Page 60 of Juliet's Touch

Chapter eighteen

AlthoughJuliethadnoidea how to save Mister Brown Eyes, she knew for certain that weeping was not the solution. She’d wasted at least fifteen minutes of valuable time, sitting on the edge of her bed, blubbering as her sister whispered soothing words.

Enough was enough. It was time to pull herself together. Juliet wiped her tears on her sleeve, then withdrew from Emily’s embrace.

“Thank you for comforting me,” Juliet said. “I’m feeling much improved. You may return to the parlor and finish your meal.”

“Are you trying to get rid of me?” Pursing her lips, Emily squinted at her. “What diablerie are you up to?”

Juliet brought her hand to her heart. “Why would you think I’m contemplating something foolish?” Truly, she wasn’t. Not yet anyway. She simply needed Emily to leave her chamber so that she could think.

“You have that look about you,” Emily said. “As if you are hiding secrets. Perhaps it is because you have feelings for this masked man.”

Juliet had thought she had feelings for him, but now her heart belonged to Eric. And yet, she couldn’t stand by and watch people harm him.

“He is innocent of the things they accuse him of,” Juliet said. “I can feel it in my bones.”

“Jules, sometimes your instincts are wrong.” Emily caressed her forearm as if her gentle touch could take the sting from the harsh words.

Which it absolutely did not.

“I am not wrong this time,” Juliet said.

“Your initial impressions about Lord Riley were wrong. He easily bamboozled you into thinking he is kind and gentle because your heart is so pure that you can’t imagine his level of cruelty exists.”

Pure and gullible no more, Juliet now knew monsters in human form existed. Charles was one of them. Mister Brown Eyes’ purpose was to slay these beasts.

“I am not wrong about Knight Roamer,” Juliet said. “I would think that my sister, who is my dearest companion, would believe me.”

“I want to believe you,” Emily said in her big sister voice. “But you have not been exhibiting the best judgment. You should have written to let Mother and Father know you are here.”

Emily could spare her the lecture; Juliet knew she was wrong. It was just that Mother was impossible, Father was distracted, and Charles was… well, a monster.

She wanted Emily to know that she hadn’t been a completely naïve coward. “I sent Charles a letter breaking our engagement,” she reminded her.

“Yes. The letter Esther knocked me down the stairs and broke the vase trying to deliver a few days ago.”

Emily crashing into Esther. Esther crashing into Emily. Either scenario was a likely possibility.

“I stopped nagging you to contact Mother and Father because I thought you had.” Emily touched two fingers to her furrowed brow, then sighed. "Mayhap Charles hasn’t received it yet. Although the mail coach travels to the city every day, there could have been a delay due to the weather.”

Maybe. Or perhaps it had been delivered, and he was throwing an apocalyptic tantrum and seeking vengeance on the man he’d watched kiss his ex-fiancée. Juliet wouldn’t put it past him.

“You are correct, Jules. I should support you. You were by my side when his stepmother tried to keep Alexander and me apart.” Emily’s eyes misted over. “I’m woefully sorry for reprimanding you. I often avoid dealing with Mother and Father, myself. To make up for my temper this morning, I will write the letter. I will explain that you are here and that there was a misunderstanding of some sort. An I-thought-you-told-them you were here, you-thought-I-told-them sort of explanation.”

Although the letter home would ease their parents’ worry, it might not be enough to save Mister Brown Eyes immediately from an angry throng armed with pistols, swords, and bludgeons. Which begged the question, how could Juliet protect him?

“I am well aware that Lord Riley can manipulate even the most skeptical of individuals,” Emily continued. “So of course, he charmed you. He is quite handsome, which conceals the disagreeable disposition boiling beneath. Furthermore, ’tis obvious that this masked man saved your life. We cannot allow harm to come to him if he is simply misunderstood. And Jules, I love that you see the best in others. I wouldn’t have you any other way.”

Juliet wrapped Emily in her arms and kissed her cheek. “Thank you. You are the best big sister in the entire world.”

“I am, aren’t I?” Emily chuckled, then stood. Her expression grew serious as she looked down at Juliet. “There is one more thing I must say, but I don’t want it to seem like I am being imperious.”

“Then speak to me like I am your friend and not your baby sister,” Juliet said.

“I shall try my best. I see the way Mr. Stone looks at you. He is infatuated. I have enjoyed watching him come out of his shell and warm up to us. He is quite personable, and Alexander is already fond of him, so please, don’t break his heart.”

If Emily had noticed them flirting, everyone probably had. However, Juliet had more pressing problems than impropriety at the moment.