Page 76 of Taken By the Broken Duke
Juliet sat up. It would be wrong to involve herself, to seek out Jane Bonel nee Ainsworth. What would it achieve? Did she want to warn off a potential rival? That was not in her nature.
But the more she thought on it, the more she could not rest. She had to talk to this woman. Did she still love Horatio? Did she want to be reconciled with him? And if so, how did he feel about her? Once upon a time, Juliet would have assumed that Horatio would choose another over her. She would have gone to Jane to persuade her to try and win Horatio back. Just so that Horatio would not spend his life alone and mourning. Now, Juliet wanted Horatio, wanted the happiness that they could bring to each other. She would not skip over her life in order to plan for her death.
She got up and dressed quickly and quietly. She kissed Horatio's forehead after writing a quick note at the bureau and leaving it on the bedside table. Then she left the room. She remembered the return address on the letter from Jane to Horatio. The innkeeper would tell her how to find that address and she would finally speak to Jane Bonel, and help them both receive the closure they deserved.
CHAPTER THIRTY-THREE
Juliet chose to walk to the address which the helpful innkeeper, Mr. Barstow, had pointed her towards. The sun was shining in a sky dotted with clouds. Above the Cumbrian hills, dark clouds gathered, threatening rain.
Juliet pondered what she intended to say as she walked the streets of Carlisle. It had the feel of a small, country market town, while all around was the evidence of its long history. She wondered how Jane would react to her presence. Should she tell Jane who she was? What other reason could she give for visiting her?
Her deliberations continued until she came across a terraced house in the Tudor style and in the shadow of the ancient city walls. She stood across the road from it, biting her lip and trying to summon the courage to cross and knock at the door.
From somewhere on the road came the sound of children singing. Juliet wondered if there was a school somewhere nearby. A carriage rumbled by, followed by a trap, and then afarmer's cart piled high with sacks. Juliet waited for the traffic to pass, but even when it had, she hesitated.
“Would you like some help crossing the road, madam?” said a young male voice at her elbow.
Juliet looked down in surprise to see a young boy of about twelve years of age. He had a clean, scrubbed face and neatly combed hair. His clothes were clean, though patched and frayed. He held a cap in his hands and was looking at her earnestly. Juliet smiled, disarmed by the boy's simple kindness.
“Itisrather busy,” she finally said, “thank you, kind sir.”
The boy offered the crook of his arm which Juliet took. He then strode confidently into the road, holding up his hand imperiously to halt an oncoming trap. They crossed to the far side and stood before the house that Juliet had been aiming for. It was then that she realized the singing was coming from inside.
“Were you coming to the school, madam?' the boy asked, clearly well-trained in politeness.
“It is a school? I did not realize,” Juliet murmured in awe.
“Yes, madam. This is St Columba's School, named after the Irish saint who founded the famous monastery of Iona.”
The boy sounded as though he were reciting from memory and Juliet did not know enough about the man he spoke of to knowif he was remembering correctly. He looked so proud of his recitation though, that Juliet doubted she would correct him even if she was an expert on the subject of early Christian saints.
“I actually came here looking for a LadyJane Bonel,” Juliet told him.
“Ah. She is headmistress here. Allow me to introduce you,” he gestured forward.
He ushered open the front door of the house and stepped aside to allow Juliet to precede him. Then he led her along a corridor of varnished wood, towards the sound of the singing. A large room at the rear of the house contained a dozen or so girls and boys of various ages.
A slender, fair-haired woman was accompanying their singing on a piano, smiling in encouragement. She had crystal blue eyes that seemed to sparkle with joy whenever she looked at the children. Juliet felt her heart sink as the boy went to the woman and whispered to her, pointing at Juliet.
This was surely Jane Bonel, and she wasgorgeous.
Not only that, but she seemed saintly almost in her manner towards the children. Juliet found herself wondering how Horatio would ever choose her over Jane. Especially given Juliet's doubtful prognosis. If the expedition failed, she would eventually succumb to her illness. Far better for Horatio to marry this woman who would give him children and be able to mother them into adulthood...
“Very well done, children. Excellent! Now, as a reward for your hard work in learning this hymn, I think you should all have an extra-long break. Henry will lead you to the yard where you may play until the bell is rung.”
The boy who had escorted Juliet across the road promptly began organizing the children into two files, which he then led in an orderly fashion from the room. In a moment, there came the sound of children playing, laughing, and shouting.
Jane turned to Juliet and smiled.
'Welcome to St Columba's School. How may I be of service?”
She indicated a small wooden chair beside the piano and resumed her seat on the stool before it. Juliet cleared her throat, suddenly timid.
“I do not…knowhow to begin. My story is a long one, but boils down to a simple enough fact. I apologize if this comes as a shock to you, but... My name is Juliet Semphill.”
Jane remembered the name because her eyes widened a touch. Juliet braced herself for anger. It was her testimony after all that had led to Horatio's assumed guilt and the end of his relationship with Jane. Instead, Jane reached out and took her hands.
“Oh, my dear child. What you must have gone through at the hands of those beastly men. I am so sorry that you were caught up in that ghastly plot.”
