Lady Revealed (16 page)

“As soon as we have the funds, the girls and I will return to Milan.” Her shoulders slumped as if defeated. “We should not have come here. Nobody else knows we are here and there is no reason they should.”

Bentley came forward and placed his hands on maman’s shoulder. “It is probably for the best.”

She nodded but said nothing.

“I can support you. There is no reason for the girls to work. Find a home you wish to live in and I will see that you have everything you need. ”

“Thank you.”

Genviève stood. “We do not need your help.”

Hélène looked at her in shock.

Juliette understood. They had taken care of themselves for this long there was no need to rely on Bentley’s support now. Nor did she want to feel as if she owed them anything.

“I will arrange for passage on the next ship,” he said as he pulled away.

Maman turned. “We will be ready.”

Juliette focused on her mother. “Was Father the reason we moved so often?”

She nodded. “He was always looking, wanting to know where we lived. I took great pains so he never learned. I couldn’t risk him finding out about the twins.”

“Then how did he support us?” Hélène asked.

“By regular deposits. His solicitor took care of everything. He did not need to know where we lived to deposit the funds.”

The brothers and Madeline stood. That was it. They were leaving and Juliette and her family would return to Milan.

“I’ll send a message when your passage has been booked.”

They filed out of the room with Juliette and her sister watching after them. Though she only knew of their existence a short time, Juliette already experienced the loss.

*

Acker anxiously waited with Eleanor, the other wives and Madeline’s husband for Bentley and his siblings to return. He had not mentioned two additional sisters and would leave that to Bentley, but did explain the light bruise already forming on his jaw. He didn’t relish the idea of facing Jordan on the field of honor in the morning. Hell, he couldn’t even think of someone to call on to act as his second. Under normal circumstances it would have been Bentley. Perhaps Stanwick, Bridges or Ainsely would stand for him.

He thrust his fingers through his hair. Bloody hell this was a mess.

Every occupant in the room turned when they heard voices on the stairs. One by one the brother’s entered along with Madeline.

“They will be taking a ship back to Italy as soon as I arrange passage,” Bentley announced.

“What?” Acker demanded. He couldn’t lose Juliette now. He just found her.

Jordan narrowed his eyes and approached. “My sister is none of your concern.”

“Apparently she is none of yours either since you are exiling them as your father had done.”

“Shouldn’t you be contacting your second?” Jordan demanded.

“Enough,” a voice cried from the doorway. They turned to find the Dowager Countess Bentley standing in the doorway. Or at least Society believed her to be the dowager. Beside her stood Acker’s mother.

“Rose,” Eleanor began. “I thought you and Lady Acker were going to continue on to the Sinclair ball with Lords Filbright and Carrington.”

The woman sighed and came into the room. “We canceled our plans and ask them to return us to Lady Acker’s home. We wished to discuss this situation away from the rest of you.”

Acker looked around the room. The rest of the gathering appeared as confused as he.

“What? You did not think I would recognize Julia?” Rose asked.

Shock registered on the brother’s face.

“Adele’s portrait is in the gallery at home. She looks exactly like her.” She glanced back at Acker’s mother. “Lady Acker confirmed my suspicions.

“You don’t need to worry, Rose,” Bentley said as he came forward. “They are returning to Italy as soon as it can be arranged.”

Rose turned to Acker’s mother. “We knew they would do something this idiotic.”

“It isn’t,” Bentley defended.

Rose sighed. “To what purpose and is it fair to Julia and her mother?”

“And sisters,” Lady Acker added.

Bentley narrowed his eyes on Lady Acker. “How do you know she has sisters?”

“Because Acker met Juliette in Milan. He was quite taken with her.”

Every person in the room turned to Acker and heat crept into his cheeks.

“Explain,” Jordan demanded.

So he did, leaving out the part of wanting to bring Juliette back to London as his mistress. One fist in the face this evening was quite enough.

“Why didn’t you marry her?” Jordan asked when he was finished.

“I didn’t know her well enough to trust in what I was feeling,” Acker admitted. “And, I still thought Eleanor and I would marry.”

Bentley frowned and Eleanor rolled her eyes.

“Besides,” Acker continued. “She was a ballerina. Gentlemen do not marry dancers.”

Rose walked to the sideboard and poured herself a glass of wine and turned to face those in the room. “They are not leaving, Bentley.”

“Rose, I am only asking them to so that you and Madeline can be protected.”

“What if we don’t wish to be?”

“You don’t know what you are saying?” Bentley argued. “Think of the scandal.”

“Are you thinking of us or what the
ton
will think of the family?”

Bentley stood silent for a moment before he answered. “Both.”

“Honestly, I don’t care if they know,” Rose admitted.

“Neither do I,” said Madeline.

“Your husband may,” John countered.

“I donna,” Brachton confirmed.

Bentley turned in the room, looking at each person. “Does everyone agree they should remain? Are you willing to take the risk of our family being fodder for gossip for months and possibly years?”

The spouses were quick to nod, the siblings slowly followed suit after realizing their wives were willing to take the risk.”

“Then what do we tell Society?” Bentley asked.

The dowager smiled. “The truth.” She took a sip of her wine. “If my daughter was not married I may feel differently. But she is and her husband and his title will protect her. And frankly, I do not care what Society thinks of me. I spent half of my life worrying about how one person would react at any given moment. I am not about to spend the rest of my life worrying about what anyone else thinks of me.”

Maman glanced about the room and sighed after Bentley and his brothers had left. “I am too tired to think at the moment. I will see about our belongings in the morning.”

Under normal circumstances, maman would be on her way to packing up a good deal of their possessions and not let anything stop her, not even the lateness of the hour. The fact that she wished to put it off proved how ill she was. Could she even travel? Would it only worsen her condition?

Juliette watched as her mother pulled herself to a standing position and moved toward her room.

Genviève went to Maman’s side. “I will help you.”

“I’ll make a cup of tea to help you sleep.” Hélène made her way to the kitchen, leaving Juliette completely alone.

She looked forward to returning to Milan in that she would be able to dance again and did not have to live in secret. Yet, a part of her wished to know her brothers better. Not that they cared to know her. They were quick to agree with maman’s plan to leave England. Eager even since Bentley was willing to support them for the rest of their days. Though they were strangers it hurt just the same. They only shared a father but Juliette liked to think she would not casually dismiss her siblings had she been in his position.

After she returned to Milan she would not see Acker again either.

Juliette sighed and wandered to the window. There were still a number of people out this evening and it wasn’t overly late.

It was probably for the best she had no more contact with Acker. If only she could convince herself that is what she really wanted.

Oh dear. Her eyes widened. Jordan had challenged Acker. They had a dawn appointment. What if one of them was gravely injured? Though she didn’t know Jordan she certainly didn’t want to see him shot. And what of Acker? If he were killed she could never live with herself. Even though it wasn’t her fault that Acker had made the proposition, she was still involved and he didn’t deserve to die.

She whirled about and took in the room, trying to think of what to do. She had to stop the duel, but how?

Bentley! He was the head of the family. If she appealed to him maybe he could make Jordan see sense. But she didn’t even know where he lived.

Maman did. If Juliette asked would her mother tell her?

Juliette rushed from the room and caught a glimpse of her reflection in the mirror. She had completely forgotten she was still in costume. She couldn’t travel through London and call on Bentley dressed in this manner so she altered her steps until she was in her room. Juliette wasted no time in divesting herself from her costume and chose a dark walking dress to call on her brother. Once she was finished she made her way to maman’s room, took a deep breath and pushed the door open. Maman was resting against several pillows. She had not been able to lay flat in bed for some time because it always made her cough more.

Juliette tiptoed toward the bed to check on her and found the woman asleep. Juliette blew out a silent sigh and opened the drawer beside her mother’s bed. Inside was the envelope addressed to Bentley. Now she remembered, he lived in Mayfair. It was a bit far to walk, but it could be done though it would take her a good hour.

She retreated to the parlor and settled behind the desk Genviève often worked at when attempting to balance the household accounts and find a way to save funds. Juliette opened the bottom drawer and pulled an old box from the back. This is where they kept all of their money. She opened it and retrieved a few pounds, hoping it was enough for a hackney. She hadn’t hired one since being in London and couldn’t guess at the cost. But, they didn’t have to worry about funds any longer since her brother seemed eager to pay their way to Milan, or probably anywhere they wished to go just to get them out of England.

Juliette tried to understand his position and not be bitter. He was looking out for a sister he had known all of his life and who was innocent in all of these lies. But Juliette and her sisters were innocent as well. Why should they be cast out without a thought?

Of course, he could have demanded maman leave and insist Juliette and her sisters remain. That would have been worse. At least he was letting them all stay together and hopefully he would be reasonable and help her stop the duel.

She placed the box into the drawer and rose to retrieve her cloak. With a deep breath she exited their set of rooms and made her way to the street hoping a hackney came along shortly.

*

“What is this about choosing a second,” Lady Acker finally asked once it was decided and agreed upon that Adele and her daughters would remain in England.

“Jordan challenged me when he overheard and misunderstood a comment,” Acker answered.

“Adele said you ruined Juliette,” Jordan clarified, glaring at Acker. “I heard that statement very clearly.”

Acker sighed and shook his head. “I did not ruin her. Her mother seems to think that was my intent.”

“Was it?” Bentley asked, his glare matched Jordan’s.

He looked from one to the other. “You two are very protective of a young woman that a few minutes ago was going to be shipped back to Milan and never seen again. I don’t see where it is any of your business what my intentions happened to be at one time.”

Jordan took a step forward, his hand balled into a fist.

“Oh, Good God.” Acker tossed back his drink. “I wanted her, yes. I am not going to deny the fact. I just couldn’t figure out how she fit into my life.”

“After what we have learned tonight,” Bentley said slowly. “I think it is very clear where she will be.”

Their eyes locked and held. Was Bentley now ordering him to marry Juliette? While he would finally have her, Acker didn’t appreciate someone else telling him what to do and who to marry. When he could have forced Bentley to do the same, he had let the man come to the decision on his own. Acker would have liked the same option.

“I think it is none of your business what I do,” he growled and marched to the sideboard to refill his glass.

The butler stepped into the room as Acker turned back toward the gathering.

“A Miss Juliette Mirabelle is asking to see you, Lord Bentley.”

“Juliette is here?” Acker asked and took a step toward the door.

Jordan grabbed his arm. “She wishes to see Bentley, not you.”

Acker shook off Jordan’s hand.

“Please show her in,” Bentley ordered and Acker’s mother stood.

A moment later Juliette stepped into the drawing room. She looked from one person to the next and her eyes grew larger. She clearly wasn’t expecting so many people to be present.

“Julia,” his mother said as she came forward and reached out to grasp both of Juliette’s hands. “I thought never to see you again.”

Juliette blinked at her and cast a quick glance to Acker, the only person she truly knew in the room.

Acker stepped forward. “Juliette, allow me to introduce my mother, Lady Acker. She and your mother were close friends before she moved.”

Juliette offered a hesitant smile. “I am pleased to meet you.”

“Come in,” Lady Acker linked her arm with Juliette’s. “I want to hear about your mother, your life, everything.”

Though Juliette allowed his mother to pull her across the room, she sent a panicked look to Acker.

“I am glad you have come to call,” Bentley said after clearing his throat. “We’ve been discussing the situation and have come to the conclusion that you, your mother and sisters should remain in England.”

Juliette pulled away from Acker’s mother and frowned at Bentley.

“That is why you came here, is it not. To ask me to let you stay.”

A look of humor danced across her features. “Lord Bentley, despite what we were told, when and if we leave England is up to us. Nobody is going to treat my sisters and I as your father treated mother. We will do as we please.”

Bentley stiffened and Acker fought back a grin. The four wives of the Bentley brothers brought hands up to their faces and Acker suspected they were hiding grins whereas Madeline openly smiled. Few stood up to Bentley and even less defied him.

Bentley frowned at her. “Then why did you call?”

“To ask you to talk some sense into Jordan. His challenge to Lord Acker is uncalled for and unnecessary.”

“He did not insult you?” Bentley questioned.

Juliette huffed and shook her head. “My mother, sisters and I have taken care of ourselves without the benefit of brothers our entire lives. I can handle a gentleman who may step outside the bounds of propriety and need no assistance from anyone.”

“So he did make unwanted advances,” Jordan clarified and glared at Acker again.

Juliette shook her head again and Acker guessed that she was quickly losing patience with her overbearing brothers. “No. But if he had, it is none of your business.”

“I beg to disagree,” Bentley insisted.

“Then you will have to settle for just that because you will not dictate to me.”

Bentley narrowed his eyes at her. If Juliette and her sisters remained in England, and even close to Bentley it would make for some interesting moments.

She turned to Jordan. “Call off the duel,” she ordered.

“Why?” he asked.

“Because it is stupid. I will not have two gentlemen, who appear to have little sense, getting shot over something that involves me.”

Jordan lifted a brow. “You don’t wish for me to shoot him.”

“Of course not,” Juliette cried.

“Ah, then you do care for me,” Acker said with a grin.

Juliette smirked. “Only so much as I don’t wish to see you wounded or killed.”

John snickered, leaned back in his chair and grinned.

It wasn’t exactly a declaration of love but Acker would settle for it at the moment.

“Very well, I will not meet with Acker at dawn on one condition.”

Juliette sighed and crossed her arms across her breasts. “What?”

“That he apologizes to you.”

She looked at him as if he had gone mad and tapped her finger against her upper arm. “He has nothing to apologize for.”

Jordan looked to Acker. “Is she correct?”

They both knew she was not. Jordan knew him well enough that Acker had been contemplating bedding Juliette without the benefits of marriage because she was a ballerina. Juliette knew she was owed an apology as well, though he doubted she would admit it to a room full of strangers.

Acker crossed the room and bowed before her. “Juliette, I apologize for any insult I may have delivered in Milan or London.”

She searched his eyes. Did she not think he was sincere?

A moment later she spoke. “I accept your apology, Lord Acker.”

“Thank goodness,” John announced. “I loathe dawn appointments.

Juliette turned, ignoring everyone else in the room and approached Bentley. “Might I have a word with you?”

“You can discuss what is on your mind here.”

She bit her upper lip and glanced about the room. “Very well.” She sighed. “I don’t know if you noticed but maman is ill.”

He nodded.

“We don’t have the funds for a doctor yet and I was wondering if I could prevail upon you to borrow the fee for a physician.”

He arched an eyebrow.

“I promise to repay the funds as soon as we can. Hélène works for a modiste and I am dancing again so it shouldn’t take long.”

Bentley’s lips twitched with humor. Poor Juliette had no idea how much her life had been altered this night, Acker thought to himself.

“I will have my physician see her first thing in the morning.”

Juliette seemed to relax at his words. “Thank you, Lord Bentley.”

“We will depart for the country as soon as she is well enough to travel.”

She blinked up at him. “Country?”

“Yes,” he answered. “I thought it best we decide how to deal with the situation out of sight of Society and away from the ears of London servants, not that I believe mine would say a word, but one never knows who is listening and watching.”

“So, instead of shipping us back to Milan, you wish to hide us in the country.” Her voice was rising with irritation and Acker would need to remember in the future that it is best not to tell Juliette what she would be doing. How had he missed this stubborn part of her in Milan? She was very agreeable then.

He frowned. Juliette hadn’t always easily gone along with his plans. She had taken great issue when he suggested she return to England without the benefits of marriage. If anything, she stood strong in her convictions. Few would face Bentley the way she was now. It was quite admirable.

“Not necessarily,” Bentley began to explain.

“Let me advise you, Lord Bentley, before you make any more plans for my family. We have survived all of this time without you and we will continue to do so. I will not be kept in the country as if I were someone to be ashamed of. I am a ballerina and I will continue to dance and I can’t do that away from London. Send us back to Milan if you don’t wish for anyone to learn your family secrets.”

“That wasn’t what I meant,” Bentley argued, his jaw tightening in anger.