“I think I will crawl in bed as soon assupper is complete.”
Juliette smiled at her. Though Hélènecomplained, there was still a smile in her eyes. She would like tofeel useful again and provide for her family.
Their lives had changed so much in the pastyear. In Milan they lived in a modest house, and had threeservants. Maman had funds from Paris, though Juliette did not liketo think how her mother came about her jewels, clothing and income,it had provided them with a comfortable life. Juliette had earnedwages for dancing and teaching, Hélène worked as an actress and inother aspects of the theatre and Genviève took care of thehousehold.
A year of traveling had depleted almosteverything, and Maman was keeping her jewelry safe, only to be usedif absolutely necessary. Though they sold a few pieces, maman washoping not to part with the rest for some time. Juliette and hersisters soon learned how to cook and clean. Now that her sisterswere fully employed, most of the tasks fell to Juliette. She didn’tmind, though she wished she would have paid more attention to thecooks they had employed over the years. But, after a number ofruined meals, she was becoming a better cook.
Genviève arrived home as the food was beingplaced on the table and took a seat beside her twin. Maman slowlyentered a moment later and stood at her place at the head of thetable. When Juliette had last checked on her she had been asleep.All three sisters watched her expectantly. Juliette wished shewould return to bed and rest. “I can bring you a tray. You shouldnot be up.”
Maman shook her concern away and took a seatat the table. She focused on her sister first.
“Genviève, you need to give up your positionwith Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Thorn.”
The girls stopped eating and stared at theirmother. She could not be serious. They depended on Genvièvewages.
“Why, Maman,” Genviève asked.
“You may meet someone I don’t wish youto.”
The sisters looked at each other. Who couldGenviève possibly meet as a maid?
“I was under the impression that the Thornswere a modest family. That is not the case.”
“I mentioned they lived in Mayfair,” Genvièvereminded her.
Maman frowned. “You did? I don’t recall.” Sheshook her head as if it wasn’t important. “Mr. Thorn is the youngerson of Lord Thorndyke, an earl.”
“Yes,” Genviève answered hesitantly.
“His wife is the daughter of a baron.”
Juliette looked at her sister, wondering asto the importance of this family and why her mother wasconcerned.
“They also have a son, David, I believe.”
Genviève nodded.
“He is approximately eight and twenty andwill inherit the title, after his father, since the eldest son ofLord Thorndyke only has daughters.”
Had she been reading Debritt’s all day andthis was how she knew about the family who employed Genviève?
“I’ve only met him a few times,” Genvièveinsisted.
“He has a reputation as a rake,” Mamanpointed out.
Now Juliette understood. It was the samereason she had not been allowed to see Lord Acker. Certainly notall English gentlemen were set on seducing innocent youngwomen.
“He barely notices when I am about,” Genvièveinsisted.
“The family plans to host a lavish ball twonights from now, is that correct?” her mother questioned.
“Yes,” Genviève answered. “Mrs. Thorn hadasked if I could be there to assist.”
Maman studied Genviève. “You will give yournotice tomorrow and you will not be at that ball.”
“But why?” Juliette asked. “We need the extraincome.”
Her mother slapped her hand down on the tablewith enough force that the dishes rattled. “I have my reasons, andyou will obey them,”
This was so unlike maman. Juliette could onlyremember her raising her voice a few times when she was a child.Was it her illness making her so unreasonable? The only peoplemaman feared them meeting was Bentley or the Trents. Her sistershad been born after they left England. Even if one of them noticedGenviève amongst the other servants they would have no way ofknowing her relationship to maman.
Her mother needed medical care before thisillness made her impossibly irrational.
Acker had been anxious most of the day. Hecould keep his mind on nothing he ought and kept thinking aboutJuliette instead. Though he attended meetings at the Home Officemost of the day, Acker recalled nothing about decisions made. Heaccompanied his mother to a musicale and didn’t remember who hespoke with, who performed or who was even there.
His restlessness eventually led him toWhite’s, where he hoped the companionship of some of his friendswould keep his mind off of Juliette. “Why aren’t more balletsperformed in London?” he mused out loud before he took a sip ofwhiskey.
Lord Brachton lifted an eyebrow. “Wha’ wouldye be wantin’ with a ballet?”
Acker chuckled. It didn’t surprise him thatthe Scot would ask such a question. Most men avoided suchentertainment, unless it was to their benefit where a wife or loverwas concerned.
The man leaned forward. “Ifin’ ya hear thereis goin’ to be a ballet, donna tell me wife.”
Brachton was married to Madeline Trent, theyoungest and only living daughter of the former Lord Bentley. Withthat thought, the same question that had been lingering in the backof his mind came forward. Was Madeline the only livingdaughter?
“Jordan used to take Maddie whenever therewas a performance and she has since informed me that we will begoin’ to one in May.”
“Ah, you are to see Adolfo EChiara?”
The Scot scrunched his face in disgust. “Idonna ken the name.” He snorted. “I should insist her brother takeher and I will stay home.”
If rumors were correct, Jordan Trent may havea different lady to escort that evening.
“I can’t say I’ve ever attended the ballet,”Viscount Ainsely said as he took a seat at the table in the backcorner where Acker and Brachton were sitting. Though Ainsely wasScottish as well, or at least his estate and family seat was inScotland, he didn’t have the same brogue as Brachton.
“I donna recommend it,” Brachtoninsisted.
Acker laughed. “I do.”
“Wha’ is so entertainin’ about peopleflittin’ about the stage?” Brachton demanded.
“The story is told in the dance,” Ackerexplained to Ainsely.
“Oh, I know what the ballet
