Page 83 of His Unforgettable Bride
Also, Gray had a fiancée back home, but Juliet hesitated to mention that nagging detail. A piece of her wanted him to sweep back into the house, promising his undying love and plans to remain in Everly forever. But that story was only a fairy tale.
If Gray intended to return and was eager to see her again, he would have arrived by now. Then again, she had told him never to come back.
Livy smiled gently at Juliet. “My dear child, you are beautiful inside and out. And you were that way even before we started the manner training.”
The old skepticism spinning inside Juliet for years refused to abate. If she was beautiful inside and out, why had so many people left and rejected her over the years?
Tabitha reached for Juliet’s hand and squeezed. “You belong here, Juliet. And you belong with Gray. That’s easy to see.”
“Not for me. I’ve never belonged anywhere.” Tears once again threatened the backs of Juliet’s eyes. “And I wouldn’t blame you now that you know about my thieving if you want me to leave.”
Tabitha leveled a severe gaze upon her. “It almost sounds like you want us to do so.”
Juliet’s ready response died. Did she?
“Do you think you’re pushing us away because you fear we might eventually reject you?” Tabitha asked. “And do you think you’re doing the same with Gray?”
“No, I don’t think so?—”
“If you’re afraid of getting hurt and losing people,” Tabitha continued, “then you might be distancing yourself before it can happen.”
Holy Moses, what if Tabitha was right? What if she was letting her fears from her past keep her from staying in one place and finding a new home? Maybe she had come into the drawing room just moments ago trying to sabotage her job and her relationship with the sisters to leave them before they left her.
Tabitha squeezed her hand again. “Whatever the case, you’re our family now. And you can’t get rid of us that easily.”
“That’s right, dearie.” Livy’s eyes filled with tenderness. “Besides, everyone makes mistakes. Don’t you think it’s time you forgive yourself? I do.”
Hoping not to cry, Juliet leaned back and focused on the Currier & Ives framed scene again. Could she forgive herself? A sense of unworthiness had trailed her forever. If she’d known how to stop the shadows, she’d have banished them long before now.
Livy resumed her needlework. “Ages ago, and I won’t tell you how many years, our poor mother abandoned my sister and me on a rich man’s doorstep.”
“We were three and five,” Tabitha added. “Not to mention dirty, ill-mannered, and didn’t trust a soul.”
Juliet touched her parted lips. The revelation answered why the sisters failed to resemble the oil painting of their father in the dining room. Perhaps also partially why they’d offered her a job despite the incident at the Firths’. “I never suspected.”
“Why would you?” Tabitha gave Juliet’s hand a final pat before releasing it. “Our dear adopted mother, with the help of a governess and a finishing school, taught us manners, elegance, and refinement. Sadly, she died shortly before we debuted in society.”
Glassy-eyed, Livy nodded. “Tabitha and I thank God we landed on Mr. and Mrs. Sherwood’s doorstep long ago. And every day, we thank God you landed on ours.”
Juliet swallowed the impossibly large lump stuck in her throat. She hadn’t believed God heeded her calls for help for so long. But hadn’t He spared her life and given her Tabitha and Livy? And Gray?
Gray claimed to love her just as she was. And so did God, according to the song’s lyrics. Therefore, why not extend grace to herself? Was it as simple as handing the load to Him through prayer and trust? Maybe. She could at least try.
With her eyes closed, she silently prayed, mentioning her gratitude and the troubles in her heart.
When Tabitha rose, Juliet reopened her eyes. She didn’t feel entirely different. Maybe it would take longer to unstick all the debris that had built up in her life to choke off her prayers. But she did feel better for having laid her worries at His feet.
“I am tremendously curious how the next week will unfold.” Tabitha moved to the teapot to warm her drink. “I wonder who will return first, Miss O’Reilly or Henry.”
Livy’s knitting needles again clacked as her hands moved in a soothing rhythm. “Perhaps Miss O’Reilly is too busy counting her reward money to bother with us anymore?”
Juliet drew a deep breath and slowly released the air. Knowing Ruby, she’d probably come back eventually despite receiving a heap of money for finding the missing prince. And what about Gray? Would he even want to return after their time apart, now that he had reexamined the future and what was at stake?
For goodness’ sake, the man had a fiancée, which utterly ruined everything.
Twenty-Seven
I would, on many grounds, caution the
