Page 66 of Juliet's Touch

The lad led her up a steep stairwell, papered in the same lovely creams and browns as the foyer. The puppy trotted behind themas they continued down a hallway. They entered a cheery yellow dining parlor bathed in the light emanating from twinkling candles and glowing wall sconces.

A man and a woman sat side by side at the table. On any other day, Juliet would have found stumbling upon the loving scene romantic. Since she’d arrived unannounced, this intrusive moment felt almost as awkward as being caught staring at the naughty book.

Pepper bounded into the room, placing his paws on Mr. Fletcher’s lap, earning himself a few forehead scratches.

Billy cleared his throat. “We have a guest.”

The couple tore their gazes from each other to regard her and Billy.

Even though Juliet’s cheeks heated, she boldly stepped forward. “Please forgive me for interrupting your meal. I have urgent business to discuss with Mr. Fletcher.”

Hugh Fletcher rubbed his eyes, then gawked. His spoon slipped from his grasp, clanging on the side of his bowl. Soup splashed all over the yellow tablecloth.

Juliet winced. She hadn’t expected the investigator to be this unsettled at the interruption. She should have found lodging and sent him a note before showing up unannounced.

The golden-haired female stood and approached Juliet. Her full hips swished from side to side, and her lovely blue eyes lit up.

“Juliet Coldpepper,” Charlotte said. “What a delightful surprise.”

“My lady.” Juliet bowed. “Again, I apologize for arriving unannounced. I was wrong to intrude.”

“Not at all.” The lady bussed Juliet’s cheek. “Please call me Charlotte. Since my brother is married to your sister, we are practically family.”

“Bloody hell,” Hugh Fletcher said as he approached. “All of London is looking for you.” He took Juliet in from head to toe. “By God, you have been at Chesterhill Manor the entire time. I should have known. I suspect you were even visiting when I was last there.”

Nonplussed, she blinked. Could the investigator read minds?

“You are wearing your sister’s dress.” Mr. Fletcher pointed at her frock. “’Tis two short and—” he scratched his cheek “—well, too small in some places and too large in others.”

Juliet’s already warm cheeks caught fire.

“Do not be embarrassed,” Charlotte said. “He is quite observant.”

“That and I remember seeing Emily wearing it on one of my visits,” Hugh added. “Under normal circumstances, it would be quite rude of me to point this out, but since you are thought to be missing and there are angry mobs searching for the man who supposedly abducted you, I suggest we start our conversation with honesty.”

Juliet wholeheartedly agreed.

Charlotte put her hands on her enviable, curvaceous hips. “I dare say, I would like to know what the two of you are talking about.”

Juliet exhaled, and then, without taking a breath between words, she pleaded her case.

Hugh Fletcher sat behind his desk, his blue eyes intense and assessing. Not even the pair of colorful birds chirping from their cage in the corner seemed to break his concentration. Pepper, the pup, lay beside the door, snoring. Cradling a fluffy cat on herlap and swinging her feet, Charlotte perched on the side of her husband’s desk, attentively listening as Juliet repeated her story.

During this retelling, Juliet added details. She even told them the scandalous parts, such as kissing the masked man.

“So, you see, Mr. Fletcher,” Juliet concluded, “I showed up on your doorstep for numerous reasons. First and foremost, I recall meeting you at the Chesterhill’s autumn ball, when you were still a Bow Street Runner. My sister also mentions you with such fondness in her letters. She says you are the best investigator in all of London and that you can find a minuscule pebble lost on a rocky shore.”Get to the point, she berated herself. “Honestly, I didn’t know who else to go to, and I desperately require help because Knight Roamer is innocent.”

Mr. Fletcher half-snorted, half-chuckled. “Well, I don’t know about minuscule.”

“Don’t be so humble, darling. You are the best,” Charlotte said. “Juliet, he never stops working.”

“Am I keeping you from one of your investigations tonight?” Juliet asked.

“Coincidentally, I planned to confront Lord Riley this evening. A few things about his story don’t add up.”

At the mere mention of her ex-fiancé’s name, Juliet’s empty stomach soured.

“I’ve always known Lord Riley was the worst sort of man,” Charlotte said. “Years ago, he cornered me at a dinner party at our Mayfair Townhouse. I couldn’t have been more than sixteen years old. Luckily, Alexander happened upon us and gave the man a firm talking to that included a threat involving a sharp knife and Riley’s stomach and bollocks.”