Page 42 of A Marquess' Season of Secrets
“I do not know what that is, My Lady,” Juliana said truthfully.
Lady Stratford laughed, but not a stitch of joy could be heard in her voice. “You are a wonderful actress, and I applaud your skills. Perhaps I would have asked for an encore if your sights had not been set on my brother. Fortunately for him, he has a sister who will always look after him and keep women like you at bay.”
Well, that certainly told her. Juliana could only stand and blink in confusion as the lady of the house spewed all sorts of stories about what she was, all of them sounding as ridiculous as the last one.
“Tell me who you are,” the woman finally demanded.
“I do not know, My Lady.”
Lady Stratford growled her frustration. “I do not believe you! Have some respect and reveal who you really are. I promise I will not defame you or cause a scandal that will chase you out of this town. Simply be honest, and I will give you the money you need to leave my brother alone.”
The situation was growing stranger by the minute. Juliana struggled to find the words to say that would not earn her another tongue-lashing, but she doubted such words existed. Lady Stratford was determined to prove that Juliana was lying.
“Please forgive me if I have displeased you, My Lady,” Juliana begged. “This was never my intention. I truly do not know who I am or where I came from. I am only well and on my feet because of His Grace’s mercy upon me. I only wish to show my gratitude by working as hard as I possibly can. Please, believe me.”
Lady Stratford crossed her hands over her chest, shaking her head. “This was not the right choice at all. I hope you are aware that you have earned an enemy and a powerful one at that. Why did you not take the way out? Never mind, that does not matter. Your days in this house will come to an end soon.”
The woman walked away, the sudden movement blowing her floral-scented perfume towards Juliana.
Well, I might just be doomed.
This was certainly not something that Juliana needed.
Chapter 9
Nash drew on his gloves and hat and took his cane from his valet. “Well, I’m off. I’m not certain about the time I shall return.”
Johnson bent down and rubbed at a bit of dust on Nash’s boot. “Will you truly spend the day in town, Your Grace? That does not seem like something you would willingly do.”
Nash would not have thought it himself, but he needed to get out of this house. Isabella seemed to be everywhere he looked, and he simply could not afford to embarrass himself once again.
Two days had passed since the incident in the drawing room, and he was no closer to understanding how he had sat beside her and played the very thing he had vowed never to touch.
Sighing, he closed his eyes and rubbed his temples.
“Are you unwell, Your Grace?” Johnson asked. “You seem troubled.”
“I am troubled, Johnson. I did something I would not have normally done. Now I am trying to find a way to deal with it.”
“Does it have anything to do with Isabella?”
Nash glanced at the man sharply. “Why would you say that?”
“By reason of deduction, Your Grace. I have not seen you look this troubled in some time, and the only thing different is Isabella’s presence in this house.”
Nash often confided in Johnson, but he didn’t want to hear the negative things he might have to say about Isabella. None of his confusing actions and feelings had to do with something she had done against him, but his reactions towards her.
“Nothing to earn your ire,” Nash told the man.
“But she has troubled you, Your Grace,” the man insisted. “Perhaps I can help with whatever matter is plaguing you.”
Nash had a moment of indecision, but the need to confide in someone was stronger than his shame.
“Isabella appears to be a woman of many talents, none of which fits the image of a simple maid.”
“Yes, I know, Your Grace,” Johnson replied. “You spoke of her reading, language, and arithmetic abilities. You even promoted her to work under Mrs Black.”
“It seemed a crime to leave her scrubbing floors when she is capable of much more.”
