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“Your Grace? Are you all right …”

Juliet cut her off with a quick shake of her head. It took her a moment to find enough stability in her voice, but when she did, she spoke quietly, feeling more certain of her decision with every word.

“I need you to help me pack. I must leave Islington Hall for a little while.”

CHAPTER 36

Leaving Islington Hall was harder than Juliet had anticipated.

Given how long it had taken her to become accustomed to her new way of life, it was surprising how difficult it was to detach herself from the place she had grown to love.

Maybe it is because of all the hopes and dreams that I had nurtured here

She had really tried to trust in her situation and had let her desire to make the most of it be born from less than palatable moments. She had taken things in stride and held onto the belief that one day they could learn to live together like a real family, despite the circumstances that brought them together.

As she stared down the corridor that led to his study, she realized the error of her ways when she found his door locked.

“What a fool I have been,” Juliet sighed, fighting back tears.

“Please, Your Grace, let me go with you,” Leila had pleaded since Juliet had asked for help packing her things.

“No, Leila, you cannot.” Juliet shook her head tiredly. “I understand that you wish to help, but St. Catherine’s is no place for you. From what I have gathered, things are much worse than when I had left them. I cannot promise you that it would be easy to survive there.”

“I don’t care,” her maid said defiantly. “I do not care for my own well-being. I am meant to serve you. I do not want to let you go off on your own.

“No.”

Judging by the look on Leila’s face, Juliet’s voice had come out harsher and colder than she had intended.

She needed to let this girl know that she couldn’t simply throw her life away to be in a place that was equivalent to hell on earth for the sake of someone else.

“I appreciate your concern, Leila. I really do. I am thankful for all the care you have shown me until now, and I wish I could have done more for you in return, but you cannot follow me to the nunnery. I am returning because the girls there need my help and assistance. I do not have much to offer, but I still wish to dowhatever I can whilst I am there. It would be better for you to stay here where you are safe.”

Leila’s cheeks were filled with pink, and she shrunk in embarrassment, making Juliet feel responsible for her discomfort.

“I really do appreciate all that you have done for me. I am thankful that you offered your assistance, but I will be fine, all right?”

The younger woman nodded. “Yes, Your Grace. It has been a pleasure serving you thus far. I shall be here, awaiting your return.”

Could I even come back? Would Hector want me to? Or would he come to the realization that I am more trouble than I am worth and choose to stop things from going further?

Devastation flooded Juliet’s chest, and she exhaled deeply, managing to muster a smile for her maid.

“Take care of yourself, Leila.”

Outside, Estella was waiting by the carriage with a gloomy expression on her face.

“Your Grace …”

“I do not wish to burden you with anything more. I am sure it must have been a trying task, looking after me. But I would like to ask you to take care of Hector. His work seems to be rather consuming as of late. Ensure that he eats and gets proper rest. He is stubborn—you know that better than anyone—but he will cave if you push hard enough.”

The elderly woman’s eyes filled with anguish as she nodded.

“Safe travels, Your Grace. We will eagerly await your return.”

Numbly, Juliet nodded and climbed into the carriage. All the emotions and thoughts within her melted together, but a part of her prayed that Hector would come for her and ask her to stay so that they could solve their problems.

After a minute of silence, the coachman asked, “Where to, Your Grace?”