Page 19 of Never Beguile a Duke

Digging her teeth into her lower lip, Juliette nodded, then whispered, “I’m not supposed to tell falsehoods.”

Miss Fernsby-Webb snorted and, pressing a hand to her mouth, twisted away.

“As you wish,” Silas replied, rising and holding out his hand to Juliette. “We shall inform our guests that we’ve recently learned of our connection and are…”

“Joyous,” Juliette said as she wrapped her slender fingers around his hand.

“Joyous,” he repeated, “to share that discovery with our friends.”

He led Juliette from the chamber and turned right, escorting her down the corridor.

“Mr. Aylett will need to know where to store your trunk.” He gestured toward a section of closed doors. “You may select any accommodation you desire.”

Spinning in a slow circle, Juliette scrunched her face as though using all the intellectual prowess a nine-year-old possessed. “Which chamber is yours?”

“That one.” He pointed to a door at the far end.

“May I have the room next to it?” Juliette’s gaze didn’t raise quite enough to meet Silas’ eyes. “Unless that chamber is occupied…”

It was not. He knew this because he’d instructed Mr. Aylett not to house guests within two rooms of his.

“It is vacant,” he replied, forcing what he hoped was a reassuring smile. “However, I do keep unusual hours and would loathe to disturb your rest. If you’d prefer a different?—”

“I would not.” Juliette shuddered, her voice dropping to a whisper. “Mother died because only I could hear her scream, and I couldn’t...”

She burst into tears and flung herself at Silas, wrapping her little arms around his waist and sobbing against his linen shirt.

Silas froze, uncertain how to comfort the crying child, then he reached out and patted Juliette twice on the top of her head.

“Come,” he said, detaching her from his torso. “Explore your selected chamber while I hunt down Mr. Aylett and your trunk. Then, you can change for your introduction this evening.”

Juliette sniffed, rubbing her eyes with little fists. “I only have this dress.”

Silas’ gaze slid over the dingy linen frock. “That will have to do for tonight. I’ll send for the modiste to outfit you tomorrow.”

“With new clothing?” Juliette’s face shone. “I’ve never owned a dress that someone else hadn’t worn.”

His heart split, the dull ache pulsing through his chest. If he’d known of her existence, he wouldn’t have allowed her to suffer in poverty.

“Your Grace!” Mr. Aylett wheezed from the top of the staircase, balancing a large traveling trunk on the banister post. “Which chamber have you designated as Miss Juliette’s?”

When Silas pointed to the door, a low curse word floated toward them. Swallowing his grin, Silas opened the door and gestured toward the room.

However, instead of entering, Juliette moved to his side, copied the gesture, then curtsied. “Thank you, Mr. Aylett.”

She peeked up at Silas. “Was that correct… Father?”

He flinched, then offered a curt nod. “I’m assuming you’d prefer to sit beside me during the meal. Therefore, I need to alter the seating arrangements. Would you care to accompany me downstairs?”

Grabbing his offered arm with both hands, Juliette rose on her toes and whispered, “Would you also seat Miss Fernsby-Webb beside us?”

“I…” He couldn’t think of a reason to deny the request, and he rather liked the idea of spending the evening conversing with her.

And Miss Fernsby-Webb couldn’t deny the whim of a nine-year-old.

“Since this is your scheme, you should propose it to Miss Fernsby-Webb,” he said, leading Juliette toward the Webb sisters’ chamber.

“She might refuse me.” Juliette’s lip quivered. “However, if you asked, she’d be obligated to agree.”