Page 69 of The Secret of the Dashing Detective
She would prove she could make a home for the two of them. And then it would be up to him whether or not he wanted to believe in her. If, even after that, he refused to do so, if he wouldn’t believe in her or her love? Well, then, he wasn’t the man for her. The words stung even as they raced through her mind, but she refused to allow anyone to make her feel less than she was.
Not even Matthew.
Not long after Matthew’s mother had departed, she returned with her daughters in tow, who seemed ecstatic that Juliana had arrived.
“Matthew is a stubborn-headed mule,” Betsy said, sitting down and crossing her arms over her chest. Juliana couldn’t help but laugh at that.
“I was saying the exact thing myself to someone else not long ago, actually,” she said, although she didn’t mention that she had been speaking to a dog.
“I’ve made a list of what I think Matthew would enjoy, although I would appreciate any recommendations you have to offer, for you would all know much better than I would what he might like.”
She held out the list, which Betsy and Mary took and began to read, heads together as they poured over it.
“You have come to know him well,” Betsy said, looking up at Juliana with eyes so like Matthew’s that it was oddly unsettling.
“I am observant,” Juliana said, although the heat rushed to her cheeks, for she knew that she was mostly observant of Matthew and his preferences.
“There is only one thing I would change,” Betsy said.
“Which is?”
“Matthew has not been eating meat as of late.”
Juliana was struck speechless for a moment. “He… hasn’t?”
“No,” Betsy said, a smile growing on her face, Mary’s matching hers. “It seems your arguments have made quite the impression on him.”
“But I haven’t pressed any arguments on him at all,” Juliana said, sitting back on the couch, dumbfounded. “The only way he would know is… well, I suppose it must be from my pamphlet.”
“Your pamphlet?”
Juliana quickly explained what she had been working on. “Matthew supplied some of the drawings for it.”
Now it was his sisters’ turn to be without words.
“Matthew hasn’t drawn or painted in ages,” Mary finally said. “He said he was too busy, that he had far too much else to do. We thought it such a pity, for he is so talented. It seems that you have brought out the best in him, Lady Juliana.”
“Please, just call me Juliana,” Juliana insisted. It seemed silly to use her title when she was trying to prove that she was prepared for this lifestyle.
The sisters exchanged a look. “Very well.”
“When would you like to do this?” Betsy asked.
“Is tomorrow too soon? If you could help guide me as to what to purchase, I can go into the market and find everything.”
“We can do that for you,” Mary said quickly, but Juliana was already shaking her head.
“No. I must do this myself. Although… perhaps your accompaniment would be lovely.”
She wasn’t fool enough to think that she wouldn’t require some advice on where to go and what to do.
They settled everything and walked Juliana to the door, where James had returned to wait for her. Betsy reached out and squeezed her hand.
“Try not to worry. All will be fine.”
“Thank you,” she said with a reassuring smile before she left the comfort of Matthew’s childhood home. As she greeted James, who helped her into the carriage, she knew one thing – she was making the right decision. She had to fight for Matthew – or she might forever regret it.
* * *
