“This is a lovely feast, Lady Beatrice.” Helena commented, majorly out of necessity.
“I'm glad you're enjoying it.” Lady Beatrice responded.
Weston sighed. This was a desperate attempt by his mother to rile him up, that much was obvious. But did she have to drag Juliet into it? She had been nothing but gentle and strong throughout the situation.
He thought back to Juliet's injury and how he had been there just in time to save her. He wondered if she would have survived the fall were there no one to catch her. Flashbacks of Eliza's fall flickered through his mind.
But then, if he hadn't startled her, her feet wouldn't have slipped from the ladder.
As if his thoughts had summoned her, Juliet appeared with her maid standing right behind her. Her dark hair was nearly packed with a giant clip. She was in a long blue gown embroidered with laces at the bottom. Her hands were covered with elbow gloves of the same color, and they held a large handkerchief rather tightly. Weston felt a slight drop in his heartbeat. She looked stunning. His eyes remained on her as she walked to the other end of the table and pulled a chair.
“I apologise for the tardiness, everyone. I had an urgent matter to attend to.” She said, pulling off her gloves once she had settled down.
Weston's eyes continued to remain on her. He watched her pull her plate closer and grab a spoon.
“So glad you could join us, Juliet.” Lady Beatrice said, her voice cutting through his thoughts like a knife on butter.
***
Juliet drew strong and long breaths as her maid tightened her corset, trying to shelve the panic threatening to burst through the seams of her composure.
“Do you need me to tighten it more than this?”
“No it's fine.”
She stared at the long mirror right in front of her, trying hard to draw back the tears forming behind her eyes.
This was a test, and there was no other way to say it. Lady Beatrice had called those people to come see how she was, what she did.
What she did not do.
“Where is Weston?” She asked, freely drawing her palms across her gown. “It looks like he is running late.”
“He should be here soon.” Estelle responded, her voice reassuring. “Now, you need to get out there. Lady Beatrice is probably concocting all forms of stories about you right now.”
Her maid was right. She had been summoned a little over ten minutes ago and had yet to leave her room. If this was a test, she was already failing it.
“Are you sure you do not want me to tighten your corset any harder, milady?”
“It's fine. I need space to breathe when it all becomes too—” Juliet trailed off. Estelle understood. She stood near the mirror herself, and her eyes swept through Juliet's dress through the mirror. It was the most magnificent shade of blue. She had spent a lot of time working on Juliet's hair as well. All circumstances considered, Estelle was satisfied with the outcome.
“I better go.” Juliet said. She took one last look at herself and headed out, with Estelle walking right behind her.
“So, have you spoken to Lord Charles yet?” Juliet asked as they walked down the hallway leading to the dining room
“No, milady. I tried talking to him the other day, but he couldn't stop looking at me. It was quite strange.” Estelle replied
“Is that so?” Juliet asked, a tiny smile flashing across her face. One Estelle couldn't see.
“Yes. I shall keep trying anyway.” Estelle responded. They got to the dining room entrance, and from a distance, Juliet could see the number of people surrounding the table. She couldsee the guests, all clad in their heavy outfits. She could see Weston. She could see—
“Oh, look. Lord Charles is joining us for dinner after all.”
Estelle didn't reply, and Juliet didn't wait for her to. She stepped into the dining room and instantly felt all eyes land on her as she made her way to her chair.
“I apologise for the tardiness, everyone. I had an urgent matter to attend to.” She said, lowering herself onto her seat.
“So glad you could join us, Juliet.” Lady Beatrice said, her voice breaking through her senses as she grabbed her plate.
