Page 48 of The Secret of the Dashing Detective
“Why, Lady Juliana, that is wonderful.”
“Wonderful?”
“Yes, that you have so much compassion for creatures who are lesser than us. And not only that, but that you take action on it. I have much admiration for you.”
“Th-thank you,” Juliana said, momentarily stunned. Emma had always said she appreciated Juliana’s work, but Juliana had been aware that Emma likely was just saying so because they were such good friends.
Lady Maria, however, had no reason for pretense – in fact, she had every reason to be upset with Juliana for using her as an excuse.
“You are not upset that I used you as a lie?”
“I am flattered that you would think of me,” Lady Maria said with a small smile.
“But… why?”
It was now Lady Maria who seemed speechless for a moment as she paused, likely gathering her thoughts.
“Well, I suppose that I am not often thought of in that regard.”
Juliana still didn’t understand, and her expression must have noted that.
“I have many acquaintances, but I don’t have many friends,” Lady Maria finally said in a rush, and this time it was Juliana who needed time to find the right words.
“But you are so… so…perfect.”
“According to all of our mothers, perhaps,” Lady Maria said with a delicate, graceful shrug of her shoulders. “But that very same reason causes most young women – and men – to avoid me instead. And now that your brother chose another— well, I am truly happy for them both but it has caused some question as to what fault he found with me.”
“I had no idea,” Juliana said, suddenly feeling like a chit. She had never thought to include Lady Maria in her close circle, for her presence had always reminded her of how lesser she was than the woman she had always thought was society’s darling.
“I shouldn’t have said anything,” Lady Maria said, dipping her head, her porcelain cheeks stained pink. “As for using me as an excuse, I do not mind. I am happy to do a small part to help.”
“Thank you,” Juliana said, knowing she had to ask about Friday but not knowing how to do so in any way that was genuine. “I have an… event on Friday evening that I would like to attend but—”
Lady Maria bit her lip for a moment as she thought on the dilemma.
“I am to go to a dance being held at Almack’s. You could tell your mother that you are attending with me, as long as she doesn’t have plans to go herself. Then she would realize that you are being untruthful, unless I can make your excuses should I see her over the night. As for how you would feign attendance without her accompaniment… that I would have to leave to you.”
“You would do that for me?”
“I would be happy to.”
“I don’t know how to thank you.”
“Continue to do your work,” Lady Maria said, which only caused Juliana further shame when in fact she was going to be with Matthew on Friday night.
“Perhaps you could call upon me next week?” Juliana asked, surprised to realize that she earnestly meant the invitation – she did want to see Lady Maria again, was interested in spending time in her company.
“I would like that very much,” replied Lady Maria, obviously trying to quickly hide her pleasure. “Thank you.”
They spent the remainder of the visit engaged in deeper conversation than they had ever partaken in before, despite the fact they had spent a rather good amount of time together – although most of it was with their mothers, which meant that it was hard to get a word in, and if they did, it was often led in the direction of conversation their mothers preferred.
When it was time to depart, Juliana said her farewell with much warmth, and was practically brimming with excitement when she and Matthew left.
“Next stop? Holborn,” Matthew said with a grim smile. “We will collect Betsy and then continue on to my boarding house.”
Juliana clasped her hands together in excitement as they boarded the carriage, eager to see what his living quarters looked like. They picked up Betsy and Andrew on the way, and when they arrived in front of a two-storey brown building, Juliana gazed out of the window in curiosity. Abigail agreed to stay in the carriage with James atop it – Betsy assured her that she would be a proper chaperone – and they followed Matthew into his building.
Juliana wasn’t sure what she expected of Matthew’s living quarters. But when she stepped through the door she was quite… underwhelmed.
