“No. I did not ask but found Juliette andcame straight home.”
Their mother sighed and relaxed.
“Who is Julia?” A memory flashed inJuliette’s mind, of holding a small blanket with the name Juliaembroidered on it.
Her mother closed her eyes and a tear slidout the corner of one. “It doesn’t matter and nothing you shouldconcern yourself with.”
“Am I Julia?”
Her mother stilled, and then brushed the tearaway. “I changed your name when we left England.”
“Why?” she cried.
“It doesn’t matter.” Her mother turned herhead to look out the window again, as if she could block the girlsand their questions.
“Did you change my name as well,” Genvièvedemanded.
Her mother dismissed the question with a waveof her hand. “You were not even born yet.”
“We have a brother you never thought tomention?” Juliette wanted to confirm that she understoodcorrectly.
“Half-brother,” maman corrected.
“Maman, what else haven’t you told me. Whydid you change my name?”
“I will tell you when we are free of thisplace and not before.”
“We won’t be free of London until we have thefunds.”
Her mother sighed and slumped against thepillows. “We need to return to Milan, no matter what it takes. Iwon’t let them take you from me.”
Juliette did not leave the house again forseveral days. Not only had her mother forbidden it for fear of herhalf-brother finding her, but maman had gotten worse. She barelyslept a few hours before being awakened because of the cough.Juliette stayed close, giving what comfort she could, though therewasn’t much she could do. Remaining inside also kept her fromseeing Lord Acker. If he was persistent as he had claimed, Juliettefeared he would be in the flower market each morning looking forher and demanding an explanation. Though she didn’t know him well,he had not given up before so why should he give up now, especiallysince she may have offered encouragement by agreeing to meet withhim.
Genviève had sent a note to her employerafter her encounter with their half-brother, claiming illness. Shedid not return to her post as a maid. Only Hélène worked, and sheleft each morning with the cloak pulled over her head and returnedhome the same way. As she worked on the intricate embroiderydesigns for gowns in the back of a shop, there was no chance shewould come in contact with Society so maman had let her continueher employment. Besides, they needed some funds coming into thehome.
Juliette paced inside her small room. Thewalls seemed to be closing in on her and there was no outlet forher frustration. If only she could dance she knew she would feelbetter but there was no chance of that occurring. Not evenrehearsing the steps from former ballets in the large parlorhelped.
How long would this last? They couldn’tremain hidden for the rest of their lives. And, why did they needto hide in the first place. Just because Genviève happened to meetsomeone asking about maman and Julia did not mean they would eversee him again. Even if he tried to find them, he would haverealized they had not returned to the flower market and lookedelsewhere. If only she could get out of the house and walk for ashort bit but just making the suggestion sent her mother into apanic so Juliette retreated to her room, to pace. This could notcontinue.
“I’ve retrieved my jewelry,” her mothershuffled into her room holding a large golden and ornate box.“Hopefully we can get enough to buy passage back to Milan. You willbe able to dance again and we can continue on as we had.”
Juliette took the jewelry box from her motherand sank into a chair. It was for the best. It was either return orhide here forever and she did not relish being cooped up in a setof rooms for the rest of their lives. Maman would regain her healthin the warmer climate of Milan but was she strong enough to makethe trip?
Acker walked through the Piazza, looking inevery direction, just as he had done these last few days butneither Juliette, nor Genviève was to be found. They had simplydisappeared. Certainly her mother had not decided to move themagain. Acker had half a mind to hire a Bow Street Runner to findher but he knew so little other than they were last seen in thisarea. They might not even live in Covent Gardens, though hesuspected they did. If only Juliette were dancing, then he couldfind her easily but she had not been hired when they last spoke. Orat least he didn’t think so. Certainly she would have mentioned itif she had.
He pushed his fingers through his hair andglanced about one more time when he saw Bentley coming toward him.It was odd for his friend to be out so early and in this part ofLondon. Acker called over to him. Bentley stopped and walked towardAcker.
“What are you doing here?”
“I could ask you the same,” Bentleyresponded.
“I am looking for a young woman.”
Though Bentley hitched an eyebrow incuriosity he didn’t ask any questions.
“She is a ballerina I met in Milan. I thoughtI had lost her only to see her in London. But it seems I have losther again.”
Normally Bentley would have laughed, but hedidn’t even smile. Something was wrong. Normally Bentley was a bitreserved, if not stern. This morning he appeared more strained andthere were dark smudges beneath his eyes as if he hadn’t sleptwell. “What are you doing in Covent Garden at this time ofday?”
“I am retracing Jordan’s steps.”
Acker glanced back to where Bentley had comefrom. “Madame Devine’s?”
Bentley nodded.
Everyone who knew Jordan Trent also knew heonce frequented the establishment on a regular basis and had afavorite lady. “Why?”
Bentley looked at him curiously. “You haven’theard?”
Acker simply shook his head wondering whatBentley was about.
“Jordan was arrested for the murders ofDalton and Everton.”
Acker had heard of the two men being stabbedand killed. “Why would anyone think your brother could commit sucha crime?”
“Apparently he was jealous of the attentionLady Lydell was giving the two gentlemen.”
None of this was making any sense to Acker.“Your brother doesn’t involve himself with married women and Ican’t recall even seeing Jordan speak with the lady.”
“We both
