Juliet wasn't surprised when Weston offered to watch her work in the garden the next day. In fact, she secretly hoped he would ask. His company the previous day had been a healthy distraction for her. For the first time, she felt comfortable in his presence, and she was sure he felt the same, too. It made complete sense, knowing their first meeting had been in a garden like this.
“Not enough.” Juliet whispered, counting the remainder of the rose bulbs she needed to plant. Weston, ever so gently watching her from the bench, frowned in surprise when he saw her mouth moving.
“Did you say something?”
“Yes.” Juliet whispered. She turned to Weston. “The roses. They're not enough. I need more.”
“Oh.” Weston said, reclining further into his bench. “It is no big deal. I shall ask Mr. Brown to deliver a few more.”
Juliet’s lips curved in a grateful smile as she continued to work.
“You know, you are going to have to appear to your friends anytime soon. They will begin to wonder if your wife has found a way to ensnare you.”
Weston wanted to say it was possible. Her kindness and compassion had gotten to him. He felt more comfortable with her than he did with his friends, and if he could help it, he would continue to prefer her company over theirs.
“I am sure they will understand.” were the words that left his mouth instead. Memories of the last time he attended the Lord's meeting flowed into his mind. He remembered the unsavory words his friends had said about Juliet and other women in town. Telling Juliet about them will not do any good. It was better he kept it to himself.
“My mother used to say you could learn a lot about a gentleman from the friends he surrounds himself with.” Juliet continued. “I assume, of course, that Lord Charles is a gentleman.”
“That he is.” Weston responded. “I do not know where I would be today without him. He is often the one who talks some sense into me whenever he finds me straying.”
Juliet turned to Weston, letting the shovel slip from her hand. “So he is a wise gentleman.”
“Very much so.” Weston replied.
“Tell me this.” Juliet continued. “And please, pardon me if I go too far, but has he said anything about my maid, Estelle?”
Weston cocked his ears and plastered an intrigued smile on his face. “Not particularly. Has she said anything about him?”
Juliet wore the same mischievous smile as Weston. “Not particularly.”
“So she has?”
“No, but I can tell she admires him from afar.”
“I can tell, too.” Weston said, chuckling slightly. “It is just a shame that any kind of relationship between them will be highly frowned upon.”
Juliet shrugged. “Unions should never be formed based on societal expectations.”
Weston arched an eyebrow. “Like ours?”
“Well—yes. But we are both members of high society. Standards within us fall within the expectations of our families. It is why your mother wants you to marry Lady Helena rather than me.”
“Juliet—”
“No. You do not hear me. Our families may frown at this union because it was created to save whatever dignity we both had left, but if we had gotten married under a much better condition, no one would bat an eyelid.”
“Ah.” Weston whispered, a wave of realization crashing into him.
“Estelle and Charles, family or not, scandal or not, would have to leave town to enjoy a peaceful marriage.”
“Isn't that the dream?” Weston said, shuffling his legs on the bench.
“To run away?”
“Trust me. That is an entirely different story.” Weston replied.
A slight pause ensued between them. Juliet knew he had more to say to that effect but wasn't ready. She wouldn't bother him with more questions. That made it two things she would need to know about him as time passed. Instead, she decided to stay on topic
