had smiled all through the service and the buffet.
Charlotte and Victoria hugged. When they separated, Charlotte patted Victoria’s belly. Taking in Victoria’s glowing countenance, Juliet assumed she was with child.
Theodore whispered something in Hugh’s ear.