Page 9 of Juliet's Touch

He kept his gaze on the newspaper as he mumbled, “Good morning, Princess.”

Juliet chose bread, butter, jam, coffee, and a scoop of eggs from the sideboard. She had no sooner sat when her mother launched into her morning lecture.

“Tonight is critical. The pink of thetonwill be in attendance. Your hair and gown must be spectacular. You are the daughter of an influential baron, after all, and you will someday be a wealthy countess.”

Since Mother was in the middle of one of her tangents, there seemed no point in explaining that it might be a while before Juliet’s robust father-in-law-to-be took up residence at the grand castle in the sky, so instead she silently sipped her coffee.

“Your cheeks are flushed,” Mother said. “I hope you weren’t outside watching the sunrise without a chaperone?”

Blast!

“You cannot fail our family,” Mother rambled on. “All eyes will be on you. Of course, I don’t fret over you like I do Emily and Maria. Emily and her bookish nonsense and Maria with herscandalous ideas about female autonomy.” Mother harrumphed. “At least I have one daughter with acceptable priorities.”

Her sisters did not deserve such a put-down. Too horrified to take a bite, Juliet’s fork hovered. Her eggs slid off the prongs, splatting on her plate.

“Juliet Coldpepper,” her mother reprimanded.

Shifting in his seat, her father continued to stare at his paper.

Juliet put down her fork and sipped her coffee, considering a response that wouldn’t result in a family feud. Since clothing was always an acceptable topic around her mother, she changed the subject. “I chose my dress for tonight. The red silk with the jeweled bodice.”

“Oh, that dress is lovely. Splendid. Splendid, indeed.” Mother smiled.

Although she had made her mother happy, Juliet felt less than victorious. Only a coward wouldn’t defend such amazing sisters. Gathering her courage, she took another sip, pulled her shoulders back, and then spoke her mind.

“I dare say, Mother, Emily is brilliant, and she married quite well, and Maria is simply wonderful. I have not a single doubt, someday my baby sister will change the world for the better.” Juliet, on the other hand, would spend her life being renowned as a great beauty who wore fashionable dresses and discussed frivolous things. Then, alas, someday her beauty would fade like the flowers in front of the Andersons’ townhouse. Juliet schooled a moan of despair.

“I think I should chaperone this evening,” Mother announced.

Julier gasped. “No! You can’t.”

Mother huffed indignantly. “And why is that?”

Because her mother would take all the fun out of going to Drury Lane. “Because his grandmother, the Dowager Countess Riley is chaperoning. She might see it as a slight if you insist ongoing. It will seem as though you do not trust her. Besides, we are sitting in her box. What if there isn’t room for you?”

Before Mother had time to respond, Calvin entered carrying the silver salver. Mother turned her imperious glare on their grandfatherly butler. “What is it, Calvin?” she asked, her tone snippy.

“A letter just arrived for Miss Juliet,” he said. “’Tis from Lady Emily, so I thought I should deliver it immediately.”

Juliet sent Mother a pleading look she hoped was worthy of Drury Lane.

“Very well,” Mother said.

Father stopped perusing the newspaper to watch Juliet silently read.

Dearest Juliet,

As happy as I am, I miss you with all my heart. Will you please visit? Please? Alexander will send a carriage for you on the afternoon of the tenth of January. Pack for a fortnight. Bring your walking boots and your warmest coat. You shall love the sunrise, and even in the winter, the countryside is beautiful. Please bring Betty. She shall have a lovely room all to herself.

Mother, I know you are reading this, too. Please, please allow Juliet to travel. We shall take excellent care of her.

Papa, Lord Chesterhill says he would be most appreciative if you allow her to visit. Since the marchioness is no longer here, there is no drama. Lord Chesterhill promises Juliet will be safe and well cared for.

Juliet, I purposely kept this letter short because I want to stay up all night talking in person, just like we did when we were girls.

Forever your loving sister,

Emily