Julianna grew quiet, listening to every word she said. Elise expected a lecture or scolding, but to her surprise, the other woman hugged her tighter. “Elise, I’m sorry.” She looked her in the eyes and wiped a tear from her cheek. “You love him, don’t you?”
She nodded. “I do. But … it doesn’t matter. It’s not meant to be. I was stupid for falling in love with him in the first place.”
“There must be something we can do. Did you ask Cross if there was any way we can save him?”
“I did, and he said no.” She took a deep breath. “Reed doesn’t believe me anyway. He thinks I made it all up because I don’t want to be with him.” That was the irony of it all. She would have done anything to be with him.
“Elise, I’m sorry,” Julianna said. “I really am.”
“I know.” And so am I. There was nothing she could do about it now. “We should head back inside.” She gave Julianna a squeeze on the shoulder. “Thank you for listening.”
“Hey, cheer up, we’ll be home soon.” She put on a big smile. “I can almost taste the big juicy cheeseburger I’m going to have the moment we get back.”
She returned Julianna’s smile. “I’ll join you for that cheeseburger.”
Hand in hand, they re-entered the ballroom. Everything seemed to be normal so far, as the orchestra continued to play, and the guests danced, drank, and continued with their celebration.
“Julianna! Elise!”
They both turned around and saw Bridget running toward them. Her face was red and her pretty blue eyes were sparkling, like she was keeping some secret.
“I was looking all over for you two,” she said, her cheeks puffing up with excitement. “I’ve the most wonderful news!”
“What is it?” Julianna asked.
“I’ve met him!” She clapped her hands together. “My True Mate! I’ve met him!”
“You have?” Julianna looked around. “Where? Is he from the London clan? Where is he?”
“He’s hiding in the bushes,” Bridget exclaimed.
“Bushes?” Elise and Julianna said at the same time.
Bridget laughed. “It’s a long story. I was outside, trying to get some fresh air when he popped out of the bushes and declared me to be the ‘bonniest Sassenach he’d ever met.’ Before I could tell him I was no Sassenach, it happened! I felt it and I knew it was him!”
“What’s his name?”
“Er, I don’t know yet,” Bridget said. “One of his friends called him away before I could say anything. But,” her smile became dreamy, “isn’t it wonderful? And he’s a Scot too!”
Julianna glanced at Elise as if waiting for her to say something. So, she reached out and squeezed the other girl’s hand. “I’m so happy for you.”
“You are?” She pulled them both in for a fierce hug. “I’m so glad. You two … I don’t have any women in my family, you know? My ma died after giving birth to me, and I haven’t any sisters. I feel like … you’re my sisters.”
Her throat closed up with emotion, and when she looked over at Julianna, she saw her tearing up too. “Thank you, Bridget. You’re like a sister to me too.”
“Me too,” Julianna sniffed. “I feel closer to you than my own little sister.”
“What are you three doing here?”
Julianna’s expression turned sour. “Well, hello, Your Grace,” she said as she turned to face the dowager.
“Why aren’t you out there, dancing with every available gentleman?” she scolded. Dressed in a rich purple velvet ball gown with ostrich feathers in her hair, the dowager duchess looked even more imposing than usual. “You’re wasting valuable time and all the lessons I’ve taught you.”
“Listen here, lady.” Julianna rolled up her non-existent sleeves. “I’ve just about had it with you.”
“Julianna, please,” Elise warned.
But she didn’t pay her any mind. “Look, after tonight, you won’t have to worry about us. Bridget has found her True Mate, which means she’s off the market. And Elise and I will be leaving soon, so I won’t be disappointing you any longer.”
At that moment, Elise saw something that she’d never seen before. The dowager duchess’s face lost its severe expression. “My dear, whatever gave you the idea that I was disappointed in you?”
“What gave me the idea?” Julianna huffed. “Just about everything you do and say is to criticize me for every little mistake I make!”
The duchess laughed. “And if I praised you at every turn and lauded every little accomplishment, would you have worked so hard? Would you have done everything you could just to prove me wrong?”
Julianna opened her mouth and then shut it again.
“I’m proud of all of you,” the duchess declared. “Bridget, I’m very happy that you’ve found your True Mate.”
“T-thank you, Your Grace.”
The dowager tsked. “What’s with this ‘Your Grace’ nonsense? You are cousin to my grandchildren and the future countess of Caelkirk, therefore you must start calling me grandmama.”
The young woman’s eyes widened. “Yes, your—er, Grandmama.”
“And as for you,” she turned to Julianna, “I’m most pleased with you. You’ve exceeded all my expectations. If you are leaving after tonight, then I wish you all the best and that you find a husband worthy of your spirit. It’s obvious that you’re not meant for an Englishman. You’d run circles around one.”
“What?”
The dowager ignored Julianna’s slack-jawed expression and turned to Elise next. “But what about you, my dear? Is my grandson still being a stubborn mule?”
Elise blinked. “E-e-excuse me?”
“Don’t play dumb, my dear. It doesn’t suit you.” The duchess’s haughty expression came back. “And don’t treat me like a senile old fool. I know what’s going on between you two.”
“It’s not—”
“Poppycock! I’ve seen that look on his face before.” Her eyes softened. “It was the same one my son had when he looked at his True Mate. I’ve always … felt regret about the way things were between Annabelle and I. And
