Juliet shrugged. “It is beginning to feel like a burden. I think I should be able to go one day without the cloth.”
“Well then, answer me this, milady. Do you intend to go to the garden today?”
Juliet nodded, a wave of enthusiasm flushed in her voice. “Today, I'm planting roses.”
“Then, I'm wrapping your hand.” Estelle responded.
Juliet scoffed. “You know, sometimes I forget you're my maid and not my mother.”
Estelle grabbed a fresh piece of cloth and approached her mistress. “How about you indulge me one more time?” She asked. “Today shall be the last day. Once you take this off your hand, you shall no longer need to wear the cloth anymore.”
Juliet rolled her eyes in resignation. Whenever it came to her health and safety, her maid always went the extra mile, and there was always almost nothing she could do to stop her.
“Fine. One more day.” she said, stretching out her wounded hand.
It had been two days since rain had poured on the roofs of the Estfield manor. Two days since she got trapped in the stables with her husband. Two days since, she uncovered another layer of Weston Edgeworth. Of course, she had managed to tell Estelle everything and Estelle had been happy for her. Wary but happy.
“He gave you his jacket? Maybe he is more of a gentleman than we thought he was.” Estelle had said that day when Juliet came in, mildly dripping.
“Yes. It was the sweetest thing. I mean, he was running cold himself, but he did not care. All he wanted was to make sure I got some warmth.” Juliet had gushed excitedly.
“That is sweet, I'll admit.” Estelle had replied. “But the question is, will it last? Do you see his chivalry or kind-heartedness happening again, or was it just that once because of the rain?”
“You know, I do not think so.” Juliet had replied. “Because even before the rain, he had come to speak to me in the garden.I mean, it was obvious he wanted to apologise but didn't know how to start. I suppose he would've found a way to apologise if the rain hadn't interrupted.”
“You think there's still a chance?” Estelle had asked.
“Maybe.”
Her mind snapped back to the present, back to Estelle tightening the cloth around her palm.
“Does this mean I do not have to speak to Lord Charles anymore? Trying to get his attention has been exhausting.”
A sneer smile appeared on Juliet's face. “Is that so?”
“Yes. I've only been able to talk to him twice, and it wasn't exactly smooth sailing. He wouldn't stop complimenting the weather whenever we spoke, and he couldn't look me in the eyes too.”
Juliet nodded, quite perplexed at the level of her maid’s obliviousness. “You know what I think you should do?”
Estelle frowned, settling on the bed beside Juliet. “What?”
“Talk to him one more time.” Juliet offered. “And if you notice he's refusing to look you in the eye again, confront him about it. Ask him why.”
Estelle frowned. “I do not think that is a good idea. A maid confronting a Lord is a recipe for disaster.”
Juliet reached for Estelle's arm and squeezed it gently. “Do you trust me?”
“Well, not always.” Estelle replied which made Juliet chuckle in response.
“Just ask. Don't make it seem like you are angry.”
Estelle opened her mouth to speak but was interrupted by a knock on the door. She exchanged confused expressions with her mistress.
“Who could that be?” Juliet asked. Estelle responded with a shrug and headed to the door. She grabbed the knob and pulled it open. Weston stood on the other end in his riding outfit. A white shirt coated with a red waistcoat and white pants with white boots. His hair had been completely slicked back.
“Estelle?” He greeted. Estelle curtsied in response and made way for him. He walked in and stood in the middle of the room, right in front of Juliet.
“Good morning.” Juliet felt the need to go first.
