But out of duty and companionship, he would talk with his wife. She didn't ask for any of this, and neither did he. It was unfair, he realized, to leave her alone to herself. He needed to do better. He needed to be a fine husband to his wife, even if their marriage was never born out of love.
“I think we can hoist the horses here.” He heard Charles say. A wave of relief swept through his body. He couldn't bear to keep holding on for longer.
Chapter Ten
Breakfast at the Estfield Manor was quiet, moody, and awkward, as usual. Eyes shifted from one face to the other as spoons clinked against plates. Juliet grew more uncomfortable with each second. She could tell that her mother-in-law's eyes were on her.
“You need to start eating more, dear.” Beatrice said, dabbing her lips with a white handkerchief. “If you're going to start considering bearing children, you must be properly nourished.”
Juliet and Weston exchanged subtle looks of terror. Aside from sleeping together in the same bed, Juliet and Weston had never done anything else. Sometimes, Juliet wondered if Weston was only sleeping in the same bed with her out of some bound duty.
“I will ask the cooks to start adding aids to your meal. A lady's clock runs fast. You need to start trying for children by now.”
“Let her enjoy her meal, mother.” Anne cut in, coming to Juliet's rescue. “Your children talk may be the very reason she isn't eating much.”
“I am only trying to look out for the future of the house. We do not want another situation like—”
“Mother!” Anne warned again, her voice higher than before.
“It is the truth. The only reason Weston became a Marquess is because Richard—”
“Mother, please. Can we just get through the breakfast without the incessant talk? We all want a moment of peace.” Weston said, unable to bear it any longer.
Juliet focused solely on her food. The last thing she needed was to cause a rift between family.
“Just think about it.” Beatrice added, her voice sharp. The rest of breakfast was enveloped in sheer silence with tension thicker than before. Juliet felt a slight sigh escape her lips. This was not helping anybody, and it was beginning to weigh down on her. It had been almost four days since she talked to her husband, and he blew her off for a ride with Charles.
“I shall retire into my room now.” She said, slowly rising from her chair. She could feel Beatrice's hot gaze on her as she made her way out of the dining room and into the hallway. As she stepped inside her room, a loud exhale escaped her lips. Throughout the breakfast, she couldn't help but feel like she was being suffocated. Now, there were talks of children? She didn't need to add more pressure to her soul. She wondered if Weston felt the same. Of course, she could always ask him, but he would most likely give her a vague answer, and would add to the awkwardness between them.
Trying so hard to follow Estelle's advice, Juliet had tried her best to find favor with Weston. The previous night, for example, just as Weston sank into bed beside her, she turned to face him.
“I need to talk to you.” She whispered.
Weston opened his eyes. “This is not a good time. I am truly tired.”
“I don't know when to talk to you anymore. You have been avoiding me since I got here.”
“I am not avoiding you.”
“You always try to run away every time I seek to converse with you. Apologies if I can't help but think so.”
“Juliet. I am tired. I have been riding around town all day. I need to rest.”
“Well, I need to talk, so you're going to have to listen.”
“Juliet—”
“I have had enough of you shutting me out, alright? I have been here almost a full week, and you haven't spoken to me for longer than thirty minutes. Until you stop avoiding me—”
“Again, I am not avoiding you.”
“Until youstopavoiding me, I'm afraid we will both be at an impasse.”
Weston drew a loud exhale. “What do you intend to talk about anyway?”
Juliet felt a victorious smile creep on her face. “I was wondering if we could both take a stroll around the fields of Estfield tomorrow. Since fate has decided to place us in this position, the better thing to do will be to get to know each other. Now I was thinking—”
Juliet trailed off. Her speech had been interrupted by Weston's soft snores. Her eyes shifted to his face. He was fast asleep.
