Then they had funds, but after travelingacross England and into Scotland and back again they werepractically broke. That is what led them to Covent Garden, whereher mother hoped her daughters would find work. Her illness beganwhile they traveled. Juliette hoped that once they were settledmaman would regain her health but that was not the case. She justseemed to grow weaker and more tired.
However, despite maman’s illness, Juliettehad been given strict orders not to contact Lord Acker. She did notneed to be warned away from that gentleman again and he was thelast person she wanted to see, Juliette lied to herself. If she didlook for him, he would surely expect her to become hismistress.
Her mother also gave further warnings to allof them after they settled into their latest home. “If anyonementions the name Lord Bentley or anyone with the surname of Trent,I need to know immediately.”
The sisters had nodded in assurance, thoughthey didn’t understand why. The names meant nothing to them.
“Also,” her mother added a few days later,“If anyone should mention Adele to you, deny knowing anyone by thatname.”
Juliette and her sisters questioned theirmother but she refused to explain other than, “Bentley and theTrents are relations of your father and I don’t want them to knowI’ve returned, under any circumstances,” she said.
“We have family in England?” Hélèneasked.
Her mother’s eyes grew hard. “Some familiesare better kept at a distance, and even better if they don’t knowyou exist.”
The sisters shared a confused and concernedlook.
“They will ruin our lives in ways you couldnever imagine.” With that she turned on her heel and exited theroom.
Juliette would have pursued the questioningabout the family further but her mother was deeply disturbed. Ifthey frightened maman so much then Juliette would heed her words,as would her sisters.
It still begged the question why would hermother return to England if she wasn’t going to become reacquaintedwith her former friends? Juliette knew better than to requestanswers because maman refused to ever discuss her life in England.She and her sisters did the best they could to dismiss theirmother’s concerns and set out to find work to make the newcircumstances of their lives more pleasant. Unfortunately, theSeason had already begun and Juliette feared that all the troupeshad been set. Regardless, Juliette knocked on the doors, hopingthere was a place for her.
At least her sisters had other skills.Genviève had an eye for detail and it was her flower arrangingtalent that landed her the position in the home in Mayfair as amaid. While waiting for the interview and eyeing the mismatchedarrangements throughout the room, Genviève, set to forming morecohesive groupings. The mistress of the house, Lady Throndyke, cameupon her and as Genviève began to apologize the woman hired herwithout requesting references. Now here sister was being consultedon decorating the once garish rooms.
Juliette and Hélène had not been so lucky,but at least Hélène could sew beautiful stitches and was spendingher time visiting local modistes in hopes of finding employment.Juliette could only dance. If she couldn’t find work at a theatre,perhaps she would see if there was a school of dance in London. Shehad done quite well with the few students she had in Milan.
Nobody came to the door and Juliette knockedagain, louder and hard enough to almost bruise her knuckles.Certainly someone was inside. A manager at least.
After several moments Juliette finally turnedfrom the door and made her way down the alley and to the front ofthe theater. Hopefully one of the main doors was unlocked and shecould find someone within to direct her to the person in charge. Asshe reached for the handle, the door was yanked open and a tall manstepped out. With a startled gasp Juliette stumbled back and lookedup. Her breath hitched. A lock of sandy hair fell onto thegentleman’s forehead and he brushed it away.
He held the door open and stood back so shecould enter. Juliette could not make her feet move. Viscount Ackerhad yet to look at her. What would his reaction be?
He lifted his head and shock registered inhis features. “Juliette?”
“Viscount Acker,” she returned.
“Where did you come from?” A smile spreadacross his face. “What are you doing here?”
“I was wondering if auditions were being heldor if the company and troupe are already set for the Season.” Shewould treat him as she would anyone else, without familiarity nomatter how much she longed to feel his arms about her again. He hadwanted her as his mistress and she must remember that. She was justas certain his heart had not ached as hers after they parted.
Acker let the door close behind him. The sunglinted off his hair and it now appeared blonder than it had inMilan. Was he spending more time out of doors?
“I don’t know,” he finally answered.
Surely he knew something about the theatresin London. Why else would he be exiting Drury Lane in the middle ofthe afternoon? Was he coming from visiting a mistress? “Iunderstand that there are not many ballets being held this season.”One could always find a good ballet in Paris or Italy, butapparently the people of London seemed to prefer operas andplays.
“There are only a few.”
Disappointment settled upon her like a heavycloak. She had hoped her information was wrong.
Lord Acker studied her for a moment, hiseyebrows drawn together as if he was trying to unravel a puzzle.“Where did you go?”
“Maman decided it was time to move again. Wehave now settled here and I need to work.” She wasn’t about toshare with him all of her travels. A year ago she may have, but sheneeded to
