Page 3 of A Bride for the Sinful Duke

He had visited her briefly on one occasion and had barely held her stare as he asked vague questions about her well-being. He had then left and never looked back.

Mary shook Juliet, who seemed lost in a trance.

“Now, I feel that this is what we should call a divine intervention.”

“Juliet, please don’t go!” Sonya’s voice cracked as she clung to Juliet’s hand.

Tears streamed down her face, mingling with the sweat of her fever. “Please stay a little longer.”

Juliet’s heart broke at the sight. She knelt beside Sonya’s bed, her own eyes misty. “I wish I could, Sonya, but I have been called back to London. I have tried to delay it, but I must now be on my way.”

Sonya shivered, and her petite frame appeared so weak that Juliet had to look away.

“What will happen to us? We will be lost without you. What if things get worse?”

Juliet gently wiped away Sonya’s tears with her handkerchief. “Mary will look after you. She has promised to ensure that you are all cared for. I will be back as soon as I am able.”

Sonya’s grip tightened. “But you are all we have. Without you here, we…”

“Will be all right,” Juliet interrupted softly. “Mother Superior is gone and I’m temporarily leaving you in good hands. You shall get through this. Just take your medicine and rest.”

“And the food? Our supply of sustenance is nearly empty. We barely have enough to live on for the week,” complained a nun who had slipped in.

Juliet turned to Mary. A silent communication passed through them. “Do not worry, Mary will sort that as well.”

“But she is also scheduled to depart shortly,” the nun pointed out.

“Enough you all,” Mary hushed the girls. “Her father might be on his death bed, and you do not wish for her to see him before he takes his final breath? Do not be selfish.”

The nun nodded and withdrew from the room.

Juliet sighed as she gave the Oblate a gloomy look. “You did not have to be so mean.”

The nun who’d left suddenly re-entered the room, and her large eyes instantly fell on Juliet.

“Do not fault the messenger,” she told Mary before turning to Juliet. “Your coachman grows impatient. It is time for you to go.”

Juliet grabbed her small bag with a heavy heart. She turned back to Sonya, taking her hand one last time. “I promise, Sonya, I will return as soon as possible. Write to me, and let me know if you need anything.”

Sonya nodded weakly though her eyes were filled with doubt. “I will try, but please be careful out there.”

Juliet’s throat tightened. The young girl had touched upon a raw spot in Juliet’s heart. After eleven years of living within the walls of St. Catherine, she was finally stepping out. She had no idea what awaited her outside of its walls.

Glancing at Mary, she asked, “Can you ensure the girls have enough food and supplies before you leave?”

Mary chuckled. “I will take care of everything. Don’t worry about us.”

Juliet gave her a grateful smile then turned to Sonya once more. “I must go now. Remember to take diligent care of yourself.”

Sonya’s eyes followed Juliet as she walked to the door. The other nuns gathered in the hallway and whispered amongst themselves.

Juliet took a deep breath, steeling herself for the journey that lay ahead. She gave them all a quick, heartfelt goodbye then stepped out into the cold, damp air.

Mary caught up with Juliet outside the nunnery.

She pulled Juliet aside, her brow arched in concern. “Do I sense that you are intentionally delaying this journey?”

Juliet could only manage a slight smile, and her voice was laced with sadness as she replied.

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