“Oh well.” Estelle sighed and retreated to the bathroom one more time.
***
Anne threaded her arm with Juliet, and they started to walk down the hallway.
“I take it you haven't seen much of the manor since you got here, have you?” Anne asked.
“Not really.” Juliet replied. “I haven't had the time.”
Anne turned to look at Juliet, an unconvinced grin on her face. “That is not why.”
Juliet said nothing in reply, confirming Anne's suspicions.
“You have been trying to avoid my mother, haven't you?”
Juliet sighed. “I would never do that. She has been nothing but nice to me since I got here.”
Anne squeezed Juliet's arm rather gently. “This may be hard to believe, but I don't spy for my mother. I know she can be a bit overbearing. Between us girls, it's okay for you to admit the same.”
Juliet wanted to. She loved having a friend to chat with apart from her maid. Estelle was great, but there was only so much she could relate to. Anne was the perfect friend, especially in a time like this. They could grow closer and even become sisters moreor less. But that would be saved for later. For now, she didn't want to risk anything getting back to Lady Beatrice.
“I only have great things to say about my mother-in-law, Anne. I promise.”
Anne shrugged. “You know where I am if you change your mind.”
Juliet's eyes swept across the environment. They were in new territory. This area of the manor felt grossly unfamiliar to her. While it
was just like other parts of the manor in terms of architecture, the atmosphere felt different.
“This used to be where the previous Marquess of Estfield held meetings with his friends. Think of it as his own personal drawing room.
Juliet looked around. There were several chairs lining the corners and a giant round table in the middle of the room.
“He was a happy man, Lord Richard.” Anne continued. “He derived joy in the simplest things in life, and he was always contented, even when life dealt him bad cards.”
Juliet looked around the room. While it looked thoroughly cleaned, it felt empty. She didn't need anyone to tell her that no one had used the house in a long time.
“It does feel a little deserted.” She finally decided to comment.
“That is because no one ever comes here. When Weston became Marquess two years ago, he had another part of the house renovated as the new drawing room. Come.”
They both walked out and continued their journey down the unknown path. Juliet continued to look around, taking in every new infrastructure, every centerpiece and tiny statue that rested on some exquisitely designed wooden table. Her eyes also caught a few paintings, some of the manor, some of horses galloping in the wind, and some of unknown faces. One in particular caught her attention.
“Who is that?” She asked, gesturing towards the painting. In it was a beautiful woman with brunette hair and a brilliant smile. Her eyes were light brown and shone as the fragmented rays of sunlight hit them. Juliet felt drawn to the woman.
“Lady Isabella Edgeworth.” Anne replied. “The wife of Lord Richard. They say she used to be the happiest woman alive.”
Juliet looked at the woman's round face, at her pursed lips and bright eyes. “She does look happy.”
“She used to be the one who cared for the gardens on the balcony.” Anne continued. The flowers that bloomed meant everything to her.
Juliet smiled. That explained the instant closeness she felt to Isabella. They were kindred spirits in a way.
“She caught the fever only a few years before Richard died.” Anne explained
“Oh.” Juliet whimpered. She remembered how the fever had gotten her own mother, how she had to suffer gruesomely before finally giving up the ghost. Part of her wondered if Isabella had to go through that, too.
“Mother said Richard was so distraught by his wife's death that he wouldn't come out of his room for months. He drank himself to sleep every night.”
