In the past few days she’d gone back and forth on her decision at least a dozen times. At times she was convinced he deserved to be stunned by his mistake, but then she’d dissuade herself from following through with her plan because he would likely be angered by this new development and she didn’t wish to risk his wrath on her family. He honestly thought he’d be marrying Henrietta today, not her. There was no doubt in her mind when he lifted her veil this morning he would certainly be surprised.
“Come along, darling,” her mother’s sing-song voice chorused through the door.
Juliet adjusted her heavy spectacles, then took a deep, calming breath and opened the door.
“You look beautiful,” Mother gushed, clapping her hands in front of her with excitement. “All right, Lord Drakley’s carriage is waiting. Let’s be off.”
The Drakely carriage was one of the nicest monstrosities she’d ever seen. It was taller than any man she’d ever met, lacquered in black and polished so well she could see her reflection. Right in the middle of the door, not far from the handle, was the Drakely coat of arms.
The coachman who’d driven the carriage to their cottage walked over and opened the door for them. He glanced curiously at Juliet then turned his head as quickly as he could. Juliet grinned at him even though he wasn’t looking at her. He knew. She was certain he realized his employer’s mistake. “A half-penny for your silence,” Juliet whispered as her younger brothers and sisters pushed and shoved each other to get into the carriage.
“Nay,” he said, shaking his head, a telling grin covered at least half his face. “Jus’ git in.”
Juliet shrugged and allowed her father to help her ascend into the carriage. At the top step, she stopped. “And just where am I to sit?” she asked in mock agitation, eyeing her younger siblings who had taken up almost all of the seating.
“Right here,” Dara said, patting a little sliver of seat cushion barely an inch wider than her hand.
“Out,” Father commanded with a snap of his fingers. “The carriage is for Juliet, Mother and Henrietta. The rest of us will ride in our carriage.”
Juliet walked back down the steps and smiled at the brood as they filed out of the carriage. After the last one exited, Juliet ascended and took a seat next to her mother.
“Are you nervous?” Mother said calmly.
“Not especially,” she said. Should she actually be marrying Lord Drakely today, she’d be nervous; but since she wasn’t, she wasn’t nervous in the least. She might change that opinion as his fingers reached for the edge of her heavy veil, but for now she wasn’t nervous.
“You make a beautiful bride,” Henrietta murmured, drawing Juliet’s attention to her.
Juliet shot her a bright smile. “You’ll be one, too,” she said cryptically.
Thirty minutes and one terrible case of whiplash later the carriage jolted to a stop.
“Thank heavens that’s over,” Henrietta said, holding her hat on her head with one hand, and clutching the edge of her seat cushion like a lifeline with the other.
“I daresay his children probably enjoy such wild rides,” Juliet said lightly, garnering a slim smile from her mother.
“You’re likely right,” Mother agreed, both of her hands resting on the small bump on her abdomen. “As for me, I did not enjoy that, and tonight I’ll be sure to send up an extra thank you on your behalf that the cushions in here are so plush. I shudder to imagine just how sore we’d all be otherwise.”
The door to the carriage suddenly swung open to reveal a wide-grinned coachman.
“Did you hit every crater in sight?” Henrietta asked.
“Nay. Only the shallow ones. Wouldn’t want to get stuck again.”
Juliet cracked a smile. This coachman sure was a cheeky fellow. “All right, help us down, will you?”
“Aye.” The coachman glanced over his shoulder. “Ye may wan’ to put yer veil down,” he whispered.
With a slight nod of agreement, Juliet adjusted her spectacles one final time then pulled her heavy, veil she’d fashioned from an old curtain panel down. Her eyes searched the inside of the thick fabric for one of the tiny decorative holes she’d strategically placed that not only made a pattern to give off the impression of a real wardrobe piece, but also served as a way to let her be able to see but not be seen. Finding one, she blinked her eyes to get accustomed to such a small viewing space. She swallowed, her nervous excitement growing rapidly as each passing second brought her only that much closer to her plan.
Lord Drakely had sent word his friend Lord Sinclair wouldn’t be in attendance today, and since he’d have no one standing up with him, Juliet didn’t require anyone, either. Upon first reading the missive she’d felt a flood of relief course through her at not having to think up a reason why she didn’t have a female attendant. But relief quickly faded into annoyance when she thought about his missive a touch more and realized he’d all but told her what to do. Good thing Henrietta was far more biddable. She wouldn’t care what the man told her to do, she’d do it. Juliet shook her head and steeled her spine. All the more reason for her to see this through. Henrietta would never stand up to him. But, someone had to, even if it was only once.