1. Chapter 1

Chapter 1

London, England - Spring 1813

J uliet Lane, the only child of the Earl of Avon, hid in the retiring room at the Fletchers’ ball, doing her best to catch her breath after she practically sprinted down the hall. The retiring room seemed like the only place she might avoid getting asked to dance by any other gentleman with wandering hands. After what she had experienced on the dance floor with Lord Dunblane, she didn’t much feel like dancing for the rest of the evening if she could help it.

Rejecting a dance with a gentleman just wasn’t done, which left her vulnerable to such partners if she remained in the ballroom. Lord Dunblane took it upon himself to grasp her bottom during each of the turns so that no one might notice. When his hands weren’t glued to her arse, his eyes were trained on her bosom. Which was hard to cover with the style of her dress and the way her stays positioned her ample breasts and made them appear even larger, if that were possible. She regretted that she hadn’t worn a fichu and wouldn’t ever make the same mistake again.

She was used to men staring at her, undressing her with their eyes. It was a usual occurrence at ton events. Juliet didn’t possess the small body of the other misses on the Marriage Mart. They salivated and hardly noticed her face, let alone anything she might have to say, once they took notice of her body. Her figure was shaped more like an hourglass, with an abundant pair of full breasts and curvy hips, with a shapely arse.

The sound of voices reached her as someone approached the room, and she resolved to remain in her hiding place behind the screen.

“She probably went home,” one young lady said. Juliet didn’t recognize her voice and didn’t dare peek her head out to see who it was.

“It makes you wonder,” another lady started, “how the modiste has enough fabric to fashion a dress for those hips. ”

Both of the ladies laughed, proud of themselves. It wasn’t anything Juliet hadn’t heard before and she could only assume they were speaking about her.

In truth, the modiste had a terrible time fashioning dresses that were in high fashion because of her shape—not because of lack of fabric, but due to the current fashions, Juliet thought to herself. It was deuced annoying.

“Well, the gentlemen seem taken with her. It makes me wonder if we should start stuffing tissue paper into our stays.”

“They shall never marry her. Wishing to dally with a woman and marrying her are quite different.”

The ladies laughed again.

Juliet sensed another person had exited the screened area beside hers. “Lady Theodosia,” another unique voice started. “There is nary a man alive who would wish to do either with you.”

“You are one to talk,” the one Juliet assumed to be Lady Theodosia said. “And where exactly is your husband, Lady Eliza?”

“Hopefully he doesn’t exist,” the voice sounding again like Lady Eliza replied. “Although, based on the three marriage offers I declined last week, perhaps I’ll see if one of those heartbroken gentlemen might be desperate enough to saddle themselves to you. ”

Juliet covered her mouth to fight her laughter behind the screen. She didn’t enjoy mocking others, but the lady certainly deserved a set down.

“Come, Rebecca,” Lady Theodosia said. “We don’t need to be seen with such company.”

Once Juliet was certain the ladies had left, she emerged from her hiding place and the woman she believed could only be Lady Eliza was still in the room.

“Thank you for that,” Juliet said, offering a small smile to the woman.

Lady Eliza shifted her attention to her and appeared surprised to find her standing there. Her expression shifted to a kind smile. “I can’t stand those two,” Lady Eliza replied. “Don’t worry about them. They just envy the attention you get.”

“I don’t even want it,” Juliet said, deciding to forgo the usual social protocol of feigning indifference and speak honestly with the lady who’d just come to her rescue. “I’m Lady Juliet, by the way.”

“So glad to meet you. I’m Lady Eliza,” the woman replied. “But please, just call me Eliza.”

Juliet nodded in agreement.

“I don’t much care for the attention either,” Eliza shared. “I am uncertain if I ever wish to wed.”

Juliet noted a pain in the woman’s expression and assumed there was a reason for Eliza to make such a declaration, when she was almost certain it was the lady’s first season out. Although, it was also Juliet’s first season, and she shared a similar position on marriage.

“Would you like to come to tea at my house tomorrow?” Juliet asked, staring down at her feet. “I don’t have many friends, and it would be nice to talk to someone who isn’t as haughty as some of these other debutantes.”

Eliza looped her arm in Juliet’s. “I’d be delighted.”

“Who did you say was joining for tea today?” Juliet’s father, Earl of Avon, asked.

“Lady Eliza,” Juliet replied. “The Earl of Nelson’s daughter.”

Her father nodded his approval. “I am glad to see you making friends, princess. You should find the season much more enjoyable without only your aunt to keep you company.”

The previous evening had already been much more fun with Eliza at her side. They avoided most of the gentlemen, and they talked and laughed the evening away. The pair had become fast friends, and Juliet couldn’t wait to learn more about her new friend and to entertain a guest for tea .

“I agree, Papa. You needn’t join us, though. I’m sure we would just bore you with all the lady-like talk.”

He laughed and patted her shoulder. “I shall make myself scarce. I hope you have an enjoyable time.” Her father kissed the top of her head and then started for his study.

Juliet adored her father. Since her mother had passed when she was a young girl, he was all she had. She just didn’t prefer him to linger around and listen to her conversations, especially the first time she’d have a friend come to call.

“My lady,” her butler said, “you have a caller. Lady Eliza is here to see you.”

“Thank you, White,” she replied. “Please show her in here and bring tea.”

He bowed and in a matter of moments, returned with Eliza.

“Juliet,” she said, coming right to her and bussing her cheeks. “I am so glad to see you.”

“Please, take a seat. Tea will be in shortly.”

Eliza took the seat in the chair right next to where Juliet sat on the settee.

When Eliza glanced up at the wall, Juliet followed her gaze to see the paintings that she fixed her gaze on. “Who painted those? They are quite beautiful. ”

Juliet grinned and glanced at the paintings, pride radiating from her. “I did.”

“You painted those?” Eliza asked, impressed. “You are talented, indeed.”

A maid entered and rolled in the tea cart, interrupting their conversation. Once the maid departed, Juliet prepared them each a cup of tea.

Once they had their refreshments, Eliza stared at the paintings again. “Could you paint me?”

“I am certain I could,” Juliet said.

“Your paintings should be in a gallery,” Eliza said, her tone serious.

Juliet huffed. “I tried that, and the gallery wasn’t interested in art from a woman, especially one from beau monde.”

“How dare they!” Eliza exclaimed. Juliet couldn’t agree more. Just another reason she and Eliza got on so well.

“I hope to open my own gallery one day. A gallery that will accept all work, regardless of gender, race, or class.”

Eliza clasped her hands at her chest. “I love that! I shall be happy to help with your endeavor if I can. But I’m afraid I have no artistic abilities besides singing and the pianoforte.”

“Just having your support is enough,” Juliet said, beaming at her friend. “It shall be difficult to find others who will support the gallery, but I am determined. ”

“I have no doubt you shall succeed, Juliet,” Eliza said, taking a sip of her tea. “You never told me why you were hiding in the bathroom last night.”

Juliet huffed. “There are gentlemen who can’t seem to keep their hands off certain places on my body.”

Eliza rolled her eyes. “Just like a man to do whatever he wishes, with no concern for anyone else.”

Juliet agreed, of course, but assumed her friend had different reasons for believing so.

Juliet contemplated Eliza’s reaction. “Why is it you don’t wish to wed?”

“I fancied myself in love once, and that was a farce,” Eliza replied. “I have no desire to go through that again.”

“What happened, if you don’t mind me asking?” Juliet took a sip of her tea, awaiting the answer.

Eliza drew a deep breath. “I shall tell you the full story soon. I promise. Let us speak of more pleasant things today.”

“I ask because I am uncertain a husband will support my artistic ventures, but I am so dreadfully curious about other benefits a marriage brings.” She had tried to get her maid to tell her of such things to no avail.

Eliza laughed and gave her a knowing look. “Oh, I believe I understand your meaning.”

Juliet’s face flushed. “I don’t care for these entitled men who grope me in ballrooms, but it might be nice to experience such things with a gentleman of interest. Whatever those things may be. With Mama gone, I shan’t ask Papa to explain it to me.”

“If that is what you wish to know, I can explain such things,” Eliza said, grinning at her friend behind her teacup. “And I can tell you how to please yourself with no need of a man.”