Page 79 of A Marquess' Season of Secrets
The woman looked at her for a moment and promptly burst out laughing. Juliana frowned at the woman with a puzzled smile, wondering what had amused her.
“You were hopeless with a duster and cloth in your hand when you first came,” Kitty explained. “I had my doubts about who you were, you know. How could a commoner not know how to clean? Being a lady would explain so much.”
“I’m glad I am a source of amusement for you,” Juliana said, trying to be stern but not succeeding.
“You’re much more than that, but I do love a good laugh,” Kitty replied. “I think we best get on with this work, or Mrs Black will come looking for us.”
Juliana nodded, pulling a pile of linen towards her and carefully packing them onto the lower shelf. The days that would follow provided clearer images of people she knew had been in her life at one stage or another, but their names continued to evade her.
The more Juliana remembered, the more she dreaded the day she would return to her old life and leave the duke. It was silly of her as she wanted to know who she was, but the thought of never seeing the duke again was an ever-present worry that made the future seem rather grim.
Chapter 17
Nash stood seemingly in the middle of nowhere as he awaited the arrival of three men he was advised could help him find out more about Isabella’s life. He hadn’t wanted to contact them, but keeping his word had become a matter of honour for him.
Nash wanted Isabella’s happiness, which meant finding out who she was and if she had any family, but it clashed with his need to keep her nearby.
He liked having Isabella under his roof and enjoyed knowing that he could call her at any time of the day just so he could speak to her. Finding out about her past life would take away his happiness, but at least it would give her joy.
“You appear sombre, Your Grace,” Johnson commented. “What is ailing you? You have been this way since we left the house.”
“Nothing is wrong,” Nash insisted. “I’m simply enjoying the view.”
The meadow before him stretched far and wide and had patches of yellow flowers here and there like a splash of colour against the sea green. Not a house could be seen, nor evidence of a human settlement; it was simply pure unadulterated nature.
“You would have an expression of serenity if you were enjoying the view, Your Grace,” Johnson countered.
Nash tilted his head slightly to the side to look at his valet. “If you wish to say something, say it. Do not beat about the bush.”
Johnson nodded. “If you wish, Your Grace.”
“No, I do not wish, but I know I shall have no peace until you tell me what is on your mind.”
“I do not mean to irk you, Your Grace,” the valet said. “I’m simply concerned.”
“What is playing upon your mind, Johnson?” Nash asked. “Speak up, and let me hear it. I shall not grow angry.”
“Very well, Your Grace. I only wished to know if you regret calling these men out today. You have been out of sorts since I told you they agreed to meet us.”
Mr Paul, Mr Barrett, and Mr Clooney were men called when one wished to use less than above-board methods of gaining information. All of Nash’s previous sources had not come up with a single clue about Isabella’s past, which he was admittedly happy about at first.
Part of Nash hoped that Isabella’s history could never be found and she would have to live with him for the rest of her life, but that was not fair at all to the young woman. Everyone deserved to know who they were and whether or not they had a family.
“You do not have to answer if you do not wish to, Your Grace,” said Johnson, interrupting his thoughts.
“Perhaps I should not say a word lest you complain about Isabella.”
“I give you my word that I will do no such thing,” the valet assured him. “I must say that I have grown to like the woman over these last weeks.”
Nash raised his eyebrows in disbelief. “You? I never thought I would ever hear you admit that.”
“Neither did I, but I can see what you like about her, Your Grace. Perhaps I have mentioned before that she reminds me of your mother?”
“Her adventurous spirit,” Nash stated.
“Precisely. I also see you in her, the part of you that you hid away when your parents passed on. It’s refreshing to see something so innocent and full of life in another person again.”
Nash had also seen this adventurous spirit in Isabella, and it scared him. He was concerned that this very nature would cut her life short as it did his parents, and he wished to stamp it out of her. Of course, he would never go that far, but it remained on his mind.
