by Anna Macy
“Nice to meet you, Mr. Huntington,” he said, his jaw clenched and tight, “We have much to talk about.”
William looked down at Juliet, and she knew he was taking in her pale face, clenched fists, and defensive posture. “Yes,” he said, “It seems we do. Have your man talk to mine. Perhaps I can make time later this afternoon.”
Juliet fought the urge to step closer to him. Even from where she stood, she could feel the warmth of his protection enveloping her. As if sensing this, William gently reached down and gripped Juliet’s fist, drawing it up and tucking it into his arm. Her eyes were wide as he again gave a small bow to Marshall before simply striding off across the drive and up to the yards to the side of the manor. He never looked back, and Juliet followed his lead.
They had made it up the smooth hillside and were approaching the side entrance to the manor when the weight of the situation caught up with her, and she sagged against his arm.
“I am so sorry, William, I didn’t think they would come here,” Juliet said, her eyes filling with embarrassing tears as she stared at the damp earth underneath her boots.
William was shaking his head and turning to her, and she could feel his gloved hand slide across her cheek. Surprised, Juliet jerked her face upwards, staring at him as he cupped her cheek.
For the first time, she realized that he hadn’t been angry at her; he was angry for her. Her heart skipped a beat. It had been so long since she felt protected, but here, with him, Juliet knew she was safe.
“Is that-,” he started, before swallowing and starting again, “Is that how he always is?”
Embarrassment colored her cheeks, but she held that magnetic, kind gaze. “Always.”
Those silvery eyes turned sharp again, and while she couldn’t stop staring at the carefully concealed danger that lurked within them. For the first time since she met him, she realized that William Huntington, Marquess of Mansfield Park, might be a dangerous man.
“It’s going to be okay,” William whispered, and suddenly he pressed warm lips to her forehead, lingering there when her hands gripped his wrists, holding him fast. Juliet knew that there were plenty of people around them, all watching the couple closely. Juliet savored the sliver of affection, letting it settle in her heart, a warm, healing memory.
In the next instant, he released her, giving a quick smile goodbye before he disappeared around the backside of the manor. Standing there shocked, Juliet slowly let her hand creep to her face where she traced the warm outline of where he had caressed her face.
He had held her while she had quaked in fear and still looked at her like she was something precious. Juliet ducked into the house. She had to find Marian and tell her about what had happened.
CHAPTER EIGHT
Luckily, Marshall and her mother, Elizabeth, had disappeared into their private suite. Juliet threw herself into preparations for tomorrow's ball, trying very hard to ignore the fact that the man she hated most in the world was again in control of her life. Pulling herself out of her dreary thoughts, she sorted through the delicate summer flowers that staff had been bringing her all morning.
Nicholas suddenly appeared in the kitchen area, followed by Marian, who was flushed and sputtering as they entered.
“Nicholas, you can’t come marching in here the day before and ask for these changes!” Marian was saying, her small frame standing firm against the much taller man.
Nicholas reached over and snagged a piece of fruit off the table in front of Juliet. He winked at her before turning back to Marian’s outraged face.
“But Grandfather prefers the blue, and the chicken,” He said earnestly, but Juliet could see the humorous pull of his lips as he toyed with Marian’s temper. Chomping into the fruit, Nicholas smiled widely before leaning forward and, with a quick snap of the finger, pressed Marian’s slack jaw closed again.
Juliet snorted as Nicholas waltzed from the room, cool as a cucumber, leaving a trail of chaos behind him. It didn’t take much to imagine them together. Nicholas was a hard one to read. His interest in women, in marriage, seemed to change by the hour, if not sooner. And Marian, she wanted something different now than she had stolen away to meet her Mr. Conning. But even still, the tension between them was palatable.
Selecting a slender white bloom, Juliet cleared her throat loudly, in case her friend didn’t realize she was still standing there frozen in a fury. Marian jolted out of her trance and stomped to the table where Juliet stood arranging.
Grabbing a large bough of blue flowers, Marian began to stuff them haphazardly into various vases. Without hesitation, Juliet reached out and grabbed her friend's arm before she massacred any more centerpieces.
“You shouldn’t let him get to you so,” Juliet said, “And please stop helping me.” Laughing, Juliet quickly took the offending florals out of Marian’s hands before drawing her friend close.
“Everything is going to be perfect. You and I both know this.” Juliet felt her voice humming with positivity. She couldn’t help it. After spending her morning with William, she felt that her body was overflowing with thoughts of happiness, of a new start.
Marian quirked an eyebrow at her; she had already heard the Marshall and William story, and while she had listened with rapt attention during Juliet’s story, she was still concerned. Tugging her hands gently loose, Marian pulled a chair free of the table and plopped down in the most ladylike way possible.
Propping her elbows on her knees, she went silent, a far-off expression on her face. For several minutes, Juliet savored the quiet. Sorting and arranging the centerpieces for tomorrow’s ball, waiting for her friend to say something.
Marian looked worn down, and it worried Juliet. She had thrown herself completely into this event, and while Juliet was sure it would be a hit, that didn’t make it any less stressful. Setting one last blossom, Juliet went around and dropped to her knees at Marian’s feet.
To her surprise, her friend’s sweet face crumpled, and for a moment, Juliet thought Marian might start crying. Then quick as lightning, Marian braced herself, the strict training of her upbringing preventing her from giving in to the overwhelming feelings.
“I just want to do a nice job for him,” Marian said brokenly, “But he’s so impossible.” Juliet’s hand reached out and gripped Marian’s slim arm as it draped across her knees.
“You’ve done such a great job, Marian,” Juliet said earnestly, “Just imagine what kind of party this would be had you not taken control.” She smiled at Marian, biting her tongue. “Can you imagine Cook and the staff all chasing Nick around the countryside, trying to get his opinion on tablecloths?” That pulled a laugh from Marian, and immediately, Juliet felt better.
She hated seeing her friend stressed, and it was evident that since last winter, she had been fostering a bit of a crush on Nicholas, but it was impossible to act on. Or at least that is what Marian had told her when Juliet gently prompted the question weeks ago via letter.
Juliet knew that Marian felt she had missed her chance to find a husband in the traditional method. Juliet feared that the woman had all but given up on love altogether. Maybe she wasn’t a fresh-faced girl in her first season, but Marian was sweet, loving, and beautiful. She deserved every happiness.
Juliet wasn’t sure if she and Nicholas were a true match or if they just enjoyed torturing each other in place of having to find something more serious to occupy their futures. But regardless, it made them both happy. For now, at least.
“Ugh,” Marian moaned before sliding her hands up and over her delicate cheekbones as if she could wipe away the frustration as she wiped away the trail of tears. “You’re right. Of course.”
Juliet smiled. It wasn’t often that she got to play advisor for her friend, and she found herself enjoying the opportunity to return the favor. Juliet stood and pulled Marian up from the chair.
“I’ve got to go, but I’ll see you soon,” Marian squeezed Juliet’s hands quickly.
“Don’t worry. I’ll finish the
se right up.” Juliet smiled at her friend. Marian went after Nicholas, her footsteps hurried.
Shaking her head, Juliet returned to the last of her centerpieces. They were a lovely assortment of flowers from the manor's elaborate gardens, as well as several Nicholas had brought down from his grandfather’s greenhouse a short ride away. Juliet hadn’t been in that part of the property yet, but based on the beauty of these flowers, she knew she wanted to see it someday.
Frowning, Juliet twirled a stem in between her long fingers, her expression darkening as she realized that her stay here at Lakeview Manor would be ending. Amelia had informed her that her mother and Marshall weren’t planning on moving into town for two or three more weeks.
That meant that even if she bought a few days more here in Lakeview after the ball, that would be several weeks stuck at Greystone with her family. Her nose wrinkled; the thought was not appealing.
After being here with Marian, Nicholas, Robert, and even Lady Catherine, Juliet was accurately aware of how lonely she was at Greystone. Not because she didn’t love the property, but because there was no one there for her. Not anymore.
With the Greystone townhouse under renovations in London, Juliet knew that Marshall would be a sullen, pouting presence at Greystone. The man was hateful and nasty on his good days and downright threatening on his bad. Juliet shivered just thinking of having to stay in such proximity to him long term. She hoped that Marshall would agree to William’s offer, and they could put this scandal behind them and start fresh together.
But her traitorous mind couldn’t help but wonder what would happen if Marshall didn’t accept William’s offer for her hand. Juliet truly would be all alone, with no prospects.
Taking a deep shuddering breath in, Juliet shook her head as if she could physically wipe the slate of worries in her mind clear. She would find love. Even if Marshall tried to stop her marriage to William, she would find a way to get the family she longed for.
A quick smile flitted across her face as she stared down the long kitchen table. It was covered with dozens of beautiful vases and flowers, each arranged to a perfect combination of soft blues and whites and bright yellow buds.
Dusting her hands against her dress, she gave the centerpieces a satisfied nod before turning to leave the kitchen area. At least if her family abandoned her for all her indiscretions, she might have a future in the business of floral arrangements. What a ridiculous week this had been.
***
To everyone’s surprise, save Juliet, Marshall, and Elizabeth hadn’t emerged from their suite, even for dinner. They had requested be brought to their room, saying they were weary from their travels. While Juliet had thanked God that they didn’t have any interest in socializing with her or her friends, she dreaded when she finally had to speak with her mother.
When Juliet was young, they had been close. Together they shared such similar features, both tall and slim with too much dark brown hair and flashing amber shades in their eyes. But that is where their similarities ended. The bubbling, loving personality Juliet remembered was fading from existence. In its place was a frivolous, condescending countess who had little interest in her daughter's life.
Elizabeth had even requested Juliet’s Aunt accompany her to all social events, claiming she didn’t want to distract her attention from Marshall and the family business endeavors. Juliet assumed that the only business Marshall was into was the kind that involved extensive gambling.
But that didn’t matter now. Juliet could finally see a way out of Greystone and into her new life, and she wasn’t afraid of taking the next step, whatever that might be. She hoped that the next step included William.
The way that man devoured her with his eyes, his full lips quirking up in a half-smile as he tempted her body with those kisses. She could get used to being held, being loved like that.
That night at dinner, Juliet tucked in close to Eloise again, enormously enjoying the woman’s candid nature and sweet stories of her youth. She was a vibrant note in every room she went into, and Juliet couldn’t wait to meet her son, who would be arriving in the morning to attend the ball with his mother. Still a little young for these events, he was attending the early portion as a dear friend of the family. From what Juliet could make of it, the boy idolized William.
Eloise joked that her boy would probably be shadowing William, Robert, and Nicholas’ the entire night. Juliet grinned, thinking of what it would be like for a young man to follow around some of the most significant titles in high society. He would likely get to meet plenty of lovely young women, and Juliet couldn’t help but wonder if that had been part of the plan.
Shortly after the group broke from dinner, the guest of honor arrived via carriage. Juliet’s chest squeezed as Nicholas ran through the main foyer and down the front steps to greet his grandfather. Easily in his late seventies, Arthur Euston, the Duke of Cullor, stepped down from his carriage and straight into his youngest grandchild's waiting arms.
Nicholas displayed no embarrassment at the open affection, heartily embracing the man who had raised him. Juliet guessed that the Duke had once been quite tall, like Nicholas, in his youth. Age had pressed him into a slight hunch. A long, black and silver cane also appeared in one hand, and as Nicholas stepped back, the Duke popped his cane to the stairs and climbed them handily.
Everyone in the party attempted to act nonchalantly as the Duke made his way into the manor. Juliet felt Marian pulling her towards the older man.
“What are you doing?” Juliet whispered at her, but Marian only shook her blonde head and continued to drag her towards the incoming men.
As one, they dropped into a slight curtsey, which the elderly Duke returned with a slight bow. When he straightened to his usual drooping height again, a bright smile creased his face as he held his hands out to Marian.
“Lady Marian, my dear girl, have you changed your mind and come to make me the happiest man in the world after all?” Marian’s twinkling laugh was genuine, and she drew the man's hands to her lips where she gave them each an affection kiss.
“My Lord, you cannot go on like this. What will people think of your proposals?” Marian teased back.
“To hell with those stuffy aristocrats,” the Duke said grumpily, handing off his hat to the waiting staff. “You have no idea the relief it is to have Nicholas and his brothers standing in for me nowadays. Instead of wrangling spoiled, powder-haired children, I get to travel the world, read my books, torture my grandchildren.” He waggled his bushy grey eyebrows at the ladies, and both laughed.
Julie instantly adored him. His jovial nature and no-nonsense way of speaking were not what she had expected. He had seen great tragedy in his many years, the death of his oldest son and daughter-in-law, Nicholas’ parents, had nearly undone him, but he was not the type to let something keep him down.
“And who is this lovely creature?” The Duke thundered, releasing Marian’s hands in order to step towards Juliet. Although she was prepared for his appraisal, she didn’t receive one. His soft, foggy blue eyes held hers for only a moment before he gallantly dipped down to kiss her hand.
Marian spoke for Juliet, “My Lord, may I introduce Lady Juliet Sonders of Greystone, my dearest friend.”
“Greystone, eh?” The Duke stroked his chin for a moment. “It is a pleasure. Your father was a great man, Lady Juliet.”
Juliet bowed her head in surprise at the compliment, “I’m happy you think so. I’m sure he’d be delighted to visit with you while he is here-.“
The Duke cut her off, his tone suddenly sharp, “No, my lady, your father, not that silly creature Pinecrest. We worked together many years ago. Terribly sorry about what happened to him.”
Stunned into silence, Juliet merely nodded. She hadn’t known any association between her father and the Duke before this conversation. Giving her a look, Marian stepped in, chatting another moment before she made their excuses to go back to the card table.
“Are you okay? You’re white as a ghos
t.” Marian said softly, her slender hand gripping Juliet’s arm as if she were afraid the taller woman might faint.
“I’m fine, Marian,” Juliet said, forcing her cheeks to smile at her friend's concerned face.
Even though the very mention of her father had her insides quaking, she was aware of how curiously the group was looking at them. Their small party had grown, and Juliet did not plan on giving them the satisfaction of breaking down in front of anyone. She would not prove to anyone that she was the same flighty, irrational woman that her mother was.
“What a delightful man.” Juliet inclined her head towards the Duke, who was now making his way down the hall, happily berating his guests, cane tapping lightly against the polished marble.
“Oh, he’s something else, that’s for sure,” Marian laughed, looking hard at Juliet. Tonight wasn’t the moment to stew in old heartaches.