Page 23 of Juliet's Touch

Chapter eight

Eventhoughaquicktrip turned into a disappointing all-day journey, Juliet needed to count her blessings. First, the weather delays could not be helped, and secondly, she was finally standing on the front stoop of Chesterhill Manor, breathing in the crisp country air. Any moment now, she would embrace Emily, and all would be right with the world. She probably looked a fright, but there was nothing to be done about it, so she pulled her shoulders back, lifted her chin, and knocked.

Within seconds, the massive door opened. Warrington peered out at her. He blinked and his eyes widened momentarily before an even-keeled expression washed over his visage. “Good evening, Miss Coldpepper. We were not expect…” He cleared his throat. “Please come in.”

Juliet stepped past him, entering the grand foyer.

“Come along,” he said. “The evening meal is being served in the dining parlor.”

“I hope I’m not intruding,” Juliet said, mostly to be polite because her sister would never see her as an intrusion.

Would she?

“Not at all, Miss,” he said. “Lady Emily will be thrilled to see you.”

Despite his dutiful manners, it seemed Juliet had shocked the butler, because he hadn’t offered to take her cloak or satchel, proving just how presumptuous her behavior was. She followed him, their footsteps echoing in the long hallway as she second-guessed everything she’d done these past two days.

“Your lordship,” Warrington announced when they entered the dining room, “you have a dinner guest.”

The three diners looked up from their plates and gawked.

What had Juliet been thinking? One didn’t just barge in on their relations without warning. This was a horrific plan.

Emily’s befuddled expression instantly turned to glee, and she squealed with delight. “Jules!”

Before Juliet could brace herself, Emily charged, wrapping her in a warm hug. Juliet collapsed against her big sister as sights and sounds whirled.

“How delightful to see you,” her brother-in-law said as he grabbed her satchel and handed it to one of the footmen.

Someone in livery took her reticule.

“Another plate,” the marquess called. “Why is our guest still wearing her cloak?”

Her fretting had been for naught. She was welcome, safe, and loved.

Warrington held out his hand. Juliet unclasped her cloak and unwrapped herself. As she handed her outer garment to the butler, cool air kissed her upper back. She winced, and her cheeks caught fire. Whirling, she turned her buttocks to the wall.

“Em, could we speak in the hallway?” she asked.

Before her sister had a chance to answer, Juliet backed out of the room. Luckily, Emily did not ask questions as she followed.

Practically gluing her bum to the wainscoting, Juliet pointed over her shoulder. “Please?”

Despite her skeptically raised brow, Emily squeezed her tiny physique between Juliet and the wall. “Heavens above!” Once she secured the dress, she turned Juliet to face her. “After we dine, we shall discuss why you ran away from Mother and Father.”

Juliet gasped. “How did you know?”

“First of all,” Emily whispered, “you show up with your dress undone and you are not in your stays. I’d wager this isn’t because you had an untoward liaison in a stagecoach. You are much too proper for such things.”

Obviously, she wasn’ttoo proper.She had enjoyed a mysterious stranger’s kisses, after all. In public. As if all of this wasn’t scandalous enough, Mister Brown Eyes was an avenger of some sort. She may have even flirted with him upon their first encounter. Proper? To the contrary. A harlot? Perhaps.

Juliet shook herself to the present, where Emily’s big sister lecture was in full force.

“Second—” Emily held up two fingers “—you must have avoided Betty, which you would never do unless you wanted to leave in secret.”

Juliet winced. Poor Betty. After she got over the shock of Juliet running off, she would be terribly disappointed about not visiting Emily.

Emily held up a third finger. “To my knowledge, you traveled with one small bag. You do not go away for even one night without a trunk packed full of dresses, shoes, and trinkets.”