Page 92 of Juliet's Touch

Father moaned. “A bloody by-blow?”

The man hadn’t yet grasped the reality of the situation, so she’d have to find another way to explain it. “Keep in mind,” Juliet said, her index finger held high. “When Charles’s death becomes public, no aristocratic man will want to marry the ex-fiance´ of a man murdered by a prostitute.”

Father’s face paled as Mother’s turned scarlet.

“Eric is downstairs, in the kitchen, having tea and a light repast with Betty. Would you like to meet him?” Juliet folded her hands together as if in prayer, while silently willing her parents to say yes.

“He’s having tea with the staff?” Mother’s eyes widened into her I-am-beyond-horrified look.

“He is a large man, and he didn’t have time for breakfast today,” Juliet said. Because he’d spent his morning saving her from an insane man and witnessing a murder. Juliet’s belly complained indignantly at the mere thought of food.

Mother attempted to conceal her pique behind another fake smile. “I would love to meet him.”

“You will adore him,” Juliet said.

Now that her parents were trying—not quite succeeding, but these things took time—to set aside their prejudices and be more open-minded and supportive, surely, they would find him charming, because he was, times one hundred.

Father strolled across the room to tug on the bell pull. Calvin appeared within seconds.

“I understand we have a guest in the kitchen,” Father said. “Please escort him to us.”

“Right away, Sir,” Calvin said with his dutiful bow.

“And see that we have sandwiches, tea, and cakes, brought up right away,” Father said. “I understand our guest is hungry.”

Juliet leapt from the settee, then dashed to Father to peck him on the cheek. “Thank you. I love you so very, very much.”

Father teared up. “I love you too, Princess.”

Juliet cast her smile on Mother as she sashayed to her. “I love you, Mama.” Giggling like a little girl, she pounced on the settee.

Instead of telling Juliet that she was behaving indelicately, Mother smiled, and this time it was genuine. “Not as much as I love you.”

While they sipped tea and Juliet consumed sandwiches like the starving woman she was, Eric easily charmed Mother, who leaned toward him, smiling. So far, Father’s questions were pointed, but Eric answered them with a politeness that was more sincere and less arrogant than the men of their class.

“If I understand correctly,” Father said, “the two of you met at Chesterhill Manor because you were visiting at the same time.”

“Yes, sir. I recently discovered that Lord Chesterhill is my father, and he invited me to his estate. He has said that he doesn’t plan to keep his past indiscretions and by-blows a secret. Unless they desire their parentage to be a secret.” Palms up, Eric shrugged. “I see no point in keeping it a secret if I plan to accept his gifts.”

With a scrutiny so intense it bordered on rudeness, Father took Eric in from his neatly combed hair to his recently shined boots. “I see the resemblance in your jaw,” he eventually said.

“Alexander and Emily adore Eric,” Juliet cut in. “The four of us had a delightful time together. We played charades, read, took long walks, talked, and laughed. Alexander and Emily read to us from…” Father’s stony regard was making her babble like a nervous ninny. “Anyway, Lord Chesterhill is also very fond of Eric.” Hopefully, another mention of his friend, whom he had great respect for, would soften Father.

Eric sent her a reassuring smile.

This was her world, and Eric seemed so self-assured and entirely in control. Meanwhile, if she didn’t stop sweating this profusely, she would drown in perspiration.

“I did not expect to enjoy myself as much as I did,” Eric said. “I felt a kinship with my half-brother, as if we had been best mates forever. And of course, your daughters are delightful. I don’t think I’ve ever enjoyed myself quite so much.”

Eric’s honesty seemed to be capturing Mother’s heart because she emitted a contented sigh as she stared at him as if she were the one in love with him.

“Sir, I know that I am the illegitimate son of a marquess and a mistress of questionable pedigree, and not a suitable match for Juliet according to society’s standards, but if you allow me to offer for her, I will do everything in my power to see that she never wants for anything.”

Whimpering, Father closed his eyes.

Juliet sat forward, willing him togive his blessing.

“Dudley, they love each other,” Mother said.