Page 83 of A Marquess' Season of Secrets
Chapter 18
Lady Stratford’s obsessions with hats seemed excessive to Juliana. The woman had purchased two just last week, and now another had appeared in her wardrobe. Juliana understood that the wealthy could buy whatever they pleased and in the quantity they wanted, but there had to be a limit at some point!
Owning twenty-seven hats, most of which were gaudy and hideous, was not necessary, especially when Juliana was the one who had to ensure they looked clean and as new as the first day they were bought.
Lady Stratford had assigned her this duty recently, keeping Juliana occupied for hours when more important tasks were to be done. The woman had done it on purpose, Juliana was sure of it— how else would one explain the sudden request to use a tiny brush for every tiny crevice instead of dusting the hats in the usual way?
Muttering under her breath, Juliana added another hat to the clean pile and picked up a “dirty” one. Most of these hats had never been worn, likely because they were terrible, but Juliana was confident Lady Stratford had bought them at a high price simply because they were unattainable by the majority of the English people.
The rich loved to lord their wealth over others, often showing off by the extravagance of their attire. It was all useless and served no real purpose.
What is the use of gaining the entire world and not taking it with you to the ground from whence one came?
It seemed profitable to share with those in need or live a more modest life that did not widen the chasm between rich and poor. Nash seemed to understand this principle, but Lady Stratford could not have been any less bothered by something she felt did not affect her.
The two siblings were fundamentally different from each other, but one could see the strong bond between them. Juliana felt the duke needed to exercise some form of control over his sister or risk completely ruining her character by giving in to her every demand.
She had heard about the duke raising his ten-year-old sister after their parents’ tragic deaths, but the duke had obviously spoilt the woman and allowed her to get away with too many things.
Her husband-to-be would have to be a patient man able to exercise some restraint on his young wife or risk having an unhappy marriage. However, it wasn’t her place to judge such matters, and Juliana needed to remember to keep opinions to herself lest someone overhear her discussing it with another servant.
Juliana was also careful not to be part of any gossip that involved the duke or his sister, even if the gossip seemed interesting or authentic.
“You certainly take your time,” Lady Stratford commented behind her.
Juliana closed her eyes in shock, nearly dropping the hat in her hand. The duke’s sister had a habit of sneaking up on a person as though she lived to frighten her servants. This was precisely why Juliana refused to talk about the woman— one could never know where she might next appear.
“Good day, My Lady,” Juliana greeted, turning around to look at the woman.
She didn’t bother getting to her feet and hoped the woman wouldn’t expect it of her.
“I hope you are nearly done with my hats,” Lady Stratford remarked, passing a critical eye over them.
“I have five more to do, My Lady, and will be done soon. Is there something My Lady wishes me to do?”
Juliana imagined another tedious task as hat cleaning and inwardly groaned. Lady Stratford did not like her, and under that polite exterior lay the woman she had encountered at the very beginning of her stay in this house.
“No, I only wish to share some exciting news with you,” the woman claimed. “I promised that I would help you recover your past, and I believe I did.”
Juliana widened her eyes and put down the hat she was busy with. “How so, My Lady? Did someone come looking for me? Did you find my parents?”
“No, not your parents, but someone else whom I believe might know you well.”
Joy welled up within Juliana. “Who is it, My Lady? Did he give you a name and tell you how he is related to me?”
“Our gentleman wishes to surprise you and give you the rest of the information himself,” Lady Stratford announced. “I have organised an appointment for you to meet him.”
Juliana rose to her feet, clasping her hands to her chest. “Oh, My Lady! Indeed? He is coming here to see me?”
“No, no, no, not here,” the woman said quickly. “You will have to meet him away from the house.”
Juliana lowered her hands as she stared at the woman in confusion. “But why, My Lady? Surely the gentleman should come here?”
“Certainly not! I cannot bring a strange man into the house, Isabella. What will people say?”
That didn’t make any sense to Juliana because it would not be the first time a stranger had walked through these doors, but she was too excited to question it any further.
“I ask that you not tell anyone about this meeting until we are confident of his identity,” Lady Stratford added.
