Authors: Jane Charles
Acker stared after Juliette as she walked to her mother’s coach. She barely acknowledged him or thanked him when he helped her from the conveyance. Of course, she must be worried about her mother, but had they been standing in the middle of a ballroom her behavior was nothing short of giving him the cut direct.
What had he done now? All he suggested was they should talk of their feelings in private. He certainly wasn’t going to make any declaration in front of Jordan Trent and his wife. He had hoped the trip would allow them the opportunity to speak privately but apparently Mr. and Mrs. Jordan Trent would be with them for the duration and this did not set well with Acker.
Juliette spoke a few words to Bentley then joined her sisters inside. The gentlemen remained by the coaches, Jordan watching him with suspicion before he turned away to engage his brothers in conversation.
Bloody hell, would they remain suspicious of him forever?
The ladies returned once the horses had been changed and appeared more refreshed than they had upon entering the inn. Perhaps he should have gone inside. He wouldn’t have drunk tea however. Acker needed something much stronger before he endured several more hours in Trent’s company.
As Juliette approached the coach, Acker offered her his hand. The quick incline of her head was the only acknowledgement he received. He might as well be a blasted footman for all the attention she gave him.
Acker quickly entered and settled on the bench across from her, hoping to have a word before they were joined by the other couple.
He leaned forward. “Juliette, can we talk, privately at the next stop?”
She frowned. “I don’t see that it is necessary.”
Acker pushed his fingers through his hair in frustration. This woman was going to drive him mad. “It is very necessary.”
“What is necessary?” John asked as he opened the door to the coach.
Bloody hell, another Trent. Well, at least it wasn’t Jordan, but John and his wife may be worse. The two were spies, though not as active as they once had been, but spies just the same and trained in various ways to learn secrets or to kill a man.
The two didn’t know he knew of their profession and Acker would bet that none of the family knew either. The only reason he was privy to this information was because of his position at the Home Office. His trip to the Continent last year had not been to just meet with diplomats but to also check on the network and determine no further damage had come from the discovery of their men and women in Paris. That situation had almost gotten both John and Elizabeth killed, but at least they had escaped. A few had not been so lucky.
John assisted Elizabeth into the coach and took a seat beside Acker.
Elizabeth turned and introduced herself as the coach moved forward and onto the road that would eventually lead them to Bentley Manor.
She offered a brief history of how her father was a vicar and she had been raised in a small town but spent much of her time at the castle.
“A castle?” Juliette questioned.
“Yes,” Elizabeth answered brightly. “It is where my grandfather lives.”
“The Duke of Danby, His Grace,” Acker explained and watched the color drain from Juliette’s cheeks.
“Oh, don’t let the fact that my grandfather is a duke bother you.” Elizabeth patted Juliette’s hand. “He seems much tougher than he actually is.”
John smirked and Acker lifted an eyebrow. He had never heard such an understatement in his life. His Grace may coddle his granddaughter but Acker had been forced to deal with the man on too many occasions, usually when he made demands on Elizabeth’s whereabouts and safety. Acker was glad he resigned his post so that he did not have to encounter His Grace any longer.
“After two Seasons I could not bear the thought of another one,” Elizabeth continued.
“Is that when you married?” Juliette asked.
Elizabeth laughed. “No, I decided to visit my uncle, in France.”
Shock registered on Juliette’s face. “Your father and grandfather let you travel to France while Napoleon was still emperor?”
Elizabeth gave a sly smile. “They didn’t really have a choice. They didn’t learn of my plans until I was there.”
“You ran away?”
“At least the two of you have that in common,” Acker muttered, growing more irritated at not having Juliette to himself, or even having her attention.
“I have never run away,” Juliette argued.
“True, but you’ve disappeared often enough.”
Juliette narrowed her eyes at him. “It wasn’t intentionally to avoid you, however—.”
“—Have you ever been to the south of France,” Elizabeth interrupted.
“No, other than when we traveled through Marseilles on the way to Milan.”
Elizabeth relaxed and Acker knew Elizabeth could continue with the story she and John would have Society believe without being caught in the lie.
“I met my first husband in France, Jean Pierre,” she said with a sigh.
John coughed into his fist and Acker resisted the urge to roll his eyes. Was Juliette’s sister, Hélène, as good an actress as Elizabeth?
“We settled in Sainte-Maxime where his family owned a vineyard.”
“What happened?” Juliette asked carefully.
“He died,” Elizabeth answered matter-of-factly. Acker really should caution Elizabeth to show a bit more emotion over the death of her non-existent husband, but then she would know that he knew the truth.
Juliette simply stared at her with concern. No doubt because of the flippant way Elizabeth explained away her husband.
“I met John a year later.” She smiled over at her husband. “We returned to England and were married a year ago January.”
Juliette studied her brother. “You were in France as well? Were you a soldier?”
Acker turned toward John and lifted an eyebrow. Hopefully he possessed the same acting skills as his wife. At least John didn’t have a fictitious former wife he needed to lie about.
“No,” he chuckled. “If you ask my family I was leading the life of a wastrel.”
“In France? Wasn’t that a bit dangerous?”
He sobered. “Not when you consider Father was in England,” he answered bitterly.
At least the former Bentley left one legacy: Anyone who knew him hated him, including his children.
Elizabeth turned toward Juliette. “Your turn. Tell me all about living in Paris, being a ballerina and Milan.”
Juliette startled at the demand but recovered quickly enough. “I recall little of the Revolution because Maman shielded us. It was over by the time I saw my first ballet,” she sighed. “I’ve never seen anything so beautiful in my life and when I asked, Maman agreed to allow me to attend lessons.”
Juliette glowed when she spoke of her life as a ballerina and those she had studied under. They had a part of her heart no one could ever touch.
“I was upset when we had to move to Italy, and now understand the purpose. Thankfully I could continue to dance in Milan.”
Acker wished he could bring the same loving smile to her lips. What would he need to do so Juliette had the same enraptured expression when she thought of him?
“You must teach me,” Elizabeth announced.
“To dance?” Juliette asked in clarification?
“Yes. Though I am uncertain I have the skill.” Eleanor leaned close to Juliette. “I am not very graceful.”
Juliette smiled with encouragement, probably in the same manner she did with her students. “I would enjoy teaching you.” She turned to look at Acker. “I am certain you will not be the worst student I ever encountered.”
Acker’s face warmed. That was one story he was not going to allow her to share.
“I have one question,” John asked in a serious tone. “What are your loyalties?”
Acker stiffened. Surely John wasn’t going to interrogate her as he did those he captured in the name of the Crown. Acker simply wouldn’t allow it.
“I don’t understand,” she asked with a frown.
“You’ve lived all but three years of your life in countries under French rule. England has been at war with France most of that time.” He leaned forward and placed his hands on his knees. “Tell me, do your loyalties lie with the French or the English.”
Juliette pulled back and stared at him. “My loyalties remain with my mother and sisters.”
“That does not answer my question.”
“I have no interest in politics or war, if you must know.” Her face took on the flush of anger, much as it had done when she argued with Bentley last night. “I think war is a waste and wish everyone would get along with one another.” She leaned toward him, her eyes narrow. “And I do not appreciate being questioned in this manner. The only thing I wish to do is dance and I don’t care what country I happen to be in at the time.”
John leaned back and smiled, apparently pleased with her answer.
Juliette didn’t calm as quickly and turned her face to look out the window.
Acker watched the emotions play across her lovely face. He would give anything to know what she was thinking but didn’t dare ask, not with John and Elizabeth in the coach. It was a shame John had questioned her loyalty because they had been having such a pleasant trip until that point and he was learning more about Juliette each passing moment. And the longer he was with her the more he wanted her.
The question remained; did she want him as well?
Juliette had a fitful night of sleep. Her mother coughed often, waking Juliette and her sisters. All she wanted to do was sleep but her mother was alert, feeling better and it was time to continue their journey. She didn’t know what to make of her new family members and hoped today was more pleasant. The wives were lovely and she liked Elizabeth and Audrey very much. The same could not be said for Jordan or John. One had a surly disposition and the other questioned her loyalties.
She placed her tea cup into the saucer and glanced around the private dining room. Most of them were here and even though they carried on conversation in normal tones, the noise was deafening. She had been in crowded places before, such as the theater and the caffès they used to sup in after the ballet, but this private dining room filled with her family members seemed twice as loud as either of those places had ever been.
Perhaps it was because she was tired and not used to them. And, she hadn’t had a moment’s peace since her discovery at the ballet. That is what she needed. A moment to herself, and quiet without anyone talking to her, asking questions or making demands.
Standing, she excused herself and crossed through to the public room and out the main entrance. Once outside she turned toward the side of the building, away from travelers ready to depart. She spied a bench beneath a grouping of trees and made her way to sit in the shade. Though she could still hear the noise from the stable yard, it was distant and not nearly as disturbing of her newest family members.
A sigh escaped and she wondered how much longer the journey would take. Or, which brother would decide to ride with them this morning? Was it too much to hope that her sisters could join her and Acker in the coach? Or better yet, that she could share a coach with her sisters and mother with no gentlemen present. At least then she would be able to fully relax, and sleep.
“How is your mother this morning?”
Juliette glanced up to find Acker standing not far away.
“She coughed most of the night but doesn’t seem to be worse for the traveling,”
He nodded as he walked forward and took a seat beside her. As much as she had wanted to be alone a few moments ago she did not mind his presence. She was comforted when he was near and Juliette couldn’t explain why.
He picked up her hand and placed a kiss on its back. “How are you doing?”
She simply shrugged. What could she say that didn’t sound as if she were complaining? She shouldn’t complain about anything because this move was more for her mother’s benefit than hiding from Society. At least that was the case in Juliette’s mind.
“Your family can be a bit overwhelming.”
An unintended chuckle bubbled up from within. She must be losing her mind.
“Just remember, I am here for you.” He squeezed her hand. “Not anyone else. Just you.”
Tears sprang to her eyes and she quickly blinked them away. It was silly of course and only proved how tired she had become. But, nobody had ever been there just for her. She hadn’t realized how much she wanted that very thing until it was offered. “Thank you.”
“I hope to always be there for you, Juliette.”
She wanted that as well. To Acker she was Juliette. To everyone else she was Julia. But she wasn’t that person. Julia was foreign to her. Even her sisters had called her Julia last evening. Acker knew who she was. Why didn’t the others.
Oh, she was too tired to think. Perhaps she could sleep in the coach and get some much needed rest. Then she wouldn’t be so maudlin. It would be even nicer if she could curl herself around Acker and sleep until they arrived at Bentley Manor but she knew it was impossible.
“How much longer before we arrive?” She asked.
Acker snaked an arm around her shoulder and pulled her close. “This evening or perhaps tomorrow morning, depending on how often we stop.”
Though they shouldn’t push too hard because of Maman, Juliette couldn’t help thinking that getting maman to a warm home and soft bed wouldn’t be the best for her.
“Juliette, if only I could have you to myself,” Acker whispered before placing a kiss against her brow.
His tenderness made her want to weep. “Why are you being so kind?”
He chuckled. “I care about you. Surely you know that by now.”
She did, but how much and to what purpose she wished to ask, but didn’t have the strength to have such a serious conversation with him at the moment. Besides, she had to remember that when she was just a ballerina she was only fit to be his mistress. As she was now Lady Julia Trent, Acker’s attention could only mean one of two things. He wanted her friendship or he wanted her as his wife. She would be his friend and needed him for that, but she could never marry him. Had he been willing to marry the simple ballerina it would be different.
She straightened and pulled away. It was not right to lean on him when she had no certainty of his intentions.
“Once everyone is settled, I would like to speak with you?”
“Why not now?” she asked even though she wasn’t prepared for whatever he planned to say.
“We don’t have enough time and I expect one of your brothers to come look for us at any moment.”
As if Acker’s words had conjured him from thin air, Matthew walked around the side of the building. “There you are. Everyone is ready to leave.”
Acker groaned as Juliette stood and walked away from him and toward yet another brother. His appearance could only mean that he would be sharing the carriage with them this morning.
*
Acker settled into the same seat he had occupied yesterday and kept a close eye on Juliette. He had never seen her so tired, almost beaten down. It was all he could do not to wrap her in his arms and make all her troubles go away, but he didn’t have the power. She faced difficult times ahead because Adele was not going to get better no matter how much Juliette wished her to. All Acker could do was be there for her to lean on in time of need.
At least it was Matthew and Grace who were joining them this morning. Of the four brothers, he was the most reasonable, though he used to think that of Jordan Trent.
Juliette watched him suspiciously.
“Is something on your mind?” Matthew asked slowly.
“Are you going to glare at Acker all morning?” she asked.
His forehead furrowed in confusion. “No. Do I have a reason to?”
“Are you going to question my loyalty to crown and country?”
Again the look of confusion passed over his features. “Do I need to?”
“Of course not,” Acker answered for her.
“Is there anything in particular you wish to know because I would like to have it done with now?”
“Julia, we only care about you. That is all,” Matthew said. “I apologize if my brothers made the trip difficult for you.”
She sighed and let her head fall back. “It doesn’t matter and I apologize for my rudeness.”
“It is alright,” Grace offered with a kind smile. “I am sure you are exhausted. You could not have gotten much sleep last night.”
Juliette looked at her.
“Your room was next to mine and Audrey’s. We could hear your mother coughing.”
“I am sorry if we disturbed you.”
“Oh no,” Grace rushed to assure her. “Like my husband said, our only concern at the moment is you. It is not easy when a parent is ill.”
Juliette relaxed at her words. She was so exhausted. Juliette’s spine was always erect and her chin up. He had assumed the posture came from years of ballet training. This morning she barely resembled the ballerina with the way her shoulders were slumped and she relaxed against the squabs. If Juliette did not find rest soon she might become ill as well and that would never do.
“I am sorry, but I don’t recall your name. I am not even sure we were introduced.”
“We weren’t,” Grace assured her. “I am Grace, and married to Matthew, the former vicar.”
Juliette returned Grace’s warm smile. Acker had liked the young woman the moment he met her. She had a way of putting everyone at ease.
“I’ve been in your situation and I want to assure you that I will do anything I can do to help,” Grace offered.
Juliette studied her. “Your mother had consumption?”
“No.” She shook her head. “My mother died when I was a child.”
“Oh!”
“I was speaking of my father. A few years ago he fell and a horse kicked him in the head. After that he could not speak or use the right side of his body, and he suffered seizures.”
“I am so very sorry,” Juliette said with deep sympathy. “Did he suffer long?”
An impish grin came to Grace’s face. “Papa is doing quite well, as a matter of fact.”
“He recovered?”
“He is still the same physically but he gets on very well. It was that first year that was the most difficult as we had to adjust to his condition.”
“I am happy he is still with you and doing well.”
Matthew reached beneath the seat and pulled out two small pillows and blankets and handed them to the ladies. “Both of you need sleep.”
In that he was correct. Acker could not recall Juliette looking so tired or ever having dark circles beneath her eyes. Even her cheekbones seemed more pronounced. Hopefully she wasn’t losing weight from the current stress. He would need to make sure she ate a good dinner.
“Thank you,” Juliette said as she took the offered pillow and turned to Grace. “If you don’t mind me asking, and it is probably none of my business, but why did you share a room with Audrey when your husband is traveling with you?”
“Not enough room at the inn,” Acker answered. “While the ladies slept in comfortable beds, the gentlemen were relegated to tables, chairs and floors in the private dining room.”
“I am so sorry,” Juliette started.
He was not about to let her take the blame on herself. “We were as comfortable as you,” Acker insisted. “Even though Bentley snores.”
“He is rather loud isn’t he,” Matthew agreed. “I don’t know how Eleanor puts up with it night after night.”
“That was probably the best sleep she has gotten since they married.”
“Unless she makes him sleep in a room at the end of the hall. I know I would if I were her,” Matthew laughed.
“And Eleanor’s younger brothers thought it was a grand adventure.”
“I was wondering if they would ever settle down long enough to sleep.”
Acker glanced across the coach at Juliette. She had curled up in the corner with the pillow beneath her head and a blanket pulled up to her chin. Her lovely mouth was parted ever so slightly as she took even breaths. She was sound asleep and love for her welled up within him. Please let her be mine one day.
When had he fallen in love with Juliette? He wanted her; that was never a question. Desired her more than he had anyone before, but when did he come to love her? Had he been in love in Milan? Acker didn’t think so. All he knew was that he hated the idea of leaving her. Was that love?
It didn’t matter. What was important was that he realized his feelings now.
“I know that look.”
Acker was startled from his thoughts by Matthew’s quiet comment.
“Look.”
“You are in love with my sister.”
He wasn’t ready to confirm Matthew’s suspicions and said nothing.
“Does Julia love you?”
Acker looked back at the sleeping woman and his heart clenched. “I don’t know.”