Page 59 of His Unforgettable Bride
Eighteen
You may set it down as a rule, that as you treat
the world, so the world will treat you.
Don’t panic.Yet Juliet sizzled like lit fireworks, ready to explode inside the library. She fanned her face with her hand. The proper words to explain Ruby’s blackmail still eluded her, and time was running out to capture them.
Seated on a floral sofa, she and Gray occupied one side of a long, mahogany coffee table, and the sisters lounged on a matching settee on the other. Tabitha held a book in her lap, and Livy recited a long-winded report on various teas worldwide.
Cy had retired to the sitting room with a head cold. Or he’d heard enough about tea for one day—or a lifetime.
Livy paused her recitation and looked at them. “More tea?”
Everyone declined.
A hearty fire in the hearth sizzled, the curtains drawn for the evening. Every inch of Juliet longed to postpone the upcoming conversation. But the sisters deserved the truth, especially since Livy had called heralmost familythat day after church.
And family looked out for each other, didn’t they? Anyway, that’s what she’d heard and somewhat remembered.
Her pulse refused to slow, even a notch. She’d thought of little else since Ruby’s arrival early yesterday. Well, she’d also relived Gray’s unforgettable kiss over and over in her mind, even though she’d tried not to.
Again, he sat beside her, ready to proclaim her innocence to anyone within earshot. Not long ago, he’d stated he wasn’t a hero, an evident mistruth. What more could a woman want from a…friend?
When Livy drew a breath between sentences, Juliet spoke. “I have something important to share.”
Tabitha closed her thick book and rested it in her lap. She removed the glasses perched on her nose and set the wire-framed pair atop the book. Were they new? Did it matter? “Then I suggest you go ahead.”
Juliet opened her mouth to speak, then clamped her lips shut. More hot guilt crackled through her, and she shoved up her sleeves. Maybe it was due to her thieving past, or was it because Ruby’s accusation cast doubt on Juliet’s character? Probably, both reasons were correct.
Praying her voice wouldn’t wobble, she forced herself to open her mouth again. “I believe Mrs. Moresby explained the troubling incident at the Firth residence, where I previously worked.”
“I assume you’re referring to the—” Livy’s gaze shifted from Juliet to Gray. “Is this conversation for everyone’s ears?”
“He already knows everything I’m about to say, or mostly, anyway.”
If her announcement surprised either lady, she couldn’t tell, based on their straight faces.
Gray crossed his knees and leaned forward. “Indeed, I do. After Juliet speaks, I would like to help formulate a plan. Naturally, we all desire what is best for her.”
The sisters exchanged worried glances.
Undoubtedly, she was on the brink of upsetting the ladies. If she could spare them the distress, she’d gladly do it. But how? “Ruby O’Reilly, my former roommate, blames me for a crime I believe she committed.”
“Juliet is innocent,” Gray blurted.
“Completely innocent,” she added. “If you want me to swear on a Bible, I will.”
He sent her a quick, encouraging smile. “Your word is enough. No reason to take a sacred oath.”
“Indeed.” Tabitha pursed her lips. “I recall our letter exchange with Mrs. Moresby before we hired you, but I don’t believe we’ve heard why Miss O’Reilly blames you, Juliet.”
“It’s hard to know for certain. We were roommates, and I caught her stealing and tattled on her. Plus, I’ve seen her with a black eye several times. I think she works for her man, who pressures her to steal a certain number of valuables. When she doesn’t, she’s in big trouble.”
“Oh my goodness.” Livy fell back against the cushion.
“Plus, she’s expecting a baby, which is a whole other kind of predicament.”
Wide-eyed, Tabitha sat stiffly.
