Lady Revealed (14 page)

Lord Carrington must be telling the dowager a story because the woman’s face lit with humor and she laughed. Odd, Acker could not recall every seeing Bentley’s step-mother laugh and rarely smile. She was a beautiful woman when happy. After all those years with the former Bentley she deserved to be happy and Carrington was only a few years older than the dowager with a daughter due to be introduced next Season and three younger sons.

“I’ll need to keep an eye on Carrington,” Bentley groaned.

“Why?” Eleanor stated, turning toward him. “He seems to make Rose happy and if anyone deserves happiness it is your step-mother.”

“What if he is not honorable in his intentions? She is a widow.”

“Why don’t you let Rose decide what is best for her,” Eleanor suggested. “After all those years with your father she deserves to have a bit of say in her life.”

Bentley slumped down in the chair, crossed his arms over his chest and grumbled something Acker did not understand, but he still watched his step-mother.

“I Donna why I le’ ya dragged me here,” Brachton was saying to his wife, Madeline.

She simply shook her head, but like Bentley, didn’t let her gaze stray from watching her mother and Lord Carrington.

Brachton and his wife sat in the next box over with Matthew Trent, John Trent and their wives. The other couples were conversing in low tones and Acker could not hear what they were saying.

The lights dimmed and Acker focused back on the stage as the orchestra began the overture. The first ballerina entered and even though she was female, it was not Juliette. There was a stab of disappointment. Acker knew he would not see Juliette dance this evening, yet a part of him had held out a small hope.

Another dancer entered and he straightened and leaned forward. It was her. Juliette was dancing. He leaned over to whisper in Eleanor’s ear. “There she is.”

“Who?” Eleanor asked.

“The one who wished to audition.” Acker smiled and pointed to Juliette. “The one who disappeared.” He had told Eleanor almost everything with regard to Juliette when he called on his friend the afternoon Bentley asked him to.

Bentley shifted and leaned forward. “It can’t be?”

Jordan focused on the dancer and straightened. “Is it possible?

“What?” Eleanor asked.

“More importantly, who.” Bentley answered without looking at his wife.

“Jordan?” Audrey placed a hand on her husband’s arm.

“Julia,” Jordan whispered, not taking his eyes from the stage.

Each member of the Trent family shifted and studied the ballerina Acker knew as Juliette. “Which one?” Madeline asked.

“The redhead,” Matthew Trent whispered, but loud enough for Acker to hear one box over.

“She looks just like Adele,” Bentley said to his wife.

Acker heard nothing else but continued to watch Juliette, as did the brothers. He had commented on the coincidence to his mother but he hadn’t truly believed the ballerina was the long lost sister of his friend, Julia.

What did this mean for Juliette? What did it mean for them?

“We need to make sure she doesn’t leave the theatre before we have a chance to speak with her,” Jordan was saying to his brother.

Did Juliette even know she had another family? Had her mother kept that from her? If not, then she had lied to him in Milan when she said her father was dead. In his gut, Acker knew that Juliette had not lied. What would her reaction be when suddenly faced with four gentlemen and a lady claiming to be her half-siblings?

She wouldn’t be prepared. Nobody could be prepared for something so shocking. Acker knew he had to protect and prepare her for the inevitable. But how?

There were no words he could come up with to lessen the shock. But the one thing he did know for certain was that he had to get her away from the theatre before the Trent brothers cornered her. They could be imposing when standing side by side, especially if there was information they wished. They wouldn’t hurt Juliette, but they could certainly intimidate her and Acker would not allow it. Once he had her away from the theater he would explain, or ask Juliette’s mother to explain and arrange a meeting with the family.

As much as he wished to keep Juliette to himself, he knew Bentley and his brothers had the right to meet her. They had been searching long enough.

He glanced at Bentley. Perhaps he should mention there were two other sisters as well.

Acker shook the thought away. The sisters may have another father entirely, though Acker suspected that was not the case.

Most importantly, he needed to protect Juliette.

As much as he tried to concentrate on the ballet and enjoy watching Juliette dance once again, he could not. Worry ate at him and as the ballet came to an end he slipped from his seat and into the corridor. The dancers had yet to take their bow which gave him time to arrive back stage and whisk her away.

Acker spotted
Hélène by the curtains waiting and approached. “I need for you and Juliette to come with me immediately,” he whispered in her ear.

Hélène turned to look at him. “Why should we go anywhere with you?”

The gentlemen I was sitting with are very interested in meeting your sister and I need to explain who they are before she grants them an audience.

Her face paled. “What are their names?”

Acker took a step back. Did the sisters know and had Juliette lied to him? “Lord Bentley and his three brothers,” he answered.

Hélène swallowed and gave a quick nod. She did know the truth. Why hadn’t Juliette said anything to him? Were they hiding? If so, why? He mentioned Bentley the other day yet Juliette had said nothing, though she became distracted.

His mind was reeling at the thought of her not telling him the truth and wondering what else she had lied about. Why hadn’t they contacted Bentley once they returned to London?

Then he remembered Madeline. If Adele announced herself, the scandal would be the largest London Society had seen in sometime. Was the woman protecting her daughters and her former step-sons and the youngest, born a few years after Adele has supposedly died?

Juliette exited the stage, a bright smile on her face until she spotted Acker.

“We need to go now,” Hélène hissed and grasped her arm.

“Why?” Juliette asked, pulling her arm back.

“Bentley is here and he wants to speak with you.”

The color drained from Juliette’s face. What was she afraid of? Had Adele filled their minds with stories fit for a horrid novel at the thought of meeting their brothers? “Let me get my cloak.”

“We don’t have time,” Acker insisted as the first of the patrons began filling the backstage area.

Hélène pulled on Juliette and Acker forced his way through the crowd toward the stage door.

“What of Genviève?” Juliette cried.

“Hopefully they won’t notice her,” Acker responded. “Besides, it is you they’re looking for.”

Juliette allowed Hélène to pull her through the back streets of Covent Garden toward their home. After they had gone two blocks she stopped. “Why are we running? I am certain they are not following. Besides, I would like to ask this Bentley a few questions.”

Hélène turned to her. “The only person we were going to speak with was our half-brother but not before we were ready to depart for Milan.”

“Why did you tell me that your sisters and mother were your only family? Why did you lie to me in Milan?” Acker demanded.

Juliette didn’t have time to explain. Besides, she didn’t know enough to adequately explain. “I did not learn I had a brother until a fortnight ago.”

He arched a brow. “Brother? Juliette, you have four brothers.”

She stumbled back at this news.

“And, they each commented on the resemblance to your mother and will now search high and low until they locate you.”

“Were they sitting with Bentley?” Hélène asked.

Acker stared at her as if trying to clear some confusion from his mind. “Yes, of course he was.”

“So five are looking for us,” Juliette groaned. “Maman will be so upset.”

Acker rubbed his temples with the tips of his fingers before he looked at her. “You don’t know who your brothers are, do you?”

The sisters shook their heads.

“Bentley is your oldest half-brother.”

Her heartbeat increased. Why had mother lied even further to them? Why hadn’t she told them there were four and not one? And why hadn’t she bothered to tell them that this Lord Bentley was one of them? She had let Juliette and her sisters believe they were a relation to their father, as if he were a cousin. If the current Bentley was her half-brother that could only mean that her father had been the former Bentley. She was the daughter of an earl!

The pressure built inside her skull and Juliette couldn’t focus on one thought over another. It was not possible to meet
four
half-brothers until her mother answered a few more questions and this time Juliette would not let her brush it off with a promise of an explanation later.

“We must hurry,” Hélène insisted.

She was correct. Before meeting her brothers she was going to have a very long discussion with mother.

Juliette glanced around and increased her pace. She did not like to be in the area after it had grown dark but the presence of Acker made her feel a bit safer. A few homes were lit in almost every room and she had soon learned they were brothels. There were also gambling establishments and prostitutes walking the area. She always rushed home after rehearsals, hoping to make it there before the sun set. Tonight she had planned on hailing a hackney but instead she was running through the streets as if the devil was after them.

“You must go back for my sister,” Juliette reminded Acker. What if they came upon Genviève at the theatre? Others have mistaken them for the other in the past, before they came to know the sisters. Genviève would be unprepared.

Acker nodded. “As soon as I have you safely home I will see to her.”

This did give Juliette a bit of comfort but what if instead of Bentley and the others discovering her sister, Genviève began walking home before he could return? What if something happened to her?

No, she couldn’t think on that.

Hélène stopped before the townhouse where they had taken rooms and entered the building before leading them up the flight of steps to the second landing. Juliette’s heart pounding at the near discovery and with fear of what her mother would say.

Her sister pushed the door open and Juliette followed her inside, as did Acker. She should have told him to remain on the street and go back for Genviève but it was too late.

“What are you doing here?” her mother demanded of Acker from her place on the settee.

Lord Acker bowed. “Good evening, Lady Bentley. It has been a long time.”

Her mother’s face lost all color and she pulled the blanket tightly around her. It took a moment before she composed herself and she glanced at the trio. “Where is Genviève?”

“At the theatre,” Juliette answered.

“Why did you leave without her?” Maman demanded.

“They were there,” Juliette answered. “Lord Bentley and his
brothers
,” she clarified.

“They recognized you?” Her mother’s question was more of a statement.

“Yes,” Acker answered.

Maman pushed the blanket aside and attempted to stand. She was far too weak and the movement brought on another coughing fit. “Why are you with my daughter?” she asked weakly after she had calmed.

“When Bentley recognized Juliette I realized who she was and thought to shield her from the shock of finding out she had a family.” He turned to Juliette. “You had told me your father died. Was that a lie?”

She took a step back. “He died when I was a child.”

“No, Juliette,” her mother said weakly. “He died last year.”

Juliette swayed on her feet and the room tilted. Acker steadied her with a hand at her elbow and led her to a matching settee. Her father had been alive all of this time? Why hadn’t they lived with him?

She looked over at her mother. Father had sent them to France? Why? What kind of gentleman makes his wife and child leave their home and forbid them to return?

“This changes much. You know that,” Acker said.

Juliette shook the previous thoughts from her mind. What did it change? She wasn’t going to let the fact that her half-brother, who also happened to be a lord, change anything. She would dance whether they liked it or not. And, she would return to Milan, where she had a life she loved. It was clear they were not welcome in England, or at least, her father hadn’t wanted them so there was no reason to remain.

Unless Lord Acker meant something else entirely. Juliette stood and looked him in the eye. She needed to know the truth of his feelings. “That because I am not just a ballerina but a lady you no longer wish to make me your mistress?”

There was a gasp from Hélène.

“This is why I told you to stay away from him,” her mother cried. “I told you the likes of Acker would ruin you.”

Acker turned toward maman but before he could say whatever words he planned, the room filled with four gentlemen and a young woman she did not recognize. Genviève stood amongst them. One broke from the group and marched toward Acker, his arm raised. “How dare you ruin my sister!” The fist connected with Acker’s jaw before he had a chance to react. Juliette tried to catch Lord Acker as he stumbled back but his weight was too much for her and she tumbled with him onto the settee.

Acker straightened and glared at the other man. “It is not what you think.” He came to his feet and prowled towards the gentlemen who had struck him.

“I am sure it is,” the man sneered.

“You, of all people dare to judge me?” Acker laughed. “Did it ever occur to you that the ladies of your past had brothers as well?” He circled around the man. “I shared a bottle of brandy with one of those brothers this evening. You remember Mr. Jonathan Bridges, don’t you? I recall you being quite close to his widowed sister, Lady Rothsbury.”

The man who struck Acker raised his fist again.

“Jordan, now is not the time or place,” a man spoke from his place by the door. Juliette suspected he was the eldest, Bentley.

“You are correct.” Jordan let his arm drop. “Tomorrow morning in Green Park. Have your second contact Bentley.”

“What?” Juliette cried.

The man named Jordan smiled at her with warm affection. “I could not protect you before, but I can now.”

Whatever did he mean by such a statement? She hadn’t ever needed anyone’s protection. “I don’t understand,” she cried to the room in general.

Acker turned toward her, a half smile on his lips as if he found humor in this situation. “He has challenged me for any insult I caused you.”

“But it is not for him to decide if I am insulted.”

“Ah, but it is.” He gestured to the four gentlemen. “You now have brothers. Four of them. Your life is no longer your own.”

“No,” Juliette yelled. “They will not march in here and take over.”

Acker shook his head. “I wish you luck in keeping them from doing so. You don’t know them nearly as well as I.”

It didn’t matter one whit how powerful they were. She had lived twenty-five years without their intrusion into her life and she could live another twenty-five without them, especially if they wished to send maman away.

“You should go, Acker,” the man Juliette assumed was Bentley announced. “This is a family matter.”

Acker bowed to Juliette. “I will call on you tomorrow.” He lifted her hand and placed a kiss on the back of it.

Juliette did not want to be left alone with them. It would be her mother and two sisters against four imposing gentlemen. By their frowns and the anger she just witnessed from one, she well understood why her mother feared them.

Acker stopped beside the eldest who placed a hand on his shoulder. “Please tell Eleanor what has happened and wait for me to return.”

Acker simply nodded and left the room.

Eleanor, the woman Acker had once thought to marry but had married Bentley instead, Acker’s friend.

“I should have known you would find us. I should have never returned,” Maman said as she collapsed against the back of the settee.

“Why did you return?” Bentley asked.

“I learned he was dead,” she answered bluntly.

“We thought you were dead,” the fourth man said. “Until a year ago.”

Maman had a look of defeat about her with the way her face was drawn and shoulders slumped. Maman had always been a proud woman, her appearance near perfection and backbone straight. This illness and worry of discovery had taken their toll and it looked as if she would just prefer to curl up and disappear. “I didn’t find out that I was supposed to have died until I returned to England,” she finally said.

“Father told us your carriage had gone over the side of the bridge and you and Julia had died.”

Maman glanced from one brother to the next and they each nodded in clarification.

“I saw the wreckage myself,” Jordan confirmed.

“Not only did he want me gone, apparently he wished me dead as well,” her mother said as she glanced to Genviève. “Please get the brandy and enough glasses for all of us. This might take a bit and not a pleasant discussion to have.”

As her sister did their mother’s bidding, maman asked the rest of them to take seats. The brothers shared a few looks between them but capitulated and settled into different chairs about the room, except the one named Jordan, who remained standing by the entrance. The young lady who arrived with them took a seat beside Juliette on the settee.

Genviève returned a moment later and poured a glass of the dark liquid for each of them. Juliette rarely drank brandy but suspected she would need it tonight.

Maman sighed and glanced at each of her daughters. “I was running away from your father,” she informed them.

Nothing could have shocked Juliette more. A wife did not just leave her husband, especially if he was a lord.

Her mother then focused on Bentley.
“Your father caught up with us before we reached town. I thought he was going to make us come back and I hoped Julia didn’t suffer for my impertinence.’ She took a sip of from the glass she held tightly in her grasp. “I knew he would punish me, but I didn’t want to see my daughter hurt again. But he didn’t. He wanted me gone and had no use for a daughter. At least he didn’t foresee one at that time.” She laughed bitterly. “He sent me to Paris to live and ordered me to change my name and to never return.” Her eyes leveled on Bentley’s. “It never occurred to me that he told everyone I was dead.”

“Why Paris?” Jordan asked.

She sighed. “I had wanted to go to Paris but had dismissed the idea. It was too dangerous.” She shivered as if horrible memories flashed in her mind. “Only Lady Acker knew I was leaving and that is the destination I had told her, not that I was actually going to go there.”

“Why did you tell her Paris if that had not been your intention?” The auburn haired one asked.

Juliette wished her mother would have at least introduced her to them, but perhaps maman had her reasons for not doing so.

“I knew if I managed to escape, your father would go to her because she was my dearest friend. Even though I knew she would hold my confidences I did not want her to be forced to lie to him. And, if she was forced to tell him Paris it was my lie, not her own because she wouldn’t know any differently.”

No wonder maman had not wanted her to meet with Acker. He was much closer to the family than she realized. Would maman want to see Acker’s mother now that their secret was out? Would Acker tell his mother that he had tried to make her friend’s daughter his mistress?

Juliette closed her eyes. That was assuming he lived through the dual tomorrow. She must somehow find a way to stop that from happening. Perhaps she could appeal to Jordan.

Jordan stepped forward. “You left because of what I did. Because Julia was struck.”

Adele smiled weakly, tears glistened in her eyes and she grabbed his hand. “I left because he had taken a switch to Julia. It had already happened once before. This was the second incident. I knew it would happen with more frequency.”