Anne said nothing, giving Juliet all the confirmation she needed.
“You should give it a try.”
“I don't know, Juliet.” Anne replied. “Mother probably would not want him for me.”
Juliet held Anne tighter as they crossed the foyer into the drawing room, feeling a few eyes dart towards them.
“Do you really want to have a dance with someone your mother picked? If you like this man and he seems responsible enough, I would advise you to ask him instead.”
“Ask him?!” Anne asked, bringing her right hand over her mouth. “That is just pure madness.”
“Madness that works.” Juliet replied.
“I do not know, Juliet. There he is.” Anne replied, gesturing towards a tall and relatively attractive young man sitting in a corner, gently drinking wine from his cup. He was in a dark jacket and pants, and his sleeves were outlined in white.
“Usually, the fact that they are alone should be a warning, but he looks harmless enough.”
“So you think I should ask him to dance?”
“Yes.” Juliet said. “But the instant his presence starts to affect you strangely, you should leave him immediately.”
Anne stared gratefully into Juliet's eyes. “Thank you.”
Juliet smiled. Anne had taught her, over the past few months, what it would have felt like if she had a little sister. One she could confide in and tell jokes to. In another world, Anne would've been that person, but she was grateful nonetheless for the relationship they had now.
“Go. And come back to tell me everything.” Juliet whispered. “And do not run. You do not want to seem desperate.”
Anne nodded, taking in every bit of Juliet's advice before she headed into the room. Like clockwork, his eyes landed on her almost immediately, and Juliet saw a smile appear on his face.
Harmless enough.
“There you are!” Adam's voice called behind her, causing severe coldness to run down her spine. “I was beginning to wonder if you'd taken the tunnels out of town just so you wouldn't see us.”
Juliet turned slowly to come face to face with them. With a closer inspection, she could tell the wrinkles on Adam's face were even more defined than she thought. Camilla rested on his shoulder, giving Juliet a helpless smile.
“Hello, Juliet.”
“Adam.” She said, steadying her voice. “It is nice to see that you managed to leave the tavern so you could be here. That must have taken a lot of effort.”
“Careful, young lady. Just because you're in your husband's house doesn't mean I can't still knock some senses into you.” Adam retorted. His breath smelled of beer, and for a few seconds, Juliet wondered just how much he had taken.
“You know, if you're not careful, you may end up leaving with a horse, thinking it is your wife if you keep up the drinking.”
Camilla stifled a chuckle, and Juliet threw her a mischievous wink. Adam started to slowly grow red. “How dare you speak to me this way?”
“Does Father know you've colonised the brewery to yourself? I'd be careful if I were him.”
Adam huffed. “You lowlife snake! Wait till Father hears about this. He will have your head for breakfast!”
Before Juliet could come up with another brilliant retort, her husband's voice interrupted the heated conversation.
“Is everything alright over here?” Weston asked, appearing like a guardian angel, his hands on his back and a courteous smile on his face.
“Restrain your woman, or I will have to do it for you!” Adam croaked, evident venom in his voice.
Weston took a step back. “Sir, you seem drunk. Am I going to have to ask the guards to escort you out of the manor?”
“What?”
