“Yes. He is out.” Juliet replied, grabbing her fork.
“Not drinking himself to death, I hope.” Grace asked.
“No.” Juliet replied, laughing. “He is in a meeting with some other members of the high society. It is apparently a very confidential one because he would not even tell me about it.”
“So he tells you about things? Is that what I gather?”
Juliet shrugged. “The things he can.”
Grace narrowed her eyes. “Alright. I want to hear everything.”
Juliet frowned in confusion. “About what?”
“Do not play games with me, young lady. I know when you are desperate to spill some words. Remember Farmer Harrison?”
Anne shook her head, trying to register Grace's words. “Who is Farmer Harrison?”
“Someone not worth mentioning.” Juliet’s voice had jumped an octave, and her cheeks reddened.
“Really? Something about your demeanour tells me that is not the case.” Anne said.
“Very much not the case.” Aunt Grace added, throwing a mischievous wink at Anne.
“Alright. I shall tell you.” Juliet felt the words force themselves out of her mouth. She grabbed her cup of water and sipped from it. “Weston and I have grown to become great friends. At first, I was worried he would remain this aloof andextremely guarded throughout our marriage. I couldn't bear the thought of marrying someone I don't know.”
“How long was he like that for?” Grace asked.
Juliet shook her head. “A really long time. It worried me a lot, Aunt Grace. But everything changed the day I started to work on the garden.”
“They have a garden?” Grace asked.
“Well, they do now.” Juliet replied.
Grace reached for her niece's hands and squeezed them tight, grateful that she had found something to occupy her time just like she did back home. “I must see it before I leave.”
“I shall take you to it.” Juliet replied, mirroring her aunt's grateful smile. She then went on to explain her injury and how he had taken her to the apothecary, worried she might bleed herself to death. She explained the rain and how it had strengthened the bond between them. She described their little talks in the garden. How he sits and talk to her while she works. She told her Aunt how sensitive and warm she had found Weston to be and how he took the utmost joy in little things life had to offer. She talked about how he had to, at first, act like a guarded man but was now reclaiming his boyish wonder.
“Well.” Grace whispered, reclining further into her chair after Juliet had finished speaking. “That explains the glow.”
Juliet's brow furrowed. “What glow?”
Aunt Grace scoffed. “The one you have on your face at the moment.”
Juliet folded her arms in playful defense. “I do not know what you speak of.”
“Juliet, not once did you stop smiling when you started to talk about him. If that doesn't say this man has captured your heart completely, I do not know what does.” Aunt Grace said, dabbing her mouth with a towel.
“That is not true. Have we grown closer than before? Yes, but it is a bit presumptuous to think I am speaking like I am in love with him. This is a marriage of duty, remember?”
“Sometimes, my dear, when we are with the person we're meant to be with, the lines of duty can blur out rather quickly.”
“He is only a worthy companion. Nothing more.” Juliet said as if making a proclamation.
“I must agree with Aunt Grace on this one, Juliet.” Anne added, dropping her spoon. “I have seen how you both walk together across the halls whenever you're going to the gardens. I see the way you look at him and the way he does, too.”
Juliet's eyes shifted from Aunt Grace's to Anne's. Were they truly speaking the truth? Indeed, she, of all people, would know if she loved Weston, wouldn't she?
In all the moments they had spent together, she had found him to be a completely different person when vulnerable. He was full of joy, wonder, and life. He also matched her wit and senseof humor. He knew her heart. As the maids cleared the plates and the cups, she couldn't help but let the question linger in her head.
