“Whatever you want to say to me, you can say in front of Estelle. She leaves with me as well.”
Camilla considered this for a minute before resigning. “Alright.”
Juliet's suspicions continued growing as Camilla moved away from the doorway and further into the room.
“Your father is putting on his waistcoat. He shall come for you any second.” She started.
A wave of amusement settled upon Juliet's face. “Is that what you came to tell me?”
“No.” Camilla responded. “I just wanted to wish you good luck in your new abode. You're going to need it. I hear Lady Beatrice might as well be an incarnate of a fiend.”
Juliet frowned. “Why are you telling me this?”
Camilla shook her head. “Because I don't have any reason to hate you, Juliet. I only pretend to do so for my husband.”
Juliet's eyes darted to Estelle, then back to Camilla. She didn't know a lot about Lady Beatrice herself. Camilla had her ears to the ground more than she did, so she couldn't outrightly disregard her advice.
“Thank you for the warning. I shall do my best to prepare for her.” Juliet finally said.
“I honestly wish you the best, Juliet.” Camilla repeated. A pause ensued between them. At that moment, Camilla contemplated pulling Juliet into a hug, but she restrained herself. Juliet watched her curtsy and slowly make her way out of her room.
“What do you think?” Juliet asked, turning to Estelle once Camilla's footsteps grew faint.
“I am not Lady Camilla's biggest admirer.” Estelle replied. “But it would not hurt to put weight to her words.”
“I was thinking the same too.” Juliet responded. “Do you think the Estfield Manor might have a garden, just like ours?”
Estelle shook her head. “I would not count on it, milady.”
Juliet nodded. “That is fair. Come adjust this corset for me. It is a bit loose around my back.”
“Yes, milady.” Estelle responded, moving towards Juliet.
Soon, she was standing in the middle of her room, her eyes sweeping around as she took in one final look. Her father might perhaps turn it into a study after she was gone. That or Adam might transform it into his personal drawing-room, entertaining his fellow foul-mouthed friends. Juliet shuddered at the thought of her room housing her half-brother's shenanigans. Lord Peter Fairmont arrived in the doorway, fully dressed with a solemn expression fixed on his face.
“We better leave. We shouldn't keep the Edgeworths waiting for much longer.”
Juliet nodded.
With the bottom of her gown gingerly placed in her hands, Juliet walked down the hallway, perhaps for the last time, out the door and into the carriage. Her father climbed in beside her and sat on the other side.
“I take it your maid is coming with you?” Peter asked right before the horseman took off.
Juliet nodded.
“Very well.”
The carriage started to move as thick silence descended in the space between Juliet and her father.
“Father, I am really sorry. I never intended to bring this upon our family.” Juliet said once she couldn't bear the silence anymore.
Peter shrugged. “It doesn't matter what you intended. All that matters is that our house has been permanently tainted because of you.”
A wave of hurt flashed across Juliet's face. “Father—”
“This is not a happy day, Juliet. Your wedding was never meant to be done in shame. But this is what we have to do to protect whatever dignity we have left.”
“But—”
