Desire In His Eyes

by Kaitlin O’Riley

  “And what is that?” Juliette asked.

  Harrison sighed heavily before speaking. “They all recommend that I place her in a state asylum for the insane.”

  No one spoke for some time after that. Juliette did not doubt, after witnessing that devastating display of instability, that Harrison’s sister could indeed be insane.

  Finally Jeffrey asked, “If all the doctors recommend it as best for her, why don’t you do it then?” He added, “It would be easier for you.”

  “Have you ever been to one of those places?” Just the sound of Harrison’s voice chilled Juliette.

  “No.” Juliette and Jeffrey echoed the same response.

  “Well, I have visited quite a few of them over the years to see if one was suitable enough. They are dreadful places, some not fit for animals let alone human beings. I can’t even describe how awful they are and I can’t bear to think of Melissa in a place like that. I can take much better care of her here myself.”

  “That makes sense,” Juliette concurred. “Even with her problems, she is much better off with her family around her than with strangers.”

  Harrison flashed her a grateful look, which sent an odd thrill through her. She sipped her wine, thinking it was much more relaxing and comfortable sitting out here with Harrison and Jeffrey than it was when they were in the formal dining room earlier.

  Jeffrey stated, “It’s very admirable of you, Harrison, the way you care for her. Not many brothers would be so caring.”

  Harrison did not respond, but smoked his cigar.

  “Is she all right now?” Juliette asked. “Was she seriously hurt?”

  “What little laudanum we were able to get her to take was at least enough to put her to sleep. Annie, that’s her nurse, got her cleaned up and bandaged her cuts. Melissa is fortunate in that she has no serious wounds from this episode, but it wasn’t from lack of trying on her part. She broke nearly every window in the solarium by crashing her fists through the glass. Hopefully she will be calmer tomorrow, but we never know how she will act or what will set her off.” Harrison blew a ring of smoke from his cigar. “This is the worst I have ever seen her.”

  “But she does have calm moments, doesn’t she?” Juliette wondered aloud, thinking how difficult it must be to deal with someone so unpredictable.

  “She wavers between periods of despair, as you just witnessed, and phases of elation,” Harrison explained in a matter of fact manner, “and we have no clue how long each stage will last or what causes her to shift from mood to mood.”

  Juliette said softly, “I can’t imagine what that must be like for her.”

  Not for the first time, it occurred to her that in spite of what she had initially believed about her childhood with her absent-minded and disinterested father and bedridden, sickly mother, that she had led a very sheltered and privileged life with healthy sisters who loved her. She had no cause to complain. She could not comprehend having to have dealt with all that Harrison had experienced in his life. Her respect and admiration for him and all that he had accomplished increased tenfold.

  Switching her wine glass to her left hand, Juliette slowly reached out her right hand to Harrison’s, which was resting on the top of the step. She placed her hand over his. Without looking at her, Harrison turned his palm around and grasped her firmly, interlocking his fingers with hers. She squeezed him in silent support. He squeezed her hand back and did not release his hold on her. Instead he moved them closer to the fold of her gown, concealing their clasped hands beneath the fabric, and rested there. Jeffrey could not see that they were holding hands. Juliette suddenly felt like crying.

  “Again, I’m sorry you had to see Melissa that way tonight,” Harrison said.

  “There is no reason to apologize,” Juliette began. “We are the ones who arrived here unexpectedly. Had we any idea how things were with Melissa, we never would have intruded. Jeffrey and I will return to New York tomorrow, won’t we, Jeffrey?”

  “Yes, of course,” Jeffrey readily agreed.

  Harrison protested. “No. Please stay. At least for a few more days. It’s nicer having company here than I would have imagined.”

  As he spoke, Harrison squeezed Juliette’s hand tighter. Her heart flipped over in her chest at his tender gesture and she could not speak.

  “Are you certain, Harrison?” Jeffrey questioned. “It’s no trouble for us to go. There is no need to stand on ceremony with us.”

  “I’d like you both to stay,” Harrison declared firmly, giving Juliette’s hand another squeeze. “We could go to Long Branch and see the pier or go to the racetrack at Monmouth Park.”

  His thumb lightly caressed the top of her hand, tracing a path down to her inner wrist and sending shivers of delight up her spine. She closed her eyes. Having Harrison secretly holding her hand in the dark seemed incredibly intimate and filled Juliette with the overwhelming desire to kiss him.

  “Well, then. We shall stay then, shan’t we, Juliette?” Jeffrey asked, putting out his cigar on the slate stones.

  Her eyes fluttered open at the mention of her name. “Of course,” she murmured in a breathless whisper when she found her voice again. She squeezed Harrison’s hand back as she spoke, but still they did not look at each other. “I would love to stay.”

  “It’s settled then.”

  “I’m out of wine,” Jeffrey said with a light laugh. “That must mean it is time to retire.”

  “That’s probably a good idea,” Harrison concluded. He extinguished his cigar also. “I must admit that I am exhausted.”

  Juliette, loath to let go of Harrison’s hand, said nothing. She could sit there on that hard, stone step all night, as long as she felt this close to Harrison.

  Jeffrey stood and made his way toward the house. Neither Harrison nor Juliette moved an inch. Juliette wondered if Jeffrey intentionally left them alone. It would not surprise her if he had.

  A honeysuckle laden breeze wafted over them as they sat in silence.

  “We should go inside,” he said.

  She nodded, her throat tight, unable to speak.

  Still they did not move to get up. She finally turned her head to look at him only to find that he was staring at her. He did not turn away when her eyes met his. In the dim light she could see the heat in his gaze and almost gasped aloud at the intensity.

  “Juliette?”

  The sound of her name on his lips shook her. It seemed as if he were going to say something to her of great importance. She leaned in closer to him, her face mere inches from his, willing him with every fiber of her being to kiss her.

  He leaned toward her. “Juliette, I—”

  “Are you two coming inside, or should I come out there and get you?” Jeffrey called loudly from the doorway, instantly shattering the intimate mood between them.

  Harrison released her hand abruptly and straightened up. “We’re coming.” He rose to his feet.

  Filled with bitter disappointment, Juliette glanced up at him, her heart thrumming wildly. She had been positive that he was going to kiss her. Blast Jeffrey for interrupting them! Harrison nodded to her and held out his hand to help her to her feet. Taking his hand once again, Juliette stood on shaky legs and followed him into the house. The three of them bade each other good night and retired to their separate quarters.

  Alone in her room, Juliette collapsed in emotional exhaustion upon her bed, the sting of unshed tears burning her eyes. Funny, she hardly ever cried. Yet lately it seemed she was on the verge of tears constantly.

  18

  Some Like It Hot

  Juliette awoke the next morning and did not recognize the room she found herself in. After a fitful night sleep full of strange dreams, it took a moment to recall that she was in Harrison’s house. She blinked at the bright sunlight pouring into the blue toile bedroom. The clock on the mantel read eleven thirty. Goodness gracious, she slept later than usual, even for her! She stretched and yawned before making her way to the open window. Looking out at the v
erdant lawns and woods beyond, she could not help but admire the beauty of the landscape. The humming buzz of insects and the twittering of birds greeted her. The thick haze in the sky portended a very hot day. Indeed, Juliette could already feel the heat in the steamy stillness of the air.

  She washed in the adjoining white tiled bathroom, once again marveling at the amazing modernity of Harrison’s new house. He had every latest convenience and luxury installed. Once she was dressed in a simple muslin gown of pale peach and had arranged her thick hair into some semblance of order on top of her head to keep her as cool as possible, she descended the main staircase. The house was quiet. Seeing no one about, she made her way to the kitchen in answer to her rumbling stomach. She had not eaten much at dinner the night before so it was no surprise she was hungry.

  Mrs. O’Neil gave her a warm smile as she entered the sunny kitchen. “Good morning, Miss Hamilton. Captain Fleming gave us orders that we were to let you sleep as long as you liked. You must have been tired from your journey to sleep this late. It’s noon already! Why don’t you have a seat in the breakfast room and I’ll bring you some scrambled eggs and toast and coffee.”

  “Thank you, Mrs. O’Neil. That sounds lovely.” She followed the woman into a comfortable and decidedly less formal room than the dining room, and sat at a small table near the tree-shaded windows.

  “I hope you found your room to be comfortable and that you had a good night’s sleep.” Mrs. O’Neil bustled about, pouring her a cup of coffee, as she chattered amiably, and sat down at the table across from her. “Oh, it’s going to be a hot one today, mark my words. You’d be well-advised to stay indoors this afternoon, Miss Hamilton.”

  “Where are Lord Eddington and Captain Fleming?”

  “I believe Lord Eddington took one of the carriages and was riding into Red Bank or Shrewsbury. He mentioned something about visiting a friend.”

  Curious, Juliette wondered just whom Jeffrey was meeting in town and felt slightly put out that he had not seen fit to ask her to join him. “And Captain Fleming? Is he out for the day as well?”

  One of the maids placed a plate of fluffy scrambled eggs and thick sausage in front of her. Juliette’s mouth watered.

  “Captain Fleming is out and about somewhere on the estate with my husband. Mr. O’Neil manages the estate for him and takes care of everything on the farm when Captain Fleming is away.” Her pride in her husband was evident.

  Juliette smiled at the woman as she ate.

  “We don’t get many visitors here at Fleming House. It’s nice to have guests, especially such grand ones as yourself and Lord Eddington.”

  “Thank you,” Juliette murmured. “It’s lovely to be here. Thank you for making me feel so at home.”

  A maid stuck her head in the doorway. “Mrs. O’Neil? Did you want me to starch those lacey napkins too?”

  “I’ll be right in, Fanny,” she called to the girl. She rose from the table and said to Juliette, “When you are finished with breakfast, the library is down the main hallway. It’s cool and quiet in there. Captain Fleming thought you might like to visit there.”

  “Thank you,” Juliette called as the plump housekeeper hurried from the breakfast room.

  Feeling much better after she ate, Juliette found the library, a dark, wood-paneled room lined with shelves of books but wondered why Harrison would suggest that she visit the library. Juliette had had more than her fill of books to last her whole life and was not the least bit interested in reading. Thinking that he must have been teasing her and sent her there as a joke, she smiled to herself. The quiet room was cooler, but not by much.

  She fanned herself with a thin book of poetry that she found resting on a table. In the corner stood a rocking chair. Juliette, feeling somewhat restless, sat down and rocked back and forth, enjoying the slight breeze the movement created. She wished that Jeffrey or Harrison would return soon.

  “Hello.”

  Startled by the voice, Juliette froze when she saw Melissa standing alone in the doorway.

  Harrison’s sister appeared completely normal. She would be pretty if she weren’t so thin and fragile looking. She was very fair with wide green eyes and wore a simple pink cotton dress. Her long blonde hair was neatly pulled back behind her head with a pink ribbon. Aside from heavy dark circles around her eyes and thick bandages wrapped around her wrists, she displayed no outward signs of the traumatic events of the previous night. Unnerved by her presence and wondering why Melissa was unattended, Juliette swallowed.

  “Hello,” she murmured in response, clutching the arms of the chair tightly.

  Melissa stepped into the library and Juliette noted that she had bare feet. She came closer. “Who are you?” Melissa asked.

  “I’m Juliette Hamilton.”

  “That’s a pretty name,” she said softly, her voice like that of a child’s, although she had to be a few years older than Juliette.

  “Thank you.” Juliette felt the need to explain to her. “I’m a friend of Harrison’s.”

  “We never have visitors.” Melissa sat upon a large leather chair facing Juliette. “I’m Melissa Fleming, Harrison’s sister.” She pulled her feet up beneath her in a very casual position. Juliette caught a glimpse of the scratches on her bare ankles, obviously from the broken glass.

  “It’s very nice to meet you,” Juliette said, thinking the woman seemed more lucid than she had expected her to be. Again she wondered where her nurse was. Surely Melissa was not permitted to roam about at will. Not after that scene last night. The nurse must certainly come for her shortly.

  “Will you be staying with us long?” Melissa brought her fingers to her mouth and began biting her nails, which were already bitten to the quick.

  The nervous gesture increased Juliette’s apprehension. She did not feel comfortable being alone with Harrison’s unbalanced sister, yet she did not know how to extricate herself from the situation without upsetting the woman who had apparently made herself comfortable and settled in for a sociable chat.

  “I’m not sure how long I shall stay at the moment,” Juliette answered. “A few days, perhaps?”

  “That would be lovely. Has Mrs. O’Neil given you the blue guestroom?”

  “Yes. It’s quite charming.” Oh, when would that nurse come for Melissa? Juliette had never had to converse with an unstable person before, even though she seemed quite rational at the moment. The very ordinariness of the conversation seemed ridiculous. Juliette could not help but fear that Melissa would suddenly do something crazy or try to injure herself.

  “You have a lovely accent.” Melissa stopped biting her nails and smiled at her. “Where are you from?”

  “I’m from London.”

  “I’ve always wanted to go to London!” Melissa sighed dreamily. “I’ve only read about it in books.”

  Juliette smiled at her and continued rocking slowly in the chair. Imagine someone dreaming of going to England, all the while she was wishing to go to America! “I’ve always wanted to come to the United States.”

  Melissa let out a girlish giggle. “That’s very funny. We should switch places. You stay here and I’ll go to London and stay with your family.”

  “That would be funny,” Juliette conceded awkwardly. She wondered what her sisters would think of Melissa.

  A shadow of sadness crossed her face and she bit her nails again. “I never get to go anywhere though. No one ever lets me do anything I want to do. Especially my brother. He makes all the rules for me. He and Annie. They make all the decisions and they never ask me what I think.”

  “What do you wish to do?” Juliette heard herself ask.

  “Oh, lots of things!” Her eyes alight with excitement and yearning, she took her fingers from her mouth and continued. “I would like to go to different places and meet different people. I just wish to do something.”

  Although she nodded in agreement, Juliette said nothing. Melissa’s words sounded painfully familiar.

  Changing the subject, Meliss
a asked, “What is your family like?”

  “I have four sisters.”

  “Four sisters?” Melissa clapped her hands like a schoolgirl. “That’s wonderful! Are you the oldest?”

  “No, my sister Colette is the eldest. I’m next. Then there is Lisette, Paulette, and Yvette. Colette is the only one who is married so far. She’s about to have a baby.”

  “My sister, Isabella, is about to have a baby too!” She grinned happily. “I’m already an aunt though. Isabella has a little boy who is two years old, named Sam. I haven’t met him yet. They may come visit us from Boston at the end of the summer. I have another brother too. Stuart is off at sea somewhere. Asia, I think. Harrison is a wonderful brother to me. He’s the oldest. How do you know him?”

  “He is a business associate of my brother-in-law. Harrison stayed with us while he was in London. I came to New York with him when he sailed back.” There. Juliette thought that covered that subject as concisely as she could without outright lying.

  “Oh, were you on Harrison’s ship?” she stared at Juliette in wonder. “I would be too afraid to sail on the Sea Minx. They couldn’t even get me to ride the ferry to come here to Rumson. I insisted we take the train! Harrison was most displeased with me.” Melissa smiled impishly.

  Juliette could not deny the normalcy of their conversation. If she had not witnessed Melissa screaming and sobbing last night with her own eyes, she never would have believed her capable of such behavior. Nothing she said indicated that she was unbalanced. She appeared completely sane. She seemed like any average young woman. She loved her family, she wished to travel, yet had normal fears, and she was completely aware of who and where she was.

  “Are you going to marry my brother?”

  Shocked by the question, Juliette stopped the rocking chair with her feet. “Excuse me?”

  Melissa seemed embarrassed, and resumed biting her nails again. “Forgive me, I didn’t mean to pry. It’s just that Harrison has never brought a lady home to visit before. And with you being so beautiful and accomplished, I just naturally assumed that he intended to marry you.”