Page 84 of A Marquess' Season of Secrets
“Yes, My Lady.”
“Very good. As you were.”
The woman turned and exited the room, not knowing that Juliana fully intended to tell Kitty about what had just happened. She was too excited not to share the news with someone and did not see any harm in talking to the young maid about it.
Juliana just needed to get through these five hats before she could finally update Kitty on the good news. The maid would likely be just as excited about the information and wish to go with Juliana, but Lady Stratford wanted her to meet the gentleman on her own. Juliana hoped the man was a brother, or perhaps an uncle or cousin who had been searching for her and finally found her.
It was odd that Lady Stratford had managed to find some information and the duke hadn’t, but perhaps the woman’s sources were more skillful in finding out about Juliana’s past. Whatever the truth of the matter was, Juliana was simply glad that one of them had made some progress.
As soon as Juliana was done, she put all the hats away and ran in search of Kitty. She found the young woman hard at work polishing the furniture in the left-wing parlour.
“Kitty!” she cried happily. “You will never guess what has happened.”
“I am never good at guessing,” said Kitty. “You will have to tell me.”
“Oh, very well. Lady Stratford has just been in to see me about interesting news. She believes she might have met someone who knows me and has organised a meeting to see each other.”
Kitty’s jaw dropped open. “But how? I never thought Lady Stratford would be the one to help you.”
“She did offer to help, Kitty,” Juliana reminded her. “Perhaps her sleuthing skills are better than the duke’s.”
“I still cannot understand how a woman who despises you wishes to help you,” said Kitty.
“I was also confused and suspicious at first, but I’ve realised that the sooner she gets me out of the house, the better for her. She will never have to see me again once I leave, and that is what is driving her. It makes perfect sense.”
“I suppose it does,” Kitty conceded. “Well, I am happy and excited for you. It must feel wonderful meeting someone who might know you. Did our lady give you a name?”
“No, she said it was a surprise, or the man wished it to be a surprise— I cannot recall which. I do not care much as long as I get to meet him. How I hope ’tis someone who knows me well and can reunite me with my family! Do you suppose the gentleman could be my father?”
Kitty smiled. “Whoever it is, I hope they give you all the information you need for your memory to fully return to you.”
Juliana pulled the woman in for an embrace, briefly squeezing her tight before letting go and hurrying to her next chore. Her spirits remained high as she went about her day, unable to hide her grin.
There were so many possibilities to who the man could be as Lady Stratford had not mentioned anything significant about the gentleman, like where he had come from, but there would be time to find that out once Juliana met him. There was still the possibility that the man might not know her at all, but Juliana was willing to take that chance of being disappointed.
As she thought about the meeting, she didn’t notice the duke approaching her until he was merely inches away.
“Your Grace!” she cried, straightening from her bent position.
To her dismay, several spoons clattered to the floor and set her face aflame as she crouched down to pick them up. She had been inspecting the silverware at Mrs Black’s request but daydreaming at the same time, which was never a good combination.
“Allow me to help you,” the duke said, crouching beside her.
His sudden close proximity caught her unawares, and she lost her balance, landing on her bottom with a hard thud. At this point, Juliana didn’t know where to look.
Mortification at first being caught daydreaming, dropping the silverware, and now being in an awkward position on the floor seemed too much to bear. She jerked her head up as a hand appeared in front of her and found the duke smiling down at her.
“Let me help you up,” he offered.
Juliana had a moment of hesitance at the thought of having the master of the house help her to her feet. It had been her own fault that she had landed on the floor, but the kindness in his eyes compelled her to take his hand anyway.
Her belly did a somersault when she was pulled upright in one smooth motion, with her hardly putting in any effort. It served to remind her just how strong the duke was, which only made her blush furiously.
What is wrong with me? I appear to be overreacting to everything!
“Thank you, Your Grace,” she said, keeping her eyes averted.
“It was my pleasure to help you, although you should be more careful next time. Here,” he said, reaching down and gathering the spoons.
