The Wedding Night Affair--An Historical Mystery by L.C. Sharp (i have read the book .TXT) 📗

first night, he needed a scapegoat, and the second, he wanted to make an example of Wood. He didn’t care if you carried the burden of his sins. He would have claimed you as another of his victims in the circles he moves in. We are fortunate that the death was handled so discreetly, but we can’t expect that to continue. If we find the perpetrator, there’ll be a trial, and the whole sorry story will come out. I’ll speak to Wood’s family. Would you prefer me to do so on your behalf?”

“No. She was my maid for three years. I’d like to be there.”

Warmth touched his expression. “Thank you. I’m sure they’ll appreciate it. She was a London maid, so her family lives here.”

“Unlike my poor maid, it appears I will have a life after next month, after all.”

“It does indeed. What will you do?”

He escorted her around the corner, as they reached the familiarity of Lincoln’s Inn Fields. “Your house is more home to me than any house I’ve ever known before. I like it here. I like this life. I want something like this.”

“So you won’t go back?”

She shook her head, determination in every part of her. “I’ll not dress like a doll again, either. The process takes most of my day.”

“Won’t you be required to?”

“Nobody will force me to do anything ever again.” She said it like a vow, because it was one.

Chapter Twenty-Six

The next day, Ash sent word to Juliana, via Freeman, that the Duke of Newcastle would receive them at eleven. Not the fashionable visiting hour, she noted with a smile. Not yet. But the duke was curious enough to agree to see them.

Since her father belonged to the opponents of Newcastle and his brother, Juliana didn’t know him well, but she had danced with him once, at a huge ball last season. As she fastened her braided hair around her head and placed a clean, lacy cap over the top, she gazed at her unpainted face and wondered if he would know her at all.

Not that it mattered. But the duke would be the first person in society to see the new Juliana. That in itself made her stomach tighten, because this was the start of her new life. He might even refuse to see her. As it was, he’d asked them to visit when he would not be expecting any of her peers.

She tried to tell herself she did not care. But she did.

Today she had a gown à la française, in rich green silk, with a pattern of gold spring flowers woven into stripes. She’d always loved this gown, but now, even more so because the unfortunate Wood had altered it to fit smaller, more fashionable hoops, so she looked elegant, rather than like a walking sofa. Beneath, her petticoat was of bold buttercup yellow, the fabric a mirror of her gown, with green flowers worked into the fabric. A color of celebration.

She had the brocade shoes that went with the gown, but she strapped dark green leather ones on to her feet, far more suitable for the street. Symbols of her new life, when she would attend to her own needs, and decide for herself what she would do and when. Exhilaration swept through her as she stood. She was still nervous, though, her breakfast threatening to make an unwelcome return.

Amelia had gasped when Juliana had chosen her lace. “I’ve never seen anything so fine,” she said, letting the delicate fabric run through her fingers.

“I had it for my come-out ball.” Triple ruffles to go under the flared ends of her sleeves. Before she dressed, she attached them to a clean shift, using the loose running stitches she’d seen Wood employ. Truly, she needed a new maid, but she wouldn’t mention it. Not yet. That would be unfeeling and heartless.

That afternoon Wood’s parents were calling. She was not looking forward to that interview, either, but she refused to shirk it. While she wasn’t responsible for the maid’s death, if Wood hadn’t been in her service she might still be alive. If she hadn’t taken the Raven’s tainted coin, if she hadn’t taken money from her father to spy on her, the maid would have been a better person.

But then, if Juliana had not married Godfrey, he might still be alive. And she would certainly not have been accused of his murder.

The knowledge, the absolute certainty that she hadn’t done the deed had kept her going until this point. Now she had to find another reason to carry on.

She smiled at Amelia. “Will I do?”

“Absolutely!”

Amelia scurried after her when Juliana left the room and went downstairs.

She would miss her bedmate when she moved on. The bed they shared was a big one, but they enjoyed a chat before they fell asleep, and perhaps a joke or two. The companionship, new and delightful, would be something Juliana would miss, once she moved on to the solitary existence she feared lay ahead.

Although that would be preferable to living with an abusive, cruel husband, or uncaring parents. A small house in the country, half a dozen servants and a modest allowance would form her future life.

Ash was waiting for her in the hall. Although he was dressed as plainly as always, his dove-gray coat was of velvet, and his white waistcoat actually had some embroidery around the borders. His wig was fine, and freshly powdered pearl gray.

He did not comment on her appearance, but waited while she put on her hat and gloves. “We should go by carriage, but if you don’t mind walking a hundred yards, we’ll get there a lot faster.”

She returned his smile. “Of course. Do you have a town carriage?” she asked while the butler opened the door for them.

“Yes,” he answered, not in the least put out. “I have more than one, but I don’t often find the need to use them in London. I have horses, too. One day I’ll take you for an early morning ride