Juliet felt discomposed but could not decide if it was from his praise over her person, his admission of intimidation, or the distaste she felt at still being seen as his sister's 'friend.' She swallowed the dry lump in her mouth that had once been a very tasty bite of ham pasty before sipping her lemonade and sorting her thoughts. She opted for honesty over evasiveness.
“I am surprised to hear your words as I am the one to feel intimidated by you, Your Grace. I have attributed it to the fact that you have always been Miranda's brother and friend to my own lamentable siblings,” she grinned as she remembered her brothers. “Our conversations of late have astonished me in that we share similar tastes and opinions, and I have enjoyed meeting your sense of humor.”
He stretched his legs out to the side and leaned towards her a little more. “But you seem so edgy when we converse that I have thought I made you uncomfortable.”
“Oh, no, not uncomfortable,” she interrupted, “just unsure. We have never really spoken more than two sentences together other than polite speeches on the weather or size of a party when sharing a dance. I had been uncertain if my words should be merely polite but inconsequential or if I should engage in actual discourse. I daresay I have been more comfortable around you these past few days than in the past ten years. I labored under the misapprehension you were a much colder, more standoffish gentleman, but I find your company and conversation very agreeable.”
A feeling of relief and pleasure wafted over Jonas as he heard her words and watched her expression. He could see the veracity of her statements in her eyes and found himself falling more and more under her spell. The most frustrating aspect was that she was not attempting to lure him in, although he was feeling very well and securely captured. It was time to show more cards, he decided.
“I am pleased to find us in accord, Lady Juliet, for I too relish our conversations and company. I hope we can both be less intimidated by the other and discover more commonalities, other ways to feel in each other's company.” Her eyes widened slightly at his last comment and he could see her trying to determine the intended meaning of his words. “In fact, as we are determining our new roles, I find you should address me informally, to befit our new closeness. Surely we are acquainted enough now to do so.”
“Oh, but I couldn't, Your Grace. It would not be seemly,” she choked.
“But we have known each other for so long a time and our families are close. My sister even addresses your brothers by their given names. Surely you could return the compliment, or call me Dorset if it eases your senses.”
Juliet flushed but held firm, somehow feeling this was a step more significant than merely using a new name. “Rest assured, Miranda means no compliment to my brothers, as I mentioned when you gave me a choice in your boon after our race on the beach. Miranda calls my brothers by a variety of names, some quite unrefined, because they have treated her as their own sister. She has spent much time in company with my family and has suffered as much ridicule and torment at their hands as I. You, however, have always been respectful and gracious. My respect for you gives rise to my more formal address.”
Jonas wanted to pursue the point but decided to move slowly. Deliberate, but slowly. “I hope you do not mistake my good behavior to have been a lack of regard. Your brothers have always been more outgoing and of easier temperament than myself, but I consider you an important member in my life as well.”
Juliet's mind scrambled to decipher the peculiarity of his statements, but found she could not fathom their hidden meanings while so distracted by his company. “Perhaps someday it will seem less improper to be more informal, but for now, without any disrespect for your request, I shall continue to use your title.” She paused to consider whether she should attempt to lighten the situation before deciding she must. “Unless you feel the need put a mud-covered frog in my hair or lock me in the cellar, as my brothers did to poor Miranda. Then I should likely feel comfortable to call you any one of the coarse and informal names she bestowed on them,” she added cheekily.
He smiled and acquiesced. “Then by your leave, when you deem it seemly, please know I would consider it an honor and gift for you to use my name.” He picked up a tiny cucumber sandwich and popped it into his mouth, causing Juliet to smile her agreement and resume her luncheon. They continued in companionable silence, each keeping counsel in their own minds; hers trying to decode the changes in their relationship, his fomenting plans to keep himself in her company with more regularity.
Chapter Twenty-Eight
More of your conversation would infect my brain.
William Shakespeare, Coriolanus, Act 2, Scene 1
Their sociable silence was short-lived, however, interrupted by the fawning Viscount Melville and his obviously embarrassed sister, Lady Margaret. The Viscount stopped at the edge of the blanket to make his insincere bows.
“Your Grace. Lady Juliet. May we beg the honor of sharing your company for this picnic?” Melville nudged his sister forward toward the Duke as he stepped over to take his place closer to Juliet.
“You can beg for whatever you like,” the Duke muttered under his breath as he stood to offer assistance to Melville's sister. “Lady Margaret, allow me to help you with your burden,” he offered as he took her plate to set it on the ground. He cast a disparaging look at her neglectful brother and was pleased to see Juliet's scowl of disapproval as well. She glanced up at Jonas and rolled her eyes before shifting slightly to arrange her skirts away from her new dining companion.
“Thank you, Your Grace,” murmured Lady Margaret as she quickly sat, her eyes downcast the entire time. Discomfort radiated off her person and Juliet was moved to sympathy for the quiet girl with the servile brother. She smiled at the thought of their shared complaint of annoying siblings, although Juliet knew she was blessed that hers were lovingly irritating.
“Lady Margaret, you look very comely today. Your yellow gown makes you seem a natural addition to our beautiful landscape.” Juliet offered her an engaging smile in an attempt to put the lady at ease. Lady Margaret flushed, but smiled shyly at the compliment. Juliet noted that she was quite pretty when her face was not overcome with worry or shame of her brother.
“Thank you, Lady Juliet. I was just thinking the same of your dress,” she returned quietly, raising her eyes briefly to hold Juliet's gaze.
“I agree, Margaret. Lady Juliet's dress is very becoming.” The Viscount turned and let his gaze sweep indolently over Juliet. “Very becoming indeed.”
Juliet bared her teeth in a pretense of a smile that failed to reach her eyes. She took a deep breath to slow her irritation. “Now that we have complimented each other I fear our next topic must be the weather. As it is my turn, I must needs ask Lady Margaret how she enjoys the sun thus far.”
Margaret's eyes rose again to Juliet and she saw understanding and camaraderie in her visage. “I have been exceedingly glad for this day in total. We are blessed to have such fine weather for Her Grace's outing.”
“I am sure my mother marked 'sun, no clouds' on her list of requirements for this day,” offered the Duke in a lighthearted manner. “She was determined we should picnic on this day, so it would certainly not dare to rain,” he joked.
“Quite true, Your Grace. And should the opportunity arise I will be sure to offer your mother my appreciation for her weather controlling capabilities. They are positively mystical,” Juliet teased.
The Viscount cleared his throat noisily in effort to rejoin the conversation. “Have you no berries, Lady Juliet? I would be happy to accompany you into the fields for picking after we finish our repast.”
Juliet thought she heard the Duke groan and swore in quiet agreement before she could restrain herself. She talked quickly to cover her gaffe while the Duke choked on a laugh after hearing her curse. “I thank you, my lord, but I prevailed on Dartmouth earlier, and we filled our basket splendidly. I have exhausted myself thoroughly in our efforts. I instead see a lazy rest in my immediate future.” Both Melv
ille and the Duke frowned at her familiar address of the Earl.
“In that case I would be happy to escort you to the house and facilitate your rest.” Lady Margaret gasped at her brother's word choice, fully knowing he meant the crude meaning in his thinly veiled comment. The Duke sat up straighter, taking a breath to offer his remonstrance, but Juliet spoke first.
“I fear I fail to understand how you think to help me in that regard, Lord Melville,” Juliet replied frostily, “and assure you, your company is not required. In point of fact, it would be an impediment to my leisure, and I am sure you would never want to make an annoying nuisance of yourself,” she added with eyes narrowed and nostrils slightly flared. No one who knew Juliet could doubt her understanding of Melville's indecent insinuation and her restraint at addressing him still with politeness.
Lady Margaret looked mortified, the Duke looked fierce, and the Viscount looked strangely pleased, his unfamiliarity with Lady Juliet's mannerisms giving rise to a false sense of security. He mistakenly believed as Lady Juliet had not roundly set him down, she was instead engaging him in intriguing repartee. He felt encouraged and emboldened. “Oh, no, my lady. I would certainly do all I could to ensure your comfort in a most assuredly helpful way. I would consider it an honor and a pleasant duty,” he finished with a salacious grin.
“George!” exclaimed Lady Margaret as the Duke jumped to his feet. Juliet rose as well, deciding to use her height to her full advantage while the Viscount sat in smug confidence. She offered a genuine smile to Margaret and a nod toward the Duke, trilling a small, insincere laugh before addressing the Viscount.
“You wield your words as for weapons, my lord, but they are too dull for the job. I will excuse myself and leave you to find a more interested target.” She turned her back to Melville to address his sister. “Lady Margaret, would you care to remove with me? I am sure we could persuade the Duke to deliver us to the house.”
Jonas provided a helping hand to raise Lady Margaret from the ground before turning his back on the Viscount and escorting the ladies away from their dining area. The trio departed, leaving a seething Lord Melville sitting suddenly alone, their abrupt withdrawal having drawn several curious stares. He had not received a direct cut per se, but it was obvious his company was undesired of a sudden.
Chapter Twenty-Nine
Why then tonight let us assay our plot.
William Shakespeare, All's Well That Ends Well, Act 3, Scene 7
That evening, following supper, Juliet was prevailed upon to play for the group while conversations and card games commenced around the room. Conspicuous in his absence from both meal and socializing was Viscount Melville, but his lack of presence was also unlamented. The evening was subdued as the guests were understandably fatigued from the warmth and duration of their earlier outdoor activities, so it was no surprise when many began to repair to their chambers before the chimes had struck ten of the clock. Miranda and Juliet ascended the stairs to their rooms arm-in-arm and deep in whispered conversation, unaware that the Countess of Ashford followed closely behind.
“Juliet, come to my room before you retire. We must plan our next adventure,” Miranda commanded with a whisper.
Juliet squeezed her friend's arm in mute acceptance and followed her into the room. She almost had the door secured when a light scratching was heard. Opening the door, she looked into the bemused face of her Aunt Catherine.
“Aunt! May I do something for you?” The Countess raised a brow and grinned sardonically, side-stepping her niece to enter. Setting herself in the plush chair nearest the unlit fire grate she shifted her gaze from one lady to the other.
“Shut the door, Juliet, and you both attend me, if you please.” Her words and manner brooked no argument from the friends, and they immediately complied. “What is your next secret plan, and how may I help?” she asked without delay.
Juliet and Miranda gasped simultaneously, looked at each other, then moved together to sit on the bench opposite the Countess. Juliet recovered her composure first with a self-deprecating chuckle.
“You are wise beyond us and too crafty by far, dearest Aunt.” She paused to stare unblinkingly with a calculating look before continuing. “You will not be dissuaded from this pursuit?”
The Countess laughed as she patted her coiffure with a regal affectation. “I will not, dearest niece,” she said with inflection. “I must have my part or I shall surely go mad in expectation of the next spectacle. I have heard of Earls with blue teeth, which I dreadfully lament not seeing, and a nude Marquis, of whom the descriptions did not do enough justice, I am sure. Another Marquis and Duke remain from the LOO. I assume they are your targets? I am all anticipation of what happens next. I dearly hope it involves fireworks or trained monkeys or some other nonsense.”
Juliet muttered a curse under her breath while Miranda emerged from her stupefied silence with alacrity. “What splendid ideas! We should definitely consider fireworks. I am ever so fond of the noise and the colors.” She looked to be in serious contemplation before glancing at Juliet and continuing. “Our next scheme is guaranteed to strike only Jonas, as all before were meant to do. However, fond as I am, the use of fireworks would surely bring him chasing my skirts in blame, bugger it all. We must stick to the original plan. I am to sew all of his garments together. Every stocking, cravat, shirt, coat, and kerchief. While it is nothing so shocking as the earlier foolery, this joke will be assuredly for him alone.” Miranda's eyes were alight with mirth and expectation of their success.
The Countess thought about the plan at length while pretending to study the fine lace gloves covering her hands. She raised her gaze first to Miranda then Juliet. Her eyes narrowed and her countenance was changed by a scheming look.
“What say you to this? Tomorrow we are to tour the gardens then arrange flowers whilst the gents fish or hunt or partake of some other outdoor foolishness. I foresee the headache to plague me after two days of sunshine, so I will beg off following supper. I will require Juliet hie me to bed and apply her healing ministrations. However, after depositing me in my chamber, Juliet will take on the sewing assignment while you, Miranda, keep your brother occupied.” The Countess smiled in devilish triumph while Juliet looked askance.
Juliet sat up straight and emitted an unladylike oath. “Aunt Catherine! I cannot enter the Duke's chambers let alone molest his property. It would be highly improper and unseemly on too personal a level.”
The Countess merely smirked, ignoring her niece's objections but not her language. “Juliet, really, you and Miranda comport yourselves with the basest of speech sometimes. I enjoy a salty curse here and there, but my ears are positively scorched. And while I agree it sounds very pretty in French, you are still yelling about excrement,” she chided.
Juliet flushed but was unrepentant, feeling justified in her vulgarity and vindicated by the nefarious plot she was now to orchestrate on her own. Lost in her own thoughts, she failed to see the heads of her dearest friend and Aunt now lowered to near-touching as if in conspiracy.
“Miranda,” whispered the Countess, “I haven't time to explain, but I think your brother and my niece have developed a mutual tendre. We can talk more of this later, but I propose we push these two together in a more private setting and see what develops. My guess would be a little kissing and some discovered shared feelings. Let us put the focus of the Duke's attentions on Juliet and off of your unmarried state. Let us expand the prank to include dear Juliet.”
Miranda looked at the Countess in amazement, then began to grin with her own Mephistophelian delight. “I think the plan quite brilliant, actually. If your guesses be true, Jonas will surely forget his mad plan to marry me off and will find something more pleasing to occupy his mind. And body.” She looked over at Juliet then straightened her posture. Speaking louder to catch her friend's attention, she began her campaign before Juliet could voice further complaint. “Think of it, Jules. How will you keep my brother from leaving the room? His only interest in thi
s party is the promotion of his sister's attachment. I can occupy him in this pursuit without difficulty for one evening. You will be alone in his room. No one, save us three, need ever know. This scheme will, in reality, help deflect suspicion from our persons since I will be in the room with Jonas and the rest of the guests while you will be known to attend your Aunt. I am mad for this plan, actually!”
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